How to Format Dates on a Resume (With Examples)
Write resume dates as month and year — for example Jan 2022 – Mar 2024 — and use Present for your current job. Pick one style and use it for every job, degree and certificate. Avoid full numeric dates such as 03/04/2024, which mean different days in the US and in Europe.
Resume date formats compared
| Format | Example | Use it? |
|---|---|---|
| Short month + year | Jan 2022 – Mar 2024 | ✅ Best for most resumes and CVs |
| Full month + year | January 2022 – March 2024 | ✅ Fine if space allows |
| Numeric month/year | 01/2022 – 03/2024 | ✅ Clear and compact |
| Year only | 2022 – 2024 | ⚠️ Only for long roles or older entries |
| Full numeric date | 03/04/2024 | ❌ Ambiguous between countries |
| Seasons | Summer 2023 | ⚠️ Internships and student jobs only |
Dates in your work experience
- Put the date range on the same line as the job title or company, aligned right or directly below — wherever your template places it, keep it the same for every job.
- Use an en dash with spaces (Jan 2022 – Present) or the word “to”. Do not mix styles.
- Use Present (or Current) for the job you still have. In the builder, tick “I currently work here” and it is added for you.
- Show months when a role lasted less than two years — “2023 – 2024” could mean two months or two years.
- For several roles at one employer, give the full range for the company and a range for each promotion.
Dates for education and certificates
- Finished degree: the graduation month and year, or just the year — May 2024 or 2024.
- Still studying: Expected June 2027 or 2023 – Present (expected 2027).
- Certificates: the year earned, plus an expiry if it matters — 2025, valid until 2028.
- Older education: after ten or more years of experience you can leave graduation years off if you prefer.
Employment gaps and short jobs
Year-only dates can hide a gap, but recruiters notice when every other date has a month. It is better to show months and add a one-line entry for a longer break, such as Career break — family care, Mar 2022 – Jan 2024. Very short jobs can be grouped as Freelance and contract roles, 2021 – 2022.
Date formats by country
The United States writes numeric dates month first (04/03/2024 = April 3), while the UK, most of Europe, India, Australia and Latin America write the day first (04/03/2024 = 4 March). East Asian countries often write year first (2024-03-04). Writing the month as a word removes all doubt, which is why Mar 2024 works on any resume. For country-specific rules on photos, personal details and length, see the international CV format guide; for your birth date, see date of birth on a CV.
Dates and ATS software
Applicant tracking systems read Jan 2022, 01/2022 and 2022 without trouble. What causes errors is inconsistency, dates hidden in headers or text boxes, and creative separators such as slashes inside ranges (2022/2024). Keep dates as plain text next to each entry, then test the file with the free ATS score checker.
FAQ
Should I use months or just years on a resume?
Use months and years for most entries. Years alone are acceptable for long roles or entries more than ten years old, but mixing the two styles looks like you are hiding something.
How do I write my current job on a resume?
Write the start date followed by “Present”, for example Jan 2022 – Present. “Current” and “Now” are also understood; choose one and use it everywhere.
How do I write an expected graduation date?
Write “Expected” and the month and year, for example Expected June 2027, next to the degree in your education section.
Which date format do ATS systems read best?
Month-and-year formats such as Jan 2022 or 01/2022 are read reliably. Keep the same format throughout and put dates in the main body of the resume, not in a header or text box.
Should resume dates go on the left or the right?
Either works. Right-aligned dates keep the focus on job titles; left-aligned dates suit a timeline layout. Choose one side and keep it consistent.