previously worked as

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "previously worked as" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe someone's past job title or role in a professional context. Example: "She previously worked as a marketing manager before joining the new company."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

10.11am: Cheesley previously worked as chief reporter of the Express & Star newspaper in Wolverhampton.

The Guardian

Farah previously worked as a reporter at HuffPost Politics, The Washington Post and McClatchy DC.

Huffington Post

Hayley previously worked as a recruitment consultant.

The Guardian

She previously worked as editor on the Reuters opinion page.

The Guardian

She previously worked as a journalist in Karachi, Pakistan.

The Guardian - Books

Mr. Creighton had previously worked as Ms. Grubman's investigator.

The New York Times

He previously worked as an Atlanta Braves announcer.

The New York Times - Sports

He previously worked as a trader for Goldman Sachs.

The Guardian

She previously worked as a journalist in Vietnam.

The Guardian

He previously worked as a Congressional reporter and database editor.

The New York Times

Ms. Jewell previously worked as a petroleum engineer and banker.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When detailing a career history, use "previously worked as" to transition between different roles, showing progression and experience.

Common error

Don't just say someone "previously worked as" something without providing any context. Clarify when and where they held that position to give a clearer picture of their background.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "previously worked as" functions as a verb phrase that introduces information about someone's past professional experience. It indicates a former role or occupation, providing context for their current situation or expertise. As confirmed by Ludwig, the phrase is grammatically sound and widely accepted.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Formal & Business

20%

Wiki

10%

Less common in

Science

5%

Academia

3%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "previously worked as" is a versatile and commonly used way to describe someone's past professional experience. Ludwig confirms that it's grammatically correct and widely accepted. Its neutral to professional register makes it suitable for various contexts, including news articles, business communications, and resumes. While alternatives like "formerly held the position of" exist, "previously worked as" strikes a balance between formality and clarity. When using this phrase, ensure you provide sufficient context to avoid ambiguity. The high frequency of the phrase in news and media outlets underscores its importance in conveying professional backgrounds efficiently.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

once worked as

Simple and direct way to mention a past job.

used to work as

A more casual way of expressing past employment.

formerly held the position of

Emphasizes the formal nature of the past role.

was formerly employed as

Formal and emphasizes the employer-employee relationship.

had a prior role as

Highlights that the role was before the current one.

has a background as

Highlights the person's experience in a specific field.

past employment included

Focuses on the type of work done in the past.

historically served as

Implies a more formal or official capacity.

previously served in the capacity of

More verbose and formal alternative.

earlier experience includes

Broadens the scope to include various types of experience.

FAQs

How can I use "previously worked as" in a sentence?

You can use "previously worked as" to describe someone's past job, for example: "She "previously worked as" a teacher before becoming a principal."

What is a more formal way to say "previously worked as"?

A more formal alternative is "formerly held the position of". For example: "He formerly held the position of CEO."

Can I use "previously worked as" in a resume?

Yes, it is suitable for resumes. For example, you might write: "Previously worked as a software engineer at Google."

What's the difference between ""previously worked as"" and "used to work as"?

"Previously worked as" is slightly more formal than "used to work as", but they are largely interchangeable. The choice depends on the context and your desired tone.