How to Describe Work Experience on a Resume: Complete Guide

Your work experience section is the heart of your resume. It communicates your professional journey, skills, and accomplishments to potential employers. A well-crafted work experience section can significantly enhance your chances of landing an interview. Let’s delve into how to present your work history in a compelling, action-oriented way.

The Basic Structure of Work Experience

When detailing each position, use the following structured format:

Essential Components:

• Job Title: Your official title or a standardized equivalent.
• Company Name: Full name of the organization.
• Location: City and state (or country for international experience).
• Dates: Month and year for start and end dates.
• Description: Bullet points showcasing your responsibilities and achievements.

Standard Format:

**Marketing Manager** | Acme Corporation, San Francisco, CA | March 2020 - Present  
• Developed and executed marketing strategies that increased brand awareness by 50%.  
• Managed a budget of $200,000, optimizing spend efficiency by 30%.  
• Collaborated with cross-functional teams to launch 5 successful products.

How Far Back Should You Go?

The 10-15 Year Rule:

• Include if:
  • The position is relevant to the role you’re applying for.
  • You held significant responsibilities.
  • The experience falls within the last 10-15 years.
• Consider omitting if:
  • The position is more than 15 years old.
  • The experience is completely unrelated to your target role.
  • Including it would clutter your resume.

Tip for Older Relevant Experience:

Create a section titled "Earlier Career" with abbreviated entries:

**Earlier Career:**  
**Software Engineer** | Tech Solutions Corp., New York, NY | Jan 2008 - Dec 2015  
• Contributed to software development projects that improved efficiency by 35%.

Writing About Your Current Job

Make It Stand Out:

• Use Present Tense: Use active verbs like “Manage,” “Lead,” and “Develop.”
• Include Recent Achievements: What have you accomplished in the last 6-12 months?
• Show Progression: If you’ve been promoted or taken on new responsibilities, highlight this growth.
• Handle Confidential Projects: Mention them without revealing proprietary details.

Example:

**Senior Product Manager** | TechStart Inc., Austin, TX | January 2022 - Present  
• Led a cross-functional team of 12 in developing a flagship mobile application resulting in a 40% increase in user engagement.  
• Drove product roadmap prioritization, successfully shipping 15+ features in the past year.  
• Presented product updates to C-suite executives and board members quarterly, enhancing stakeholder buy-in.

Writing About Previous Jobs

Focus on Accomplishments:

• Use past tense and be concise.
• Highlight achievements rather than just responsibilities.
• Quantify results to provide concrete evidence of your impact.

Example:

**Product Manager** | StartupXYZ, Denver, CO | June 2019 - December 2021  
• Launched 3 product lines generating $5M in first-year revenue.  
• Reduced customer churn by 35% through feature improvements based on user research.  
• Built and managed a team of 4 product analysts, establishing best practices adopted organization-wide.

Describing Jobs at the Same Company

If you held multiple positions at one company, showcase this effectively:

Option 1: Stacked Format (shows progression)

**Acme Corporation, Chicago, IL** | June 2018 - Present  
**Senior Accountant** | March 2021 - Present  
• [Bullet points for current role]  
**Staff Accountant** | June 2018 - February 2021  
• [Bullet points for previous role]  

Option 2: Combined Format (saves space)

**Accountant → Senior Accountant** | Acme Corporation, Chicago, IL | June 2018 - Present  
• [Combined bullet points showing progression and achievements]  
• Promoted to Senior Accountant in 2021 after exceeding performance targets by 20%.

Handling Different Types of Experience

Contract or Temporary Work:

Be transparent about the arrangement:

**Software Developer (Contract)** | Google via Randstad, Mountain View, CA | Jan - Dec 2022

Part-Time Work:

Only specify if relevant:

**Marketing Assistant (Part-time)** | Local Business, Portland, OR | 2019 - 2021

Multiple Short-Term Positions:

Consider grouping:

**Freelance Graphic Designer** | Various Clients | 2020 - 2022  
• Designed brand identities for 15+ small businesses, increasing client engagement.  
• Created marketing collateral including brochures, websites, and social media assets.  
• Maintained a 100% client satisfaction rating on Upwork, leading to repeat business.

Tailoring Experience Descriptions

Customize for Each Application:

1. Identify Key Requirements: Extract essential skills and qualifications from the job posting.
2. Review Your Experience: Match your skills and achievements with the job requirements.
3. Reorder Bullet Points: Place the most relevant achievements first.
4. Adjust Language: Use terminology that mirrors the job posting.
5. Remove Irrelevant Information: Condense or omit details that do not align with the target role.

What to Do with Irrelevant Experience

Strategies to Address Irrelevant Experience:

• Minimize It: Include it with fewer bullet points, focusing on transferable skills.
• Reframe It: Emphasize aspects that relate to your target role.
• Omit It: If very old or completely unrelated, consider leaving it off.

Example of Reframing:

If you were a restaurant server applying for sales roles:

**Server** | Fine Dining Restaurant | 2019 - 2021  
• Consistently upsold premium menu items, increasing average check by 25%.  
• Built relationships with regular customers, generating repeat business.  
• Managed high-pressure situations during peak hours serving 50+ guests nightly.

Describing Promotions and Growth

Highlight Your Career Progression:

Promoted from Associate to Senior Associate to Manager within 4 years, consistently exceeding performance expectations by 25%.

Promoted twice in 3 years based on exceeding sales targets by 30% and demonstrating leadership capability.

Handling Layoffs and Company Closures

Keep It Simple:

You don’t need to explain why you left on your resume. Simply list the position:

**Project Manager** | Company ABC (Closed 2023), Seattle, WA | 2020 - 2023

Save Explanations for Interviews:

If necessary, provide context during interviews or in cover letters.

Addressing Job Gaps

Handling Gaps in Employment:

• Small Gaps (under 6 months): Rarely need explanation.
• Longer Gaps: Include relevant activities:

**Career Sabbatical** | 2022  
• Completed Google Data Analytics Certificate.  
• Volunteered as treasurer for a local nonprofit.  
• Traveled internationally, gaining cross-cultural experience.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Key Mistakes that Can Hurt Your Resume:

• Using Job Descriptions Verbatim: Your resume should reflect what YOU did.
• Being Too Vague: Avoid generic statements like “Worked with customers.”
• Including Every Task: Focus on significant responsibilities and achievements.
• Inconsistent Formatting: Ensure a uniform structure throughout.
• Listing Duties Instead of Achievements: Highlight results, not just responsibilities.

Power Phrases for Different Functions

Tailored Power Phrases:

• For Leadership Roles:

  • “Built and led a team of X from ground up.”
  • “Spearheaded an initiative resulting in a 25% increase in efficiency.”
  • “Transformed an underperforming department into a top performer.”

• For Individual Contributors:

  • “Delivered X that resulted in Y% increase in...”
  • “Recognized for excellence in project delivery.”
  • “Selected for a high-visibility project based on prior performance.”

• For Technical Roles:

  • “Architected a solution that reduced processing time by 50%.”
  • “Optimized system performance by implementing best practices.”
  • “Implemented automation reducing operational costs by $100,000 annually.”

Final Review Checklist

Before submitting your resume, ensure:

• All positions include company name, title, location, and dates.
• Current job uses present tense; past jobs use past tense.
• Each position contains 3-6 bullet points.
• Bullet points start with action verbs.
• Achievements include quantified results where possible.
• Most relevant experience is emphasized.
• Formatting is consistent throughout.
• No spelling errors in company names or titles.

Your work experience section tells your professional story. Take the time to craft it carefully, and it will serve as your most powerful tool in landing interviews. For more personalized assistance, check out our Create Your Resume tool and run your resume through our ATS Checker.

Final Thoughts

Crafting a compelling work experience section is essential to your job search success. By following these guidelines and tailoring your descriptions, you can create a resume that not only highlights your skills and achievements but also speaks directly to the needs of your potential employer. Start today and watch as your interview invitations increase!