Resume Types

Different Resume Formats

Which Resume Format is Best for You?

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.


COMMON RESUME FORMATS

CHRONOLOGICAL RESUME The chronological 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.

Advantages

  • Popular
  • Logical flow and easy to read
  • Showcases skill growth and responsibility
  • Shows promotions and titles, as well as company loyalty


Disadvantages

  • Emphasizes gaps in jobs
  • Highlights frequent job changes
  • Does not emphasize skill development
  • Emphasizes career changes, especially unrelated jobs
  • Points out career setbacks


Best used by

  • People with steady work records
  • People with experience that directly relates to position


FUNCTIONAL RESUME The functional 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)

Advantages

  • Emphasizes skills over employment, organizes varied experience (paid/unpaid work, volunteer activities, etc.)


Disadvantages

  • Viewed with suspicion by employers due to lack of specific information about employers and lack of dates for jobs
  • De-emphasizes growth and job titles


Best used by

  • People with no previous work experience
  • People with gaps in employment
  • Frequent job changers
  • People with skills that are not reflected by job titles


COMBINATION RESUME The combination resume combines both function and chronological elements. Purely functional resume formats are not popular anymore. Many people prefer to use a combination of functional and chronological resume formats instead.

Advantages

  • Highlights most relevant skills and accomplishments
  • De-emphasizes employment history in less relevant jobs
  • Combines skills developed in a variety of jobs and activities
  • Minimizes drawbacks such as employment gaps and absence of directly-related work experience


Disadvantages

  • Confusing if not well-organized
  • Requires more effort and creativity to prepare


Best used by

  • Career changers or those in transition
  • People re-entering the job market after an absence
  • People who have grown in skills and responsibility
  • People pursuing the same or similar work they have had in the past


TARGETED RESUME 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).

Advantages

  • Personalized to company and position
  • Shows research skills
  • More impressive to employer
  • Written specifically to employer’s needs


Disadvantages

  • Time-consuming and requires more effort to prepare
  • Confusing if not well-organized
  • Must be revised for each employer


Best used by

  • Everyone because any of the other formats can be developed into a targeted resume