describe your work experience essay introduction

My First Work Experience and Knowledge I Gained Essay

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When I was a child, my dream was to find the work connected with managing people and resources. The vision persisted until it became time for pursuing a college degree, where I opted for a business course in Human Resource Management (HRM). I intended to be in a position to lead people at the workplace. After graduating from school, luckily, I got an internship program with one of the renowned retail companies called Costco Retailers.

The first working experience was memorable because I finally managed to become independent and earn my first money. When I started working in the corporation, I changed my mentality to adapt to the new system. This paper will discuss the experience during my first job recruitment, skills, and knowledge gathered during this period. During the first working experience, recruits should apply the theoretical knowledge in practice to avoid difficulties in time-management, issue solving, and communication with clients and colleagues.

The time-management appeared to be a fundamental problem that I have faced during my experience. It was a requirement that all the staff report one hour before the opening of the stores. This was necessary to facilitate daily planning and arrangement of the work routine to enhance the efficiency of the operations. It was difficult for me to manage time properly and organize the activities of other people. I had to participate in various events and often failed to perform my duties correctly. There even was a period of time when I was at significant risk of being fired. I had to learn how to be time-conscious to overcome the pressure. I solved this problem thanks to applying some time-management techniques.

Besides the time factor, another issue was working under pressure. During the first few months, I was stationed at the customer care desk to attend to the clients’ queries. At this position, several problems emerged that required immediate attention from the top managers within the department. It was challenging to handle some inquiries because of the large number of customers and the nature of their needs. The intensity to meet their expectation was overwhelming, and it involved many commands from the senior staff.

Another problem that required theoretical knowledge from me was cultural diversity. Shoppers consist of people from different races, gender, culture, and profession. Communicating with customers was a nightmare, especially for those whose cultures tend to diverge at some point. Sometimes you might offend people from different cultures without noticing it. Nonetheless, thanks to their interactive nature and understanding, some clients helped me learn how to communicate appropriately.

Generally, working with customers entails fluctuating motions since they come in different moods with various expectations to be fulfilled. Meeting people from different backgrounds increased my exposure and understanding of individuals behave in relation to their culture. The race-tolerance strategies learned during my education helped me to adjust my communicational style.

I thought handling customers was the main challenge of this position, but there was another significant problem. Being a novice, young, and unfamiliar with the company’s system was another terrifying encounter. At the customer care desk, we had co-workers who had been in the institution for an extended period. These workers used to take advantage of the recruits by assigning complex tasks and overworking them. I became a victim and felt exploited since I could do twice what the other workers were doing. From one point of view, such pressure was rational, aiming to increase my working skills. From the other point, I had moral difficulties coping with a considerable amount of work while experienced colleagues did not offer me any help.

It is also essential to mention which new skills I have gained during my working experience which contribute to my professional development. Thanks to this organization, I gained valuable knowledge and skills helpful for developing in this work industry. First, I gained an understanding of how to communicate with customers and colleagues. Before joining the Costco team, I thought managing people was easy to perform and did not require any special knowledge. Thanks to this working experience, I have learned that communication and management is a whole science that requires profound knowledge and well-developed communicational skills. Therefore, I realized that it is critical to apply the behavioral analysis approach to maintain effective communication.

Moreover, the company made me develop and improve my intrapersonal skills. Working with people having different ages and cultures requires self-understanding (Horak & Matoskova, 2018). To be able to relate effectively with other staff members and even customers, I had to learn how to communicate and listen. Communication is essential in advancing the relationship amongst the business affiliates. The on-the-job experience made it easier to comprehend and apply the skills. Here I also successfully applied the gained during my education knowledge.

Surprisingly, technological knowledge was vital during my working experience. Furthermore, being at the customer care desk exposed me to using the computer system to record, search, monitor, and even communicate with the administration. I developed deep insight into technology, and my computer knowledge increased. Through the period, I could use the system to perform critical tasks like monitoring the level of inventory, tracking customers’ purchasing records, and updating new valuable information for clients. In addition, I was able to analyze the trend of buyers, which was helpful for the administration for updating the stocks.

Another critical skill that I acquired during the period was the ability to solve problems. At the customer care desk, clients came with various issues ranging from sales of defective products to poor service delivery. I have analyzed different literature on the topic of problem-solving. Multiple techniques help the manager build good relationships with the customer and colleagues (Funke et al., 2018). One of them is the culturally-tolerant attitude towards the participants of communication. I developed a profound knowledge of managing different circumstances to generate a proper solution by handling such issues. Seeing and learning how the colleagues were regulating similar situations at work was vital and prompted self-confidence. To make a decision, self-reliance is essential as it allows one to find their own answers to the problem.

Generally, obtaining a job after completing coursework in college is beneficial because you can gain valuable experience. On the job, learning makes the whole perspective different as it comes with arrays of experiences both encouraging and demoralizing. Sometimes changing and adapting to a new routine is difficult for the new employees. Furthermore, interacting with various people at the workplace advance understanding and worldview of individuals.

The exposure also makes people gain the necessary knowledge and skills that are essential for further carrier development. Joining the proper organization could impact the level of experience individual gains. If people are ready to develop their knowledge and skills, asking questions, elaborate new ideas, then the chances of attaining new skills at work are high. It is also vital to implement the theoretical concept learned through education in practice. Thus, applying theoretical concepts and constant development contributed to forming a positive working experience.

Funke, J., Fischer, A., & Holt, D. V. (2018). Competencies for complexity: Problem solving in the twenty-first century. In Assessment and teaching of 21st century skills (pp. 41-53). Springer, Cham. Web.

Horak, M., & Matoskova, J. (2018). Comparison of training programmes and activities for cluster managers in Europe with respect to their focus on skills development. International Journal of Entrepreneurial Knowledge , 6 (1). Web.

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How to Write an Essay Introduction (with Examples)   

The introduction of an essay plays a critical role in engaging the reader and providing contextual information about the topic. It sets the stage for the rest of the essay, establishes the tone and style, and motivates the reader to continue reading. 

Table of Contents

What is an essay introduction , what to include in an essay introduction, how to create an essay structure , step-by-step process for writing an essay introduction , how to write an introduction paragraph , how to write a hook for your essay , how to include background information , how to write a thesis statement .

• Argumentative Essay Introduction Example: 
• Expository Essay Introduction Example 

Literary Analysis Essay Introduction Example

Check and revise – checklist for essay introduction , key takeaways , frequently asked questions .

An introduction is the opening section of an essay, paper, or other written work. It introduces the topic and provides background information, context, and an overview of what the reader can expect from the rest of the work. 1 The key is to be concise and to the point, providing enough information to engage the reader without delving into excessive detail. 

The essay introduction is crucial as it sets the tone for the entire piece and provides the reader with a roadmap of what to expect. Here are key elements to include in your essay introduction: 

• Hook : Start with an attention-grabbing statement or question to engage the reader. This could be a surprising fact, a relevant quote, or a compelling anecdote. 
• Background information : Provide context and background information to help the reader understand the topic. This can include historical information, definitions of key terms, or an overview of the current state of affairs related to your topic. 
• Thesis statement : Clearly state your main argument or position on the topic. Your thesis should be concise and specific, providing a clear direction for your essay. 

Before we get into how to write an essay introduction, we need to know how it is structured. The structure of an essay is crucial for organizing your thoughts and presenting them clearly and logically. It is divided as follows: 2  

• Introduction:  The introduction should grab the reader’s attention with a hook, provide context, and include a thesis statement that presents the main argument or purpose of the essay.  
• Body:  The body should consist of focused paragraphs that support your thesis statement using evidence and analysis. Each paragraph should concentrate on a single central idea or argument and provide evidence, examples, or analysis to back it up.  
• Conclusion:  The conclusion should summarize the main points and restate the thesis differently. End with a final statement that leaves a lasting impression on the reader. Avoid new information or arguments. 

Here’s a step-by-step guide on how to write an essay introduction: 

• Start with a Hook : Begin your introduction paragraph with an attention-grabbing statement, question, quote, or anecdote related to your topic. The hook should pique the reader’s interest and encourage them to continue reading. 
• Provide Background Information : This helps the reader understand the relevance and importance of the topic. 
• State Your Thesis Statement : The last sentence is the main argument or point of your essay. It should be clear, concise, and directly address the topic of your essay. 
• Preview the Main Points : This gives the reader an idea of what to expect and how you will support your thesis. 
• Keep it Concise and Clear : Avoid going into too much detail or including information not directly relevant to your topic. 
• Revise : Revise your introduction after you’ve written the rest of your essay to ensure it aligns with your final argument. 

Here’s an example of an essay introduction paragraph about the importance of education: 

Education is often viewed as a fundamental human right and a key social and economic development driver. As Nelson Mandela once famously said, “Education is the most powerful weapon which you can use to change the world.” It is the key to unlocking a wide range of opportunities and benefits for individuals, societies, and nations. In today’s constantly evolving world, education has become even more critical. It has expanded beyond traditional classroom learning to include digital and remote learning, making education more accessible and convenient. This essay will delve into the importance of education in empowering individuals to achieve their dreams, improving societies by promoting social justice and equality, and driving economic growth by developing a skilled workforce and promoting innovation. 

This introduction paragraph example includes a hook (the quote by Nelson Mandela), provides some background information on education, and states the thesis statement (the importance of education). 

This is one of the key steps in how to write an essay introduction. Crafting a compelling hook is vital because it sets the tone for your entire essay and determines whether your readers will stay interested. A good hook draws the reader in and sets the stage for the rest of your essay.  

• Avoid Dry Fact : Instead of simply stating a bland fact, try to make it engaging and relevant to your topic. For example, if you’re writing about the benefits of exercise, you could start with a startling statistic like, “Did you know that regular exercise can increase your lifespan by up to seven years?” 
• Avoid Using a Dictionary Definition : While definitions can be informative, they’re not always the most captivating way to start an essay. Instead, try to use a quote, anecdote, or provocative question to pique the reader’s interest. For instance, if you’re writing about freedom, you could begin with a quote from a famous freedom fighter or philosopher. 
• Do Not Just State a Fact That the Reader Already Knows : This ties back to the first point—your hook should surprise or intrigue the reader. For Here’s an introduction paragraph example, if you’re writing about climate change, you could start with a thought-provoking statement like, “Despite overwhelming evidence, many people still refuse to believe in the reality of climate change.” 

Including background information in the introduction section of your essay is important to provide context and establish the relevance of your topic. When writing the background information, you can follow these steps: 

• Start with a General Statement:  Begin with a general statement about the topic and gradually narrow it down to your specific focus. For example, when discussing the impact of social media, you can begin by making a broad statement about social media and its widespread use in today’s society, as follows: “Social media has become an integral part of modern life, with billions of users worldwide.” 
• Define Key Terms : Define any key terms or concepts that may be unfamiliar to your readers but are essential for understanding your argument. 
• Provide Relevant Statistics:  Use statistics or facts to highlight the significance of the issue you’re discussing. For instance, “According to a report by Statista, the number of social media users is expected to reach 4.41 billion by 2025.” 
• Discuss the Evolution:  Mention previous research or studies that have been conducted on the topic, especially those that are relevant to your argument. Mention key milestones or developments that have shaped its current impact. You can also outline some of the major effects of social media. For example, you can briefly describe how social media has evolved, including positives such as increased connectivity and issues like cyberbullying and privacy concerns. 
• Transition to Your Thesis:  Use the background information to lead into your thesis statement, which should clearly state the main argument or purpose of your essay. For example, “Given its pervasive influence, it is crucial to examine the impact of social media on mental health.” 

A thesis statement is a concise summary of the main point or claim of an essay, research paper, or other type of academic writing. It appears near the end of the introduction. Here’s how to write a thesis statement: 

• Identify the topic:  Start by identifying the topic of your essay. For example, if your essay is about the importance of exercise for overall health, your topic is “exercise.” 
• State your position:  Next, state your position or claim about the topic. This is the main argument or point you want to make. For example, if you believe that regular exercise is crucial for maintaining good health, your position could be: “Regular exercise is essential for maintaining good health.” 
• Support your position:  Provide a brief overview of the reasons or evidence that support your position. These will be the main points of your essay. For example, if you’re writing an essay about the importance of exercise, you could mention the physical health benefits, mental health benefits, and the role of exercise in disease prevention. 
• Make it specific:  Ensure your thesis statement clearly states what you will discuss in your essay. For example, instead of saying, “Exercise is good for you,” you could say, “Regular exercise, including cardiovascular and strength training, can improve overall health and reduce the risk of chronic diseases.” 

Examples of essay introduction 

Here are examples of essay introductions for different types of essays: 

Argumentative Essay Introduction Example:  

Topic: Should the voting age be lowered to 16? 

“The question of whether the voting age should be lowered to 16 has sparked nationwide debate. While some argue that 16-year-olds lack the requisite maturity and knowledge to make informed decisions, others argue that doing so would imbue young people with agency and give them a voice in shaping their future.” 

Expository Essay Introduction Example  

Topic: The benefits of regular exercise 

“In today’s fast-paced world, the importance of regular exercise cannot be overstated. From improving physical health to boosting mental well-being, the benefits of exercise are numerous and far-reaching. This essay will examine the various advantages of regular exercise and provide tips on incorporating it into your daily routine.” 

Text: “To Kill a Mockingbird” by Harper Lee 

“Harper Lee’s novel, ‘To Kill a Mockingbird,’ is a timeless classic that explores themes of racism, injustice, and morality in the American South. Through the eyes of young Scout Finch, the reader is taken on a journey that challenges societal norms and forces characters to confront their prejudices. This essay will analyze the novel’s use of symbolism, character development, and narrative structure to uncover its deeper meaning and relevance to contemporary society.” 

• Engaging and Relevant First Sentence : The opening sentence captures the reader’s attention and relates directly to the topic. 
• Background Information : Enough background information is introduced to provide context for the thesis statement. 
• Definition of Important Terms : Key terms or concepts that might be unfamiliar to the audience or are central to the argument are defined. 
• Clear Thesis Statement : The thesis statement presents the main point or argument of the essay. 
• Relevance to Main Body : Everything in the introduction directly relates to and sets up the discussion in the main body of the essay. 

Writing a strong introduction is crucial for setting the tone and context of your essay. Here are the key takeaways for how to write essay introduction: 3  

• Hook the Reader : Start with an engaging hook to grab the reader’s attention. This could be a compelling question, a surprising fact, a relevant quote, or an anecdote. 
• Provide Background : Give a brief overview of the topic, setting the context and stage for the discussion. 
• Thesis Statement : State your thesis, which is the main argument or point of your essay. It should be concise, clear, and specific. 
• Preview the Structure : Outline the main points or arguments to help the reader understand the organization of your essay. 
• Keep it Concise : Avoid including unnecessary details or information not directly related to your thesis. 
• Revise and Edit : Revise your introduction to ensure clarity, coherence, and relevance. Check for grammar and spelling errors. 
• Seek Feedback : Get feedback from peers or instructors to improve your introduction further. 

The purpose of an essay introduction is to give an overview of the topic, context, and main ideas of the essay. It is meant to engage the reader, establish the tone for the rest of the essay, and introduce the thesis statement or central argument.  

An essay introduction typically ranges from 5-10% of the total word count. For example, in a 1,000-word essay, the introduction would be roughly 50-100 words. However, the length can vary depending on the complexity of the topic and the overall length of the essay.

An essay introduction is critical in engaging the reader and providing contextual information about the topic. To ensure its effectiveness, consider incorporating these key elements: a compelling hook, background information, a clear thesis statement, an outline of the essay’s scope, a smooth transition to the body, and optional signposting sentences.  

The process of writing an essay introduction is not necessarily straightforward, but there are several strategies that can be employed to achieve this end. When experiencing difficulty initiating the process, consider the following techniques: begin with an anecdote, a quotation, an image, a question, or a startling fact to pique the reader’s interest. It may also be helpful to consider the five W’s of journalism: who, what, when, where, why, and how.   For instance, an anecdotal opening could be structured as follows: “As I ascended the stage, momentarily blinded by the intense lights, I could sense the weight of a hundred eyes upon me, anticipating my next move. The topic of discussion was climate change, a subject I was passionate about, and it was my first public speaking event. Little did I know , that pivotal moment would not only alter my perspective but also chart my life’s course.” 

Crafting a compelling thesis statement for your introduction paragraph is crucial to grab your reader’s attention. To achieve this, avoid using overused phrases such as “In this paper, I will write about” or “I will focus on” as they lack originality. Instead, strive to engage your reader by substantiating your stance or proposition with a “so what” clause. While writing your thesis statement, aim to be precise, succinct, and clear in conveying your main argument.  

To create an effective essay introduction, ensure it is clear, engaging, relevant, and contains a concise thesis statement. It should transition smoothly into the essay and be long enough to cover necessary points but not become overwhelming. Seek feedback from peers or instructors to assess its effectiveness. 

References  

• Cui, L. (2022). Unit 6 Essay Introduction.  Building Academic Writing Skills . 
• West, H., Malcolm, G., Keywood, S., & Hill, J. (2019). Writing a successful essay.  Journal of Geography in Higher Education ,  43 (4), 609-617. 
• Beavers, M. E., Thoune, D. L., & McBeth, M. (2023). Bibliographic Essay: Reading, Researching, Teaching, and Writing with Hooks: A Queer Literacy Sponsorship. College English, 85(3), 230-242. 

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“Tell Me About Your Work Experience” (Sample Answer)

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Find a Job You Really Want In

Being asked about your work experience is a given during a job interview. Hiring managers ask interview questions about your experience because they want to understand the impact of your prior work more comprehensively than reading the bullet points on a resume .

If you’re a job seeker preparing for an interview, this article will guide you through how to talk about your skills and experience in a way that clearly communicates your value to an interviewer. You’ll also find “tell me about your work experience” sample answers, as well as the different forms this question might take in a job interview.

Key Takeaways:

Connect how the experience you have relates to the role you’re interviewing for.

Be honest about your your skills and experience.

If you don’t have much experience in the specific field, express your interest in gaining that experience and learning through this opportunity.

Tell me about your work experience sample answers

Why interviewers ask about your experience, tips for answering interview questions about experience, work experience faq.

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While everyone’s work experience is unique, use these “tell me about your work experience” example questions and answers as a way to frame your own response:

Tell me about your professional background. This is a generalized question that hiring managers often ask to get a sense of how you’ll speak about your professional background.

While other questions are targeted to a specific position listed on your resume , this question is phrased in a way that asks for the complete story of your work history succinctly and informatively.

Tell me about your work experience sample answer example answer #1

“I started working towards my goal of becoming an early childhood educator long before I began teaching. Since I was in high school, I knew it was what I wanted to do with my career. When I was studying for my undergraduate degree in child development, I took on my first internship role as a teacher ’s assistant to a kindergarten class. I worked in that role over my senior year, and at the end of the internship, I was offered a position as a substitute teacher . This gave me a lot of experience working with many different children and strengthened my skills in classroom control. I’m now seeking a full-time teaching position to further my knowledge of childhood education in the field.”

What not to say:

“I don’t have much professional experience because I’ve never had a full-time teaching job before. I’ve worked as a substitute teacher, but only for about a year.”

Why it doesn’t work: This answer makes the applicant sound insecure and inexperienced. The interviewer doesn’t specifically ask for a recounting of paid positions you’ve worked.

Use that opportunity to speak about experiences you do have if your job history is lacking, such as an internship or project.

What experience do you have related to this role? When an interviewer asks what experience you have related to the role, they’re curious about two things.

First off, your prior experience and the intent to use it for success in the future.

Secondly, how familiar you are with the requirements of the role you’re interviewing for. Answer this interview question by tying in elements of the job description with your background.

Tell me about your work experience sample answer example answer #2

“Most of my professional experience has led me up to this administrative secretary role. I’ve been working in the field for almost ten years now. I got my first position as an office assistant when I was 18 – a position that required a lot of communication with both co-workers and customers. After two years, I was offered a new position as a secretary for a well-known dental group in the area. I worked in that job for nearly seven years. I eventually worked my way up to a management role. The job description stated that you’re looking for a candidate with at least four years of experience in a secretarial position with excellent communication skills . My background satisfies these conditions, and more. I’m interested in this position specifically because it would allow me to expand my leadership potential and continue working in an environment that I have a great deal of experience in.”

Why it works: A hiring manager chooses to use this phrasing of an experience interview question because it’s more direct. It gets right to the point of skills that are relevant to the job . This response works because it answers what the interviewer is asking.

The speaker gives a solid description of their work history up to that point and paints themselves as an experienced candidate.

They also mention specific skills that were asked for in the job description, which shows the interviewer that they did their research on the role and company.

“I’m not sure what your business wants in its secretaries, but I’ve worked in similar roles before.”

Why it doesn’t work: Unless you’ve scoured the job listing and it’s given very little information about the position, there’s no excuse for not having a good idea of what the company is looking for in the role.

This answer doesn’t have any specificity about their responsibilities, and the interviewer is forced to pull these details out of them.

What prior work experience has prepared you to take on this position? This question is a similar rendition of the last one.

The interviewer is assessing the candidate’s knowledge of the position’s requirements and if their abilities line up with these stipulations.

Answering well depends on the candidate’s prior knowledge of the position and a focus on the most applicable experience.

Tell me about your work experience sample answer example answer #3

“While I’ve worked in a few different positions in the past, I think the prior experience that has most prepared me for this position was working as a nurse in a Greenview Hospital emergency room for five years. A position that required me to provide top-notch patient care under pressure . In the position description, I noticed that you’re interested in hiring a candidate with experience in high-stress medical situations and a familiarity with an ER nurse’s schedule. This former job gave me practice in both these aspects of nursing. I believe these skills would help me to succeed in this role as well.”

Why it works: The candidate references the original job description to state how their skills fit these needs.

They explain a specific role that gave them the most relevant experience for the position they’re applying to and then went on into further explanation. This is a compact and informative answer.

“I’ve had experience working as a nurse.”

Why it doesn’t work: Responding to an interview question is best done briefly, but it isn’t supposed to be this short.

This answer doesn’t work because it doesn’t provide any details about the responsibilities of the role involved or how it relates to the position you’re hoping to land. It all around just needs more detail.

What has your work experience taught you about yourself? A hiring manager wants to know more than just a laundry list of your last few jobs’ responsibilities; they want to hear how you think about those experiences, what you’ve liked and disliked, and what you want to do with your skill set now.

Asking about what you learned from your last few jobs helps both you and the interviewer understand if the open job would actually be a good fit for you.

Tell me about your work experience sample answer example answer #4

“I got started in marketing 4 years ago as an analyst , which taught me a lot about how to make data-driven decisions and make rapid pivots when the underlying data you were relying on started to shift. I also learned that I wasn’t built for a job that spent so much time making and using spreadsheets. From there, I moved to a content strategist position, which was sort of a lateral move but involved a lot more creativity. I was actually applying the sort of data I was analyzing in my earlier job, and I found that I enjoyed and thrived in an environment where I could make decisions based on more than just spreadsheets. In my current job as a marketing analytics manager , I’ve learned much more about lead generation, working with sales and design personnel more closely, and honed my skills as an analyst. Through this career path , I’ve learned where my skills and interests lie, which is what led me to apply for this role.”

Why it works: The candidate directly refers to elements from their past jobs that directly relate to the job they’re applying for. They show that the candidate has carefully considered what lessons they learned at each of those jobs, and why those lessons led them to apply for this new job.

“My work experience has taught me that I excel at working alone. With group work, I tend to be tied down by other people’s timelines, but when I’m able to just focus on my own tasks, the quality is much higher.”

Interviewers ask about your previous work experience, to clarify your background, gauge your ability to communicate, and hear firsthand how you hope to put that experience to use in the future:

Clarity. As with any other inquisition put forward during an interview, experience questions are used to form a clearer picture of who you are professionally. This helps an interviewer decide if you’re the right fit for the position needing to be filled.

Honesty. Any form of lying is unacceptable in an interview. Some questions require you to reach into your professional past and find examples of skills that match the job you’re going for.

An intent to put experience to use. While your professional background may be a compelling story, there’s a reason beyond this that interviews ask about former experience.

When discussing your work experience, you should always be as specific as possible and connect your prior experience to your career goals:

Be specific about responsibilities and accomplishments. When discussing your previous professional experience, be specific about the role you served.

Don’t memorize an answer. A lot of candidates decide to prepare for their interview by memorizing their answers to questions about prior experience. This often produces a stiff response that’s unsatisfying to an interviewer.

Connect prior experience to future goals. An interview seeks to gather information about how an applicant intends to behave in their role if chosen for hire.

How can I describe myself through work experience?

You can describe yourself through your work experience by being specific about what you learned about yourself in previous roles. Providing details about what you liked and didn’t like about past responsibilities will go a long way in showing your unique personality and why you’re interviewing for this particular job.

What are examples of work experience?

Examples of work experience include specific responsibilities and the skills you used to carry out your tasks in previous jobs. Ultimately, the best examples of work experience are completely dependent on the job you’re applying for. It’s essential that you highlight the most relevant aspects of your former jobs, even if they were a smaller part of your last job than the new job you’re interviewing for.

Drexel University – How to Describe Your Work Experience

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Sky Ariella is a professional freelance writer, originally from New York. She has been featured on websites and online magazines covering topics in career, travel, and lifestyle. She received her BA in psychology from Hunter College.

Denise Bitler has 30+ years of HR experience working in various industries and with all level of employees from hourly through C-suite, as well as company Board Members.She is the founder of Resume-Interview Success, LLC and is an expert in best practices related to resume, cover letter, and Executive bio writing, LinkedIn Profile optimization, job search strategies, and interview coaching.

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Essay on My Internship Experience

Students are often asked to write an essay on My Internship Experience in their schools and colleges. And if you’re also looking for the same, we have created 100-word, 250-word, and 500-word essays on the topic.

Let’s take a look…

100 Words Essay on My Internship Experience

Introduction.

My internship was a valuable experience that helped me grow professionally and personally. It was an opportunity to apply what I learned in school to real-world situations.

Learning Experience

During my internship, I learned various practical skills. I got a chance to work on real projects, which was both challenging and exciting.

Teamwork and Collaboration

I also learned the importance of teamwork. Working with diverse individuals helped me understand different perspectives and improved my problem-solving skills.

Overall, my internship was a rewarding experience. It gave me a glimpse of the professional world and helped me understand my career interests better.

250 Words Essay on My Internship Experience

Learning and growth.

The internship offered an excellent opportunity to apply theoretical knowledge in real-world scenarios. I was exposed to various facets of the industry, which allowed me to understand the intricacies of my field. This hands-on experience was instrumental in strengthening my problem-solving abilities and enhancing my adaptability.

Challenges and Overcoming Them

Every internship comes with its share of challenges. I faced my share of hurdles, from understanding complex processes to meeting tight deadlines. However, these challenges were integral to my growth. They pushed me out of my comfort zone and taught me the importance of resilience and perseverance.

Networking and Collaboration

One of the most valuable aspects of my internship was the opportunity to network. I interacted with professionals from diverse backgrounds, which enriched my understanding of the industry. Collaborating with them on various projects improved my teamwork skills and taught me the value of different perspectives.

In conclusion, my internship experience was a journey of learning, growth, and self-discovery. It was a stepping stone that equipped me with the necessary skills and knowledge, preparing me for my future career. It was an invaluable experience that has left an indelible impact on my professional development.

500 Words Essay on My Internship Experience

Internships are instrumental in bridging the gap between academic knowledge and practical experience. They provide a unique opportunity to apply theoretical concepts in a professional setting, enhancing understanding and cultivating essential skills for future careers. My internship experience was a transformative journey that broadened my perspective, honed my skills, and affirmed my career choice.

Acquiring Practical Skills

Professional growth and networking.

The internship was a fertile ground for professional growth. I had the opportunity to work closely with industry veterans and learn from their wealth of experience. The interactions and discussions with these professionals enabled me to grasp the nuances of the industry, which textbooks cannot encapsulate. Moreover, I was able to build a robust professional network, which is crucial for career advancement.

Real-world Application of Academic Knowledge

One of the most rewarding aspects of the internship was the ability to apply the theoretical knowledge I had acquired over the years. I was involved in a project where I had to implement machine learning algorithms to optimize the performance of a system. The hands-on experience offered a deeper understanding of the subject and its practical implications.

In conclusion, my internship experience was a significant milestone in my professional journey. It was a perfect blend of learning, networking, and skill development. It not only enriched my understanding of the field but also equipped me with the necessary skills to navigate the professional world. The challenges I faced and the manner in which I overcame them have instilled in me a sense of confidence and preparedness for my future career. Overall, internships are a crucial component of education, providing a platform for students to transition smoothly from academics to the corporate world.

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• Knowledge Base
• How to write an essay introduction | 4 steps & examples

How to Write an Essay Introduction | 4 Steps & Examples

Published on February 4, 2019 by Shona McCombes . Revised on July 23, 2023.

A good introduction paragraph is an essential part of any academic essay . It sets up your argument and tells the reader what to expect.

The main goals of an introduction are to:

• Catch your reader’s attention.
• Give background on your topic.
• Present your thesis statement —the central point of your essay.

This introduction example is taken from our interactive essay example on the history of Braille.

The invention of Braille was a major turning point in the history of disability. The writing system of raised dots used by visually impaired people was developed by Louis Braille in nineteenth-century France. In a society that did not value disabled people in general, blindness was particularly stigmatized, and lack of access to reading and writing was a significant barrier to social participation. The idea of tactile reading was not entirely new, but existing methods based on sighted systems were difficult to learn and use. As the first writing system designed for blind people’s needs, Braille was a groundbreaking new accessibility tool. It not only provided practical benefits, but also helped change the cultural status of blindness. This essay begins by discussing the situation of blind people in nineteenth-century Europe. It then describes the invention of Braille and the gradual process of its acceptance within blind education. Subsequently, it explores the wide-ranging effects of this invention on blind people’s social and cultural lives.

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Table of contents

Step 1: hook your reader, step 2: give background information, step 3: present your thesis statement, step 4: map your essay’s structure, step 5: check and revise, more examples of essay introductions, other interesting articles, frequently asked questions about the essay introduction.

Your first sentence sets the tone for the whole essay, so spend some time on writing an effective hook.

Avoid long, dense sentences—start with something clear, concise and catchy that will spark your reader’s curiosity.

The hook should lead the reader into your essay, giving a sense of the topic you’re writing about and why it’s interesting. Avoid overly broad claims or plain statements of fact.

Examples: Writing a good hook

Take a look at these examples of weak hooks and learn how to improve them.

• Braille was an extremely important invention.
• The invention of Braille was a major turning point in the history of disability.

The first sentence is a dry fact; the second sentence is more interesting, making a bold claim about exactly  why the topic is important.

• The internet is defined as “a global computer network providing a variety of information and communication facilities.”
• The spread of the internet has had a world-changing effect, not least on the world of education.

Avoid using a dictionary definition as your hook, especially if it’s an obvious term that everyone knows. The improved example here is still broad, but it gives us a much clearer sense of what the essay will be about.

• Mary Shelley’s  Frankenstein is a famous book from the nineteenth century.
• Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein is often read as a crude cautionary tale about the dangers of scientific advancement.

Instead of just stating a fact that the reader already knows, the improved hook here tells us about the mainstream interpretation of the book, implying that this essay will offer a different interpretation.

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Next, give your reader the context they need to understand your topic and argument. Depending on the subject of your essay, this might include:

• Historical, geographical, or social context
• An outline of the debate you’re addressing
• A summary of relevant theories or research about the topic
• Definitions of key terms

The information here should be broad but clearly focused and relevant to your argument. Don’t give too much detail—you can mention points that you will return to later, but save your evidence and interpretation for the main body of the essay.

How much space you need for background depends on your topic and the scope of your essay. In our Braille example, we take a few sentences to introduce the topic and sketch the social context that the essay will address:

Now it’s time to narrow your focus and show exactly what you want to say about the topic. This is your thesis statement —a sentence or two that sums up your overall argument.

This is the most important part of your introduction. A  good thesis isn’t just a statement of fact, but a claim that requires evidence and explanation.

The goal is to clearly convey your own position in a debate or your central point about a topic.

Particularly in longer essays, it’s helpful to end the introduction by signposting what will be covered in each part. Keep it concise and give your reader a clear sense of the direction your argument will take.

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As you research and write, your argument might change focus or direction as you learn more.

For this reason, it’s often a good idea to wait until later in the writing process before you write the introduction paragraph—it can even be the very last thing you write.

When you’ve finished writing the essay body and conclusion , you should return to the introduction and check that it matches the content of the essay.

It’s especially important to make sure your thesis statement accurately represents what you do in the essay. If your argument has gone in a different direction than planned, tweak your thesis statement to match what you actually say.

To polish your writing, you can use something like a paraphrasing tool .

You can use the checklist below to make sure your introduction does everything it’s supposed to.

Checklist: Essay introduction

My first sentence is engaging and relevant.

I have introduced the topic with necessary background information.

I have defined any important terms.

My thesis statement clearly presents my main point or argument.

Everything in the introduction is relevant to the main body of the essay.

You have a strong introduction - now make sure the rest of your essay is just as good.

• Argumentative
• Literary analysis

This introduction to an argumentative essay sets up the debate about the internet and education, and then clearly states the position the essay will argue for.

The spread of the internet has had a world-changing effect, not least on the world of education. The use of the internet in academic contexts is on the rise, and its role in learning is hotly debated. For many teachers who did not grow up with this technology, its effects seem alarming and potentially harmful. This concern, while understandable, is misguided. The negatives of internet use are outweighed by its critical benefits for students and educators—as a uniquely comprehensive and accessible information source; a means of exposure to and engagement with different perspectives; and a highly flexible learning environment.

This introduction to a short expository essay leads into the topic (the invention of the printing press) and states the main point the essay will explain (the effect of this invention on European society).

In many ways, the invention of the printing press marked the end of the Middle Ages. The medieval period in Europe is often remembered as a time of intellectual and political stagnation. Prior to the Renaissance, the average person had very limited access to books and was unlikely to be literate. The invention of the printing press in the 15th century allowed for much less restricted circulation of information in Europe, paving the way for the Reformation.

This introduction to a literary analysis essay , about Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein , starts by describing a simplistic popular view of the story, and then states how the author will give a more complex analysis of the text’s literary devices.

Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein is often read as a crude cautionary tale. Arguably the first science fiction novel, its plot can be read as a warning about the dangers of scientific advancement unrestrained by ethical considerations. In this reading, and in popular culture representations of the character as a “mad scientist”, Victor Frankenstein represents the callous, arrogant ambition of modern science. However, far from providing a stable image of the character, Shelley uses shifting narrative perspectives to gradually transform our impression of Frankenstein, portraying him in an increasingly negative light as the novel goes on. While he initially appears to be a naive but sympathetic idealist, after the creature’s narrative Frankenstein begins to resemble—even in his own telling—the thoughtlessly cruel figure the creature represents him as.

If you want to know more about AI tools , college essays , or fallacies make sure to check out some of our other articles with explanations and examples or go directly to our tools!

• Ad hominem fallacy
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Your essay introduction should include three main things, in this order:

• An opening hook to catch the reader’s attention.
• Relevant background information that the reader needs to know.
• A thesis statement that presents your main point or argument.

The length of each part depends on the length and complexity of your essay .

The “hook” is the first sentence of your essay introduction . It should lead the reader into your essay, giving a sense of why it’s interesting.

To write a good hook, avoid overly broad statements or long, dense sentences. Try to start with something clear, concise and catchy that will spark your reader’s curiosity.

A thesis statement is a sentence that sums up the central point of your paper or essay . Everything else you write should relate to this key idea.

The thesis statement is essential in any academic essay or research paper for two main reasons:

• It gives your writing direction and focus.
• It gives the reader a concise summary of your main point.

Without a clear thesis statement, an essay can end up rambling and unfocused, leaving your reader unsure of exactly what you want to say.

The structure of an essay is divided into an introduction that presents your topic and thesis statement , a body containing your in-depth analysis and arguments, and a conclusion wrapping up your ideas.

The structure of the body is flexible, but you should always spend some time thinking about how you can organize your essay to best serve your ideas.

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How to Describe Your Work Experience Sample

Quick Navigation:

What is the work experience section for?

What accomplishments should be listed, what skills should be listed, what other details should be included, examples of work experience.

The work experience section is an important aspect of an effective resume because it showcases your skills in action and highlights your professional accomplishments. This section should be descriptive and compelling as it details your previous experience relative to the specific job you’re applying for. Learn how to describe your work experience with sample entries showcasing all the best features required for an effective work experience section.

The work experience section is where you list your most relevant previous roles to show employers your employment history and career development. This section gives hiring managers an idea of where you’ve been and how you got to this point in your career. It also enables you to describe how you performed in your previous roles and what skills and experiences set you apart from other candidates.

For each entry in your work experience section, you should include your official job title, your dates of employment, the employer’s location and a list of the key responsibilities and achievements you had. You can use bullet points when listing your responsibilities and achievements to help prospective employers quickly review and understand each entry. Having an easy-to-read and descriptive work experience section can help employers determine your suitability for the role and see what unique qualifications you have to offer.

Determining what accomplishments you should include in your job descriptions can be a challenge, but it’s best to mention accomplishments that are relevant for the job you’re applying for before other accomplishments. There’s a general rule in resume crafting in which you always want to put the most important information first, and anything that specifically and directly details how well you will fit the job you’re applying for is going to be the most important. 

Imagine you’re applying for a job as a project manager and you already have some experience in the position. To show off your accomplishments, you’ll want to begin with the biggest project you’ve successfully managed along with its results. Generally speaking, your most important accomplishment in any position should take priority within the job description.

In the most popular and useful resume formats, skills are listed in a separate section. Typically, the skills section includes a comprehensive list of all the skills you have that would be relevant to the job. Often, these skills are described using single words or phrases such as ‘leadership’ or ‘critical thinking.’ Be sure to consider all of the relevant hard and soft skills.

Since skills can be listed in their own separate section, it takes a bit of finesse to include them in your work experience section. Just remember that finesse doesn’t mean you have to be overly clever. You can mention skills directly, but you just have to tie them to a relevant accomplishment. 

To get the most out of your work experience section and make your resume stand out from other applicants, there are several factors you’ll want to include in addition to accomplishments and the application of skills. 

Here are some details you’ll want to include in your resume when possible:

• Any awards or special recognition you received as a direct result of your accomplishments or performance in a particular job
• Actual data represented by numbers and figures as demonstrated in the above samples to quantify your accomplishments
• Begin descriptions with strong and varied verbs to make each bullet point in your job experience description unique and powerful
• Use the present tense when describing ongoing responsibilities in your current job and the past tense for everything else

Be sure to include details from the most relevant professional roles you’ve had to show a hiring manager how your experience makes you uniquely suitable for the role. 

To get a better understanding of how to describe work experience, it’s helpful to have effective samples to reference. 

Here are some well-crafted examples of work experience that feature all the necessary accomplishments and skills included:

Project Manager example

Czerka Hospital, May 2014 – March 2019

• Facilitated the implementation of the Quality Training Project for all employees which cut training costs by 28% after six months
• Oversaw Supply Reorganization Project which reduced breakage costs of stockroom supplies by 71%
• Led team of 15+ people in Front End Revamp Project to design and implement a new system that decreased the frequency of reception errors by 48%
• Partnered with local area hospitals to gather data on wait times and patient satisfaction to determine areas for improvement in the Quick and Quality project and improved satisfaction by 41%

Senior Programmer example

Computech, June 2017- October  2019

• Created a tool for test automation that reduced program testing time by 48% increasing productivity across the department
• Interviewed, hired and trained over 12 junior programmers with virtually no turnover as the company increased the size of the department throughout 2018
• Collaborated with data analysis department team members to design project requirements in accordance with company goals and allotted budget
• Met with technical staff, analysts, senior executives and stakeholders in meetings to discuss the state of the company with meticulously crafted presentations featuring relevant quantitative data

Customer Service Representative example

DB Industries, January 2016 – October  2018

• Received and answered 100+ calls daily and helped customers with signing up for services and products, data retrieval, answering questions about products and canceling services
• Earned a favorable customer satisfaction rating from 93% of customers surveyed, which is 11% higher than the overall company average
• Used advanced sales tactics to persuade customers seeking to cancel their services to reconsider, which reduced the overall number of cancellations by 8% over 6 months
• Trained new employees on how to navigate the database to efficiently retrieve relevant customer information and input new data accurately and consistently

Home — Essay Samples — Life — Work Experience — The Importance and Role of the Skills and Experience in Life

The Importance of Work Experience in Life

• Categories: Work Experience

About this sample

Words: 762 |

Published: Sep 1, 2020

Words: 762 | Page: 1 | 4 min read

Works Cited

• Barkhuizen, N. (2017). Communication skills for engineers. Springer.
• Bolton, R. N., & Lane, M. D. (2012). Individual entrepreneurial orientation: Development of a measurement instrument. Education+ Training.
• Carter, M. Z., & West, M. A. (2013). Reflexivity, revolution, and innovation in work teams. Human Relations.
• Goudreau, J. (2018). 7 Time Management Skills You Need to Be Productive (Proven by Science). Forbes.
• Hoch, J. E., & Kozlowski, S. W. (2014). Leading virtual teams: Hierarchical leadership, structural supports , and shared team leadership. Journal of Applied Psychology.
• Jaiswal, N., & Dhar, R. L. (2015). Transformational leadership, innovation climate, creative self-efficacy and employee creativity: A multilevel study. International Journal of Hospitality Management.
• Johnston, C. S., Taing, M. U., & Wheeler, L. (2018). Teamwork and interpersonal communication in interprofessional education: A qualitative exploration of students’ and faculty’s perceptions. Journal of Interprofessional Education & Practice.
• Kumar, R., & Meena, M. L. (2018). Effect of teamwork on employee performance: A review of literature. International Journal of Engineering and Management Research.
• Schein, E. H. (2010). Organizational culture and leadership (Vol. 2). John Wiley & Sons.
• Wittmer, A., & Honold, L. (2018). Successful leadership in virtual project teams. International Journal of Project Management.

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Describe Your Working Experience Essay Sample

EssayEdge > Blog > Describe Your Working Experience Essay Sample

A. Describe the three most significant professional experiences you have had.

I have had three particularly significant professional experiences: my participation as mentor and supervisor in a supplemental Instruction program; my work and research as a behavior therapist with autistic children through the Psychology Senior Thesis Program; and serving as a Service-Learning Teaching Assistant.

For the past two and a half years, I have been involved with the Supplemental Instruction (SI) program, a project founded to provide assistance for students in freshman level classes who need help with study skills. I am, at the moment, the SI Leader for Psychology 101. As an SI Leader, I attend class every day, which means that I have in effect attended the Psychology 101 class daily for two and a half years. By now I know the lectures by heart, which is essential because my job involves teaching the material three times a week in one-hour sessions.

Through the SI program, I have gained far more than accumulated academic knowledge: I have developed insight into how to teach psychology to groups of three to fifty people. I have learned that, in order to teach, one must first understand how someone approaches a subject, and then adapt the teaching to that approach. More specifically, I have noticed that students learn best by relating a concept to their own lives. Thus, not only do I give examples that relate directly to the material, I also teach students how to apply the concepts to their own lives.

I have become an integral part of the SI program and, as a result of my hard work, this year I was promoted to the position of SI Supervisor. In that capacity, I attend supervisor meetings to assist in organizing the program, and I help conduct hiring and training for new SI Leaders. One of my most rewarding responsibilities as supervisor is to attend sessions conducted by SI Leaders and, based upon my observations, to assist them with their teaching, interaction, and group discussion skills.

I also gained valuable research experience during my sophomore year by working twenty hours a week as a behavior therapist with autistic pre-school-aged children at the Children’s Behavior Therapy Unit (CBTU). Because CBTU possesses an extensive data-based assessment system, I had the opportunity to acquire practical research-related experience. As a behavior therapist, I focused on basic “learning to learn” skills, such as attention to the environment. I accomplished this using the classical conditioning techniques of positive and negative reinforcement, as well as punishment. As a researcher, I was required to record each child’s range of responses until that child developed a certain success rate with a behavior. One such success was shaping a child’s behavior to the point where the child felt comfortable with direct eye contact.

As a behavior therapist, I presented bi-monthly progress reports to the CBTU staff. The purpose of the reports was to inform the parents, doctors, and teachers about whether a particular child was ready to move to a higher level in the “learning to learn” program. More specifically, I reported on the progress of children’s behavior over time, which allowed me to trace development and compare individual responses.

CBTU provided me with an introduction to research, which led me to pursue further research opportunities through the Psychology Senior Thesis Program. I spent a year and a half experiencing the entire process: designing my research project, formulating hypotheses, conducting the research, and writing it up.

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While serving as research assistant to Dr. John Kircher, who was conducting polygraph research, I began to wonder whether individuals with lower skin conductance readings would also score higher on the Dissociative Experiences Scale (DES). My interest stemmed from the fact that individuals with higher DES scores, even when lying, are able to pass polygraph tests more easily than individuals who have lower DES scores. I wanted to explore whether they had this ability because their skin conductance readings were less reactive.

Through extensive study, I learned a great deal about the research process. I researched dissociation, skin conductance, and how the two are related. This knowledge enabled me to develop my hypothesis. It was expected that high scores on the DES would be associated with low levels of electrodermal activity, resulting in a negative correlation. The results did not provide support for the idea that dissociative individuals have diminished skin conductance readings while experiencing a stressful situation.

Analysis of variance became the focus of the statistical analysis. This score was tested via a t-test. Through this process of compiling data and through statistical analysis, I came to recognize the importance of accuracy and attention to detail. Overall, through conducting research and writing a thesis, I strengthened my research and writing skills.

The greatest supplement to my academic experience has been the opportunity to be part of service-learning. This is the concept of students volunteering in the community, accumulating responsibilities that allow them to acquire hands-on experience in course materials. My first experience with service-learning happened a year and a half ago, when I was offered the job of Service-Learning Teaching Assistant (TA) in Psychology 101. After rigorous evaluation of several agencies, we chose ones that would best suit the students’ needs. We also developed a lesson plan that would enhance the learning experience, and we created contracts by which the agencies and students would abide. We gained valuable experience the first semester, including how to successfully conduct the Service-Learning class.

By the next semester, we had developed a system for keeping the students motivated. Our method involved asking students to keep reflective journals and conducting reflective sessions, which not only allowed students to tell about their Service-Learning experiences, but also to think critically about their experiences at their agency. We discovered that, in order for students and agencies to have a fulfilling experience in Service-Learning class, the program had to involve students in community service that addresses local needs and that allowed them to develop their academic skills, sense of civil responsibility, and commitment to the community. We also kept the students motivated by compiling the total number of hours in which they served in the community. These hours reached into the thousands, and keeping a record allowed students to see how their combined efforts made a difference.

This year, I am the Service-Learning TA in a Nurse-Practitioners graduate class. This has given me the opportunity to show the instructor what I have learned about Service-Learning, specifically how to successfully implement a service-learning course without the aid of a Service-Learning TA. Next semester, I will be a Service-Learning TA in an Environmental Ethics class, in which students will serve at activist-centered agencies. These agencies, whose purpose is to make a difference in the community, demonstrate a high need for service-learning students who can assist them in the effort.

There’s nothing difficult in describing the work experience when you apply to a graduate school. Undergraduate applicants mostly don’t have any work experience and must write awful papers. A professional essay proofreading and editing are what can save them from failure. Hire an expert, and let them improve your writing.

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Interview Question – Tell Me About Your Work Experience

Your work experience is one of the most important factors that can land you a job interview. Imagine you’re interviewing…

Your work experience is one of the most important factors that can land you a job interview.

Imagine you’re interviewing for the role of sales associate for a well-established consumer goods organization. You probably have a year or two years of work experience. The interviewer will most likely ask you to talk about what you’ve done in the past, what you’ve learned and why you want to change jobs.

Regardless of the number of years you’ve worked, your response has to be tailored to the role you’re applying for. Let’s understand how you can answer work experience interview questions to make an impact.

How To Answer The Work Experience Interview Question

Tips on preparing your answers, sample answer for tell me about your work experience, impress the interview with what you know.

If you’ve been invited for a job interview, it’s most likely that the interview has already reviewed your work experience. The purpose of the work experience question is to explain why your background and experience would be a good fit for this job.

Consider it a chance to elaborate on transferrable skills and industry knowledge that align with the new role. For instance, say you’re interviewing for the role of ‘Associate Manager, Strategy’. If you worked as a consultant in strategy, you can discuss client relationships, research and development and ideas that led to revenue-generating outcomes.

Here’s a list of things to help you understand how to explain work experience in an interview:

Focus on tasks that highlight key skills required for the job you’re applying for. It can be teamwork, collaboration, communication, leadership or decision-making.

Talk about what you accomplished in your previous role such as monthly targets, key wins and employee rewards.

Avoid giving a chronological narration of your work experience. The interviewer has already examined your resume.

You can discuss interpersonal relationships—with your manager or supervisor—highlighting how you helped them achieve collective goals.

Remember to add numbers or data wherever possible to substantiate your answers. This solidifies your experience even more.

Your work experience sets you apart only if you know how to leverage it. There may be others who’ve worked as associates in the same function or department. But what differentiates you is what you contributed to your team, your achievements and aspirations.

Before you go for your interview, you should make a note of how you’re going to answer the work experience interview question. Here are some helpful tips for you to prepare an informed, purposeful and persuasive answer.

Be Thorough With Your Work Experience

There are cases where the candidate isn’t able to recall their work experience. If you created your resume some time ago, it’s likely you don’t exactly remember everything. Especially if you’ve applied to multiple places. Read your resume or CV thoroughly before you go for your interview. You have to be well-versed with your experience, skills and other activities so you can answer to the best of your ability.

Write Down Key Accomplishments

Study your work experience and write down key accomplishments or achievements—that you’re particularly proud of. You can map your experience to your wins, which makes it easier to talk about them.

Evaluate Strengths And Weaknesses

The purpose of the work experience interview question is to assess whether your work aligns with the job requirements. Also, the employer wants to see how well you’re able to articulate your tasks and responsibilities. Highlighting strengths and weaknesses will emphasize your self-awareness of your work experience.

For the best answer, you have to tie in the past, present and future—what you did, your learnings and what you plan to do. Let’s look at examples of how to explain work experience in an interview:

I have previously worked as a product associate, responsible for handling operations and logistics. I’ve worked closely with our marketing and sales teams to roll out critical marketing campaigns like the #BeOneBeAll campaign. The customer response was phenomenal and we were able to increase sales by 15%.

As a senior in our international function, I was responsible for converting leads to expand operations in Asia-Pacific. Communicating across time zones and accommodating requests across borders taught me the importance of collaboration. To keep up with my Indonesian clients, I even learned Bahasa for effective communication.

These examples shed light on what the candidates accomplished during their employment. Depending on the job requirements, you should try to focus on things that are in line with what you’ll be doing in your new role.

Prepare engaging and creative answers to the “tell me about your prior experience” interview question.

Harappa’s Ace The Interview course will teach you the ideal way to prepare answers to questions on the spot. With frameworks like the PAM (Purpose-Audience-Message) and the STAR (Situation-Task-Action-Result) method , you’ll learn how to frame powerful responses to questions. Learn directly from our expert faculty—who bring years of experience, knowledge and insight to help you crack your interview. Enroll today to get one step closer to your goals!

Explore topics such as General  HR Interview Questions , What are the Common  Questions to Ask an Interviewer ,  How to Reply to “ Why Should We Hire you for Freshers “, “ Why Do You Want to Work Here ” & “ What are Your Salary Expectations “  from Harappa Diaries and crack your next interview.

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Introduction, why is internship important, benefits of internship, internships help a student identify their skills and interest., internship challenges you may face and their solutions, unrecognized work, allocation of minor work, less allowance, hesitant to ask questions, understanding the office culture, understanding teamwork, competitive co-interns, unpaid internships are exploiting youngsters, when unpaid internships are beneficial, why are people still interested in adding internships to their resumes, even unpaid ones, gaining valuable experience, advantages for future employment, allows students to pursue interests.

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Tell me about yourself – Sample answers for fresh graduates

It is easy to interview for a job when you have ten years of professional experience. You can talk about your roles , projects you’ve worked on, milestones you achieved, mistakes you made, and lessons you learned along the way. Experienced professionals can talk for hours about their career. But what to do when you have almost nothing to talk about ? Most fresh graduates face this situation when looking for their very first job. Because “Can you tell me something about yourself?” is still the most popular interview question in the world, regardless of whether you interview for an entry level or senior position. You will simply face it.

As a rule of a thumb, regardless of your age , you should focus on your strengths in your introduction. And since professional experience isn’t your strength once you’ve just graduated from high school or college, you have to focus on something else. And you have many options: Your personal traits and abilities that make from you a good candidate for the job. Your desire to learn and improve and grow in the company, and a strong motivation to do well. Relevant education for the role. You can even talk about hobbies and free time activities that somehow relate to the position you try to get.

Let’s have a look at 7 sample answers to the question. I tried to include a variety of answers on my list , talking about different things, including some unconventional choices. Go through them, think about your own situation and about the message you want to convey in the interviews , and eventually try to come up with your own perfect answer. Below the list of answers you will find some additional hints on how to deal with the question and make a good impression on the hiring managers.

7 sample answers to “Tell me about yourself” interview question for fresh graduates

• My name is Jane, I’ve just graduated from finance and investment , and I’ve studied this subject with a clear goal in mind : To get an entry level FP&A job in one of the Fortune 500 companies, and start my career from there. My goal gave me motivation to study hard and become one of the best students in the class, and now I am incredibly excited to interview for this job with your company. When not dreaming about working here or studying, I enjoy cycling and cooking , and spending time with friends from college.
• I would characterize myself in three words: responsible, motivated, friendly . And I believe it a great combination for any first point of contact job , just like the one I try to get with your hotel. And though I haven’t yet had a chance to work anywhere, because I just graduated from high school and preferred to focus fully on my studies, instead of distracting myself with some part time job, I consider myself ready for this job , both physically and mentally. Apart from that I am just a normal guy who enjoys playing computer games or going out with friends. Is there anything in particular you’d like to know about me or my education?
• Well, as you can see on my resume, I’ve just completed my bachelor in management . But I did not limit myself to studies only. On the contrary, I tried to gain basic working habits , taking various part time jobs, in a library, fast food restaurant, night club. And though the jobs did not help me with my managerial skills, I’ve learned many important lessons in them. At the end of the day, you interact with people in every job , face challenges and conflicts, and have goals or quota to meet. I believe my experience will help me in my first real job, and perhaps it even gives me an edge when you compare me to other job applicants.
• 19 years old, fresh graduate, avid programmer and gamer , and someone who prefers work to studies , but at the same time someone who never stops learning. I can code in C++ decently, as well as in Java, and want to learn Python and other languages. Instead of spending years in college learning lot of theory, I prefer to study on my own , learning things I can realistically apply in doing what I enjoy doing for a living–programming. Here I am, hoping to get my first job in your game studio , and from there on sky is the limit really.
• To be honest, there isn’t much to talk about . I’ve been an average student . In my free time I enjoyed long walks with my dog in the nature, and I’ve never striven for recognition in some competitions. Hence you won’t find much on my resume. Having said that, I really love dogs, and have a special motivation to work in your dog shelter. Because I’ve learned many things by experience with my own dog, and I definitely see a meaningful purpose in what you do here . What’s more, my expectations aren’t high when it comes to salary , career growth, and similar matters. I just want to work with animals, and enjoy every day, seeing purpose in my work.
• John, 20 years old, just graduated from high school. I would characterize myself as an active person , someone who enjoys straining both his physical and mental limits . Endurance running, chess, and paddle boarding top the list of my hobbies. And I believe that my attitude will help me in any job , especially when dealing with heavy workload or facing deadlines. I know what it means to try really hard , and I am ready to deliver. Hopefully you will give me a chance to prove it in your company.
• Martina, 23, just finished my studies, and trying to find my place in the world . More than anything else I am eager to learn and try different things,  and a big corporation when one can try a variety of entry level roles and works in a diverse team seems like a perfect place for me at the moment. What more to say? Like everyone else, I have my strengths and weaknesses , and things I like to do in my free time, such as dancing or knitting. And I always try to stick to the following motto: Every day is an opportunity to become better, in whatever we do …

How you talk and express yourself matters more than what you say

You should realize a few things at this point. First of all, your lack of experience is no showstopper . They would not invite you for an interview if it was the case. Feel free to tell them you’ve never worked anywhere, and express your enthusiasm for finally applying for a real job.

Secondly, this is mostly an icebreaker question.  You should not spend ten minutes talking about various subjects you’ve studied at school and grades you’ve earned. Such things do not interest the hiring managers . Focus on your strengths –personal traits and abilities important for the job, relevant education, any working experience (part time, volunteering, student company), your motivation, and how the job you try to get is a good match for all these things.

Last but not least, asking “Tell me about yourself” question, most interviewers simply try to get a basic grasp of your personality and communication skills . As long as you talk with enthusiasm about the job and the future , keep an eye contact , and do not struggle to admit your lack of experience, you are good to go.

Remember that your goal with this answer isn’t to win a job contract . Your goal is to simply start an interview well, and make a good first impression on the hiring managers. They will ask you many other questions targeting your goals, motivation, preferences, and skills. And while you should certainly prepare for the “Tell me about yourself” question, it isn’t the most important question in the interviews….

Ready to answer this one? I hope so! Do not forget to check sample answers to other tricky interview questions for fresh graduates :

• Does your academic record accurately reflect your capabilities?
• What are your career aspirations – Sample answers for fresh graduates
• What do you hope to gain from this experience?
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How to Describe Your Work Experience on a Resume? [+Examples]

Your work history section is the most important part of your resume. It's also the most difficult part of your CV to address. Keep reading to find out how to properly describe your work experience on your resume. 

Because while a well-written work experience section can land you a job, a badly written one can easily sabotage your chances of getting an interview. You must know how to write it and what to include in it. 

And that's what this guide is for! It will show you:

What is a work experience section?

• Why bother writing it?
• Where to put the work experience section on your resume?
• …if you’re a student or a fresh graduate?
• …as an experienced professional?
• …if you’re an artist or creative?
• …if you’re changing careers?
• How to overcome an employment gap?
• How to address maternity leave?
• Plus some final tips and tricks

Too long, don't wanna read? Watch this 60sec video guide

The work experience section or employment history is a detailed summary of your past work experience . In other words, a comprehensible report of all jobs you’ve held in the past.

Depending on your background, you can include full-time positions, part-time jobs, temporary roles, internships, or even volunteer work.

In the work history section, you should list key information such as: 

• names of companies
• positions held
• dates of employment
• responsibilities you've held

But more importantly , it should highlight your main achievements and provide specific examples.

Side note: The experience section often goes under other names. Some people call it Employment history . Others refer to it as Work experience or Work history. All of these terms are interchangeable and all of them are correct. So you don't have to worry about picking the right one. 

Oh, and if you have a LinkedIn profile filled with all the important details, including your work experience, academic background, skills, and qualifications, you can easily  turn it into a polished resume with just one click.

Why should you include the work experience section?

We hate to use the word “important” , but…

… work experience is super important, if not a key section of your resume. 

When you think “resume ”, the work experience section is probably the first thing that comes to your mind. And you’re not alone. Based on this section employers determine whether or not you have what it takes for the job.

It provides an overview of your experience. A well-written work experience section is a crucial element because it shows that you have the necessary qualifications.

Where to put your work experience on a resume?

In most cases, your work experience section should come right after your contact info and professional summary.

But this isn't always the case. In some situations, you want to put your key skills, key achievements, or education section first.

For example, place your education first if you’re a student, fresh graduate, professional who recently went back to school, Ph.D. researcher , doctor, or another profession where the educational background is very important. Or if you’re writing an academic CV.

Generally speaking, the role and importance of your employment history section depend on where you're in your career and the type of resume you choose to write.

You can choose to write either a chronological, functional, or combination resume:

A chronological resume  

The most common resume type . 

It’s built around the employment history section. This makes it great for seasoned professionals with several years of work experience. It presents information in reverse-chronological order, with the most recent events being placed first.

Order of sections in chronological resume usually looks like this: Contact Information > Professional Summary > Work Experience > Education > Skills > Others .

A functional resume

This resume type draws attention to and puts forward your skills , accomplishments, job traits, and personal characteristics. 

It works best for fresh graduates, students, people returning to work after parental leave, and people who are changing careers — in other words — for those who might already have the skills but lack experience (or have an employment gap in their resume).

Order of sections in functional resume usually is the following: Contact Information > Professional Summary / Resume Objective > Skills / Projects > Work History / Education > Others .

A combination resume  

A combination resume contains elements of both the chronological and functional format. It does so by including your relevant skills and accomplishments first and then detailing your employment history and education. 

It's great for students, fresh graduates, or career changers who don’t really fit elsewhere. 

A combination resume also gives you a chance to order sections in a way that works best for your unique career path. You can, for instance, place the key achievement section first if there's a success that you truly want to highlight. 

How to write a work experience section?

In summary, you should begin with listing your current (or most recent job) and then continue with the previous ones. Your first job should close the section. 

The description of your most recent job position should include the following information:

• name of the company
• responsibilities and achievements

The more recent the job, the more detailed information about it you want to offer. On the other hand, you don’t really want to waste space on jobs that took place years ago. So, don’t go into too much detail. 

Sounds simple enough, doesn’t it? Despite that, the employment history section is probably the most difficult to write. Why though?

The answer is quick — the main challenge of describing your work experience on your resume is the sheer amount of information you have to include in this section. You have to choose wisely what to include so you won’t overwhelm the recruiter. 

Another problem arises once you stop writing it. You look back to your finished work history section and you may wonder:

Is your work experience section too short? Is it too long? Does it look somewhat chaotic? 

There’s no reason to worry though. We’ve got you. Here are some tips on how to make your job history section more orderly and appealing: 

• Use action verbs. As opposed to buzzwords, there are some powerful words you DO want to use. These include expressions such as “achieved,” “advised,” “negotiated” and others. See the pattern there? Instead of adjectives, use verbs you can support with evidence.
• Tailor it to a specific opening. Your accomplishments should match the employer’s needs and priorities. This is one of the quickest ways to get noticed and invited to an interview. Do your research and re-arrange your bullet points to show exactly the type of experience they want.
• Keywords. Reread the advertised job description and carefully pick the most important keywords. These are the words that best describe the position you’re applying for. Pack your resume with these keywords. Not only will it help you get past applicant tracking systems (ATS), but it will also leave a lasting impression on the hiring manager.
• Show your problem-solving skills . In the end, hiring managers want to know how effective are you when it comes to solving real problems. There’s no better way to prove your problem-solving ability than to briefly describe how you solved difficult problems in the past. Follow the PAR scheme: What was the Problem? What Action did you take? What was the Result?
• Quantify your past results. Managers love measurable results. A single number is often worth a thousand words. Don’t say you “increased the company’s revenue by, like, a lot”. Instead, don’t be afraid to brag about “increasing the company’s revenue by 20%.”
• Use bullet points. Bullet points help you structure your sub-sections. It also takes next to no effort on your part. Use them in combination with short paragraphs. First, describe the scope of your responsibilities, then use bullet points to list your top contributions for each job. Add 2-4 bullet points for each job.

Then, there are also common work experience section mistakes that you should avoid: 

• Don’t include the job description. Wait, what? Isn’t that the whole point? Well, no, employers usually know what the job should entail. Instead of listing what you were supposed to do, tell your potential employers what positive results you were able to bring about.
• Avoid buzzwords. Some phrases have been used so much in resumes that they became meaningless. Avoid words such as “thinking outside the box,” “creative,” or “problem solver.” These words always sound insincere. You want to inspire confidence. If you're using too many buzzwords, try to rephrase your content to make it more results-focused and skill-based.

Christy's word of advice

When it comes to the Work Experience sections, many resources say you should only highlight achievements and omit duties. What's your take on this?

“ I usually say have both. I recommend putting a few most important duties first because that's adding the context, and then the achievements. You can maybe get away just with the achievements if you're in an achievement-focused role, for instance, sales. But in general, I'd recommend having a mix — context plus impact. ” — Christy Morgan , Kickresume's Resident HR Expert

How to list work experience if you’re a student or a fresh graduate?

Naturally, you don’t have tons of experience if you’ve just finished school. Yet, being young is no obstacle. It comes down to how you present the experience you already have.

As a student or fresh graduate, you should place your work experience after the education section. Then list key skills, volunteer experience, and other voluntary sections.

Why list education first? Because your education and educational results are your strongest weapons right now.

Also, try to think of any job-relevant experience that you could put on your resume. Do you have any related experience at all when you worked as an intern? Have you done some volunteer work for a local charity? Or attended a conference? 

All of these things belong on your resume. Treat your internships and extracurricular activities as regular jobs.

These activities can showcase your motivation and skills. They also help recruiters gauge your professional aptitude. Each one of them should come with a few points that detail your responsibilities and accomplishments.

Here’s what you can include in your employment history section:

• Part-time jobs. If you’re fresh out of school (or still studying), part-time jobs are probably your primary type of experience. Even if the job isn’t super-relevant to the job you’re applying for now, there are valuable transferrable skills you’ve acquired in that job. Highlight them.
• Internships. Paid and unpaid college internships are one of the best weapons against the “experience required” line in a job posting.
• Volunteering . Most recruiters look at volunteer experience similar to paid work experience. Just because you didn’t get paid doesn’t mean you didn’t do a good job. Go ahead and list your volunteer roles as you would a full-time job. Detail the length of time you volunteered, relevant tasks you undertook, and the skills you gained through the experience.
• Extracurricular activities. If you’re applying for copywriting job, for example, recruiters will be more impressed to hear that you wrote a handful of articles for your student newspaper than that you had a summer job in a local fast-food restaurant.
• Leadership roles: Any leadership roles, even from clubs or sports teams, can demonstrate leadership skills and teamwork — both of which are highly valued by employers. 

How does this look in practice? Take a look at this fresh graduate sample below! 

How to list work experience if you’re an experienced professional?

Even if you’re an experienced professional, the hiring manager is going to put your work experience section under scrutiny. Because of that, you want to make sure your work experience section is tight.

To help employers navigate this section, list your work history in reverse chronological order. Put the most recent — and therefore the most relevant — items first.

Side tip: If you’re working a full-time job and freelancing at the same time, it’s only up to you to decide where you want to draw attention first.

Most importantly, don’t just state where you worked and what was your job title. Rather, also use 2–4 bullet points for each job to describe your duties and specific achievements. 

Here’s an example of how to do it:

Work Experience Section Example

Automotive Technician, Icahn Automotive, Rotorua, New Zealand (03/2017 – 09/2019)

• Repaired various cars and trucks. Troubleshot and diagnosed vehicles. Repaired or replaced defective parts. Ensured that everything was in compliance with the company’s high standards and clients’ needs.
• Awarded Employee of the Month for increasing customer satisfaction with provided services from 87% to 95% within one year.

Mind the length

Executives can use more than one page of their resume to present their extensive work experience. But that doesn’t mean that you should let your resume become a 700-page-long autobiography.

You may be wondering how to filter the information then. Especially if you have years of substantial experience. 

Well, as we already said earlier, if something’s recent, it also means it’s more relevant. That’s why you should describe more recent jobs in greater detail . Older ones will do with a brief description, allowing you to save some valuable space for more important details to put on your resume.

Finally, remember that you should never ever make your resume longer than two or three pages. Recruiters are busy and they can easily get overwhelmed by an overly long document. It would be sad if only this killed your chances of getting called for an interview . 

How far back should your employment history go?

Generally, it’s okay to include up to 15 years of experience, but try to avoid going further back in time than that. An exception would be a truly unique experience – such as being the one who started a successful company. 

Or, if a job requires 20 years of experience, then you should also definitely include more than 10–15 years of experience on your resume. 

However, most industries change a lot in 15 years, rendering any experience older than that obsolete.

If you have been working for less than 8-10 years, go back to the beginning of your work history and try to tailor your resume to be relevant to the job you’re applying for now.

Avoid writing about every single job you’ve ever held. This can easily overwhelm an employer and make them lose interest. Instead, only use previous work experience at least a bit related to the opportunity you want.

If you’ve worked more than 10 years as an executive, consider starting your work history at the point you became a manager. Most hiring managers don’t care what your first job was. They want to see how you progressed since you started as a manager.

How to write a work experience section if you’re an artist?

If you’re an artist, you know that your life and your job are a little different from the rest of the people. Because of that, it probably comes as no surprise that your work experience section should be different, too.

In short, as an artist, you should say goodbye to wordy descriptions and focus almost entirely on your portfolio . 

Consequently, your artist resume can be quite short and mostly focus on listing your training or education, courses you've taught, or artist residencies that you've been accepted to. 

See the sample below for what a good artist's resume should look like. Also, notice the fun creative resume template ! 

Finally, don't forget to polish up your social media profiles , as this is one of the most convenient ways of finding new clients today. Create your own website, and make sure to upload your portfolio to sites like Behance or Dribble. 

How to list experience if you’re changing careers?

If you’re pursuing a career change, your resume shouldn’t revolve entirely around your employment history. After all, that’s all in the past now. 

Instead , you should highlight your transferrable skills. You need to show how you can use the skills from your previous career in the new one.

Because of that, the hybrid resume format is the way to go.

How to do this? 

• In the employment history section, briefly outline your work history. Only mention those positions where you acquired skills that are relevant to the new position. You can also mention any relevant volunteer work.
• Try to find any keywords that relate to your experience. Look closely at the qualifications in the job description and tailor the bullet points in your work history to highlight that applicable experience.
• Focus less on the duties and more on your transferrable skills . These are any skills that you can transfer from one career to another. For example, if you have a background in journalism and want to apply for a copywriting position, the obviously shared keyword here is writing . Even though you don’t have any copywriting or marketing experience, you do have expert-level writing skills that you can use in the new field. That's a transferable skill. Try including these in your work experience section.

How to overcome an employment gap in your work history?

While many see a gap in their resume as an issue that's hard to overcome, that isn't necessarily the case. You just have to know which gaps should be addressed and which can be ignored.

If the resume gap is worth addressing, you can also learn how to give your resume gap a little “glow up.” 

Generally speaking, there are two basic criteria you need to consider when thinking about the seriousness of an employment gap on your resume: its duration and how recent it is.

• Short gaps don’t matter. Work gaps don’t generally become red flags unless they lasted for more than six months.
• Old gaps don’t matter either. Recruiters are interested in recent history and won’t investigate things that no longer have an impact on the present.

If your resume employment gaps are recent and quite long, what can you do?

• Change the way you write dates. Simply exclude months and the gap might disappear. So, instead of writing (October 2017 – August 2019), (September 2014 – January 2017) , you write (2017 – 2019), (2014 – 2017). Obviously, this technique works best for employment gaps that took place within a single calendar year.
• Consider changing the format of your resume. You should use the functional resume format. It shifts attention to your strengths and job-relevant skills rather than your work history.
• Make the most of your employment gap. Starting a business, freelancing, studying, volunteering, taking a purposeful sabbatical — all of these count as valuable experience. List these experiences along with other positions you held in the work experience section. Describe how you expanded your skillset.
• Boost your credibility with references . Ask your former employers, ex-colleagues, and other industry professionals if they’re willing to vouch for you. Include their names and contact information directly in your resume or attach an additional page to your resume.

How to address a maternity leave on your resume?

A very specific type of employment gap is maternity/parental leave. 

If you find yourself in the situation when you're trying to enter the work world after you took some time off to give birth or take care of your offspring, you may be a little worried about how to address it in your resume. 

The best thing to do is to use the functional or combination resume format , rather than chronologically list your previous work experience. 

Both formats allow you to attract the employer’s attention with your skills before addressing the elephant in the room.

Once you’ve done that, briefly mention that your career gap was due to the maternity leave. You can do it like this:

Example: How to address maternity leave in the work experience section

Maternity leave (January 2019–present)

That's it. You don't have to go into great detail. After all, you're not the first person in the world who has ever taken a parenting leave.

You just have to make sure to emphasize the work you did before you took some time off. Write about it as if it were yesterday and you still remember the details of the projects you worked on. Recall your accomplishments and the projects you're proud of from that period of your life. Time doesn’t devalue those experiences and skills that you've learned in the past.

Alternatively, if you've volunteered or completed a course during your leave, don't forget to mention it! Make sure to write about any relevant community service or voluntary work that you engaged in during your time away. Any freelancing projects or short-term gigs work as great resume enhancers.

See the example below: 

Example: How to update the work experience section after maternity leave 

During my maternity leave, I focused on maintaining and enhancing my skill set. That involved enrolling in an online course, continuing my education, and participating in a sales conference to ensure that I remained up-to-date with industry happenings.

Sales Success Summit, Boston (June 2019)

• Joining fellow sales leaders, trainers, and enablement professionals to learn expert secrets about sales and marketing.

The Art of Sales: Mastering the Selling Process (Northwestern University) – Online course (March 2019 – June 2019)

• Coursework focused on standing out in the crowd, attracting customers, and building support for initiatives within one’s company.

If you'd like more tips on how to do this, go and read our article on how to tackle maternity leave on your resume.

Final resume tips

• Don’t be afraid to use bold whenever you want to highlight important bits of information within the section.
• Include key achievements subsection. Pick the biggest achievement from each job and highlight it in a subsection. You can also write it in bold. This will catch the attention of the hiring manager in an instant.
• Keep it simple and easy to read. Don’t overdo it. Pick 1-2 colors maximum, 1-2 fonts, and 1-2 heading sizes.
• Remember it’s not only about you . It’s also about your future employer. Look at the job description again and determine what are his needs. Address these in your work experience section.

FAQ: How to describe your work experience on a resume

1. Is it ever ok to change the title of my past jobs a little bit?

While we always advise against lying on your resume, slightly altering the name of your past position shouldn't hurt you. Especially, if the name of the position didn't fit your responsibilities (which happens more often than you'd think). 

Additionally, if your boss thought they were being original but you ended up with a stupid-sounding work position name, you've also got the green light to change it in your resume.

2. What should I not include in the work history section of my resume?

• A wall of text. Always opt for bullet points.
• Too much information. Keep it brief. 
• Personal information. Your age, relationship status, or sexual orientation are all private information (and should stay that way during the recruitment).

3.   Should I include a job that I was fired from in my resume? 

Yes, if it's relevant to the prospective job position, there's no reason not to mention it. Even if you were fired (for various reasons), you've managed to get the job in the first place and you've learned some valuable skills. 

This article was recently updated. The original article was written by Nikoleta Žišková in 2021 .

Is it ever ok to change the title of my past jobs a little bit?

While we always advise against lying on your resume, slightly altering the name of your past position shouldn't hurt you. Especially, if the name of the position didn't fit your responsibilities (which happens more often than you'd think). 

What should I not include in the work history section of my resume?

• Too much information. Keep it brief. 

Should I include a job that I was fired from in my resume?

Yes, if it's relevant to the prospective job position, there's no reason not to mention it. Even if you were fired (for various reasons), you've managed to get the job in the first place and you've learned some valuable skills. 

Should I include my GPA on my resume?

As a rule of thumb, you should include your GPA if it's 3.0 or above and you're a recent graduate. If you're further along in your career, recruiters typically care more about your work experience than your academic performance.

I've already graduated. Should I still list my high school under the education section?

Usually, once you have a college degree or higher, you don't need to include your high school education in your resume.

Kaja Jurčišinová

Kaja Jurcisinova is a fresh graduate and a junior copywriter at Kickresume. Kaja completed her undergraduate degree in Art History at the University of St Andrews in 2018 and graduated with a Master’s in Arts and Culture from the University of Groningen in 2021. She was an intern at multiple cultural institutions across Europe, including the Dutch Museum Association in Amsterdam, the Matter of Art Biennale in Prague, and the European Cultural Centre in Venice. At the moment, she resides in Visby on the Swedish island of Gotland.

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Experience Essay

Experience essay generator.

People love talking about their experiences with their family, friends, and loved ones. You can use your love for that to practice and enhance your essay writing skills. Yes, you have read it right. It is like hitting two birds with one stone. Tell your story by composing an experience essay.

10+ Experience Essay Examples

1. research experience essay.

Size: 732 KB

2. Formal Experience Essay

Size: 209 KB

3. Experience of Life Essay

Size: 197 KB

4. Academic Personal Experience Essay

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5. COVID-19 Experience Essay

Size: 76 KB

6. Work Experience Essay

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7. Post Graduation Experience Essay

Size: 41 KB

8. Previous Research Experience Essay

Size: 28 KB

9. Sample Experience Essay

Size: 44 KB

10. Coaching Experience Essay

Size: 19 KB

11. College Experience Essay

Size: 31 KB

What Is an Experience Essay?

An experience essay is a composition that requires you to narrate an event that you have personally experienced. It is a type of academic essay that most high school, colleges, and post-graduation studies assign their students to write to improve their writing. Most scholarship applications also require you to write this essay. In addition, some people devise this as a part of their resume when applying for work. 

How to Compose a Riveting Experience Essay

Composing various literature essays will also require you to apply different skills. In that sense, this piece of writing will test your storytelling skills. How do you effectively narrate a story on a paper? You can discover that as you go through the process of learning how to devise this document.

1. Choose an Unforgettable Memory

In selecting an experience to tell, you should choose those experiences that considerably impacted your personal life. It can be either be a positive or a negative experience. For example, you can write about your best day or the worst experience you had. Most people would opt for unique topics, but that is not a requirement. The important thing is how to make your unforgettable experience memorable for your readers. 

2. Arrange the Sequence of Events  

Sometimes when people share something, they often tell another story in between and then go back to their original topic. That’s a no-no in writing your experience essay. It needs to be carefully structured. That said, you need to arrange it by properly sequencing the events. There are available blank outline templates online to help you with this task.

3. Devise an Engrossing Introductory Paragraph

An impressive introduction should contain a compelling hook and a powerful thesis statement . The first paragraph of your essay can be a make or break factor for your entire writing. People often start judging the quality of your composition after reading your introductory paragraph. It sets the vibe and gives them the first impression. It is essential to pay a lot of attention to this segment.

4. Craft a Rousing Statement for Your Conclusion

Your conclusion paragraph should provide the gist and the purpose of your experience essay. In this last part, you should restate your thesis statement and summarize the underlying message of your writing. It should include a personal reflection regarding what that particular event made you learn about yourself. A conclusion for an essay should be powerful enough to rouse the emotions of your readers.

How should you describe an experience in your essay?

Writing a personal experience essay does not only require you to provide the order of events that happened in your experience. Instead, you should include describing what you are thinking and feeling at that moment. In addition, you should also mention the activities that are also happening during your experiences. Don’t forget to include the reactions of the people involved in your story.

What are good topics for an experience essay?

One of the most important factors to consider in choosing your topic is the thematic statement it presents. Do you want to write about love, friendship, or family? You can also choose to compose about the defining moments of your life. Such as the time you faced your greatest fears or the day you met your best friend.

What makes an experience essay different from a narrative essay?

An experience essay and a narrative essay are mostly similar. Both of these writings focus on narrating an experience of the writer. Despite that, there is something that sets them apart from each other. An experience essay focuses more on an individual’s discovery about oneself. On the other hand, the latter aims to inform the readers of how the experience made the writer realize things. Particularly the lessons regarding another person or an issue.

The act of composing this type of essay is a formative experience. In the process of writing it, you can learn lessons about yourself as well as on writing essays. Your life experiences are full of lessons. Ensure to capture the message and convey it to your readers. Secure that employment or that award certificate by crafting your experience essay thoroughly.

Text prompt

• Instructive
• Professional

Write an Experience Essay on your first day at school

Discuss a travel experience that changed your perspective in an Experience Essay