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“Tell Me About Your Work Experience” (Sample Answer)

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Being asked about your work experience is a given during a job interview. Hiring managers ask interview questions about your experience because they want to understand the impact of your prior work more comprehensively than reading the bullet points on a resume .

If you’re a job seeker preparing for an interview, this article will guide you through how to talk about your skills and experience in a way that clearly communicates your value to an interviewer. You’ll also find “tell me about your work experience” sample answers, as well as the different forms this question might take in a job interview.

Key Takeaways:

Connect how the experience you have relates to the role you’re interviewing for.

Be honest about your your skills and experience.

If you don’t have much experience in the specific field, express your interest in gaining that experience and learning through this opportunity.

how to answer interview questions about your experience

Tell me about your work experience sample answers

Why interviewers ask about your experience, tips for answering interview questions about experience, work experience faq.

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While everyone’s work experience is unique, use these “tell me about your work experience” example questions and answers as a way to frame your own response:

Tell me about your professional background. This is a generalized question that hiring managers often ask to get a sense of how you’ll speak about your professional background.

While other questions are targeted to a specific position listed on your resume , this question is phrased in a way that asks for the complete story of your work history succinctly and informatively.

Tell me about your work experience sample answer example answer #1

“I started working towards my goal of becoming an early childhood educator long before I began teaching. Since I was in high school, I knew it was what I wanted to do with my career. When I was studying for my undergraduate degree in child development, I took on my first internship role as a teacher ’s assistant to a kindergarten class. I worked in that role over my senior year, and at the end of the internship, I was offered a position as a substitute teacher . This gave me a lot of experience working with many different children and strengthened my skills in classroom control. I’m now seeking a full-time teaching position to further my knowledge of childhood education in the field.”

What not to say:

“I don’t have much professional experience because I’ve never had a full-time teaching job before. I’ve worked as a substitute teacher, but only for about a year.”

Why it doesn’t work: This answer makes the applicant sound insecure and inexperienced. The interviewer doesn’t specifically ask for a recounting of paid positions you’ve worked.

Use that opportunity to speak about experiences you do have if your job history is lacking, such as an internship or project.

What experience do you have related to this role? When an interviewer asks what experience you have related to the role, they’re curious about two things.

First off, your prior experience and the intent to use it for success in the future.

Secondly, how familiar you are with the requirements of the role you’re interviewing for. Answer this interview question by tying in elements of the job description with your background.

Tell me about your work experience sample answer example answer #2

“Most of my professional experience has led me up to this administrative secretary role. I’ve been working in the field for almost ten years now. I got my first position as an office assistant when I was 18 – a position that required a lot of communication with both co-workers and customers. After two years, I was offered a new position as a secretary for a well-known dental group in the area. I worked in that job for nearly seven years. I eventually worked my way up to a management role. The job description stated that you’re looking for a candidate with at least four years of experience in a secretarial position with excellent communication skills . My background satisfies these conditions, and more. I’m interested in this position specifically because it would allow me to expand my leadership potential and continue working in an environment that I have a great deal of experience in.”

Why it works: A hiring manager chooses to use this phrasing of an experience interview question because it’s more direct. It gets right to the point of skills that are relevant to the job . This response works because it answers what the interviewer is asking.

The speaker gives a solid description of their work history up to that point and paints themselves as an experienced candidate.

They also mention specific skills that were asked for in the job description, which shows the interviewer that they did their research on the role and company.

“I’m not sure what your business wants in its secretaries, but I’ve worked in similar roles before.”

Why it doesn’t work: Unless you’ve scoured the job listing and it’s given very little information about the position, there’s no excuse for not having a good idea of what the company is looking for in the role.

This answer doesn’t have any specificity about their responsibilities, and the interviewer is forced to pull these details out of them.

What prior work experience has prepared you to take on this position? This question is a similar rendition of the last one.

The interviewer is assessing the candidate’s knowledge of the position’s requirements and if their abilities line up with these stipulations.

Answering well depends on the candidate’s prior knowledge of the position and a focus on the most applicable experience.

Tell me about your work experience sample answer example answer #3

“While I’ve worked in a few different positions in the past, I think the prior experience that has most prepared me for this position was working as a nurse in a Greenview Hospital emergency room for five years. A position that required me to provide top-notch patient care under pressure . In the position description, I noticed that you’re interested in hiring a candidate with experience in high-stress medical situations and a familiarity with an ER nurse’s schedule. This former job gave me practice in both these aspects of nursing. I believe these skills would help me to succeed in this role as well.”

Why it works: The candidate references the original job description to state how their skills fit these needs.

They explain a specific role that gave them the most relevant experience for the position they’re applying to and then went on into further explanation. This is a compact and informative answer.

“I’ve had experience working as a nurse.”

Why it doesn’t work: Responding to an interview question is best done briefly, but it isn’t supposed to be this short.

This answer doesn’t work because it doesn’t provide any details about the responsibilities of the role involved or how it relates to the position you’re hoping to land. It all around just needs more detail.

What has your work experience taught you about yourself? A hiring manager wants to know more than just a laundry list of your last few jobs’ responsibilities; they want to hear how you think about those experiences, what you’ve liked and disliked, and what you want to do with your skill set now.

Asking about what you learned from your last few jobs helps both you and the interviewer understand if the open job would actually be a good fit for you.

Tell me about your work experience sample answer example answer #4

“I got started in marketing 4 years ago as an analyst , which taught me a lot about how to make data-driven decisions and make rapid pivots when the underlying data you were relying on started to shift. I also learned that I wasn’t built for a job that spent so much time making and using spreadsheets. From there, I moved to a content strategist position, which was sort of a lateral move but involved a lot more creativity. I was actually applying the sort of data I was analyzing in my earlier job, and I found that I enjoyed and thrived in an environment where I could make decisions based on more than just spreadsheets. In my current job as a marketing analytics manager , I’ve learned much more about lead generation, working with sales and design personnel more closely, and honed my skills as an analyst. Through this career path , I’ve learned where my skills and interests lie, which is what led me to apply for this role.”

Why it works: The candidate directly refers to elements from their past jobs that directly relate to the job they’re applying for. They show that the candidate has carefully considered what lessons they learned at each of those jobs, and why those lessons led them to apply for this new job.

“My work experience has taught me that I excel at working alone. With group work, I tend to be tied down by other people’s timelines, but when I’m able to just focus on my own tasks, the quality is much higher.”

Interviewers ask about your previous work experience, to clarify your background, gauge your ability to communicate, and hear firsthand how you hope to put that experience to use in the future:

Clarity. As with any other inquisition put forward during an interview, experience questions are used to form a clearer picture of who you are professionally. This helps an interviewer decide if you’re the right fit for the position needing to be filled.

Honesty. Any form of lying is unacceptable in an interview. Some questions require you to reach into your professional past and find examples of skills that match the job you’re going for.

An intent to put experience to use. While your professional background may be a compelling story, there’s a reason beyond this that interviews ask about former experience.

When discussing your work experience, you should always be as specific as possible and connect your prior experience to your career goals:

Be specific about responsibilities and accomplishments. When discussing your previous professional experience, be specific about the role you served.

Don’t memorize an answer. A lot of candidates decide to prepare for their interview by memorizing their answers to questions about prior experience. This often produces a stiff response that’s unsatisfying to an interviewer.

Connect prior experience to future goals. An interview seeks to gather information about how an applicant intends to behave in their role if chosen for hire.

How can I describe myself through work experience?

You can describe yourself through your work experience by being specific about what you learned about yourself in previous roles. Providing details about what you liked and didn’t like about past responsibilities will go a long way in showing your unique personality and why you’re interviewing for this particular job.

What are examples of work experience?

Examples of work experience include specific responsibilities and the skills you used to carry out your tasks in previous jobs. Ultimately, the best examples of work experience are completely dependent on the job you’re applying for. It’s essential that you highlight the most relevant aspects of your former jobs, even if they were a smaller part of your last job than the new job you’re interviewing for.

Drexel University – How to Describe Your Work Experience

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Sky Ariella is a professional freelance writer, originally from New York. She has been featured on websites and online magazines covering topics in career, travel, and lifestyle. She received her BA in psychology from Hunter College.

Denise Bitler has 30+ years of HR experience working in various industries and with all level of employees from hourly through C-suite, as well as company Board Members.She is the founder of Resume-Interview Success, LLC and is an expert in best practices related to resume, cover letter, and Executive bio writing, LinkedIn Profile optimization, job search strategies, and interview coaching.

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Essay on My Work Experience

Students are often asked to write an essay on My Work Experience in their schools and colleges. And if you’re also looking for the same, we have created 100-word, 250-word, and 500-word essays on the topic.

Let’s take a look…

100 Words Essay on My Work Experience

Starting my job.

My first job was at a small bookstore. I was excited and nervous. My main tasks were to arrange the books, help customers, and keep the store tidy. I learned about different types of books and authors.

Working With Others

In my job, I had to work with other employees. We shared tasks and helped each other. We also had to deal with different types of customers. Some were nice, and others were not. It taught me patience and teamwork.

Learning New Skills

My work experience helped me learn new skills. I learned how to handle money, how to talk to customers, and how to manage my time. These skills are not only useful at work but also in my daily life.

Overcoming Challenges

At work, I faced many challenges. Sometimes, the store would get very busy, and it was hard to keep up. But I learned to stay calm and focus on my tasks. This helped me to overcome difficulties.

Value of Work

My work experience taught me the value of hard work. I realized that every job is important, no matter how small it seems. It also made me appreciate the effort that people put into their work.

250 Words Essay on My Work Experience

My work journey started when I was just out of college. I got a job as a junior programmer in a small software company. I was very excited and a little scared. But I was ready to learn new things.

Learning New Things

In the beginning, I had to learn a lot. I had to understand how to solve problems using code. I also had to learn how to work with a team. This was a new experience for me. But I was eager to learn and improve.

Challenges in Work

Work was not always easy. There were times when I had to work late to meet deadlines. There were also problems that seemed too hard to solve. But I did not give up. I kept trying and learned from my mistakes.

Growth in My Job

As time went on, I became better at my job. I was able to solve problems faster and work well with my team. I even got a promotion! I was happy to see that my hard work was paying off.

Lessons from Work

Working has taught me many things. I learned that hard work and patience can help you achieve your goals. I also learned that it’s important to keep learning and improving.

In short, my work experience has been a journey of learning and growth. It has been challenging at times, but also rewarding. I am grateful for the lessons I have learned and the skills I have gained.

500 Words Essay on My Work Experience

Starting my career.

My work journey started as a junior assistant in a local library. I was still in high school then. This was my first job and I was very excited. My main task was to arrange books and help visitors find what they were looking for. I also had to keep the library clean and tidy. My time at the library taught me the importance of being organized and helpful to others.

Working as a Tutor

After high school, I began tutoring younger students in their studies. I taught them subjects like English, Math, and Science. This job was more challenging than my library job. I had to prepare lesson plans, grade assignments, and help students understand difficult topics. This job taught me patience and the ability to explain things in a simple way. I also learned how to manage my time well.

Internship Experience

During my college years, I got an internship at a small company. I worked in the marketing department. My job was to help create advertising campaigns for the company’s products. I learned a lot about how businesses work during this time. I also learned how to work in a team and how to present my ideas clearly. This experience was very valuable for my future career.

Starting My Professional Career

After college, I started working as a project manager in a large company. This job was much more demanding than my previous jobs. I had to manage several projects at the same time, make sure they were completed on time, and within the budget. This job taught me how to lead a team, make important decisions, and solve problems quickly.

Learning from My Work Experience

Looking back at my work journey, I can see how each job has helped me grow as a person. I learned important skills like organization, patience, teamwork, and leadership. I also learned how to handle stress and meet deadlines. Each job was a stepping stone that prepared me for the next one.

My work experience has been a journey of learning and growth. Each job I’ve had, from being a library assistant to a project manager, has taught me valuable lessons. I’ve learned to be patient, organized, and a good team player. I’ve also learned how to lead a team and make important decisions. I’m grateful for all these experiences as they have shaped me into the person I am today.

Word Count: 500.

That’s it! I hope the essay helped you.

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My First Work Experience and Knowledge I Gained Essay

When I was a child, my dream was to find the work connected with managing people and resources. The vision persisted until it became time for pursuing a college degree, where I opted for a business course in Human Resource Management (HRM). I intended to be in a position to lead people at the workplace. After graduating from school, luckily, I got an internship program with one of the renowned retail companies called Costco Retailers.

The first working experience was memorable because I finally managed to become independent and earn my first money. When I started working in the corporation, I changed my mentality to adapt to the new system. This paper will discuss the experience during my first job recruitment, skills, and knowledge gathered during this period. During the first working experience, recruits should apply the theoretical knowledge in practice to avoid difficulties in time-management, issue solving, and communication with clients and colleagues.

The time-management appeared to be a fundamental problem that I have faced during my experience. It was a requirement that all the staff report one hour before the opening of the stores. This was necessary to facilitate daily planning and arrangement of the work routine to enhance the efficiency of the operations. It was difficult for me to manage time properly and organize the activities of other people. I had to participate in various events and often failed to perform my duties correctly. There even was a period of time when I was at significant risk of being fired. I had to learn how to be time-conscious to overcome the pressure. I solved this problem thanks to applying some time-management techniques.

Besides the time factor, another issue was working under pressure. During the first few months, I was stationed at the customer care desk to attend to the clients’ queries. At this position, several problems emerged that required immediate attention from the top managers within the department. It was challenging to handle some inquiries because of the large number of customers and the nature of their needs. The intensity to meet their expectation was overwhelming, and it involved many commands from the senior staff.

Another problem that required theoretical knowledge from me was cultural diversity. Shoppers consist of people from different races, gender, culture, and profession. Communicating with customers was a nightmare, especially for those whose cultures tend to diverge at some point. Sometimes you might offend people from different cultures without noticing it. Nonetheless, thanks to their interactive nature and understanding, some clients helped me learn how to communicate appropriately.

Generally, working with customers entails fluctuating motions since they come in different moods with various expectations to be fulfilled. Meeting people from different backgrounds increased my exposure and understanding of individuals behave in relation to their culture. The race-tolerance strategies learned during my education helped me to adjust my communicational style.

I thought handling customers was the main challenge of this position, but there was another significant problem. Being a novice, young, and unfamiliar with the company’s system was another terrifying encounter. At the customer care desk, we had co-workers who had been in the institution for an extended period. These workers used to take advantage of the recruits by assigning complex tasks and overworking them. I became a victim and felt exploited since I could do twice what the other workers were doing. From one point of view, such pressure was rational, aiming to increase my working skills. From the other point, I had moral difficulties coping with a considerable amount of work while experienced colleagues did not offer me any help.

It is also essential to mention which new skills I have gained during my working experience which contribute to my professional development. Thanks to this organization, I gained valuable knowledge and skills helpful for developing in this work industry. First, I gained an understanding of how to communicate with customers and colleagues. Before joining the Costco team, I thought managing people was easy to perform and did not require any special knowledge. Thanks to this working experience, I have learned that communication and management is a whole science that requires profound knowledge and well-developed communicational skills. Therefore, I realized that it is critical to apply the behavioral analysis approach to maintain effective communication.

Moreover, the company made me develop and improve my intrapersonal skills. Working with people having different ages and cultures requires self-understanding (Horak & Matoskova, 2018). To be able to relate effectively with other staff members and even customers, I had to learn how to communicate and listen. Communication is essential in advancing the relationship amongst the business affiliates. The on-the-job experience made it easier to comprehend and apply the skills. Here I also successfully applied the gained during my education knowledge.

Surprisingly, technological knowledge was vital during my working experience. Furthermore, being at the customer care desk exposed me to using the computer system to record, search, monitor, and even communicate with the administration. I developed deep insight into technology, and my computer knowledge increased. Through the period, I could use the system to perform critical tasks like monitoring the level of inventory, tracking customers’ purchasing records, and updating new valuable information for clients. In addition, I was able to analyze the trend of buyers, which was helpful for the administration for updating the stocks.

Another critical skill that I acquired during the period was the ability to solve problems. At the customer care desk, clients came with various issues ranging from sales of defective products to poor service delivery. I have analyzed different literature on the topic of problem-solving. Multiple techniques help the manager build good relationships with the customer and colleagues (Funke et al., 2018). One of them is the culturally-tolerant attitude towards the participants of communication. I developed a profound knowledge of managing different circumstances to generate a proper solution by handling such issues. Seeing and learning how the colleagues were regulating similar situations at work was vital and prompted self-confidence. To make a decision, self-reliance is essential as it allows one to find their own answers to the problem.

Generally, obtaining a job after completing coursework in college is beneficial because you can gain valuable experience. On the job, learning makes the whole perspective different as it comes with arrays of experiences both encouraging and demoralizing. Sometimes changing and adapting to a new routine is difficult for the new employees. Furthermore, interacting with various people at the workplace advance understanding and worldview of individuals.

The exposure also makes people gain the necessary knowledge and skills that are essential for further carrier development. Joining the proper organization could impact the level of experience individual gains. If people are ready to develop their knowledge and skills, asking questions, elaborate new ideas, then the chances of attaining new skills at work are high. It is also vital to implement the theoretical concept learned through education in practice. Thus, applying theoretical concepts and constant development contributed to forming a positive working experience.

Funke, J., Fischer, A., & Holt, D. V. (2018). Competencies for complexity: Problem solving in the twenty-first century. In Assessment and teaching of 21st century skills (pp. 41-53). Springer, Cham. Web.

Horak, M., & Matoskova, J. (2018). Comparison of training programmes and activities for cluster managers in Europe with respect to their focus on skills development. International Journal of Entrepreneurial Knowledge , 6 (1). Web.

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How to Describe Your Work Experience Sample

Quick Navigation:

What is the work experience section for?

What accomplishments should be listed, what skills should be listed, what other details should be included, examples of work experience.

The work experience section is an important aspect of an effective resume because it showcases your skills in action and highlights your professional accomplishments. This section should be descriptive and compelling as it details your previous experience relative to the specific job you’re applying for. Learn how to describe your work experience with sample entries showcasing all the best features required for an effective work experience section.

The work experience section is where you list your most relevant previous roles to show employers your employment history and career development. This section gives hiring managers an idea of where you’ve been and how you got to this point in your career. It also enables you to describe how you performed in your previous roles and what skills and experiences set you apart from other candidates.

For each entry in your work experience section, you should include your official job title, your dates of employment, the employer’s location and a list of the key responsibilities and achievements you had. You can use bullet points when listing your responsibilities and achievements to help prospective employers quickly review and understand each entry. Having an easy-to-read and descriptive work experience section can help employers determine your suitability for the role and see what unique qualifications you have to offer.

Determining what accomplishments you should include in your job descriptions can be a challenge, but it’s best to mention accomplishments that are relevant for the job you’re applying for before other accomplishments. There’s a general rule in resume crafting in which you always want to put the most important information first, and anything that specifically and directly details how well you will fit the job you’re applying for is going to be the most important. 

Imagine you’re applying for a job as a project manager and you already have some experience in the position. To show off your accomplishments, you’ll want to begin with the biggest project you’ve successfully managed along with its results. Generally speaking, your most important accomplishment in any position should take priority within the job description.

In the most popular and useful resume formats, skills are listed in a separate section. Typically, the skills section includes a comprehensive list of all the skills you have that would be relevant to the job. Often, these skills are described using single words or phrases such as ‘leadership’ or ‘critical thinking.’ Be sure to consider all of the relevant hard and soft skills.

Since skills can be listed in their own separate section, it takes a bit of finesse to include them in your work experience section. Just remember that finesse doesn’t mean you have to be overly clever. You can mention skills directly, but you just have to tie them to a relevant accomplishment. 

To get the most out of your work experience section and make your resume stand out from other applicants, there are several factors you’ll want to include in addition to accomplishments and the application of skills. 

Here are some details you’ll want to include in your resume when possible:

  • Any awards or special recognition you received as a direct result of your accomplishments or performance in a particular job
  • Actual data represented by numbers and figures as demonstrated in the above samples to quantify your accomplishments
  • Begin descriptions with strong and varied verbs to make each bullet point in your job experience description unique and powerful
  • Use the present tense when describing ongoing responsibilities in your current job and the past tense for everything else

Be sure to include details from the most relevant professional roles you’ve had to show a hiring manager how your experience makes you uniquely suitable for the role. 

To get a better understanding of how to describe work experience, it’s helpful to have effective samples to reference. 

Here are some well-crafted examples of work experience that feature all the necessary accomplishments and skills included:

Project Manager example

Czerka Hospital, May 2014 – March 2019

  • Facilitated the implementation of the Quality Training Project for all employees which cut training costs by 28% after six months
  • Oversaw Supply Reorganization Project which reduced breakage costs of stockroom supplies by 71%
  • Led team of 15+ people in Front End Revamp Project to design and implement a new system that decreased the frequency of reception errors by 48%
  • Partnered with local area hospitals to gather data on wait times and patient satisfaction to determine areas for improvement in the Quick and Quality project and improved satisfaction by 41%

Senior Programmer example

Computech, June 2017- October  2019

  • Created a tool for test automation that reduced program testing time by 48% increasing productivity across the department
  • Interviewed, hired and trained over 12 junior programmers with virtually no turnover as the company increased the size of the department throughout 2018
  • Collaborated with data analysis department team members to design project requirements in accordance with company goals and allotted budget
  • Met with technical staff, analysts, senior executives and stakeholders in meetings to discuss the state of the company with meticulously crafted presentations featuring relevant quantitative data

Customer Service Representative example

DB Industries, January 2016 – October  2018

  • Received and answered 100+ calls daily and helped customers with signing up for services and products, data retrieval, answering questions about products and canceling services
  • Earned a favorable customer satisfaction rating from 93% of customers surveyed, which is 11% higher than the overall company average
  • Used advanced sales tactics to persuade customers seeking to cancel their services to reconsider, which reduced the overall number of cancellations by 8% over 6 months
  • Trained new employees on how to navigate the database to efficiently retrieve relevant customer information and input new data accurately and consistently

How to Answer the Interview Question: “Tell Me About Your Previous Employment”

Why Do Employers Ask About Work Experience?

Top tips for answering interview questions about work experience, final thoughts, how to answer the interview question: “tell me about your previous employment”.

Updated September 4, 2023

Amy Dawson

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One of the common work experience interview questions asked by recruiters at a job interview is “What can you tell me about your previous employment?”.

Although seemingly innocuous, this is a question where many candidates struggle.

It should be easy to answer; after all, you’re being asked to explain your career history, your experience and to let them know of any major accomplishments .

It’s an unstructured question which means that you have the freedom to answer it in a way that suits you. You may wish to take a chronological approach to your answer, explaining your most recent role first. Or you may wish to pick out key achievements – especially if you can relate them to the prospective job.

But it is this freedom that can cause issues for candidates. How can you answer the question if you’re not 100% sure on what the hiring manager wants to know?

To help you prepare for your next job interview, we’re sharing our insights into how you can successfully answer this question during an interview when asked about a past job.

We’ll take a look at what recruiters are trying to find out and provide you with some easy tips to help you prepare the famous interview question "tell me about your work experience" sample answer for the future.

There are many reasons why an employer may ask you about previous work experience.

First, they want to make sure that you have the experience and knowledge required for the job role.

They may have read about your experience on your CV or resume but they want to hear about it directly from you.

They want the opportunity to find out more about your particular skills and capabilities.

Second, they’ll be assessing your answer to find out about your passion for your job.

They’ll be listening to how you describe your previous employment. They’ll be trying to find out whether you’ve enjoyed your work, or whether there’s a hint of any acrimony between yourself and a former employer.

How to Prepare for Work Experience (Example Answers)

It’s almost a certainty that you will be asked “Tell me about your work experience” within your job interview. Therefore, it’s wise to spend time thinking about how you would answer this during your preparation.

We mentioned earlier that the flexibility of this work experience interview question means that you can choose to answer it in almost any way. And this is true – there’s no fixed format for explaining your previous work experience. However, it’s worth structuring your answer around the following previous work experience questions:

What Did You Like About Your Previous Job?

What are the things that helped you to work effectively and what were the positives of the role

Why Did You Want to Work for that Specific Employer?

Perhaps they are a market leader, or you had an opportunity to gain experience or work with someone you admired.

Why Did You Choose to Work in that Specific Industry?

Perhaps you’ve worked across many different sectors. What did you learn from each area?

What Did You Learn from the Role?

For example, experience, skills, qualifications and personal development.

Why Do You Think Your Experience is Relevant to the New Job?

What can you bring to the table? Do you have any transferrable skills or knowledge to share?)?

Why Did You Leave your Previous Employer /Why Are You Looking to Leave?

It’s important to remain positive. Hiring managers will be looking to spot the signs of any tension here.

As you can see, there are lots of different facets to the question 'Tell me about your previous employment'.

You should remind yourself of the positives of each job; focusing on what you learned and how that knowledge/skill can set you apart as the candidate of choice for the new position.

Questions That You Are Likely to Be Asked in a Job Interview About Work Experience

Talking about your previous employment is a broad subject. It’s a topic that can open up a conversation and spark many further questions about your work experience.

To help you in your interview preparation, we’ve collated a list of 'Tell me about your work experience' sample answers.

We hope that you can use these to aid you in your interview preparation.

1. What Did You Do in Your Role at [Company Name] and What Did You Learn From It?

This is where the prospective employer is looking to find out more about your most recent experience.

They’ll be seeking to find out what your responsibilities were, how you worked closely with other colleagues, and what experience you can bring with you to the new role.

Sample Answer:

I previously worked as a marketing manager within an agency. In my role, I was responsible for directing a team of six and pulling together strategies and plans to maximize the marketing efforts of the company. I was in charge of project management, ensuring that each team member knew what their role was and that everyone was able to work to the same strategy effectively, on time and under budget. As well as working closely with my team, I also had to work with a group of contractors and provide regular reports and updates to the senior management team. From this experience, I’ve learned a lot about how to make the most of a project and how to work closely with different team members. I’ve been proud of how each member was able to feel confident enough to make suggestions on ways to ensure the success of the project and it’s been great to see the campaign outcomes achieve their key deliverables.

As you can see from this sample answer, the respondent has been able to clearly explain what their role was, how they worked as part of a team and what they learned from the experience.

The recruiter will be able to deduce that this is a capable candidate who can showcase managerial expertise as well as strategy.

You immediately know that they’ve worked with senior management as well as younger, more inexperienced team members and that they have empowered inexperienced colleagues to upskill and feel confident about making suggestions.

How Not to Answer:

I have worked in a marketing team as a manager. I learned that I’m good at writing strategies and coming up with new ideas.

This isn’t a great response because it opens up more questions for the hiring managers.

What is this team like and what was the specific project? How have they been able to develop their skills and what capabilities can they bring to the new position?

Although the response tries to be positive, it doesn’t provide much detail or showcase any information about who they are as a candidate.

To find out which jobs fit your personality best, visit our partner CareerFitter and take the Career Test for FREE .

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Tell me about your work experience sample answer

2. Why Did You Leave Your Last Job?

It is very likely you will be asked why you left your last job or why you want to leave your current job.

This is because the hiring manager is looking to find out whether you left on good terms and whether you decided to leave.

We’ve previously covered the topic of “ Why did you leave your last job? ” in more depth, but to recap, it’s a chance to showcase what you are looking for in your future career and why you are excited by this new position.

Sample Answer

I’m ready to move on because I’ve spent many years working here honing my skills and I feel that I’ve gone as far as I can. I’ve had the opportunity to learn from some fantastic colleagues and work on some incredible projects but I’m very conscious that to excel in marketing, you should be able to work on a variety of brands across different sectors. I want to be able to test my skills in new areas – I’m really happy working where I am, but I feel that if I don’t leave now, I run the risk of complacency and I want to be able to try new things and learn new techniques.

In this answer, we can see that the candidate thinks very highly of their current job role and that it’s very much a positive relationship.

Their passion for the role is clear and it’s obvious to the hiring panel that this is someone ambitious and always willing to learn.

I’m ready to leave because the team has been reduced and I don’t like the people that I work with. There is a lack of understanding of what marketing can do within the company and they don’t want to invest in other projects. Because the team numbers have reduced, the workload has increased and there’s no recognition of our efforts.

This is an extremely negative response. It shows that the person isn’t interested in their company and, by complaining about workloads, they could give the impression that they are not prepared to work hard.

There may be valid reasons for their response but because it’s not been framed positively, it’s difficult for the hiring manager to look past the negative attitude.

3. What Is Your Least Favorite Part of Your Current Job?

This could be construed as a trick question, but the prospective employer is trying to establish your reasons for leaving and whether you make a good fit for their company.

It’s vital that in this answer you stay positive.

The recruiter will look negatively on you if you take the opportunity to explain everything you dislike about your current employer.

It’s important to remain constructive and factual and try to keep your response to matters relating to work tasks rather than anything more personal.

Remember not to choose something that is vital to the role you are interviewing for; if this is your least favorite part of your old job, your interviewer will suspect that you are not well suited to the role.

I enjoy most parts of my marketing manager job, but the aspects that I don’t enjoy are elements relating to project management. This is because our internal project management tool is often tricky to use and we find that often team members bypass it which makes the cohesion far more difficult than it needs to be. I’ve undertaken training in this particular system and we’re looking to see if there are any other options available, but at the moment it’s difficult to justify any investment in a new tool.

From this answer, you can see that the candidate has focused on a specific part of the role that can be easily rectified.

They’ve taken the time to explain how they’ve tried to overcome the situation which shows a level of forward-thinking to the hiring panel.

I don’t like the management style of the company. There’s too much micromanagement and staff members are expected to work in silos with little support and encouragement. There’s been a lack of investment in training and further skills and its difficult to feel motivated when it a toxic environment.

The poor answer above has gone into too much detail – it immediately becomes clear that they have an issue with their current employer, and it can provide a bad impression to the hiring team.

The answer is too negative; there’s nothing to show the hiring panel that they’ve taken their initiative to overcome the negative aspects of their job.

4. What About This Opportunity Reminds You of What You Liked About Other Jobs You Have Had

With this question, the hiring panel is trying to establish exactly what the candidate is looking for from the job role.

They need to decide if the candidate could be a good cultural fit for the team, so it’s an opportunity to figure out if there are any common elements of the job.

I’m interested in this position because it reminds me of when I worked in a small team several years ago. The scope of the work is similar, but I can see that there is plenty of potential to grow and develop new skills. I’ve worked in large companies before, but I prefer working in small teams because it’s easier to learn from others and share knowledge and expertise. I’ve found that career progression is often better in smaller companies because there’s not the same hierarchy and employers are more willing to test on capability rather than other criteria. It’s something that I believe heavily in – that people should have an opportunity to progress at all stages of their career.

In this answer, the candidate has shown the positives of why they wanted to work for this company.

They’ve explained that they feel it’s an option for better career progression (hinting clearly that it’s important to them) whilst also reiterating that they enjoy working as part of a team dynamic.

There are many common aspects; the job role is the same, and I can also see that the employee benefits are similar. I appreciate the healthcare and the gym membership and the opportunities to earn through a commission structure.

From this answer, you can deduce that the candidate is not fussed by the job role; instead, the candidate is more focused on the employee benefits package.

This could indicate to the employer that they may not be passionate about what they do. It feels that the candidate is more concerned with what salary package they may receive rather than job satisfaction and career development .

5. What Did You Think About Your Old Boss?

This could potentially be another tricky question.

Interviewers may ask you this because they want to find out what leadership style you respond to. Some people like to be left to cope on their own, whilst others prefer a gentler hand-holding approach.

If you can share details of what makes your boss a good person to work for, the recruiter will understand whether you would fit into their specific team.

My boss has been great. He’s helped me to learn much more than I ever thought possible and has given me the independence to create new ideas and new strategies whilst trusting my judgment. He’s invested heavily in my learning and development and encouraged me to learn new skills and take on new roles and responsibilities. The only reason I am considering leaving is that it’s time to work more independently and prove to myself what I am capable of.

This is a great response; it shows the clear respect that the candidate has for their boss. It shows that they’ve been able to learn new skills and develop their career and reiterates to the hiring panel that this is a person who is eager to continually push themselves to learn new things.

The candidate gives the impression that they are capable of much more, and they are willing to start a new challenge.

My old boss was difficult to work for. He didn’t like the way that the team worked and would change the scope of projects at the last minute. He wanted to micromanage the whole team and be in charge of ideas even though he wasn’t qualified in marketing. He had some success at what he was doing but that was many years ago and his experience isn’t relevant to today’s marketing campaigns.

As a response, this would be hugely negative. The candidate has used the opportunity to launch into criticisms of their boss without wondering whether the hiring panel knows that person. They’ve also shown that there were issues with team management and that they were reluctant to be flexible in their working methods.

The answer has also concluded with personal criticism of their boss which doesn’t inspire confidence. The lasting impression is that this candidate could be difficult to work with.

Here are our top tips for giving the best possible answer if you are asked to talk about your previous work experience.

Step 1 . Remain positive

Take a glass-half-full approach to your answer. The prospective employer is looking to hear your passion and excitement for your job. They want to know that you’re hardworking and keen to continue learning new skills. Therefore, try to frame your answers in an upbeat way. If you’ve had challenges, explain what you’ve learned from that challenge and what steps you took to overcome it.

Step 2 . Make a positive sandwich

This sounds like a simple technique, but if you do have anything negative (or constructive criticism ) to say about your experience/past employers try to frame it within a ‘positive sandwich’. This is where you say something positive > something negative > something positive. By wrapping the criticism with positive comments, it’s easier to remember the good aspects rather than the bad.

Step 3 . Try not to be personal

You may be leaving because you’ve had a falling out with a co-worker, or you don’t like your boss. When answering questions, try to focus as much of it as possible on the specific job tasks rather than personal comments about co-workers. You need to position yourself as someone that the hiring panel wants to hire. Therefore, they want to have a positive first impression of you.

Step 4 . Focus on areas of expertise that meet the job description

Although the hiring manager wants to know what you’ve achieved, they also want to know how it relates to their specific job role. Make sure you take the time to look at the job description and figure out what they are looking for. Then once you are clear on that, you can tailor your answer around this criterion. It’s a subtle way of re-establishing how you are qualified for that specific job role.

This article will have helped you understand how to answer any questions about your work experience.

As you can see from our sample answers, it’s important to be as positive and constructive as possible when preparing your answers.

During an interview, the hiring manager is looking to find out what experience you have and why it’s relevant to them.

They want to have a positive list of reasons why they should employ you, so you must showcase your excitement and passion.

They want to know about how you can take your previous experience and bring it to the new role, so you must be clear on what they are looking for.

The good thing about the question 'Tell me about your work experience' is that it is so common that you can prepare your answers in advance. It is almost guaranteed that it will come up in conversation during the interview, so you can use this to your advantage.

Take the time to think about what questions you may be asked and how you plan to answer them using a positive and insightful tone of voice.

Once you know what you are likely to say, you can practice answering these questions with a friend until you’re confident that you are giving the right impression.

You might also be interested in these other Wikijob articles:

How to Answer the Interview Question: "What Motivates You?" (2024 Guide)

Or explore the Interview Advice / Interview Questions sections.

Career Sidekick

Previous Work Experience Examples for a Resume

By Biron Clark

Published: February 12, 2024

Biron Clark

Biron Clark

Writer & Career Coach

If you’re looking for previous work experience examples for a resume or job application, and the exact steps to write your own experience section, you’re in the right place.

I’m going to walk you through:

  • Why employers care about your work history and what they want to see most
  • How to write your resume employment history including every piece of info to include and what format to put it in
  • 3 previous work experience examples from real resumes written by  professional resume writers
  • The  biggest mistakes to avoid when writing professional experience on a resume

Why Employers Care About Work Experience on Your Resume

Here’s what I’ve discovered after years of working as a recruiter…

If you have work experience (e.g. if you’re not entry-level or a recent graduate),  your recent work experience is the first place a hiring manager or recruiter looks on your resume  to see if you’re a good fit for their job.

So you want to put it front-and-center, and make sure your  bullet points  and other employment history details are GREAT.

For 95% of job seekers, there should only be a few things that come before your work history on your resume: You should put your name/contact info, a brief resume summary section , and that’s it.

After this, you should be diving right into the employment history on your resume, because it’s what employers want to see right away on your resume. 

What Should You Include in Your Resume Work Experience Section?

Your experience on a resume should include employer names, locations, dates of employment, job title held, and the professional experience you gained in the role.

You should provide detailed experience on a resume in terms of not only duties assigned and skills used, but also what you achieved and accomplished in this job.

You can do this by beginning sentences and bullet points under your work experience with verbs and power words like “Led,” “Increased,” etc.

Along with company names, locations, job titles, dates, and accomplishments, also consider including any promotions and awards you received at any previous company.

Awards and accolades are important achievements that show you’ve performed well in your career and handled the responsibilities given to you, which will excite employers.

Write your work experience in reverse chronological order, meaning that your most recent companies and job titles appear at the top and then you work downward, ending on the first role you ever held.

Formatting Your Previous Work Experience to Impress Employers

The best resume format for job seekers is the reverse chronological format , which means you should begin your experience with your most recent role on top and then work backward through your professional career.

For each position, include the job title, dates, and company name, and then describe your professional experience and achievements in that role. You can either use a brief paragraph to describe the role and then bullets, or use only bullets. However, you should not use only paragraph format when writing your work experience section.

This is a mistake that many job seekers make, and it leads to their resumes being skimmed over by recruiters and hiring managers.

Bullets do a better job of catching attention and getting an employer to closely read your experience section.

If you held multiple jobs in a company over time, list each job with its own dates and relevant experience.

It’s a huge mistake to not show each specific job title under a company, because this shows that you were promoted and advanced.

As a final step, as you write your previous work descriptions and bullet points, glance at the job description to ensure you’re covering the important skills that employers seem to want for the job you’re pursuing.

This is known as tailoring a resume.

3 Previous Work Experience Examples

Now that you know the basics of how to write the work history section of your resume, let’s look at some good employment history samples from real resumes.

I invited a couple of experts to share their resume work history examples for this section.

I’ll share two resume work experience examples from them, and then I’ll include a very simple/plain example that I’ve used in the past with a lot of success.

Resume Work Experience Example #1

resume employment history example

You can use bold text like the example above to highlight key accomplishments on your resume. You can also use bullets, checkmarks, and other simple graphics to make sure your best work is noticed.

This resume work history also has a separate section for “Select Accomplishments”. This is a unique way to put all of your best accomplishments from each role in one place that’s likely to get noticed and read by hiring managers.

Contributed by: Kyle Elliott, MPA, CHES, Career Coach at  CaffeinatedKyle.com

Resume Work Experience Example #2:

resume work history sample

This is another employment history sample showing a great balance between attractive styling, but not going overboard and making it too “busy” or distracting.

Only one color is being used: blue ( research has shown  the color blue is calming and is associated with credibility and dependability, so it’s a good color to use). And the styling is simple enough to keep the reader’s attention on your accomplishments.

Contributed by: Virginia Franco, Founder of  Virginia Franco Resumes  and Forbes contributor

Resume Work Experience Example #3:

sample resume work history

This is a very plain format, but if you’re in a field like accounting, finance, sales, data entry, customer service, etc., it could be a good choice.

They’re going to interview you and hire you for your skills and what you’ve done for past employers, not for a fancy resume design, right? So a simple format highlights exactly what they want!

If this is a little too plain for you, I’d recommend adding some blue like the two previous examples we looked at. That’s the first change I’d make to this if I were re-doing it today (this is a resume format I’ve used very successfully in the past).

By: Biron Clark, former recruiter and Founder of  CareerSidekick.com

Grammar and Wording

Next, I’m going to share two critical tips for how to phrase and set up your work experience section to sound professional.

First, avoid talking in the first person, with phrases like, “I am a Customer Success Manager”.

Simply say “Customer Success Manager” to lead off a description of your past or current job.

Example: “Customer Success Manager leading seven support associates and…”

And next tip: When writing bullet points and paragraphs to describe your recent roles, I recommend using the past tense when it comes to your verbs.

You can see this in the resume samples above. For example, the second bullet in resume example #3 above:

“Built key ‘C’ level relationships…”

Built is a past tense verb.

This is how I recommend approaching your resume writing overall.

This sounds better when you describe job experience, versus writing, “Building” or “Build”.

So keep these small tips in mind when writing your job history and try to match the resume examples above.

Using this tone to describe past positions will impress your next prospective employer and sound professional and clear.

Colors and Design of Your Work History on a Resume

The first rule to follow when you write your employment history is to keep it simple in terms of style and formatting.

If you’re not a professional designer, your resume format should not have fancy graphics and colors. 

That’s true of  every section of your resume .

Pick one accent color at most (for example, some headers in dark blue if the rest of the text is black), one or two fonts total, and one or two header sizes.

You’ll notice all three resume employment history samples above keep colors to a minimum and focus on the content itself. That’s what you should do as well.

You want the employer’s focus to be on your past work experience, not on the styling and colors of your resume, so don’t distract them too much.

Further reading: The best colors for your resume.

Customizing These Work Experience Examples

Now, you could just copy and use one of the formats above, from the three previous work experience examples that I just gave you.

However, I also recommend adjusting it to fit your situation. I’ll explain…

Depending on how often you’ve changed jobs and how long you’ve been working, you may want to list months and years, or only years for your dates of employment.

Be strategic and decide what’s best for you. If you held a job for only a few months, it might be better just to list everything in terms of years, and not include months.

And… you can also leave a job off of your resume entirely. This is not a “work history” section of a job application where you’re required to list all previous jobs.  It’s entirely up to you what goes on your resume).

Whatever you do, stay consistent with the same formatting for every job.  That’s very important. Remember, you want this to be EASY to read for the hiring manager.

So use the work experience examples above to create your own, but also make sure you’re doing what fits your career and experience!

How Far Back Should Your Employment History Go?

My advice here is the same advice I give for how back to go with your story when they ask, “ tell me about yourself ” in an interview.

If you’ve been working for less than 8-10 years, I’d go back to the beginning of your professional work history, and try to tailor everything to be relevant to the jobs you’re pursuing now.

You might be thinking there’s nothing in common between your prior professional experience and the jobs you want now, but there’s usually an angle you can find!

Here’s an example of how you may have relevant experience in your background even if you’re an entry-level job seeker or applying to a totally new type of position:

When I was in college, I worked in customer service at Whole Foods Market. Not too glamorous, right?

But I became a supervisor, and  you’d be amazed how many interviewers asked me about this job , even after 4-5 years had passed (and for office jobs that seemed unrelated to working in a supermarket).

So don’t assume something isn’t relevant. If you showed advancement/growth, leadership, or other impressive traits, employers will love it. It’s your job to  make the bullet points impressive  and show them how it’s relevant.

Now, on the other hand, if you’ve worked more than 10 years, and/or if you are a Manager/Director, etc., consider starting your resume work history at the point you became a manager.

If you’re 45 years old and have been a Manager for 15 years, most employers aren’t going to want to look back and see how you got started as an individual contributor 20+ years ago. They’ll want to see where you started as a Manager, and how you progressed since then. So start there – how you got into your current line of work.

Where To Put Your Work History Section on Your Resume?

Short answer: If you have any work experience at all, this section is the #1 most important thing on your resume – and the first place hiring managers and recruiters look. It should be on the top half of the first page.

Don’t put your Skills section before it. No hiring manager or recruiter wants to see a general list of your skills (with no idea how recently you’ve used each skill, or how) before they see your work experience. You can read more about how to write your resume Skills section and where to list it here.

Don’t put your Education section before it, either, unless you are a Doctor or have a Ph.D. and are in a profession where this educational background is a hard requirement to obtaining any job in the field.

For everyone else, which is 95%+ of people, just put your name and contact details centered at the top of your resume, then put a one-paragraph career summary , and then go right into your work experience.

You can label the section whatever you want: Work History, Employment History, Work Experience, etc.

The point is that your resume work history should be extremely easy to find, without the hiring manager needing to scroll down or search much.

Make Sure to List Specific Accomplishments in Your Work History

With the examples above, it’s important to list accomplishments on your resume work history, not just duties/responsibilities.

There’s a big difference between saying, “I was responsible for handling 50 customer requests per day”, and saying, “I successfully responded to 50 customer requests per day, while keeping a 98% customer satisfaction rating”.

In the second one, you’re phrasing it as an accomplishment instead of simply talking about what you were responsible for or “supposed to do.” And you’re adding a great data point – 98% customer satisfaction.

Try to do this whenever possible when listing accomplishments on your resume. Keep that in mind when you copy the examples above.

If you want more help with this, detailed examples and instructions are  here .

Tailor Everything!

After using these resume work history examples to write and  format your resume , don’t forget to tailor your accomplishments and bullet points to match the job description for the role you want. This is one of the quickest ways to get noticed and get  invited to an interview .

(And if you skip this or don’t bother doing it, you’re probably going to lose out on the job to someone who did this – seriously! If you aren’t doing this, it’s a big reason  why you haven’t found a job yet ).

Here’s how to  tailor your resume for a job before applying . (<< Fastest, easiest method)

The general idea is if the top 2-3 bullet points on the job description talk about a certain skill or piece of experience, you should do everything you can to reorganize your achievements on your resume to highlight those same areas.

So do your research (the best place to start is the job description), and then re-order your bullet points to show off the exact experience they want, whenever you possibly can. Don’t make them go digging and searching for it or you run the risk they’ll move on to someone else’s resume instead.

Mistakes to Avoid When Writing Your Resume Work Experience

We’ve now looked at tips for writing your employment history, samples from real resumes, and more. I want to leave you with the mistakes to make sure you avoid when you put together your own resume work history section.

Mistake #1: Having Your Employment History Start Below the First Half of Page 1

You’ll notice in the work history samples earlier, this section starts early on the resume. Making a hiring manager or recruiter go digging in your resume to find this section is a big mistake.

Put it front and center (on the top half of page 1). You want your recent experience and achievements to be dead easy to find for any company you send your resume to.

That’s one of the best tips I can share in general: Don’t make employers go digging for your recent responsibilities and achievements on your resume. It should jump out of the page at them because it should contain a lot of content compared to other sections, and it should appear high up.

Mistake #2: Rushing Through Your Work History to Write Other Resume Sections

There’s no section on your resume more important than your employment history. You should be spending 40-50% of your time on just this section. So don’t rush through this. You only need to do it once, but it needs to be GREAT if you want to  get interviews .

Mistake #3: Not Putting Facts, Numbers, and Accomplishments

If your resume employment history is full of phrases like, “Responsible for…” then you’re missing a big opportunity to impress employers.

They want to see specific accomplishments in a past position, for example:

Led a team of 4 people to reorganize client onboarding program, resulting in a 23% increase in client retention year-over-year.

Here’s  how to write great resume bullets like this.

Mistake #4: Thinking it’s all about you and not about the employer

The average job seeker thinks their resume work history is all about them. They decide what THEY want to write, what THEY care about, etc.

That’s a backward approach, believe it or not. (Assuming you want to get more interviews).

The best way to approach writing your resume employment history is to think of the employer. Look at their job description. What are their needs? What skills do they care about?

That’s why I mentioned “tailoring” your resume in the previous section. It’s incredibly important. Don’t write your previous work experience without a few job descriptions in front of you… for the jobs you want to get!

That’s how to make sure what you’re writing will get you interviews.

Most of the mistakes above should be a review if you’ve read the entire article above. If not, go back and make sure you’ve read everything.

You only get one shot to impress employers with your resume, and  they’re looking at your previous work experience within 10 seconds of opening your resume. 

Use These Resume Work History Samples to Get More Interviews

If you follow the advice above and use the employment history templates and samples to write your own resume work history section, you’re going to get noticed by more employers and get more interviews.

It’s worth taking the extra time to do a great job on your resume experience section and ensure that you’re listing detailed achievements within your experience. Focus especially on your two or three most recent positions since that’s the experience an employer will focus on first when reviewing your career.

This one piece of your resume is sometimes all a recruiter will look at before deciding “yes” or “no” on whether they want to interview you, so it’s key to a successful job search.

Biron Clark

About the Author

Read more articles by Biron Clark

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Crafting the perfect resume for teens (template & expert advice), career change interview tips, resume tips and more, how much does a resume writer cost (average price and ranges), walk me through your resume: answer examples, applying for jobs out of state this resume tip can help, how long should a resume be, how to put direct and indirect reports (and other data) on your resume, what makes a good resume 9 ways to know, 11 common resume mistakes to avoid, career change resume: examples and tips from experts, 1 thought on “previous work experience examples for a resume”.

I have been off working for more than a year due to family emergency. Now I am ready to get back to work. During the time when I needed to take care of my family, I took some online courses and part time classroom classes to upgrade myself and keep connected to the job market.

I want to know if I should mention this one year gap in my resume. If so, can you give me some examples how to write it will make my resume look more professional and convincing.

Thanks in advance for your help.

Comments are closed.

Resumehead

  • Career Blog

Including Previous Work Experience on Your Resume

my previous work experience essay

Previous work experience is crucial on a resume because it showcases your skills, strengths, and achievements over time. Employers want to see that you have a track record of success and can bring valuable experience to their organization.

Throughout this article, we will cover various aspects of including previous work experience on your resume. This will include tips on how to format your experience, how to highlight your achievements, and common mistakes to avoid. By the end of this article, you will have a thorough understanding of the best practices for presenting your work experience on your resume.

Understanding the Role of Previous Work Experience

As a job seeker, your previous work experience is crucial to your resume. It not only shows your career trajectory but also highlights your skills and capabilities. However, not all work experience is created equal. Relevant experience is what counts the most since it directly relates to the job you’re applying for.

Importance of relevant experience

Would you hire a chef as your accountant? Probably not. It’s essential to emphasize your relevant working history rather than all experiences to appeal to the employer’s needs. If your skills directly relate to the job description’s requirements, you’ll have a better chance of landing the role.

How to highlight achievements in previous roles

my previous work experience essay

It’s not enough to mention the job titles and responsibilities in your resume. Highlighting accomplishments and success stories are crucial. Did you achieve a target, solve a problem, or provide a solution that saved the company money? Numbers are an excellent way to show off your achievements. For example, “Increased sales by 50% in six months” is more impressive than “Managed sales.”

Explaining gaps in work history

Employment gaps happen, and it’s not a red flag for recruiters. With that said, you must explain these gaps adequately. Be honest and concise, explaining why you took a break, and what you did in that time. You could also mention continued learning and professional development, such as online courses or volunteering work. Remember, transparency is key.

Your previous work experience plays a crucial role in every job application process. Highlighting relevant experience and achievements is essential, but so is explaining gaps in work history. Ensure your resume gives a clear and concise picture of your professional journey.

Types of Previous Work Experience to Include

When it comes to filling out your resume, it’s important to include all relevant work experience. Not only does this help you stand out from other applicants, it also shows potential employers that you have a wide range of skills and experience.

Here are some types of previous work experience that you should consider including in your resume:

Relevant job titles

One of the most important pieces of information to include on your resume is your job title. This gives employers an idea of what you were responsible for in your previous roles, and can help them understand your areas of expertise. When listing your job titles, be as specific as possible—include the name of the company you worked for, your level within the organization, and any specific job responsibilities or achievements you had.

Transferable skills

In addition to your job titles, it’s also important to highlight any transferable skills you’ve gained throughout your career. These might include things like strong communication skills, attention to detail, project management experience, or the ability to work well in a team. Even if these skills weren’t a major part of your previous job, they can still be valuable assets in your next role.

Internships and volunteer work

Internships and volunteer work can be valuable additions to your resume, even if they weren’t paid positions. These experiences show that you’re committed to your field, and that you’ve gained hands-on experience through non-traditional means. When listing internships or volunteer work, be sure to highlight your role and any key achievements or responsibilities you had.

Freelance experience

Finally, if you’ve worked as a freelancer or consultant in the past, be sure to include this experience on your resume. This shows employers that you’re self-motivated and able to work independently, and it also highlights your ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously. When listing freelance work, include the names of any clients you worked with, the types of projects you completed, and any notable achievements or results.

By including all of these types of previous work experience on your resume, you’ll be able to showcase your skills and expertise to potential employers. So don’t skimp on the details—give yourself the best possible chance of landing your dream job by highlighting all of your valuable work experience.

Formatting Your Work Experience

When it comes to structuring your work experience on your resume, there are two main formats: chronological and functional.

my previous work experience essay

Chronological:  This format lists your work experience in reverse chronological order, starting with your most recent job and working backwards. This format is the most commonly used and is preferred by employers who want to see your career progression and stability.

Functional:  This format emphasizes your skills and abilities over your work experience. It is ideal for job seekers who have gaps in their employment history or have recently changed careers. In this format, you group your work experience by skill and provide examples of how you used those skills in each job.

No matter which format you choose, it is important to write effective job descriptions. Here are some tips:

  • Use strong action verbs to start each bullet point, such as “managed,” “created,” or “implemented.”
  • Quantify your achievements using numbers, percentages, or dollar amounts whenever possible. This provides concrete evidence of your accomplishments and helps you stand out.
  • Keep your descriptions concise and focused on the impact you made in the role.
  • Use industry-specific language and highlight any relevant certifications or training.

When you are quantifying your achievements, it is important to be specific and detailed. For example, instead of saying “increased sales,” you could say “increased sales by 25% in the first quarter through implementing a new marketing strategy.” Use specific numbers and metrics to demonstrate the impact of your work.

Formatting your work experience effectively can make or break your resume. Consider which format best highlights your skills and experience, and use strong, quantifiable language to showcase your achievements.

How to Tailor Your Work Experience to the Job You’re Applying For

When applying for a job, the way you present your work experience can make or break your chances of landing an interview. Tailoring your work experience to the job you’re applying for can make your application stand out from the rest.

Researching the Job and Company

Before you start tailoring your work experience, it’s essential to research the job and company you’re applying to. Look for information about the company’s culture, mission and values, and see if you can find any information about the specific role you’re applying for. This research will help you understand what the employer is looking for in an ideal candidate.

Matching Your Experience to the Job Requirements

Once you have a good understanding of the job requirements, you can start matching your experience to them. Look at the job listing and identify the key skills and qualifications the employer is looking for. Then, go through your work experience and highlight the skills and experiences you have that match these requirements.

Don’t worry if you don’t have direct experience in all the areas mentioned in the job listing. Consider transferrable skills such as organizational abilities, team management, and problem-solving. Show how these skills can be applied to the requirements listed, and highlight any relevant experience in your work history.

Avoiding Irrelevant Information

When tailoring your work experience, remember to avoid irrelevant information. Keep your focus on the requirements of the job and company culture. Only include work experience that is directly relevant to the job you’re applying for.

If you have a lot of previous work experience, use your discretion in deciding what to include. Highlight those achievements that demonstrate your qualifications, skills, and experience. Be selective with what to put on your resume, and don’t include anything that can potentially hurt your chances of getting the job.

When applying for a job, tailor your work experience by researching the job and company, matching your experience to the job requirements, and avoiding irrelevant information. Doing this will help you differentiate your resume and increase your chances of securing an interview.

Including Previous Work Experience on a Resume with Limited Experience

One of the biggest challenges for individuals with limited work experience is crafting a resume that highlights their skills and potential to employers. However, there are several strategies to help job seekers make their resumes stand out, even if they don’t have a lot of previous work experience.

Focusing on transferable skills

One effective approach is to focus on transferable skills, which are abilities that can be applied in multiple work contexts. For example, if a candidate has experience working as a cashier or in a customer service role, they can highlight skills such as communication, problem-solving, and attention to detail. These skills can be relevant to many other types of jobs, such as administrative roles or sales positions.

When describing past work experiences on a resume, it’s important to focus on how the skills learned in those roles can be applied to the job being applied for. This not only demonstrates a candidate’s ability to adapt and learn quickly, but also how they can bring value to the company.

Highlighting education and coursework

For recent graduates or those entering a new industry, education and coursework can be a valuable asset to include on a resume. It shows that a candidate has invested time and effort in gaining knowledge and skills that can be relevant to the job.

If a job seeker has taken relevant courses or acquired certifications, they should be highlighted in the resume. Additionally, they should emphasize any academic projects or research that demonstrate problem-solving skills, critical thinking, and creativity.

Relevant extracurricular activities and volunteer work

While previous work experience may be limited, there may be other activities that showcase a candidate’s skills and work ethic. Volunteering, internships, and extracurricular activities can all provide valuable experience and skills that can be highlighted on a resume.

For example, if a candidate has volunteered in a leadership position or organized events, they can demonstrate skills such as communication, organization, and leadership. This can be particularly useful for entry-level jobs where employers are looking for individuals who are willing to learn and take on responsibilities.

Job seekers should remember that previous work experience is not the only factor that employers consider when evaluating resumes. By emphasizing transferable skills, education and coursework, and other relevant experiences, candidates can effectively showcase their potential and stand out from the competition.

How to Name Your Job Titles

When it comes to choosing the right job title for your resume, it’s important to keep in mind that job titles vary from company to company and industry to industry. Therefore, it’s essential to select a title that accurately reflects your experience and responsibilities.

The following tips can help you choose the best job title for your resume:

Choosing the Right Job Title

Look at similar job postings: Browse job listings of similar positions in your industry to get an idea of what job titles are commonly used.

Use industry standard titles: Consider using industry-standard job titles that are widely recognized and understood within your field.

Highlight your expertise: If you have a unique set of skills, consider using a job title that highlights your expertise and sets you apart from other candidates.

Keep it simple and relevant: Avoid using complicated job titles that may not be easily recognizable or understood. Stick with concise and relevant titles that accurately reflect your experience and skills.

Avoiding Misleading or Inaccurate Titles

It’s important to avoid using misleading or inaccurate job titles on your resume. Doing so may discredit your professional experience and cause confusion for potential employers. Here are some tips to help you avoid inaccurate or misleading job titles:

Be honest about your responsibilities: Be truthful about your duties and accomplishments. Avoid inflating your job title to make your responsibilities seem more significant than they were.

Tailor your title to your job: If your company gave you an ambiguous job title or one that does not accurately reflect your responsibilities, try to tailor it to your actual job duties.

Avoid titles that don’t match your experience: Don’t apply for a job with a misleading or inaccurate job title that does not accurately reflect your experience.

Selecting the right job title for your resume can make a big difference in getting noticed by potential employers. Be honest about your responsibilities, highlight your expertise, and stick with relevant and concise job titles that accurately reflect your experience and skills.

Tips for Writing the Work Experience Section of Your Resume

When it comes to writing the work experience section of your resume, there are a few important tips worth keeping in mind to ensure that it is effective in impressing potential employers.

Using Action Verbs

Using strong action verbs in your resume helps to convey a sense of dynamism and enthusiasm to your prospective employers. These verbs help to paint a vivid picture of the kind of work you’ve done in the past, and can be hugely impactful in making your application stand out. Think about using verbs like “managed,” “created,” “collaborated,” and “achieved” to describe your previous work experience.

Keeping it Concise

It’s important to remember that your employer will most likely have dozens, if not hundreds, of resumes to review. As a result, it’s imperative that you keep your work experience section concise and to the point. Avoid getting bogged down in irrelevant details, and instead focus on providing a high-level summary of your most important achievements and responsibilities.

Choosing the Right Tense

When writing your work experience section, try to keep your tenses consistent throughout. If you’re currently employed, use the present tense to describe your responsibilities and achievements. If you’re writing about a previous job, use the past tense to describe what you accomplished during your time there.

Tailoring Your Experience to the Job Description

Finally, one of the most important tips to keep in mind when writing your work experience section is the importance of tailoring it to the job description. By highlighting the skills and achievements that are most relevant to the job at hand, you’re more likely to stand out to your prospective employer and make a positive impression from the get-go.

By keeping these tips in mind and writing with clarity and precision, you’ll be well on your way to creating a powerful and effective work experience section for your resume.

Balancing Multiple Previous Work Experiences

When it comes to including previous work experiences on your resume, it’s important to strike a balance between showcasing your diverse skillset and highlighting your relevant experience. This can be especially challenging if you have a varied background or have held positions in many different industries.

Organizing your resume

One of the first steps in balancing multiple previous work experiences is to organize your resume in a way that makes sense. This may include grouping similar positions together or separating them by industry. Consider using bullet points to highlight specific accomplishments or skills that are relevant to the job you’re applying for.

Prioritizing relevant experience

When deciding which experiences to prioritize on your resume, consider the job you’re applying for and the skills or qualifications they’re looking for. You’ll want to emphasize experiences that showcase your ability to meet these requirements, even if they weren’t your most recent or highest-level positions. This may mean leaving out some older experiences that are less relevant, or simply mentioning them in passing.

Highlighting positions with leadership or management

Another key consideration when balancing multiple previous work experiences is to highlight any positions that showcase your leadership or management skills. This can be especially important if you’re seeking a management or executive-level position. Be sure to note any teams or departments you oversaw, any projects you led, and any metrics you achieved in these roles. Even if you don’t have direct management experience, try to highlight any instances where you took on a leadership role or stepped up in a crisis.

Balancing multiple previous work experiences can be a challenge, but with a little planning and organization, you can showcase your diverse skillset while still emphasizing relevant experience and leadership abilities. By doing so, you’ll be able to make a strong case for why you’re the ideal candidate for the job.

Dealing With Employment Gaps

One of the challenges job seekers face is dealing with gaps in their work history. While it’s common to have gaps, it’s essential to explain them to potential employers adequately. Here are some tips for explaining gaps on your resume:

Explaining Gaps in Work History

The first step in addressing employment gaps is to explain them honestly. Provide a brief explanation of why you were out of work, such as taking time off to care for a family member or pursuing further education. Avoid making excuses, but instead, highlight any skills or experience gained during your break from work that may be relevant to the job you’re seeking.

Tips for Bridging the Gap

To bridge the gap on your resume, consider taking on freelance or short-term contract work. This could include freelance writing, consulting, or volunteering. Such work experience shows potential employers that you are proactive and willing to stay up-to-date and sharp in your field. Additionally, think about taking continuing education courses or certifications relevant to your field to demonstrate your desire to continue improving your skillset.

Another option for bridging the gap is to take on an internship or apprenticeship. While these opportunities may not pay as much or require your full-time commitment, they provide hands-on experience and the opportunity to network with professionals in your field.

How to Address Long-term Unemployment

If you’ve been out of work for an extended period due to personal circumstances, the best way to address this is to highlight your accomplishments and skills. Focus on any volunteer work, freelance projects, and other achievements during your time off. Be prepared to explain your situation in a positive way and convey your eagerness to return to the workforce. Also, list any courses or certifications you have completed to keep your skills sharp.

Dealing with employment gaps can be a challenge, but it’s important to explain them honestly and demonstrate the skills and experience gained during your break from work. Adding any freelance, volunteer work and courses or certifications to your resume, can enhance your chances of getting the job you desire.

Example of Including Previous Work Experience on a Resume

When it comes to writing a resume, highlighting your work experience is an essential component. Potential employers want to know where you worked, what you did, and how that experience relates to the job you’re applying for. In this section, we’ll provide some sample resumes that showcase different approaches to including work experience, along with tips for customizing those samples to fit your unique situation.

Chronological Resume

A chronological resume is the most common type of resume and is organized by listing your work experience in reverse chronological order (i.e., starting with your most recent job and working backwards). Here’s an example of a chronological resume that emphasizes the applicant’s work experience:

John Doe 123 Main Street | City, State | (555) 123-4567 | [email protected]

Dedicated and results-driven professional with a proven track record of success in previous work experiences. Strong organizational and problem-solving skills with a focus on delivering high-quality results. Excellent communication and collaboration abilities.

Work Experience:

Sales Associate | ABC Retail Company | City, State | 2018-2021

  • Assisted customers in product selection and provided exceptional customer service.
  • Managed point-of-sale transactions and maintained accurate sales records.
  • Collaborated with team members to achieve sales targets and promote a positive shopping experience.
  • Conducted inventory management and ensured shelves were stocked and organized.

Administrative Assistant | XYZ Corporation | City, State | 2016-2018

  • Provided administrative support to the executive team, including scheduling meetings, managing calendars, and handling correspondence.
  • Prepared reports, presentations, and documents for internal and external communication.
  • Coordinated travel arrangements and accommodations for company executives.
  • Managed office supplies and maintained a clean and organized workspace.

Bachelor of Business Administration | University Name | City, State | Year

Functional Resume:

Jane Smith 123 Main Street | City, State | (555) 123-4567 | [email protected]

Highly skilled professional with a strong background in various work experiences. Exceptional problem-solving and interpersonal abilities. Proficient in managing multiple tasks and prioritizing workload effectively.

Core Skills:

  • Customer Service
  • Sales and Marketing
  • Administrative Support
  • Communication and Collaboration
  • Organization and Time Management

Sales Associate

  • Demonstrated excellent customer service skills, ensuring customer satisfaction and repeat business.
  • Utilized strong sales and marketing techniques to achieve and exceed sales targets.
  • Assisted with inventory management and visual merchandising to maintain an appealing store environment.

Administrative Assistant

  • Provided administrative support, including calendar management, document preparation, and data entry.
  • Efficiently managed office supplies and maintained an organized filing system.
  • Assisted in organizing and coordinating company events and meetings.

Bachelor of Arts in Business Administration | University Name | City, State | Year

Combination Resume:

Tom Jackson 123 Main Street | City, State | (555) 123-4567 | [email protected]

Dynamic professional with a diverse background in various work experiences. Strong leadership and problem-solving skills, coupled with a detail-oriented approach. Effective communication and collaboration abilities.

Sales Associate ABC Retail Company | City, State | 2018-2021

  • Demonstrated exceptional customer service and product knowledge to assist customers effectively.
  • Achieved and exceeded sales targets through proactive selling techniques and product recommendations.
  • Collaborated with team members to create engaging displays and enhance the customer shopping experience.

Administrative Assistant XYZ Corporation | City, State | 2016-2018

  • Provided administrative support to executives, managing calendars, scheduling meetings, and handling correspondence.
  • Coordinated travel arrangements and managed expense reports.
  • Maintained office supplies and ensured the smooth running of daily operations.

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How to Describe Your Work Experience on a Resume? [+Examples]

Kaja Jurčišinová — Staff Writer

Your work history section is the most important part of your resume. It's also the most difficult part of your CV to address. Keep reading to find out how to properly describe your work experience on your resume. 

Because while a well-written work experience section can land you a job, a badly written one can easily sabotage your chances of getting an interview. You must know how to write it and what to include in it. 

And that's what this guide is for! It will show you:

What is a work experience section?

  • Why bother writing it?
  • Where to put the work experience section on your resume?
  • …if you’re a student or a fresh graduate?
  • …as an experienced professional?
  • …if you’re an artist or creative?
  • …if you’re changing careers?
  • How to overcome an employment gap?
  • How to address maternity leave?
  • Plus some final tips and tricks

Too long, don't wanna read? Watch this 60sec video guide

The work experience section or employment history is a detailed summary of your past work experience . In other words, a comprehensible report of all jobs you’ve held in the past.

Depending on your background, you can include full-time positions, part-time jobs, temporary roles, internships, or even volunteer work.

In the work history section, you should list key information such as: 

  • names of companies
  • positions held
  • dates of employment
  • responsibilities you've held

But more importantly , it should highlight your main achievements and provide specific examples.

Side note: The experience section often goes under other names. Some people call it Employment history . Others refer to it as Work experience or Work history. All of these terms are interchangeable and all of them are correct. So you don't have to worry about picking the right one. 

what to include in work section on a resume

Oh, and if you have a LinkedIn profile filled with all the important details, including your work experience, academic background, skills, and qualifications, you can easily  turn it into a polished resume with just one click.

Why should you include the work experience section?

We hate to use the word “important” , but…

… work experience is super important, if not a key section of your resume. 

When you think “resume ”, the work experience section is probably the first thing that comes to your mind. And you’re not alone. Based on this section employers determine whether or not you have what it takes for the job.

It provides an overview of your experience. A well-written work experience section is a crucial element because it shows that you have the necessary qualifications.

Where to put your work experience on a resume?

In most cases, your work experience section should come right after your contact info and professional summary.

But this isn't always the case. In some situations, you want to put your key skills, key achievements, or education section first.

For example, place your education first if you’re a student, fresh graduate, professional who recently went back to school, Ph.D. researcher , doctor, or another profession where the educational background is very important. Or if you’re writing an academic CV.

Generally speaking, the role and importance of your employment history section depend on where you're in your career and the type of resume you choose to write.

You can choose to write either a chronological, functional, or combination resume:

A chronological resume  

The most common resume type . 

It’s built around the employment history section. This makes it great for seasoned professionals with several years of work experience. It presents information in reverse-chronological order, with the most recent events being placed first.

Order of sections in chronological resume usually looks like this: Contact Information > Professional Summary > Work Experience > Education > Skills > Others .

A functional resume

This resume type draws attention to and puts forward your skills , accomplishments, job traits, and personal characteristics. 

It works best for fresh graduates, students, people returning to work after parental leave, and people who are changing careers — in other words — for those who might already have the skills but lack experience (or have an employment gap in their resume).

Order of sections in functional resume usually is the following: Contact Information > Professional Summary / Resume Objective > Skills / Projects > Work History / Education > Others .

A combination resume  

A combination resume contains elements of both the chronological and functional format. It does so by including your relevant skills and accomplishments first and then detailing your employment history and education. 

It's great for students, fresh graduates, or career changers who don’t really fit elsewhere. 

A combination resume also gives you a chance to order sections in a way that works best for your unique career path. You can, for instance, place the key achievement section first if there's a success that you truly want to highlight. 

how to list work experience on a resume

How to write a work experience section?

In summary, you should begin with listing your current (or most recent job) and then continue with the previous ones. Your first job should close the section. 

The description of your most recent job position should include the following information:

  • name of the company
  • responsibilities and achievements

The more recent the job, the more detailed information about it you want to offer. On the other hand, you don’t really want to waste space on jobs that took place years ago. So, don’t go into too much detail. 

Sounds simple enough, doesn’t it? Despite that, the employment history section is probably the most difficult to write. Why though?

The answer is quick — the main challenge of describing your work experience on your resume is the sheer amount of information you have to include in this section. You have to choose wisely what to include so you won’t overwhelm the recruiter. 

Another problem arises once you stop writing it. You look back to your finished work history section and you may wonder:

Is your work experience section too short? Is it too long? Does it look somewhat chaotic? 

There’s no reason to worry though. We’ve got you. Here are some tips on how to make your job history section more orderly and appealing: 

  • Use action verbs. As opposed to buzzwords, there are some powerful words you DO want to use. These include expressions such as “achieved,” “advised,” “negotiated” and others. See the pattern there? Instead of adjectives, use verbs you can support with evidence.
  • Tailor it to a specific opening. Your accomplishments should match the employer’s needs and priorities. This is one of the quickest ways to get noticed and invited to an interview. Do your research and re-arrange your bullet points to show exactly the type of experience they want.
  • Keywords. Reread the advertised job description and carefully pick the most important keywords. These are the words that best describe the position you’re applying for. Pack your resume with these keywords. Not only will it help you get past applicant tracking systems (ATS), but it will also leave a lasting impression on the hiring manager.
  • Show your problem-solving skills . In the end, hiring managers want to know how effective are you when it comes to solving real problems. There’s no better way to prove your problem-solving ability than to briefly describe how you solved difficult problems in the past. Follow the PAR scheme: What was the Problem? What Action did you take? What was the Result?
  • Quantify your past results. Managers love measurable results. A single number is often worth a thousand words. Don’t say you “increased the company’s revenue by, like, a lot”. Instead, don’t be afraid to brag about “increasing the company’s revenue by 20%.”
  • Use bullet points. Bullet points help you structure your sub-sections. It also takes next to no effort on your part. Use them in combination with short paragraphs. First, describe the scope of your responsibilities, then use bullet points to list your top contributions for each job. Add 2-4 bullet points for each job.

Then, there are also common work experience section mistakes that you should avoid: 

  • Don’t include the job description. Wait, what? Isn’t that the whole point? Well, no, employers usually know what the job should entail. Instead of listing what you were supposed to do, tell your potential employers what positive results you were able to bring about.
  • Avoid buzzwords. Some phrases have been used so much in resumes that they became meaningless. Avoid words such as “thinking outside the box,” “creative,” or “problem solver.” These words always sound insincere. You want to inspire confidence. If you're using too many buzzwords, try to rephrase your content to make it more results-focused and skill-based.

work experience section on a resume

Christy's word of advice

When it comes to the Work Experience sections, many resources say you should only highlight achievements and omit duties. What's your take on this?

“ I usually say have both. I recommend putting a few most important duties first because that's adding the context, and then the achievements. You can maybe get away just with the achievements if you're in an achievement-focused role, for instance, sales. But in general, I'd recommend having a mix — context plus impact. ” — Christy Morgan , Kickresume's Resident HR Expert

What to put in your work experience section on your resume

How to list work experience if you’re a student or a fresh graduate?

Naturally, you don’t have tons of experience if you’ve just finished school. Yet, being young is no obstacle. It comes down to how you present the experience you already have.

As a student or fresh graduate, you should place your work experience after the education section. Then list key skills, volunteer experience, and other voluntary sections.

Why list education first? Because your education and educational results are your strongest weapons right now.

Also, try to think of any job-relevant experience that you could put on your resume. Do you have any related experience at all when you worked as an intern? Have you done some volunteer work for a local charity? Or attended a conference? 

All of these things belong on your resume. Treat your internships and extracurricular activities as regular jobs.

These activities can showcase your motivation and skills. They also help recruiters gauge your professional aptitude. Each one of them should come with a few points that detail your responsibilities and accomplishments.

Here’s what you can include in your employment history section:

  • Part-time jobs. If you’re fresh out of school (or still studying), part-time jobs are probably your primary type of experience. Even if the job isn’t super-relevant to the job you’re applying for now, there are valuable transferrable skills you’ve acquired in that job. Highlight them.
  • Internships. Paid and unpaid college internships are one of the best weapons against the “experience required” line in a job posting.
  • Volunteering . Most recruiters look at volunteer experience similar to paid work experience. Just because you didn’t get paid doesn’t mean you didn’t do a good job. Go ahead and list your volunteer roles as you would a full-time job. Detail the length of time you volunteered, relevant tasks you undertook, and the skills you gained through the experience.
  • Extracurricular activities. If you’re applying for copywriting job, for example, recruiters will be more impressed to hear that you wrote a handful of articles for your student newspaper than that you had a summer job in a local fast-food restaurant.
  • Leadership roles: Any leadership roles, even from clubs or sports teams, can demonstrate leadership skills and teamwork — both of which are highly valued by employers. 

How does this look in practice? Take a look at this fresh graduate sample below! 

How to list work experience if you’re an experienced professional?

Even if you’re an experienced professional, the hiring manager is going to put your work experience section under scrutiny. Because of that, you want to make sure your work experience section is tight.

To help employers navigate this section, list your work history in reverse chronological order. Put the most recent — and therefore the most relevant — items first.

Side tip: If you’re working a full-time job and freelancing at the same time, it’s only up to you to decide where you want to draw attention first.

Most importantly, don’t just state where you worked and what was your job title. Rather, also use 2–4 bullet points for each job to describe your duties and specific achievements. 

Here’s an example of how to do it:

Work Experience Section Example

Automotive Technician, Icahn Automotive, Rotorua, New Zealand (03/2017 – 09/2019)

  • Repaired various cars and trucks. Troubleshot and diagnosed vehicles. Repaired or replaced defective parts. Ensured that everything was in compliance with the company’s high standards and clients’ needs.
  • Awarded Employee of the Month for increasing customer satisfaction with provided services from 87% to 95% within one year.

Mind the length

Executives can use more than one page of their resume to present their extensive work experience. But that doesn’t mean that you should let your resume become a 700-page-long autobiography.

You may be wondering how to filter the information then. Especially if you have years of substantial experience. 

Well, as we already said earlier, if something’s recent, it also means it’s more relevant. That’s why you should describe more recent jobs in greater detail . Older ones will do with a brief description, allowing you to save some valuable space for more important details to put on your resume.

Finally, remember that you should never ever make your resume longer than two or three pages. Recruiters are busy and they can easily get overwhelmed by an overly long document. It would be sad if only this killed your chances of getting called for an interview . 

How far back should your employment history go?

Generally, it’s okay to include up to 15 years of experience, but try to avoid going further back in time than that. An exception would be a truly unique experience – such as being the one who started a successful company. 

Or, if a job requires 20 years of experience, then you should also definitely include more than 10–15 years of experience on your resume. 

However, most industries change a lot in 15 years, rendering any experience older than that obsolete.

If you have been working for less than 8-10 years, go back to the beginning of your work history and try to tailor your resume to be relevant to the job you’re applying for now.

Avoid writing about every single job you’ve ever held. This can easily overwhelm an employer and make them lose interest. Instead, only use previous work experience at least a bit related to the opportunity you want.

If you’ve worked more than 10 years as an executive, consider starting your work history at the point you became a manager. Most hiring managers don’t care what your first job was. They want to see how you progressed since you started as a manager.

How to write a work experience section if you’re an artist?

If you’re an artist, you know that your life and your job are a little different from the rest of the people. Because of that, it probably comes as no surprise that your work experience section should be different, too.

In short, as an artist, you should say goodbye to wordy descriptions and focus almost entirely on your portfolio . 

Consequently, your artist resume can be quite short and mostly focus on listing your training or education, courses you've taught, or artist residencies that you've been accepted to. 

See the sample below for what a good artist's resume should look like. Also, notice the fun creative resume template ! 

Finally, don't forget to polish up your social media profiles , as this is one of the most convenient ways of finding new clients today. Create your own website, and make sure to upload your portfolio to sites like Behance or Dribble. 

How to write work experience section when changing careers

How to list experience if you’re changing careers?

If you’re pursuing a career change, your resume shouldn’t revolve entirely around your employment history. After all, that’s all in the past now. 

Instead , you should highlight your transferrable skills. You need to show how you can use the skills from your previous career in the new one.

Because of that, the hybrid resume format is the way to go.

How to do this? 

  • In the employment history section, briefly outline your work history. Only mention those positions where you acquired skills that are relevant to the new position. You can also mention any relevant volunteer work.
  • Try to find any keywords that relate to your experience. Look closely at the qualifications in the job description and tailor the bullet points in your work history to highlight that applicable experience.
  • Focus less on the duties and more on your transferrable skills . These are any skills that you can transfer from one career to another. For example, if you have a background in journalism and want to apply for a copywriting position, the obviously shared keyword here is writing . Even though you don’t have any copywriting or marketing experience, you do have expert-level writing skills that you can use in the new field. That's a transferable skill. Try including these in your work experience section.

How to overcome an employment gap in your work history?

While many see a gap in their resume as an issue that's hard to overcome, that isn't necessarily the case. You just have to know which gaps should be addressed and which can be ignored.

If the resume gap is worth addressing, you can also learn how to give your resume gap a little “glow up.” 

Generally speaking, there are two basic criteria you need to consider when thinking about the seriousness of an employment gap on your resume: its duration and how recent it is.

  • Short gaps don’t matter. Work gaps don’t generally become red flags unless they lasted for more than six months.
  • Old gaps don’t matter either. Recruiters are interested in recent history and won’t investigate things that no longer have an impact on the present.

If your resume employment gaps are recent and quite long, what can you do?

  • Change the way you write dates. Simply exclude months and the gap might disappear. So, instead of writing (October 2017 – August 2019), (September 2014 – January 2017) , you write (2017 – 2019), (2014 – 2017). Obviously, this technique works best for employment gaps that took place within a single calendar year.
  • Consider changing the format of your resume. You should use the functional resume format. It shifts attention to your strengths and job-relevant skills rather than your work history.
  • Make the most of your employment gap. Starting a business, freelancing, studying, volunteering, taking a purposeful sabbatical — all of these count as valuable experience. List these experiences along with other positions you held in the work experience section. Describe how you expanded your skillset.
  • Boost your credibility with references . Ask your former employers, ex-colleagues, and other industry professionals if they’re willing to vouch for you. Include their names and contact information directly in your resume or attach an additional page to your resume.

How to address a maternity leave on your resume?

A very specific type of employment gap is maternity/parental leave. 

If you find yourself in the situation when you're trying to enter the work world after you took some time off to give birth or take care of your offspring, you may be a little worried about how to address it in your resume. 

The best thing to do is to use the functional or combination resume format , rather than chronologically list your previous work experience. 

Both formats allow you to attract the employer’s attention with your skills before addressing the elephant in the room.

Once you’ve done that, briefly mention that your career gap was due to the maternity leave. You can do it like this:

Example: How to address maternity leave in the work experience section

Maternity leave (January 2019–present)

That's it. You don't have to go into great detail. After all, you're not the first person in the world who has ever taken a parenting leave.

You just have to make sure to emphasize the work you did before you took some time off. Write about it as if it were yesterday and you still remember the details of the projects you worked on. Recall your accomplishments and the projects you're proud of from that period of your life. Time doesn’t devalue those experiences and skills that you've learned in the past.

Alternatively, if you've volunteered or completed a course during your leave, don't forget to mention it! Make sure to write about any relevant community service or voluntary work that you engaged in during your time away. Any freelancing projects or short-term gigs work as great resume enhancers.

See the example below: 

Example: How to update the work experience section after maternity leave 

During my maternity leave, I focused on maintaining and enhancing my skill set. That involved enrolling in an online course, continuing my education, and participating in a sales conference to ensure that I remained up-to-date with industry happenings.

Sales Success Summit, Boston (June 2019)

  • Joining fellow sales leaders, trainers, and enablement professionals to learn expert secrets about sales and marketing.

The Art of Sales: Mastering the Selling Process (Northwestern University) – Online course (March 2019 – June 2019)

  • Coursework focused on standing out in the crowd, attracting customers, and building support for initiatives within one’s company.

If you'd like more tips on how to do this, go and read our article on how to tackle maternity leave on your resume.

Final resume tips

  • Don’t be afraid to use bold whenever you want to highlight important bits of information within the section.
  • Include key achievements subsection. Pick the biggest achievement from each job and highlight it in a subsection. You can also write it in bold. This will catch the attention of the hiring manager in an instant.
  • Keep it simple and easy to read. Don’t overdo it. Pick 1-2 colors maximum, 1-2 fonts, and 1-2 heading sizes.
  • Remember it’s not only about you . It’s also about your future employer. Look at the job description again and determine what are his needs. Address these in your work experience section.

FAQ: How to describe your work experience on a resume

1. Is it ever ok to change the title of my past jobs a little bit?

While we always advise against lying on your resume, slightly altering the name of your past position shouldn't hurt you. Especially, if the name of the position didn't fit your responsibilities (which happens more often than you'd think). 

Additionally, if your boss thought they were being original but you ended up with a stupid-sounding work position name, you've also got the green light to change it in your resume.

2. What should I not include in the work history section of my resume?

  • A wall of text. Always opt for bullet points.
  • Too much information. Keep it brief. 
  • Personal information. Your age, relationship status, or sexual orientation are all private information (and should stay that way during the recruitment).

3.   Should I include a job that I was fired from in my resume? 

Yes, if it's relevant to the prospective job position, there's no reason not to mention it. Even if you were fired (for various reasons), you've managed to get the job in the first place and you've learned some valuable skills. 

This article was recently updated. The original article was written by Nikoleta Žiťkovå in 2021 .

While we always advise against lying on your resume, slightly altering the name of your past position shouldn't hurt you. Especially, if the name of the position didn't fit your responsibilities (which happens more often than you'd think). 

  • Too much information. Keep it brief. 

Yes, if it's relevant to the prospective job position, there's no reason not to mention it. Even if you were fired (for various reasons), you've managed to get the job in the first place and you've learned some valuable skills. 

As a rule of thumb, you should include your GPA if it's 3.0 or above and you're a recent graduate. If you're further along in your career, recruiters typically care more about your work experience than your academic performance.

Usually, once you have a college degree or higher, you don't need to include your high school education in your resume.

Kaja Jurčišinová — Staff Writer

Kaja Jurčišinová

Kaja Jurcisinova is a fresh graduate and a junior copywriter at Kickresume. Kaja completed her undergraduate degree in Art History at the University of St Andrews in 2018 and graduated with a Master’s in Arts and Culture from the University of Groningen in 2021. She was an intern at multiple cultural institutions across Europe, including the Dutch Museum Association in Amsterdam, the Matter of Art Biennale in Prague, and the European Cultural Centre in Venice. At the moment, she resides in Visby on the Swedish island of Gotland.

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My Work Experience Essay

my previous work experience essay

Show More At the beginning of the work experience I had worked at my job, Old Navy, for around 3 months and I was somewhat new and inexperienced to what my job required. I was sloppy with my folding, and was slow to complete my tasks. I wanted to get better at my work so I could become a better employee. When I heard of Work Experience, I was curious about how it would help me improve my work skills. I enrolled in Work Experience for two extra hours that I needed for school. First thing I did after enrolling look at what the next step in the process: orientation. The Work Experience orientation I took was the online version, which was well put together and was very easy to follow and was informative about what to expect during the work experience …show more content… To earn 2 hours of seminar hours, I completed an online activity to familiarize myself with my basic rights as an employee and the right of my employer. Doing this activity helped me learn that it is my employers’ right to be open or closed any day that they choose. I used to think that most places had to be closed for Fourth of July or Thanksgiving; but the activity proved me wrong. I also learned that an employee can be fired for whatever reason, but if the employee thinks that it was unjust than they can take legal action. I choose this activity because I should go into a job knowing my rights and what happens if those rights violated. The next activity is called Workplace Culture: Find Your Fit and this activity showed me how important a good work environment. Before the activity all I knew that I wanted for work experience was just a good co-workers; but now, I know that a good work environment includes so much more than just the people you work alongside. A work environment is a safe and comfortable place where you are happy and excited to work, and your work values and the company values oh inside with one another. I choose this two-hour activity because I can take this knowledge with me once I leave Old Navy and move on to my next

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My Work Experience I went on work experience for a week in June at Natwest Bank in Bakewell. Natwest is part of a larger organisation called the Royal Bank of Scotland Group. The Royal Bank of Scotland bought Natwest in March 2000 for ÂŁ21 billion which was the biggest take-over in British banking history. Natwest is a national company and very well known so I felt quite privileged to work for them. Also the Bakewell branch was of a very high standard of service from the checks they get every month as I was shown the data of this when I went to visit them. From working in a banking environment I learnt a lot about how banking works and what goes on behind closed doors of the public, which was …show more content…

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COMMENTS

  1. "Tell Me About Your Work Experience" (With Example Answers)

    3. Quantify your experience. If applicable, use data to add proven value to your accomplishments. For example, you can discuss your annual performance review numbers or the increasing percentage of quality work output. This strategy can serve as evidence of your professional achievements. 4. Illustrate the connections.

  2. The Aspects Of My Work Experience

    The Aspects Of My Work Experience. This essay sample was donated by a student to help the academic community. Papers provided by EduBirdie writers usually outdo students' samples. Learning in most institutions incorporates both knowledge acquisition and putting skills into practice. My work placement was a full-time experience in different ...

  3. "Tell Me About Your Work Experience" (Sample Answer)

    First off, your prior experience and the intent to use it for success in the future. Secondly, how familiar you are with the requirements of the role you're interviewing for. Answer this interview question by tying in elements of the job description with your background. Tell me about your work experience sample answer example answer #2.

  4. Essay on My Work Experience

    Students are often asked to write an essay on My Work Experience in their schools and colleges. And if you're also looking for the same, we have created 100-word, 250-word, and 500-word essays on the topic. ... This job was much more demanding than my previous jobs. I had to manage several projects at the same time, make sure they were ...

  5. My First Work Experience and Knowledge I Gained Essay

    The first working experience was memorable because I finally managed to become independent and earn my first money. When I started working in the corporation, I changed my mentality to adapt to the new system. This paper will discuss the experience during my first job recruitment, skills, and knowledge gathered during this period.

  6. How to Describe Your Work Experience

    The work experience section is where you list your most relevant previous roles to show employers your employment history and career development. This section gives hiring managers an idea of where you've been and how you got to this point in your career. It also enables you to describe how you performed in your previous roles and what skills ...

  7. Tell me about your work experience sample answer

    Here are our top tips for giving the best possible answer if you are asked to talk about your previous work experience. Step 1. Remain positive. Take a glass-half-full approach to your answer. The prospective employer is looking to hear your passion and excitement for your job.

  8. How is your previous experience relevant to this role? Interview

    In my opinion, everything is much easier with this attitude. As you can see on my resume, I've had completely different jobs before. My experience isn't relevant, but that's exactly the reason why I am here. I experienced a burnout, and I need a career change. I know that I will have to learn a lot of things to do a great job in your company.

  9. How to Describe Your Work Experience on Your Resume (With ...

    1. Understand the four elements of the STAR formula. Here is a breakdown of each step of the STAR formula: Situation. This step gives you a canvas to set the story around a challenge you faced. However, you'll need to include other elements of the STAR formula to have a clear and concise overview of your experience.

  10. 6 Interview Questions About Work History (With Sample Answers)

    1. Describe your work history. This question is purposefully vague to give you the opportunity to elaborate on your past work experience. You can use this question as a way to go in-depth about your work history beyond whatever's written on your resume. When answering a question like this, try to include specific names, dates and anecdotes that ...

  11. How to Write Work Experience & History on a Resume

    Step 1: Prepare your information. Preparing your work experience for your resume is just as important as writing it in your job history section. Here's how to prepare your work experience: Make a list of your past employers, job titles and responsibilities. Focus on your last one to 10 years of employment.

  12. Previous Work Experience Examples for a Resume

    Resume Work Experience Example #1. You can use bold text like the example above to highlight key accomplishments on your resume. You can also use bullets, checkmarks, and other simple graphics to make sure your best work is noticed. This resume work history also has a separate section for "Select Accomplishments".

  13. Including Previous Work Experience on Your Resume

    Previous work experience is crucial on a resume because it showcases your skills, strengths, and achievements over time. Employers want to see that you have a track record of success and can bring valuable experience to their organization. Throughout this article, we will cover various aspects of including previous work experience on your resume. This will include tips on how to format your ...

  14. What Have You Learned From Your Work Experience So Far?

    How to Answer the "What Skills Have You Acquired From Your Work Experience?" Interview Question. 1. Be Specific. Not only are you identifying your ability to learn from your past jobs and experiences when dealing with these particular interview questions, but you are illuminating your skill sets as well.

  15. How to Write your Work Experience on a Resume [+ Examples]

    Focus on results of your job history in the past. Only list work experience on a resume that is relevant to the job you're applying to. Stand out with strong action verbs. Get specific: use numbers, facts, and figures. Speak in the past tense when the job is complete, present when you're still doing the work.

  16. How to Describe Your Work Experience on a Resume? [+Examples]

    The work experience section or employment history is a detailed summary of your past work experience. In other words, a comprehensible report of all jobs you've held in the past. Depending on your background, you can include full-time positions, part-time jobs, temporary roles, internships, or even volunteer work.

  17. Work Experience Essay Examples

    Work Experience Essays and Research Papers 🗨️ More than 30000 essays Find the foremost Work Experience Essay Topics and Ideas to achieve great results! ... My work placement was a full-time experience in different organizations, which was an incredible value opportunity. It offered me a chance to explore the universe of work and enjoy its ...

  18. "How Is Your Previous Experience Relevant to This Role?"

    2. Minimize the differences between a new role and your previous experiences. Your primary goal in answering this question is to demonstrate how your previous experiences have prepared you to succeed in a new role. When discussing your experiences, attempt to minimize the differences between a new role and the ones you've performed in the past.

  19. Work Experience Essay

    1084 Words. 4 Pages. Open Document. Essay Sample Check Writing Quality. Show More. My previous work experience has exposed me to a variety of team dynamics and I would describe my exposure as very positive. My love for connecting with people has been a major factor in my overall employment success, such as, two management roles before reaching ...

  20. My Work Experience Essay

    Improved Essays. 1078 Words. 5 Pages. Open Document. Essay Sample Check Writing Quality. Show More. At the beginning of the work experience I had worked at my job, Old Navy, for around 3 months and I was somewhat new and inexperienced to what my job required. I was sloppy with my folding, and was slow to complete my tasks.

  21. Essay about My Work Experience

    During my field work experience, I got the opportunity to work with my cooperating teacher, Mrs. Francisca Gachett, who has been teaching for over 11 years. She worked between 2005 and 2013 in community school with students with special needs and English Language Learners children.

  22. Work Experience on a Resume: Job Description Examples & Tips

    1. Name the section "Work Experience," "Work History," or "Professional Experience.". Write the section heading in bold and make it slightly larger than the rest of the contents. 2. Use reverse-chronological order. Start with your current or most recent job, follow it with the one before it, and so on. 3.

  23. My First Work Experience Free Essay Example

    Essay, Pages 3 (512 words) Views. 1897. Everyone remembers their first job. It's a definitive time in your life: it's a step up from your childhood, and a preview of adulthood. It's a proud moment, when you are old enough to earn your own money. First job experiences are also formative. Not only do they teach you the value of hard work ...