How To Show Your Oldest Experience First In Your Resume

In order to effectively convey that you have what an employer is looking for, you can implement several approaches to emphasize that information.

Using a chronological resume is good if your most recent position is in that type of position. But if it was three jobs ago, the reader may think you do not have that experience.

Here are a few ideas to help you bring the past into the present to make a connection with the hiring manager:

Instead of using a typical objective that tells the reader what you are looking for, mention what you have to offer by indicating that you have the experience they are looking for. Let's say the position in question is retail sales associate, but the last three jobs you've held over the past ten years are completely unrelated. An objective statement might read as follows:

Seeking to secure a position as a retail sales associate offering well-rounded experience that includes four years with one of the nation's largest retailers.

This way they will know you have relevant experience before reading the rest of your resume. This will make them want to read more.

You can now expand on this statement by following it with "Select Qualifications of Interest Include:" and list four or five bulleted statements that highlights whatever it is that is pertinent to the position.

It is a good idea to mention transferrable skills and experiences from your most recent positions so they know you have kept those skills sharpened, even if they were used in a different line of work.

For example, let's say you currently work for a family owned oil company. You can play up your skills in the areas of customer service, sales, proposals, estimates, account management, invoicing, etc. If you previously worked in positions that involved purchasing and inventory control, you can play up those skills because those are relevant to a retail sales associate.

Of course, this is just an example to go by, but the concept is the same. You simply need to understand what the requirements are and what you have done so you can make a match. Then highlight what is most pertinent.

When it comes time to listing your experience in the resume, you can choose a combination format so you can properly list your oldest and most relevant position first. This is how to do it:

List your current job title, employer name, location and dates.
List your prior job title, employer name, location and dates.
List another prior job title, employer name, location and dates.
List your oldest job title, employer name, location and dates.

IN ALL CAPS, LIST RETAIL SALES OR WHATEVER THE FUNCTION IS THAT YOUR OLDER JOB TITLE WAS
* Include a statement about this job.
* Include a statement about this job.
* Include a statement about this job.
* Include a statement about this job.

IN ALL CAPS, LIST ANOTHER FUNCTION THAT COMPLIMENTS THE REQUIREMENTS OF THE POSITION
* Include a statement about earlier positions.
* Include a statement about earlier positions.
* Include a statement about earlier positions.
* Include a statement about earlier positions.

IN ALL CAPS, LIST ANOTHER FUNCTION THAT COMPLIMENTS THE REQUIREMENTS OF THE POSITION
* Include a statement about earlier positions.
* Include a statement about earlier positions.
* Include a statement about earlier positions.
* Include a statement about earlier positions.

Handle the rest of the resume as you normally would by including your Education and Computer Skills sections.