How To Write Resume Work Experience (With Examples)

Your resume is your first opportunity to make an impression on potential employers. It serves as a snapshot of your professional journey, highlighting key experiences and skills that set you apart from other candidates. Crafting your resume can be daunting, but with the right approach, it becomes a powerful tool to market yourself effectively.

One of the most crucial components of your resume is the work experience section. This part not only outlines your employment history but also conveys the responsibilities you held and the impact you had in your prior roles. Therefore, it’s essential to present this information compellingly.

Employers are particularly interested in seeing how your experience aligns with their job requirements. Thus, it’s vital to showcase your work history in a way that captures their attention.

If you’re unsure about how to format your work experience or how to make it relevant to the position you’re applying for, this article will guide you through the essential elements of effective formatting and provide detailed insights into what to include when describing your work experience.

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In This Article

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What is a Resume Work Experience Section, and Why is it Important?
The Basics: How to Nail Formatting
Update Your Resume Now To Get Your Next Job Faster
What to Include in Your Descriptions
Work Experience Example
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What is a Resume Work Experience Section, and Why is it Important?

The work experience section of your resume is essential, presenting your employment history in a way that highlights your skills and accomplishments clearly and concisely. This section provides hiring managers with insights into your professional background, demonstrating your potential as an asset to their team.

Including this section is vital, as it outlines not only your previous roles but also your achievements and what distinguishes you as a valuable candidate. After reviewing your work experience, hiring managers should feel confident about your qualifications and potential contributions.

The Basics: How to Nail Formatting

When crafting your work experience section, clarity and readability are paramount. Avoid lengthy descriptions and focus on the most significant details of your past positions.

Generally, you should start with the job title followed by the dates of your employment. For example, your first line might look like this:

Retail Sales Associate, 08/2018 to 03/2020

While specific dates are preferable, if you don’t have exact dates, stating just the months is acceptable.

Keep in mind that if you held a job for a brief period or a long time ago, you may choose not to include it. However, avoid omitting relevant positions due to personal reasons, as it can raise concerns with potential employers.

Next, include the company name and location. The two lines together should look like this:

Retail Sales Associate, 08/2018 to 03/2020
Tom’s Groceries — 109 Samson St, Fletcher, PA 12312

After presenting this information, add a brief description of your role. You can use bullet points or sentences, but remember to keep it concise.

Here are some examples of effective descriptions:

This position emphasized teamwork, where I discovered efficient communication methods with colleagues. Providing excellent customer service was essential, so I maintained a polite demeanor and adhered to company protocols. My responsibilities included managing the register, stocking products from the back room or freezers, preparing food quickly and reliably, and maintaining cleanliness. Frequently, these tasks required multitasking, testing my efficiency and composure.
- Collaborated with a team to communicate effectively with other co-workers
- Managed cash transactions and delivered outstanding customer service at the register
- Stocked delivery items in the back room and freezers with care
- Prepared food for guests quickly and reliably
- Executed all tasks in a fast-paced, simultaneous manner

As illustrated, keep your descriptions brief but impactful, emphasizing your accomplishments.

Here are some additional formatting tips to keep in mind:

List your work history in reverse chronological order, starting with your most recent position.
Choose professional fonts; stick to options like Times New Roman, Arial, Calibri, Helvetica, Cambria, or Georgia.
Focus on your performance and achievements rather than providing generic job descriptions.

What should I highlight on my resume?

Shannon O’Brien
Career Development Advisor
Whole U.

At Whole U., we prioritize quality over quantity. We assist clients in showcasing experiences that align precisely with the key aspects of the job description. Eliminate unnecessary details and focus on the points they are seeking.

It’s crucial to remember that your resume alone won’t secure you a job! From mindset to networking, your quest for a fulfilling career encompasses much more than a single document.

Update Your Resume Now To Get Your Next Job Faster

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Zippia’s resume builder can help make your experience stand out.

What to Include in Your Descriptions

Understanding how to format your work experience is only part of the process; you must also know how to effectively describe your previous positions. What do hiring managers seek? How can you present your experience, even from roles that may not directly relate to the job you’re applying for?

As previously mentioned, your job descriptions should emphasize your achievements and successes rather than simply listing duties. For instance, if you worked in a restaurant, instead of stating that you delivered food, focus on your punctuality and ability to memorize orders efficiently.

For example:

During my time in this role, I efficiently relayed orders without mixing them up or recording inaccuracies. Customers frequently complimented my prompt delivery of food to their tables.

Relevance is key. If you have retail experience but are applying for a role in security, tailor your retail job description to highlight transferable skills. Instead of focusing on minor tasks, consider discussing your attention to detail, crisis management skills, or how you handled emergency situations.

For example:

As the senior Sales Associate at Tom’s Groceries, I effectively managed a fire emergency, calmly following company protocols to ensure everyone’s safety.

However, avoid overly lengthy descriptions. Limit your focus to a few key achievements or skills before transitioning to the next position. Utilize strong action verbs such as: responsible, orchestrated, mentored, accelerated, regulated, promoted, achieved, administered, or fulfilled to enhance your descriptions.

By applying these tips, your work experience section will impress hiring managers and effectively demonstrate your qualifications.

Work Experience Example

Assistant Manager, 05/2017 to 08/2020
Zoro Inc. — Fairfield Commons, 55 Ritter Rd, VT 01234
In this position, I efficiently managed multiple responsibilities, enhancing my multitasking skills significantly. My tasks included:

Accurately filing financial and customer documentation

Maintaining cleanliness throughout the company facility

Monitoring inventory levels and placing orders as necessary

Providing excellent customer service when needed

Training new employees to ensure they met company standards

Retail Sales Associate, 08/2015 to 03/2017
Tom’s Groceries — 109 Samson St, Fletcher, PA 12312
Collaboration was key in this role, where I learned to communicate effectively with my team. Customer service was paramount, and I consistently maintained a polite and professional demeanor. My notable achievements included:

Working as part of a team and communicating effectively with at least two other co-workers

Managing cash transactions and providing excellent customer service at the register

Cautiously stocking delivery items in the back room and freezers

Rapidly preparing food for guests

Managing all these tasks in a fast-paced environment

Barn Assistant, 11/2013 to 06/2015
Equestrian Center — 293 Main St, Fletcher, PA 12312
In this role, I took responsibility for the horses under my care. Key tasks included:

Mucking stalls promptly and efficiently

Assisting first-time riders as an assistant instructor on trail rides

Preparing horses for rides by saddling and bridling them

Author

Jack Flynn

Jack Flynn is a writer for Zippia. In his professional career he’s written over 100 research papers, articles and blog posts. Some of his most popular published works include his writing about economic terms and research into job classifications. Jack received his BS from Hampshire College.

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