Why You Must Include Employment Dates on Your CV and LinkedIn Profile

When writing your resume or LinkedIn profile, including the dates of your employment may seem like a minor detail, but it’s actually a critical element of your career story. At Morton Philips we rely on these dates to assess your experience, career progression and overall suitability for a role.

The recent trend of leaving employment dates out can work against you.

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1. Demonstrates Career Progression

Employment dates provide context for your career journey. Consultants want to see how long you’ve spent in each role, whether you’ve had steady growth and how frequently you’ve transitioned between jobs. Without dates, it’s impossible to gauge whether you’ve been in a role for months or years, which can raise red flags. Short stints could be because of contract terms or career progression, state these reasons alongside the role.

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2. Builds Trust and Credibility

A CV or LinkedIn profile without employment dates can create suspicion. Consultants may wonder if you’re hiding career gaps, exaggerating experience or misrepresenting your work history. Transparency is key to building trust with potential employers.

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3. Ensures You Pass ATS Filters

Many companies use Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS) to filter CVs before a human even sees them. Missing employment dates can cause your application to be rejected automatically, as ATS software often requires chronological data to assess qualifications.

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4. Aligns with Background Checks

Most employers conduct reference checks or verify employment history. If your CV lacks dates, it can delay or even derail your hiring process. Consistency between your CV, LinkedIn profile and official employment records ensures a smooth verification process.

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Employment dates are essential for providing consultants and future employers with an accurate, trustworthy snapshot of your career. Omitting them can create doubt, limit opportunities and make your job search harder. Make sure your CV and LinkedIn profile are complete, accurate and up to date for the best chance at securing your next role.

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