How to List Work Experience on a Sri Lankan CV

The work experience section is where most CVs win or lose. It's the section every recruiter in Sri Lanka turns to first, and where the hiring decision is often made. Here's how to make yours exceptional.

Reverse Chronological Order Always

Always list your most recent job first and work backwards. Sri Lankan employers want to see your current level of responsibility immediately. Starting with a 15-year-old entry-level role buries the lead and frustrates recruiters who are scanning quickly.

The Essential Information for Each Role

For every job, include: (1) Job Title — bold and prominent, (2) Company Name — with a brief descriptor if it's not well-known (e.g., "XYZ International — leading pharmaceutical distributor in Sri Lanka"), (3) Location — city is sufficient, (4) Employment Dates — month and year for start and end, (5) Key responsibilities and achievements in bullet points.

Achievement Bullets vs Responsibility Bullets

This is where most Sri Lankan CVs fall short. Responsibility bullets describe your duties: "Responsible for managing client relationships." Achievement bullets describe impact: "Grew key account portfolio by 45% over 18 months, contributing LKR 12M in additional annual revenue." Aim for at least 2-3 achievement bullets per role. Use the formula: Action Verb + What You Did + Result/Impact.

Strong Action Verbs for Sri Lankan CVs

Start every bullet with a strong action verb: Led, Managed, Developed, Implemented, Increased, Reduced, Launched, Negotiated, Delivered, Trained, Designed, Streamlined, Achieved, Oversaw, Spearheaded, Transformed, Mentored, Secured. Avoid passive constructions like "Was responsible for" or "Duties included."

How to Handle Short Stays and Job Gaps

Contract roles, fixed-term positions, and maternity/paternity leaves are all normal — label them clearly. For short-term roles (3-6 months), add "(Contract)" after the job title. For employment gaps, be prepared to discuss them in interviews; you don't need to explain them in the CV itself unless they were for professional development or significant life events.