| Knowing when the chronological versus the | | | | work history |
| functional resume format works best is crucial to | | | | When you've worked for only 1 or 2 companies |
| creating a powerful resume. There are 3 main | | | | over many years |
| types of formats for resumes:Chronological, or | | | | When you want to make a career change |
| more accurately, Reverse Chronological | | | | When you've been in the workforce for many |
| Functional | | | | years, and you want to de-emphasize your age |
| A combination, or hybrid of the two Of course, | | | | You've worked at a number of different, |
| there are many other variations of the 3 named | | | | unrelated jobs.Tips for using this resume format. |
| above as well. You're really free to use whichever | | | | Highlight your most relevant assets for each job |
| resume format you prefer, but there are certain | | | | you're seeking up front in the resume, in their |
| situations where one format works better than | | | | general order of importance. If you don't have |
| another in selling you and your abilities. Keep | | | | much formal work experience, then list any skills |
| reading to learn more.The Chronological Resume | | | | or experience that can translate into such, |
| FormatWhat it is. This type of resume format is | | | | including volunteer work and internships. Be honest |
| the traditional, and still most common, format. It's | | | | though; don't make stuff up. If you have large |
| also the easiest to write. You organize it in | | | | gaps in employment, you may want to just list |
| reverse order by employer, with your most | | | | your past employers, but leave out the dates. |
| recent job listed first.When it works best. This | | | | You can deal with any questions during the |
| kind of resume format highlights your career | | | | interview.When it doesn't work well. If you know |
| progression and growth. Employers like it because | | | | that in your career track, the chronological |
| it's usually easy to read and can be scanned | | | | resume format is strongly preferred, you may |
| quickly for your employment history. Here are the | | | | have to go with the flow. Or, you may decide to |
| situations where it works best:When you've | | | | take a combination approach, as described |
| worked steadily and consistently with no major | | | | below.The Combination Resume FormatWhat it is. |
| gaps in employment. | | | | A combination resume format takes the best |
| When your job history shows that you've | | | | features of both the chronological and the |
| moved up in responsibility steadily. | | | | functional resume formats. You get a chance to |
| When you've held standard, well-recognized jobs | | | | present a strong summary of your skills and |
| for well-known companies. | | | | accomplishments up front (functional), while also |
| When your most significant achievements have | | | | providing a detailed employment history |
| occurred recently. | | | | (chronological) that supports the statements |
| When this format is expected for your particular | | | | made in the first section.When it works best. |
| career.Tips for using this resume format. Since | | | | There are a number of situations in which this |
| this format emphasizes your work history, then | | | | resume format works well, such as:When you're |
| be sure your information is absolutely accurate. | | | | trying to make a career change. (You can list |
| Use exact dates of employment and termination | | | | your relevant skills and experience up front, then |
| if you can, or at least use the month and year | | | | any relevant education. Next, list your job history, |
| both. Provide more information for the first couple | | | | but only include the relevant duties performed at |
| of jobs, since this is your most relevant | | | | each.) |
| experience. Don't list the fast food job you held in | | | | When you have done almost the same duties |
| high school if you're 10 or more years into your | | | | everywhere you've worked. (Listing the same |
| adult career. It's just not relevant.When it doesn't | | | | duties over and over under each employer is |
| work well. If you've held many jobs within a short | | | | redundant. Instead, you can highlight your most |
| time period, a chronological resume may not be | | | | significant skills and experience up front, along with |
| your best choice because it may look as though | | | | any special awards or achievements. Then, list |
| you've job hopped or that you didn't have much | | | | only company-specific duties under each |
| loyalty to your employers. It's also not the best | | | | employer.)Tips for using this resume format. Take |
| choice for someone new to the workforce, or | | | | the tips listed above for each of the other |
| someone coming back into the job market after | | | | formats and incorporate them. Also, keep in |
| a number of years, such as a mother who | | | | concise and interesting. Avoid boring job |
| stopped working to raise children and is now | | | | descriptions. Instead, identify how you have been |
| returning to work.In those cases, and others | | | | of value to your employers. Speak in terms of |
| detailed below, a functional resume format may | | | | saving money, increasing profits, improving |
| present a more positive picture.The Functional | | | | productivity, solving problems, or enhancing |
| Resume FormatWhat it is. This resume format is | | | | products or services. Be as specific as you can, |
| also known as a skills resume because it is a | | | | using numbers, dollars, and percentages as |
| summary of your qualifications organized by | | | | accurately as possible.When it doesn't work well. |
| education, experience, achievements, and skills, | | | | This format works well in almost any |
| rather than by job. In fact, there is very little | | | | situation!Other FormatsIf you're applying for |
| emphasis on employer history.When it works | | | | certain academic or teaching positions or trying to |
| best. Many employers and recruiters may prefer | | | | get a job outside the US, you may be asked to |
| the chronological resume format because it is so | | | | prepare a curriculum vitae, or CV for short, |
| easy to read at a glance. But it won't serve you | | | | rather than a resume. This is a much more |
| well in some situations. Here are some cases | | | | detailed document, although it may roughly follow |
| where a functional resume is best:When you're | | | | one of the formats discussed above.Kathleen |
| new to the workforce or coming back after a | | | | MacNaughton is a freelance writer with years of |
| long absence | | | | management and recruitment experience. |
| When you have large, or many, gaps in your | | | | |