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Have you ever wondered how to make a resume? If so, one of the most important decisions you will make is which format to use. The following advice will help you decide.
What Resume Format Should You Pick?
When it comes to resume formats, there are really only 4 to choose from. Deciding which to use can be a bit confusing, but the following info will help. Remember that the main question you need to answer when picking your resume format is "Which format presents me in the best light to this employer?"
The four resume formats are:
- Chronological Resume Format
- Functional Resume Format
- Chrono-Functional, Hybrid, or Combination Resume Format
- Curriculum Vitae
The Chronological Resume Format
The chronological resume format is the traditional resume format. In fact, this used to be the only format accepted by employers. In this format you list your work history in reverse chronological order, starting with your current or most recent job and working back up to 15 years. The organization of a chronological resume is typically like this:
- Contact Information
- Objective Statement
- Employment History
- Education
So, when should you use a chronological format? When you have a strong work history and are not changing careers. If you have a past where you work at one employer for a number of years, have no major gaps in your employment history, and are planning to stay in your current career, then this is the format for you.
Why? Because this format showcases your reliability and a natural progression of career related skills and responsibilities.
The Functional Resume Format
The functional resume format presents your experiences by grouping them together under skill categories. Unlike the chronological format, which places the emphasis on steady employment, this resume format puts the focus squarely on your abilities.
It does so by organizing similar experiences under skill categories, instead of organizing by job title and date. So, under the Administrative Skills section you might list experience from several different jobs, as long as it falls into this skill category.
The organization of a functional resume format is typically as follows:
- Contact Information
- Objective Statement
- Skills
- Education
When do you choose the functional resume format? Whenever you have gaps in your employment history, or a lot of employers in a short period of time.
Why? Because this resume format takes the emphasis off of the negative - your sketchy employment history - and places it on a positive - your ability to do the job. Again, remember that the purpose is to choose the resume format that best communicates to the reader how you can provide what they are looking for.
The Chrono-Functional Hybrid Resume Format
The chrono-functional resume format - like its name suggests - is a combination of the functional and chronological resume format. This format can go one of two ways:
- The Chrono-Functional Resume Format
- The Functional-Chrono Resume Format
The primary difference between the two is where you list your work experience; and by doing so, where you place the emphasis.
Chrono-Functional Organization
A Chrono-functional resume format will list your experience like the chronological format - work experience organized by date and job title. However, in addition to this, the hybrid format includes a skills section. This puts more emphasis on your work history and a steady progression of skill and experience, while mentioning complimentary skills in the skills section. The skills section on this resume format will not list experience, only the name of the skill. All work experience goes under your employment history and the skills are there to demonstrate that you are a well-rounded professional.
The organization of a chrono-functional resume format will typically look like:
- Contact Information
- Objective Statement
- Work/Employment History (with experience listed under these headings)
- Skills
- Education
Use the chrono-functional resume format when you have a solid work history, are staying within a given career and want to display that you are well rounded. For example, your work history would contain all of your job-specific experience and the skills section can be used to list soft skills, like Interpersonal Skills. The skills section of this format can be a great place to put keywords employers will be searching for.
Functional-Chrono Organization
A functional-chrono resume format lists your work experiences like the functional resume format - organized by skill set. It then has a work history section which lists only the company name, job title, date started and date ended. This puts the emphasis on your ability to perform the job, while also showing that you are a reliable, loyal employee. All relevant work experience goes under the skill section headings.
A functional-chrono resume format will look like this:
- Contact Information
- Objective Statement
- Skills (with experience listed under these headings)
- Work/Employment History
- Education
Use this format when you are changing careers, but have a steady work history in another career.
By listing relevant experience under skill headings, you can demonstrate that you have the required skills, as well as show how your experience in your old career transfers over to your new career.
It doesn't place the emphasis on a steady progression of skills within a given career, because you don't have that in your new career, but it does show you have the ability.
It also lets the employer know that you are a seasoned professional by showing a continuous work history. Because it does both of these things very well, in my opinion, this is the resume format of choice for the career changer.
Curriculum Vitae Format
The fourth of the resume formats is curriculum vitae -- which really isn't a resume at all, but is used the same way a resume is used. Curriculum vitae are typically used when applying for a position in education. It is also used if you have publicly published works. Curriculum vitae can be more than two pages long and typically is. This format should only be used when specifically requested.
How to Make a Resume - Conclusions
Using the information you just read, you will have to decide which resume format presents you best to each employer. This should give you a better idea of how to make a resume for yourself.
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