RESUME FORMATS
Your resume format could make a considerable difference to the information that a reader derives. Some things to keep in mind: • There is no correct resume format. • Your resume format should be appropriate to your situation. • Your chosen resume format must not be seen as a method for concealing information. • Your resume format must be consistent. The common kinds of resume formats are: Chronological Resume Format. Here the resume is organized on the basis of time. The better name for this resume format would be a reverse chronological resume format as you list the most recent work experience first. A chronological resume format is by far the most popular kind of resume format. Functional Resume Format. Here the resume is organized on the basis of the job function, and presents a good perspective on what you can do (rather than when you did it) Combination Resume Format. Purely functional resume formats are not popular anymore. Many people prefer to use a combination of functional and chronological resume formats instead. Targeted Resume Format. If you have had a fairly single-tracked career so far and intend to remain on the same track, you can consider a targeted resume format. This means you could use language and keywords that are local to the industry or sphere of your activity. Additionally, you can present a strong candidature for the targeted opening. Note that a targeted resume could be in the chronological resume format or in the functional resume format (or a combination).
CHRONOLOGICAL A chronological resume is the most common type of resume. It lists your work experience in reverse chronological order. So, your most recent work experience gets listed first, then the one prior to that and so on. Because a chronological resume is sequenced by dates, it is customary to clearly mention the dates associated with the various events listed - experience as well as education. Advantages • If your most recent job experience is the most important, it gets well highlighted in a chronological resume. 1
• Your career progression is quite easy to decipher due to the time based format of a chronological resume. • Additionally, a chronological resume also adequately highlights your designations and organization names. • Being based on a timeline, there is a built in verification mechanism in a chronological resume and this makes it more credible. Disadvantages • Gaps and breaks in work experience stand out in a chronological resume. • If you have changed your job several times, the chronological resume would highlight this fact. • If you desire to de-emphasize your age, a chronological resume would not easily allow it. • If you have performed a wide array of functions in various jobs, a chronological resume would not be able to present this in the best way. FUNCTIONAL A functional resume organizes your work experience by job function rather than by time. Hence, it emphasizes your abilities, rather than your career history. For instance, a functional resume could be divided into heads such as Supervisory Functions, Accounting Experience, Technology Experience... Advantages • One of the greatest applications of a functional resume is when the candidate does not have specific work history in the job area. Here the candidate can demonstrate her/his relevant skills better with a functional resume. • In the case of candidates who have gaps in their career, a functional resume can be a good way to de-emphasize the discontinuity. • A functional resume focuses on what you are and what you can do, rather than how old you are, or how many jobs you have held. • If you have changed jobs often, a functional resume de-emphasizes that fact. Disadvantages • Because of rampant misuse a functional resume is often looked upon with suspicion. This is case because a functional resume allows a candidate to hide a lot of information that an employer or a college would consider useful. • Organization names and designations cannot be prominently communicated with a functional resume. A purely functional resume is rarely used. A more popular variant is a combination resume that combines features of a functional as well as a chronological resume. COMBINATION As the name implies a combination resume format combines the functional and chronological resume formats. 2
A combination resume format is a more desirable variant of a functional resume. Here the functional aspects of your career are highlighted first and then a timeline of your work experience is provided. Advantages • If you have performed a diverse range of job functions, the combination resume allows you to showcase your abilities in the job functions sections. • Because a combination resume has a timeline, it appears more transparent and hence credible. • If you have risen through the ranks in one organization, a combination resume allows you to focus on your range of job functions. Disadvantages • Because a timeline based employment history is present, a combination resume highlights gaps in your career if any. • If you have changed jobs often, the employment timeline will make it easily apparent.
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