Updated September 27, 2026.
In short: write resume dates as month and year, for example "March 2023 – Present" or "Mar 2023 – Jun 2025", and use exactly the same format for every entry. Put dates on the right margin or directly after the job title, write "Present" for your current job, and use years alone only if you use them everywhere. Avoid day-level dates (03/14/2023) and all-numeric formats that readers in different countries interpret differently. University career centers use the same pattern; the University of Northern Iowa's standard format, for example, is "Month Year to Month Year" (checked September 27, 2026).
What is the best date format for a resume?
| Format | Example | When to use it |
|---|---|---|
| Full month and year | January 2022 – March 2025 | The default; clearest to read |
| Abbreviated month and year | Jan 2022 – Mar 2025 | When space is tight; still clear |
| Numeric month and year | 01/2022 – 03/2025 | Acceptable in the US, but less readable |
| Year only | 2022 – 2025 | Long careers, or to de-emphasize short stints — must be used everywhere |
| Season and year | Summer 2025 | Internships and academic terms |
Pick one and apply it to every job, education entry, certification and volunteer role. Inconsistent dates are one of the easiest formatting errors for a reader to spot.
How do you write the dates for your current job?
Use "Present" (or "Current") as the end date:
Senior Accountant, Harbor Health, Portland, OR — March 2023 – Present
Do not leave the end date blank, and do not use "Now" or "Today".
Should you use an en dash, a hyphen or "to"?
Any is acceptable if you are consistent. An en dash with spaces ("2022 – 2025") is the typographic standard; a hyphen ("2022-2025") is fine in plain text and online forms; "to" ("2022 to 2025") reads naturally. Do not mix them.
Where should dates go on a resume?
Most commonly right-aligned on the same line as the job title or employer, so the reader can scan down the margin and see your timeline. Placing them directly after the title works too, and is safer in plain-text applications. Put the most important information (job title, employer) first, and the dates second.
How do you show a promotion with dates?
List the employer once, then each title with its own dates, newest first:
Northwind Logistics, Chicago, IL — June 2019 – Present Operations Manager, April 2023 – Present Operations Supervisor, June 2019 – March 2023
Our guide to showing a promotion on your resume covers the layout options.
How do you write dates for short jobs or gaps?
- Short roles (under a year): show months, not just years, so the timeline is honest: "Feb 2024 – Aug 2024".
- Gaps: do not hide them with year-only formatting on some entries and months on others; readers notice the inconsistency. Either use years everywhere or be ready to explain a gap in one sentence. See how to explain an employment gap.
- Contract, seasonal or freelance work: use the actual engagement dates, or group ongoing freelance work under one date range; see freelance work on a resume.
How do you write education dates?
Use the graduation month and year, or just the year:
B.S., Biology — University of Florida, Gainesville, FL — May 2026
If you are still studying, write "Expected May 2027"; see expected graduation date on a resume. Experienced candidates can leave off graduation years from long ago; see how to list education on a resume.
Do resume date formats differ outside the US?
Yes. In the US, numeric dates put the month first (03/2025); in the UK, Europe and much of the world, full dates put the day first. That is why month-name formats ("March 2025") are the safest choice for any resume that might cross borders: they cannot be misread. The Purdue OWL's business letter guide makes the same point about letters to US companies: use the American convention of month before day. For CVs outside the US, see CV vs resume.
Common resume date mistakes
- Mixing formats ("Jan 2022" in one job, "2019–2021" in the next).
- Including the day ("March 14, 2023") — unnecessary detail.
- Leaving dates off entirely, which makes readers assume the worst.
- Overlapping dates you have not explained (for example, two full-time jobs at once).
- Future dates by mistake, especially after copying a template.
Frequently asked questions
Should I include months or just years on my resume?
Months and years is the standard and the most transparent. Years only is acceptable for long careers if you use it for every entry.
Is "Present" or "Current" better for my current job?
Either works; "Present" is more common. Use the same word throughout.
How do I format dates in an ATS-friendly way?
Use a clear month-year format, keep dates as regular text (not in headers, footers or text boxes), and keep the same format for every role. Check how your resume is read with the free resume checker.
Should I use numbers or words for months?
Words (full or abbreviated) are easier to read and cannot be misinterpreted. Numbers are acceptable if you prefer them and use them everywhere.