Education and Reverse Chronological Order

Resume is the detailed representation of your past career records. Your resume comprises of the details like the information of your past academic credentials, your employment details, your personal details and your skills and achievements. It is needed by all job seeking individuals to present their information to the prospective employer. There are thousands of resumes received by the employer for the single job post. It is responsibility of the employer to short list the suitable candidates from this bunch of resumes. It is your job to write the resume in accordance with the position requirements. The below article states some pro's and con's of reverse chronological order to highlight education.

Writing your educational details is obligatory in every resume, but the order of writing the details in resume depends on the post you are applying for and the resume format you are using. The chronological format of resume writing is preferred by most employers. The chronological resume format can be used when you are not changing your working field. If you are changing your job profile, you can use the functional resume format as it is more skill oriented. Also check our chronological resume page.

A chronological resume is the one which lists your education and experience in order starting with the recent accomplishment. It is called reverse chronological resume because the order of listing the details is reverse starting with your recent qualification or employment. Writing the educational details in reverse chronological format has many advantages; however, there are some disadvantages also. Presenting education in this format will help the employer to easily figure out your higher qualification and your other necessary educational details. The education section in your chronological resume should come after your key skills section.

Advantages and Disadvantages of Reverse Chronological Format:

Advantages:

• Many recruiters expect and prefer this chronological format. Listing your details in reverse chronological format will make your employer to know about your recent scholastic achievements.
• Listing your educational details in reverse chronological order will show the employer your overall career progress. It helps to indicate any gaps in your career.
• Potential employer can easily scan chronological resumes. The details in this type of resume are easily visible. It can help the employer to easily figure out the required educational qualifications.
• Provides a straightforward history of your work experiences and your academics.

Disadvantages:

• Any gaps in your educational career can be easily spotted and covering them would be difficult.
• Candidate is not able to hide his age in this format or resume. Employers can guess your age if you possess the work experience and your age limit exceeds the required number.
• Can demonstrate a lack of work experience and educational details. In case you were not able to complete your degree or didn't qualify event after appearing for the exams or adapted some different education stream other than that you learned for years; these details could be easily spotted by the employer in reverse chronological format.

Most employers prefer the reverse chronological format of resume writing. It is necessary in highlighting your recent accomplishments and qualifications. There are many pro's and con's of reverse chronological order to highlight education. In spite of some disadvantages we see many resumes been written in reverse chronological format as it provides best appearance and highlights necessary details.