If you have been in the workforce for many years and are trying to make the best first impression on a hiring manager or recruiter, choose a resume format that will highlight your experience. One of the best types of resume formats for a person with many years of professional experience is the chronological, or traditional, resume. This resume style features your overall work history and is written in reverse chronological order. It is ideal for work professionals who have held many positions and have a solid career background.

Put your professional name and contact information at the top of the document. Some people only include their telephone number and email address, while others include their mailing address as well. If your email address is not professional, set up a new, free email account with your professional name, and use this account during your job hunt.

Write your objective statement, which is a sentence that describes your strengths, years of experience and professional goal. Design the objective statement to fit the job description of the position you desire.

Begin listing your work experience by starting with your most recent job. Include the employer name, company address (or city and state), your official job title, employment dates and a brief sentence that summarizes any specific successes or achievements in the position, such as winning “Employee of the Year” or landing an important client. You’ll repeat this for each position you’ve held, and your first job (or relevant position) will be located at the bottom of the list.

Include bulleted lists under each position. The lists should feature your main job duties and responsibilities, as well as other accomplishments. Begin each bullet-point description with an action verb, such as, “managed” or “created.” You can emphasize your transferable skills or your industry expertise in these sections.

Add your educational background and any earned degree information under your work experience. If you have a two- or four-year degree, do not include your high school diploma information. Do not include your year of graduation either – only list the name of the school, your major and any academic honors, if applicable.

List your association memberships, certifications and professional licenses at the bottom of the resume. Include any leadership titles or significant contributions as well. If you have any other skills, such as HTML literacy, that weren’t mentioned in your job descriptions, place them here.