At its core, a resume is a document that serves as the first formal introduction between a hiring manager and a candidate for the vacancy. It is a compact treatise on the goals, ambitions, past, and future of the aspirant.
Resumes come in many forms, shapes, and sizes and each one can serve a specific purpose. In recent times, reverse chronological resume has gained a lot of traction among hiring managers and recruiters.
We will go through the nature and application of this type of resume along with how to write one or find the right resume writing company to do the heavy lifting on your behalf.
A Reverse Chronological Resume
A reverse chronological resume starts with the present and goes back to the past while listing work experience and academic qualifications. For instance, if a professional has two instances of work experience in different companies, the reverse chronological resume will list the present one or the most recent one first before moving back to the previous one.
Recruiters and hiring managers favor this format over its counterpart or a function-based resume because they prefer work history or professional experience over other elements of the resume.
Since the focus of the reverse chronological resume is on previous experience and job titles, it becomes the center of gravity for these kinds of resumes.
Professionals Who Can Use Reverse Chronological Resumes
After going through the nature of the reverse chronological resume, let us go through the application and scope of this kind of CV.
Following are some of the professionals who can use this type of resume to their advantage:
- Multiple years of experience
- Career progression is steady and in one direction
- No gaps in career
Still, fresh graduates also use this type of resume if they know how to play their cards right. All they have to do is to swap the places for different resume sections, academic qualifications the experience, to utilize the versatility of this type of resume.
By using this methodology, they must go in reverse chronological order while listing their academic qualifications, honors, and achievements.
Some Tips To Get You Started & Getting To The Finished Line
Understanding the nature of this resume and how to apply it to the advantage of the candidate is the name of the game. For that, we have dedicated this section to going through each element without making any mistakes along the way.
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Full Name & Job Title
The header of the resume contains the full name and contact information. Before we get to the second part, adding your full name and your current job title is the right way to start a resume. Whether you are going straight in your career path or willing to turn gears, it is best to provide the necessary information right from the beginning.
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Contact Information
It should be current and can receive correspondence on your behalf. Mostly contact information includes;
- Phone
- Address
- Social Media Accounts (LinkedIn, GitHub, etc)
Resume Summary or Objectives Summary
A resume summary or objectives summary is the first descriptive part of the resume. It shows the recruiters what you have done in the past and what you are capable to do in the future, or willing to do, for that matter.
It is a small paragraph, no more than a couple of sentences that balance both the experience and academic qualifications with what the candidate had achieved and in what capacity.
In the case where candidates do not have enough experience in the field, they can stick to the summary of the objectives which is more about the aspirations and skills, and achievements in academics than in the professional world.
Professional Experience
Now comes the heart and soul of a reverse chronological resume.
- Start with the current or the most recent job position and then move on with the later ones
- Instead of relying on responsibilities, showcase what you achieved with these
- Highlight achievements in each position by making a special section within one
- Only mention experiences and positions that can add to your case for the said position
- Make the whole affair, scannable, both by humans and Application Tracking Systems
Academic Qualifications
Academic qualifications on a resume may seem simple but they are much more complex than that. While writing this portion, make sure that the most recent one comes at the top, with degree name, years of attendance, school name, and location.
There is no need to mention GPA unless it is more than 3.5.
Special Skills
Both core and soft skills should grace this section of the resume. Managers are always on the lookout for professionals who are go-getters and proactive in their pursuits.
Start with making a list of all the skills that you own or possess. Then, try to match them with the job description from the advertisement. Make sure you have them with quantifiable results or personality traits.
Additional Sections
This section can house special skills and certifications that are gained both during the academic years or during the professional experience.
The following are usually mentioned in this section:
- Achievements
- Certifications
- Interests & Hobbies
- Languages
- Volunteering & Internships
Finding The Best Reverse Chronological Resume Writing Services
There are many online resume writing companies that claim to be the best in business. Before placing your order, it is best to go through their previous work and samples.
Here is a rundown of some of the traits that your prospective company should have:
- Extended years of experience in your specific field
- Competitive pricing without compromising the overall quality of the content
- A dedicated team of resume writers with advanced degrees and experience in their relevant fields
- Guarantees and assurances for interview calls and meeting invitations
- Free revisions and reviews to accommodate changes in a specific time frame
Conclusion
A reverse chronological resume may sound confusing at first but it is a normal resume with an inverted timeline. This character allows recruiters and hiring managers to gauge the candidacy of the individuals in a matter of seconds. We have highlighted all the details and how to find the best resume writing company to land your dream job.
