previous experience vs prior experience

Both 'previous experience' and 'prior experience' are correct, commonly used phrases in English. They're interchangeable and can be used to refer to experience that occurred before a particular point in time.

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Last updated: March 24, 2025 • 5401 views

This phrase is correct and commonly used in English.

"previous experience"

This phrase refers to the experience that someone has had before a particular point in time.

Examples:

Her previous experience in marketing helped her secure the new job.
Candidates are required to have previous experience in customer service.
I have no previous experience with this type of software.

Show examples from the web [+]

None of my previous experience prepared me for what came next.
Most of them had no previous experience of pursuing EU cooperation policy.
His previous experience is a guarantee of a useful and fruitful presidency.
Many sources in the United States say that Europe must not get involved given their previous experience.
So penguins learn from previous experience, too.
All our previous experience shows that such opportunities are not utilised.
Following discussions with Mr Liikanen, we believe that these matters of procedure must be reviewed in the light of previous experience.
The Year of Equal Opportunities should be solidly prepared on the basis of previous experience.
Mrs. Schuester, I appreciate your interest in the nursing position... but your previous experience is limited to folding hand towels.
Given my previous experience, it's hardly an unreasonable assumption, and, remember, this was your idea.
And based on our previous experience together, I'm sure you'll understand why it's necessary to vet your financials.
In fact, they were reassured that the welfare of those on board ship would be safeguarded by my previous experience.
An incentive-based approach should take into account previous experience and lessons learnt acquired on performance-based mechanisms such as the Governance Initiative of the 10th EDF.
It appears necessary to clarify that the proof on the operator's previous experience should be presented together with the first application for the annual quota period.
In this respect the new Member States are pooling their previous experience and following the experiences of others in the area of legislative options.
Investigating PRM (including analysing previous experience) and mapping livestock tracking routes
previous experience of the EU shipowner and the Greenlandic partner in the fisheries sector.
the previous experience of the operator in conducting operations above 13000 ft without using supplemental oxygen;
According to the study, more than 50% of the senior and/or lobby staff working at four of the biggest lobbying consultancies in Brussels have previous experience inside EU institutions.
Based on previous experience the Bank could set up a Structured Finance Facility (SFF) with its own funds (EUR 500 million) to support riskier operations, within the Innovation Initiative (i2i). in the area of R&D.

Alternatives:

past experience
prior work experience
previous work history
previous background
previous track record

This phrase is correct and commonly used in English.

"prior experience"

This phrase also refers to the experience that someone has had before a particular point in time.

Examples:

His prior experience as a teacher made him well-suited for the role.
The job requires candidates to have prior experience in project management.
I lack prior experience in this field.

Show examples from the web [+]

Applicants with prior experience as PIC may be credited towards the requirements in (a).
The applicant further contends that the defendant violated the Financial Regulation as well as Article 17(1) of Directive 92/50 by using evaluation criteria, especially the tenderers' prior experience, that were neither specified nor included in the call for tenders.
skills assessment and accreditation of prior experience
Amendment 46 on the learning of second or additional foreign languages was rejected on the grounds that it was too far-reaching for some Member States, while amendment 57 concerning the accreditation of prior experience was considered to be inappropriate for the Grundtvig programme.
Although gabapentin can be removed by haemodialysis, based on prior experience it is usually not required.
The same document goes on to emphasise that the lack of prior experience concerning the settled rate which will emerge regarding the physical implementation of projects and the level of expenditure should prompt very close monitoring of the implementation of the instrument.
The partners are capable of carrying out the project as shown by the applicant's understanding of the problem or need and by the applicant's prior experience.
prior experience of instrument flight time as PIC on aeroplanes, under a rating providing the privileges to fly under IFR and in IMC,'
It should be noted that this report is drafted on the basis of prior experience within the EU on the functioning of the economic and monetary union, which identifies the need for an enhanced economic governance framework, as is proposed in this report.
Prior experience of using IRB approaches
Information should be centralised in an "Interactive Contract Network database", allowing all DGs to benefit from prior experience.
KLM also had prior experience of a notification under the Merger Regulation.
Traffic forecasts have been derived based on prior experience and knowledge of the airline's operations.
Especially since you have some prior experience with divorce.
The various interest groups involved in the dialogues all have prior experience in building transnational networks.
Agent Gibbs was placed in charge because of his prior experience in Colombia.
Why give it to someone without any prior experience?
Repeated toxicity studies were not conducted because prior experience with coagulation preparations had shown them to be of limited value.
'Credit' means the recognition of prior experience or qualifications;
I imagine the sale of apples was not the extent of your prior experience.

Alternatives:

previous experience
past experience
prior work experience
prior background
prior track record

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previous experience vs prior experience

"previous experience"

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