When it comes to your resume, hiring managers place a heavy emphasis on the “Work Experience” section. After all, this tells them if you have the ability and the qualifications to do the job.
It sounds simple enough; yet, when it comes down to writing yours, it can be a challenge. If you’re feeling stumped, here’s some insight into how to describe your work experience.
Cover the basics first.
Your work history first needs to give the hiring manager context for your experience in a particular position. So make sure you include the company name, location, job title, and the dates you were employed there. Depending on your background and the kinds of jobs you’re applying to, you can include a range of positions, whether full- or part-time, as well as temporary and contract.
Keep this section in chronological format, too. This simply means listing the last job you held first and working back from there.
Next, include responsibilities and duties.
Explain what you were responsible for in each position. What were your daily tasks and duties? How often did you perform these? Why were they important? It can often be helpful to write down everything you did at a particular job and then edit the list down. These should also be prioritized in terms of the level of importance to the job, with the most relevant tasks at the top.
Don’t forget about promotions, awards, and impact.
When listing your tasks and responsibilities, do more than describe them; quantify them. This means placing a specific value on your work, so hiring managers understand the scope of what you did and why it was important.
For instance, instead of just stating that you “Managed vendor contracts and ordered inventory,” state that you “Negotiated new vendor contracts with a 10% savings for the company, while also creating a more efficient process for ordering inventory.” In addition, include any promotions that you earned or awards you were recognized with.
If you don’t have a lot of work experience, writing this section can be especially challenging. However, you can include part-time jobs, internships, volunteer work, and other similar opportunities. Even if you held jobs that aren’t directly related to the industry, include those so the hiring manager can see that you’re a solid and dependable employee.
Need more help with your resume job descriptions?
At ResumeSpice, we can write your resume from scratch, or simply help you improve yours through tips and advice, including resume description examples. If you’re ready to learn more, call 832.930.7378 or contact us online.