Resume Writing Tip: How to Perfectly Describe Your Work Experience (2024)
Learn how to write and present your past work experiences in a way that showcases your skills and accomplishments.
By Kimberly Chang on 2023-11-27 at 7:11 AM
Updated on 2024-10-10 at 8:45 AM
Your work experience section is the backbone of your resume—it’s what gives employers a glimpse into your professional journey. Whether you’re new to the workforce or making a career switch, crafting a compelling work experience section can make all the difference. A well-written work experience entry gives your resume credibility, making it clear why you’re the right fit for the role.
The work experience section of your resume is a summary of the jobs you’ve held in the past. It showcases your skills, achievements, and career progression—crucial details that help hiring managers determine your suitability for a role.
Your work experience should include:
Read on to find out how to showcase your experience in the best way!
Begin by listing your most recent experience, followed by your more previous ones. Rather than cramming this section full of buzzwords and standard responsibilities, focus on result-oriented accomplishments that demonstrate the impact you made in each role instead.
Follow these guidelines to make your work experience stand out:
Briefly describe the scope of your responsibilities for each job in no more than three sentences. Limit each role to 3-5 key responsibilities or accomplishments. This helps recruiters quickly understand what you bring to the table.
Numbers speak louder than words. Highlight your contributions with quantifiable results like “increased sales by 20%” or “managed a budget of RM50,000.” Using facts and figures makes your achievements more tangible.
Stand out by using action verbs that emphasise everything that makes you the best candidate for the job.
So instead of describing yourself as “A result-driven individual with 3 years of experience as a Team Lead”, you’re more likely to leave a strong impression with this: “Managed a team of over 30 employees in Accounting and Finance.”
The latter example explains your leadership experience better than stating the amount of time you spent doing it. Pair these with the benefit or result of your actions to make an even stronger impression.
Example:
Instead of saying “Responsible for leading a team of over 30,” try: “Managed a team of 30, improving customer satisfaction by 15%.”
Don’t just describe what you did—show why it mattered. Highlight your best accomplishments and the value you brought to each role, something your prospective employers cannot miss.
Design Team Lead, Hiredly
March 2020 – Current
Junior Graphic Designer, ABC Company
June 2018 – February 2020
You might have less than 1 year of work experience or none at all. In this case, especially when you’re entering the job market for the first time, you’ll want to emphasise other experiences that helped you in your career journey. Give your skills as much prominence as possible.
The key is making sure your resume is tailored to the job you are applying for so that a hiring manager can see how you would benefit the company, such as:
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By Kimberly Chang on 2023-11-27 at 7:11 AM