When crafting your resume, it’s important to emphasize your work experience strategically: this not only grabs the attention of hiring managers but also showcases your qualifications and skills effectively.
Highlighting work experience demonstrates relevance to the job you are applying for. Instead of just listing your past job titles and general tasks, you can focus on achievements and responsibilities that directly relate to the position at hand.
Identifying Key Achievements
Quantifying Success
When you want to showcase your work experience on your resume, try to provide measurable results. Employers appreciate seeing concrete numbers, because it gives them a clearer understanding of your capabilities. To do this successfully, convert your duties into specific achievements that are quantifiable.
For instance, instead of merely stating “Managed a marketing campaign,” you can include the percentage by which revenue increased as a result of your efforts. A better example would be: “Managed a marketing campaign that increased revenue by 35% within six months.” (By providing tangible results, you’ll be able to better present your skills and expertise.)
Highlighting Career Progression
Employers want to see growth and progress in your career. To demonstrate your professional development, you can mention increased responsibilities or newly acquired skills.
Structuring Your Resume
Chronological Format
The chronological format focuses on your work history, listing your experiences in reverse chronological order. This format is perfect for showcasing a steady career progression or if you’re applying for a job that requires specific work experience. For example:
- Company A: Software Engineer (Jan 2021 – Present)
- Company B: Junior Software Engineer (May 2018 – Dec 2020)
- Company C: Web Developer Intern (Jun 2017 – Aug 2017)
Start by listing your most recent position and work your way back. Include your job title, company name, and the duration of your employment for each entry.
Functional Format
A functional format prioritizes your skills and achievements, grouping them into relevant categories. This format works well if you have limited work experience, are changing careers, or have gaps in your employment history. Start by listing 2-3 skill sets, followed by specific examples of your achievements in each area. For example:
- Project Management Skills
- Coordinated a team of 6 developers to complete a software project 2 weeks ahead of schedule.
- Successfully managed a budget of $50,000 for a marketing campaign.
- Programming Skills
- Developed a web application using Python and Django, reducing user response time by 35%.
- Implemented a new feature in Java, increasing user satisfaction by 20%.
Combination Format
The combination format blends the chronological and functional formats, splitting your resume into two sections. Begin with a functional section highlighting your skills and accomplishments, and follow it with a chronological listing of your work history. This format showcases your skills while addressing your employment history, making it ideal for those with diverse backgrounds or a mix of experiences. For example:
Key Skills and Achievements:
- Customer Service
- Improved customer satisfaction scores by 15% by implementing new training methods.
- Recognized as Employee of the Month twice for excellent customer service.
- Sales
- Consistently exceeded sales targets by 10% or more each quarter.
- Ranked in the top 5 salespeople in the company for three consecutive years.
Work History:
- Company A: Customer Support Specialist (Feb 2021 – Present)
- Company B: Retail Sales Associate (Oct 2018 – Jan 2021)
- Company C: Sales Intern (May 2018 – Aug 2018)
You can tailor your resume format to your unique experiences and the job you’re applying for, showcasing your most relevant skills, achievements, and experiences to catch the employer’s attention.
Tailoring Experience to the Job Description
Using Job-Relevant Keywords
When you want to highlight your work experience on a resume, it’s important to tailor it to the job description. Start by identifying relevant keywords from the job posting, and use them throughout your resume. These keywords can include specific hard skills (like programming languages or software proficiencies) and soft skills (like teamwork or communication).
For example, suppose you’re applying to a project management role and the job description mentions “Agile methodologies” and “team collaboration.” In that case, you should include those phrases when describing your experience, such as:
- “Led a team of six developers using Agile methodologies to deliver software updates on time.”
- “Facilitated team collaboration through weekly meetings and by implementing project management tools.”
By incorporating these job-relevant keywords, you make it easier for hiring managers to see that your experience aligns with their needs.
Matching Skills and Experiences
Another crucial aspect of tailoring your resume is matching your skills and experiences with the job requirements. Start by making a list of your relevant skills, then clearly demonstrate how they align with the job description.
For instance, suppose the job posting requires experience in “data analytics” and “presenting findings to stakeholders.” You can then include bullet points under relevant work experiences, like:
- “Analyzed complex data sets to identify growth opportunities, increasing revenue by 15% over six months.”
- “Presented data-driven recommendations to senior executives, resulting in streamlined business processes and reduced operational costs.”
If possible, use concrete numbers and achievements to showcase your skills and experiences. Remember to keep it brief, focusing on the most impactful and job-relevant accomplishments.
Writing Effective Bullet Points: 35 Example Action Verbs for a Resume
To make your resume stand out and effectively convey your work experience, you can start your bullet points with strong action verbs. Using action verbs helps illustrate your accomplishments and responsibilities more vividly.
- Achieved
- Implemented
- Managed
- Developed
- Optimized
- Coordinated
- Executed
- Innovated
- Expanded
- Streamlined
- Delivered
- Transformed
- Increased
- Facilitated
- Directed
- Negotiated
- Analyzed
- Constructed
- Overhauled
- Customized
- Integrated
- Motivated
- Generated
- Accelerated
- Revitalized
- Pioneered
- Outperformed
- Restructured
- Advocated
- Enhanced
- Collaborated
- Resolved
- Influenced
- Upgraded
- Launched
Incorporating Soft Skills and Technical Skills
When highlighting your work experience on your resume, it’s important to showcase both your soft skills and technical skills. This can help employers understand how well-rounded you are as a potential candidate.
To include your soft skills, try to incorporate them into your job descriptions or demonstrate them by providing examples of accomplishments that highlight these abilities. For example, if you have excellent communication skills, you might mention how you effectively collaborated with cross-functional teams and how that led to a project’s success. Some common soft skills to highlight are:
- Communication skills
- Leadership ability
- Problem-solving skills
- Teamwork and collaboration
- Time management
Related: What Are Soft Skills? (and How to Showcase Them)
Showcasing your technical skills on your resume can help set you apart. When listing your technical skills, try to use bullet points for better organization. For example:
- MS Office
- Asana
- Adobe Creative Suite
By incorporating both soft skills and technical skills in your resume, you can present yourself as a well-rounded and capable candidate – one who can not only perform the technical aspects of a job but can also work well in diverse teams and adapt to the company culture.
Related: Hard Skills vs. Soft Skills (with Examples)
Including Additional Sections
Including additional sections in your resume can help you showcase your work experience more effectively. While the standard sections, such as work history, education, and skills, are necessary, adding tailored sections can make your resume stand out.
For instance, you can include a Projects section if you’ve worked on any significant projects that display your expertise and creativity. Be sure to mention the project’s name, your role, and the skills you utilized.
Example
- Project 1: Orchestrated a comprehensive social media campaign for a new product launch, which boosted brand engagement by 50% and resulted in a 20% uplift in pre-orders.
- Project 2: Led a cross-functional team to revamp the corporate website with a focus on user experience, leading to a 40% decrease in bounce rate and a 25% increase in average session duration.
Adding a Certifications section can demonstrate your commitment to professional development. List any relevant certifications, the certifying organization, and the completion date.
Example
- Certified Digital Marketing Professional, Digital Marketing Institute, August 2022
- Google Analytics Individual Qualification, Google, June 2021
- Professional Certified Marketer, American Marketing Association, March 2020
- Facebook Certified Planning Professional, Facebook Blueprint, July 2019
Related: How To List Certifications on a Resume (Examples)
If you have international experiences or language skills, you can add a Languages section. Specify your proficiency level, such as “fluent” or “conversational.” This can be particularly valuable for positions that require communication with diverse clienteles or involve global stakeholders.
Example
- Spanish: Fluent
- French: Conversational
Related: How to Include Language Skills on Your Resume (Examples)
To emphasize your technical proficiencies, you can create a Technical Skills section. This allows potential employers to quickly identify your specific abilities. You can use a simple list format or categorize them by area of expertise.
Example
Technical Skills
Digital Advertising
– Google Ads
– Facebook Ads Manager
– LinkedIn Advertising
– Programmatic Advertising Platforms
Data Analysis & Reporting
– Google Analytics
– Adobe Analytics
– Microsoft Excel
– Data Studio
Graphic Design & Video Editing
– Adobe Creative Suite (Photoshop, Illustrator, Premiere Pro)
– Canva
– Final Cut Pro
By categorizing the skills, you make it easier for the employer to quickly assess your expertise in various areas.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are some effective ways to showcase my work experience on my resume?
To showcase your work experience effectively, consider the following tips:
- Use bullet points to clearly list your roles, responsibilities, and achievements at each position.
- Tailor your resume to the specific job you’re applying for by highlighting skills and experiences related to the requirements.
- Quantify your achievements by providing numbers, percentages, or other metrics.
- Focus on your most recent and relevant work experience, and emphasize any transferable skills to the position you’re applying for.
Can you provide examples of how to describe work experience for entry-level positions?
When describing work experience for entry-level positions, consider the following examples:
- Use strong action verbs to start your bullet points. Instead of “was responsible for,” try “managed,” “led,” or “organized.”
- Include transferable skills and experiences from internships, volunteer work, school clubs, or extracurricular activities.
- Discuss academic projects, coursework, or certifications that may be relevant to the job.
- Emphasize any soft skills or personal qualities that are valuable for the position, like teamwork, problem-solving, or adaptability.
Related: How to Write a Resume With No Experience (Examples)
How can students with limited work experience highlight their skills on a resume?
Students with limited work experience can highlight their skills on a resume by:
- Adding a skills section to showcase relevant abilities, such as computer skills, language proficiencies, or data analysis.
- Including unpaid positions, internships, or volunteer work experiences that demonstrate transferable skills.
- Detailing academic projects or coursework that showcase your skills and achievements.
- Emphasizing soft skills, like teamwork, communication, or critical thinking, that are valuable in any workplace.
Related: Impressive Resume with No Work Experience (for Students)
What should I include when listing my career highlights and achievements?
When listing your career highlights and achievements, make sure to:
- Focus on quantifiable results or improvements you contributed to, such as increased sales, decreased costs, or improved productivity.
- Mention any awards or recognitions you received for your work.
- Highlight major projects or initiatives you led or played a significant role in.
- Include promotions, additional responsibilities, or notable clients you worked with.
In what manner can I best present my work history to appeal to potential employers?
To present your work history in an appealing way for potential employers, consider the following strategies:
- Use a clear, easy-to-read format with consistent styling throughout your resume.
- Include a brief, compelling summary at the top of your resume to quickly convey your most relevant skills and experiences.
- Prioritize your work history by placing your most recent and relevant positions first, followed by less relevant roles or older positions.
- Keep your resume concise, focusing on concrete achievements and experiences instead of vague descriptions or buzzwords.
What strategies are recommended for emphasizing relevant job experience in my field?
To emphasize relevant job experience in your field, try these strategies:
- Tailor your resume to the specific job opening by emphasizing the skills, experiences, and education that relate most closely to the position’s requirements.
- Use relevant industry keywords and terminology throughout your resume to demonstrate your familiarity with the field.
- Showcase your expertise by mentioning any professional certifications, licenses, memberships, or publications you have in the field.
- Highlight any specialized training or education you have received related to the industry, such as specific courses, workshops, or conferences.