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How To Choose The Best Resume Format
by Nathan Newberger
This http://www.WorkTree.com career article by
Nathan Newberger gives you some common sense advice and tips on how on the most common resume
formats.
When designed properly, your resume can be a powerful component of
your job search arsenal. When created carelessly, it could actually
impair your job search. Crafting a poorly designed resume is one of
the worst blunders a job hunter can make; unfortunately it is also
one of the most common mistakes made. Think about it. Do you want the
very first thing an employer evaluates you on to be less than
effective?
The easiest thing to do is just open Microsoft Word, choose a resume
template and start filling in the blanks; that could be the start of
your troubles. Those templates are great guides and look beautiful,
but they may take you down the wrong path.
This article covers the three basic types of "resumes". Use this
article as a guide to help select which resume format is best for you.
THE CHRONOLOGICAL RESUME
QUESTION: What is it?
ANSWER:
Hopefully, the name gives you a clue about the format of the
Chronological Resume. It is simply an organization of job titles and
corresponding responsibilities from your current or most recent
position to the oldest relevant one you held.
QUESTION: How can I make it effective?
ANSWER:
Employers absolutely love this style of resume. When written
properly, the Chronological Resume can be clear, straight-forward and
most importantly, easy to scan. (Remember, hiring managers are
notoriously short on time!) Since employers initially only give most
resumes a quick once-over, being able to make a strong first
impression is crucial. This format is direct and factual, which is a
tremendous help to a person sorting through a slew of resumes.
QUESTION: Who should use it?
ANSWER:
Though appealing to employers, the chronological format is not for
every applicant. Job seekers with a great deal of experience and a
fluid job history benefit most from the Chronological Resume.
However, people changing careers or lacking formal work experience
(such as recent graduates) will find it difficult to create a resume
in this format. They may find greater ease using the functional
format discussed next.
THE FUNCTIONAL RESUME
QUESTION: What is it?
ANSWER:
The Functional Resume arranges your job history to highlight special
skills and achievements. Great caution must be taken when using this
format, because it can draw an unkind eye if done incorrectly.
QUESTION: How can I make it effective?
ANSWER:
The main complaint employer's have with Functional Resumes is not
being able to match up skills with an actual job. Thankfully, this is
an easy error to avoid. Every skill or accomplishment listed should
have a company name and job description listed under it. Remember,
the Functional Resume highlights your achievement, but employers
still care about experience and dates. You can only benefit from a
Functional Resume, if you use it in a way that meets an employer's
concerns. A chronological order of your jobs must be easily inferred
if not explicitly stated in any resume format.
QUESTION: Who should use it?
ANSWER:
The Functional Resume is a sort of "problem solving resume". It can
help you and a prospective employer make sense of your work history.
The best suited applicants for a Functional Resume are:
- Individuals with a varied work history where previous positions
held do not clearly link together,
- People with job titles that do not clearly explain job
responsibilities,
- New graduates entering the workforce, and
- People making a career change.
THE COMBINATION RESUME
QUESTION: What is it?
ANSWER:
This is a mix of the above two formats. Information is organized in
relevant skills and functions, followed by job titles, companies and
a brief description of responsibilities. The combination resume
format is very well received by hiring authorities. This powerful
presentation shows relevant skills and accomplishments at the
beginning, but is later supported by the strong employment section.
The combination resume is very similar to a functional resume, it is
a chronological resume which lists accomplishments in functional
skill areas.
QUESTION: How can I make it effective?
ANSWER:
This format is great because you can show off a strong employment
record with upward mobility. You can customize this to showcase
relevant skills, and abilities, and a supportive employment record as
well as emphasize transferable skills.
QUESTION: Who should use it?
ANSWER:
There is a lot of flexibility with this type of resume, it can easily
be used:
- If you are fairly certain about the specific job you are looking
for.
- If you are skilled and capable but have no direct work experience
in any specific area.
- If your functional resume is shorter or too sketchy, this format
is better..
- If you want to offer a complete picture of your abilities and work
history.
CONCLUSION
Don't be afraid to use a resume template, but you need to seriously
consider if the template you are using is actually beneficial.
Spending a little extra time developing your resume can dramatically
decrease the time you spend looking for work. So, how do you want to
spend your time?
This article can be read online and shared with others directly at:
http://www.worktree.com/newsletter/choosing-the-best-resume-format.html
Sincerely,
Nathan Newberger,
Managing Editor
http://www.WorkTree.com
"Helping You Find More Jobs Faster"
WorkTree Success Story
"Your ResumeMessenger.com service is excellent! I love the web resume
that you blast out to thousands of recrutiers! I've already received
many calls and hope to land an interview shortly thanks to your
service."....Susan F., Oakland, CA
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About The Author
Nathan Newberger is the job and career expert at http://www.WorkTree.com Nathan has over 10 years
experience in staffing and human resources. He has worked both as a recruiter and career counselor.
Mr. Newberger has been the Managing Editor at http://www.WorkTree.com for the past 5 years and his
articles have helped thousands of job seekers.
Re-Print Guidelines
Permission is granted to reproduce any of these articles but the article content CANNOT be altered and credit must be
given to the author and also an active link to http://www.WorkTree.com.
As a courtesy, please email Nathan at support@worktree.com if you decide to use any of his articles.
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