Resume` Format

You are correct in your recognition that each resume is personalized and unique. Most professional resume writers’ take great care to tailor each resume that they create to highlight the unique skills, qualifications, and accomplishments of the individual. In this sense, they must be personalized, and just because one resume utilizes a particular heading and layout, does not mean that the next will. However, if you read carefully, with an eye toward format, underlying these layouts are two distinct types of resumes written in three distinct formats. Deciding which is best for you is not difficult if you understand the advantages and disadvantages of each.

The Chronological Resume

A chronological resume is one which has items listed in reverse chronological order with your current or most recent job or schooling first.

The chronological resume is most suitable when:

• You have a steady and consistent employment history with no major gaps in employment and have not changed career tracks recently.
• Your employment/educational history have been one of progressively responsible positions.
• Your major accomplishments have been achieved in your most recent positions.

Advantages:

- Easier to understand what you did in your previous jobs.
- Helps you stand out provided it is impressive.

Disadvantages:

- Difficult to highlight your best job.
- Not suggestible for someone making a career change.

Sample:

The Functional Resume

A functional resume highlights and focuses on your skills and accomplishments, rather than your position and dates.

The functional format can be very effective when:

• Candidates whose qualification might look weak on a chronological list.
• Most of your achievements and accomplishments occurred in a past position.
• You had gaps in your education history.
• You have been out of the job market for some time and are trying to re-enter.
• You want to deflect attention from recent employment experience.
• You are changing career tracks.Advantages: - It will help you most in reaching for a new goal or direction.

  Disadvantage:

  - It is hard for the employer to know what exactly you did in which job, which may be a problem for some conservative interviewer.

  Sample:

The Chrono-functional Resume

A chrono-functional resume emphasizes your skills and background simultaneously. This kind of resume lists education /job history chronologically, while allowing the job seeker to highlight what makes his/her qualifications marketable.

The combination format is well accepted by hiring authorities and you should consider using it when:

• You have a steady and progressive employment history.
• You are writing a targeted resume and need an effective way to match your skills to the job requirements.Advantages: - It maximizes the advantages of both kinds of resumes, avoiding potential negative effects of either type.

  Disadvantage:

  - It tends to be a longer resume. Another is that it can be repetitious: Accomplishments and skills may have to be repeated in both the “functional” section and the “chronological” job descriptions.

  Sample:

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