Resume > Your Resume
Types of ResumesIt may come as a surprise to you, but there are, in fact, different types of resume formats that can be used when applying for a job. The type of resume format you use will depend on your own personal circumstances, as well as the type of job position you are interested in.
Chronological (Reverse Chronological) Resume – For this resume style, you would begin by listing your work history in reverse chronological order with your most recent job listed first. Work history comes after the objective and is followed by education and any notable skills. The chronological resume is usually preferred by most employers because it is an easy way for them to see the jobs you’ve previously worked, when you had them, as well as the length of time you held a position. This is a resume best suited to the individual who has a solid work history. Functional (“skills”) Resume – This is a skill-based resume that focuses on your experience and skills first instead of your employment history. The resume usually begins with an objective, and is followed by the summary of qualifications, professional accomplishments, and education. The functional resume style is best suited to those who have gaps in their work history, or those who are interested in making a career change. Combination (“Modified Chronological” or “Hybrid”) Resume – This is a resume style that is designed to highlight the skills you’ve developed that are relevant to the job you want to apply for, but also includes the reverse chronological employment history that is preferred by most employers. Thus, it is a combination of the functional and chronological resume types. A combination resume includes an objective, summary of qualifications, professional accomplishments, work history, and education. Note: the three resume types listed above are the most commonly used resume writing formats. Targeted Resume – This resume is carefully customized so that it emphasizes the experience and qualifications relevant to the job you are applying for. A targeted resume begins with a summary of professional qualifications, professional experience, and education. Everything that would be beneficial to the position you are applying for is mentioned in this resume including affiliations. Since the targeted resume is very specific and particular, it is one of the more difficult ones to create, but it is worth the effort when the job you are applying for perfectly matches your experience and skills. Mini Resume – This is a resume that features only a concise summary of your qualifications and career highlights. Essentially, all that a mini resume contains aside from your contact information (which is mandatory for all resumes types) is a list of your notable career highlights and the skills you obtained in each position you held. This is a resume that is ideal for networking purposes, or for someone (I.E. employer, reference writer, etc.) who may want a brief overview of your qualifications and accomplishments verses a full resume. As you can see, each resume type is designed for a specific purpose. Therefore, depending on how solid your work history is, or the type of job you are applying for, you will need to choose the one that will most benefit your skills and qualifications, and provides you with the best chance of obtaining an interview. |
