Basic Resume Formats
There are three basic types of resumes:
Chronological
Functional
"Combined" - Chronological - Functional.
CHRONOLOGICAL
Of the various resume formats, the chronological resume is the more traditional structure for a resume. The Experience section is the focus of the resume; each job (or the last several jobs) is described in some detail, and there is no major section of skills or accomplishments at the beginning of the resume.
This structure is primarily used when you are staying in the same profession, in the same type of work, particularly in very conservative fields. It is also used in certain fields such as law and academia.
For these resume formats, it is recommended that the chronological resume always have an "Objective" or "Summary," to focus the reader.
The advantages: May appeal to older, more traditional readers and be best in very conservative fields. Makes it easier to understand what you did in what job. May help the name of the employer stand out more, if this is impressive.
The disadvantage: is that it is much more difficult to highlight what you do best. This is a major disadvantage, obviously, as you want your best attributes to scream off the page, "HIRE ME!"
This resume format is rarely appropriate for someone making a career change.
Resume formats: FUNCTIONAL
The functional resume highlights your major skills and accomplishments from the very beginning. It helps the reader see clearly what you can do for them, rather than having to read through the job descriptions to find out.
It helps target the resume into a new direction or field, by taking from all past jobs the key skills and qualifications to help prove you will be successful in this new direction or field.
Actual company names and positions are in a subordinate position, with no description under each. There are many different types of resume formats for functional resumes.
The functional resume is a must for career changers, but is also very appropriate for generalists, for those with spotty or divergent careers, for those with a wide range of skills in their given profession, for students, for military officers, for homemakers returning to the job market, and for those who want to make slight shifts in their career direction.
Advantages: It will help you most in reaching for a new goal or direction. It is a very effective type of resume, and is highly recommended. The disadvantage is that it is hard for the employer to know what you did in which job, which may be a problem for some conservative interviewers.
Resume Formats - COMBINED
A combined resume includes elements of both the chronological and functional formats. It may be a shorter chronology of job descriptions preceded by a short "Skills and Accomplishments" section (or with a longer Summary including a skills list or a list of "qualifications"); or, it may be a standard functional resume with the accomplishments under headings of different jobs held.
There are obvious advantages to this combined approach: It maximizes the advantages of both kinds of resumes, avoiding potential negative effects of either type. One disadvantage is that 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.
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