Reverse chronological resumes
This format has long been preferred by hiring managers because
the career history is easily seen. A chronological resume
format presents a sequential employment history in reverse
chronological (most recent first) order. A strictly chronological
resume leads with experience or education and does not include
a career summary section. This format is a good choice for
professionals with a solid work history (minimal gaps or "job-hopping")
and who are not changing career fields. However, the "combination
chronological" format (described below) is probably
a better choice because of the addition of a strong summary
statement.
Functional resumes
A functional resume downplays employment history while emphasizing
other credentials that are important to the career goal.
Functional resumes will often lead with skills headings to
highlight what the job seeker has to offer, while leaving
employment history to the end of the resume.
Functional resumes have been the format of choice for job seekers
who want to hide information about their backgrounds. Workers
with employment gaps, a history of job-hopping, no related
work history, and career changers have long used the functional
resume to play up their related skills while downplaying work
experience.
The problem is that hiring managers have become savvy to the
strategies used in functional resumes. When a functional resume
arrives on a hiring manager's desk, it will likely be met with
the question: "What is wrong with this candidate?" Since
it's best not to immediately be viewed with suspicion when
you're hoping for a job interview, use the functional format
with caution. Your resume will need to be well-written and
strategized to successfully use a functional format. Only use
a functional resume if you have no work history at all, an
extremely sketchy work history, or are undergoing a drastic
career change.
Combination chronological (A.K.A. "hybrid" and "combination")
resumes
A combination chronological resume presents a reverse chronological
work history, but is preceded by a career summary or outline
of functional skills that relate to the job target. This format
gives employers what they want to see (the reverse chronological
work history), while allowing the job seeker to tout key skills
and qualifications at the beginning of the resume. This format
has been proven to be quite effective, so it is the format
most recommended for transitionary job seekers.
Alternative resumes: brochures and narrative biographies
(A.K.A. "bios")
Some professionals promote themselves in brochure-style resumes
that resemble corporate marketing brochures. This style is
suitable for consultants, independent contractors, or executives
who would like to demonstrate their marketing or design skills.
Executives might also use a narrative bio (usually a page
in length) to sum up their top qualifications. The non-traditional
format gives the executive leeway to include the information
most pertinent to the job or assignment, while omitting or
downplaying unrelated experiences.
Reprinted with permission from The McGraw-Hill Companies,
excerpted from The
Career Change Resume by Kim Isaacs and Karen
Hofferber. Copyright 2003. All rights reserved.
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Kim's Bio: Kim is a Certified Professional Resume Writer (CPRW)
and a Nationally Certified Resume Writer (NCRW). As the Resume
Expert for Monster.com since 1999, Kim is available on Monster
to assist users with resume questions, offering resume critiques
and answers to challenging questions. She served on the National
Resume Writers' Association's certification commission for
the NCRW credential for five years (1998-2003). Her resume
samples and articles are featured on many of the Internet's
top career and news sites, such as MSN, AOL, Monster, and USA
Today Online. Kim coauthored The
Career Change Resume: How to Reinvent Your Resume and Land
Your Dream Job (McGraw-Hill,
April 2003) with Karen Hofferber. Numerous other career books
feature Kim's advice about online job search techniques and
sample resumes and cover letters.
