How To Write Your Résumé's History and Experience Section...

Writing the history and experience section of your resume can be the make or break point of your application. Use these resume tips to copy what professional writers do to make their client's history and experience details stand out...

Your resume can use a number of headings here: "Professional Experience," or "Professional History," they both work well. Professional resume writers shy away from using: "Work History," or just “Employment.” These are not as effective and they don’t look as professional. 

To focus your reader, list all jobs you have held in reverse chronological order. Concentrate on giving good detail about your most current positions and offer only limited information about the jobs held earlier on. 

In many cases, you can write a simple statement to sum up holding several jobs earlier on. 

This resume tip will save time and space, plus it will show your prospective employer you value their time as they may not be interested in positions you have held many years earlier that weren't really applicable to the position advertised.

Decide which you want to highlight more, your job titles or the names of the companies you worked for. The one you wish to highlight is listed first and then the next follows. 

Example: 

Dow Chemical Petroleum, Ltd. - Product Engineer 

OR 

Product Engineer - Dow Chemical Petroleum, Ltd. 

For this section include all service work and internships as well as any key volunteer experience. This section is not only for paid experience. 

WRITING YOUR RESUME'S EDUCATION SECTION 

As with your History/Experience section, list your Education credentials in reverse chronological order. Show your completed degrees or licenses first, and then show your completed certificates and key training. 

Follow by listing Education in progress with a proposed date of completion. 

Bold type anything you wish to highlight, such as your completed degrees. No need for too much detail here. Be concise by showing only your major as well as any awards and distinctions received. 

To be impressive, list grade point averages of 3.5 or better and highlight any courses of study engaged in currently as it relates directly to the position you seek. 

If your awards and commendations are impressive, give them a section of their own. Always quote sources to substantiate. 

WRITING A PROFESSIONAL AFFILIATIONS SECTION 

In this section show your community involvement and highlight current participation, especially in an area that might impress the employer as being relevant to key work issues. 

Give detail to show your abilities within specific areas, such as: “Initiated leadership role in organizing minority group of women wishing to return to the workplace.” 

List participation on a Board or as a Chairman. 

Hold back when stating political involvement as an employer or company can judge this negatively. 

WRITING A PUBLICATIONS SECTION 

If you can offer experience in this section, your employer will be impressed! Only highlight published material and summarize if you have lots of credits. 

Include stellar critiques and comments of your work and edit to contain only the most impressive. 

WRITING A PERSONAL INTERESTS SECTION ON YOUR RESUME 

This can be a tricky call for someone who does not have a lot of job hunting experience. Do you or do you not write a Personal Interests section? 

In most cases, you don't really have to. 

Those with targeted personal interests and skills that relate directly to the job sought can take advantage of this section to highlight how their hobbies and interests relate to the position they seek. 

For example, a baker who is applying for a chef’s position might present a prospective employer with cookbook recently published. This showcases talent, creativity and ability. An employer would like to see this. 

On the other hand, an accountant seeking a managerial position within a large corporation would not be smart to include a Personal Interests section to highlight his interest in collecting 18th century currency from Spain. 

This becomes a judgment call on your part. In most cases, candidates opt to forgo this section. 

WRITING YOUR RESUME'S REFERENCES SECTION 

The final closing of your resume can read, “References on Request,” or “References Available upon Request.” 

Some candidates don’t use this as a close, however, and the prospective employer generally will assume you have references to offer. 

An employer will not hesitate to ask for references when needed and they most always are. 

Consider writing a separate page listing a few really good references. Include contact information, for your referees as well. 

You can hand this page to your prospective employer when needed and this is always good to have on hand. 

I hope these resume tips have been helpful. In your next message, you'll receive a very special Bonus eBook that includes all of the lessons you've read so far, plus heaps of additional ideas and information that will help you write a professional resume that will help you to get the job of your dreams.

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