Parts of a Resume/CV: Work History

The work history section of a CV or resume is the section which lists the professional experience and employment history of the applicant. This section should include:

• companies or organizations where the applicant has worked
  
• the applicant's title at these organizations
  
• the dates the applicant was employed or involved in these organizations
• a brief description of the applicant's responsibilities and duties at these organizations
• key achievements or promotions during employment or involvement in these organizations
  

It may also include:

• additional professional experience
  
• volunteer work
  
• newly learned skills
  

In a chronological resume, the work history section need only highlight your most recent work experience (typically no more than four positions, and nothing older than 10 years). Applicants with substantial work experience may choose to provide a "select work history" of the most relevant positions held in the past 10 years. Those with limited work experience may wish to increase the size of other sections.

In a functional resume, the work history should follow a list of skill sets, with only the most recent work experience. In this type of resume, there are no descriptions for the positions (as the bulk of this information should be covered in the skill sets), only the name of the organization, the applicant's title there, and the dates of employment.

In a CV, the work history section should list the entire work history of the applicant. However, descriptions should be even shorter, focusing almost entirely on key achievements and promotions, unless the job description would be unclear with only the organization and title.

The following video by Pat Goodwin, of PatGoodwinAssociates.com, offers some additional thoughts on planning to write a work history: