Choosing the Format That's Best For You
There are as many different types of resumés as there are experts. You should choose the format that best presents the information that you wish to emphasize. Most resumés fall into one of the following formats:- Chronological
- Functional
- Combination
The most important thing to remember when creating your resumé is that it will reflect your personality. Therefore, some self-awareness and skill assessments are necessary to insure that your resumé will represent you in the way you intend.
The Chronological Resumé
The chronological resumé focuses heavily on employment history, job responsibilities, accomplishments, and related experiences that support your career path. The format lists all of your occupations and employers, beginning with your most recent job. Do not list beginning jobs that were insignificant. How far back you go depends on what the job adds to the resumé. The chronological resumé is the most common and easiest to read.
Advantages:
- Shows progressive employment history without any questionable employment gaps or short-term jobs
- It reflects in-depth work experience if you’re seeking a similar position in the same industry.
- It can highlight upward mobility, accomplishments, and promotions in your career field.
- It is generally the most common type of resumé and easy to read.
Disadvantages:
- It can stereotype you, especially if you have had the same job title over the years.
- Because of the resumé focus on employment history and job title, your skills and talents might not appear as strong and diversified as you would like.
- If you are just starting your career and haven’t held many jobs, it is difficult to sell yourself using this format.
- It will show your age more quickly than other resumé formats, which can be a plus or minus depending on your present age. Younger (early 20’s) and older people (late 50’s) have a more difficult time marketing themselves using the chronological resumé.
The Functional Resumé
The functional resumé emphasizes your qualifications, skills, and accomplishments. After listing personal data and the qualifications summary, this resumé highlights major accomplishments.
Advantages:
- It hides a void in one’s previous employment
- It emphasizes your skills, potential and other positives.
- Good for the job seeker with little employment experience.
- Also good to use if you are entering the job market for the first time, making a career change, have not advanced , are self-employed, or if you are concerned that your age is a barrier.
Disadvantages:
- Could signal a ‘red flag’ since it doesn’t include a lot about your past work experience.
- Is generally not preferred by more traditional, conventional companies.
The Combination/Creative Resume
This resumé is a mixture of both the chronological and the functional formats. It lists functions and accomplishments first and reveals the employment history last.
Advantages:
- It is the most complete resumé. You are able to show a solid employment history as well as highlight skills that relate to the job.
- Presents you as a versatile individual, able to fill a variety of positions.
- You can arrange the content in a format that best sells you.
Disadvantages:
- Some employers might wish to read about what you did in each job, believing it provides them with a better picture of the scope of your responsibilities and achievements.
Before you write, take time to do a self-assessment on paper. Outline your skills and abilities as well as your work experience and extracurricular activities. |