Formatting Your Resume

There is no right way to organize your resume. Different formats create different effects - and a different picture of you! Determine which format (chronological, functional, or combination) will put you in the best light.

Chronological Resume  

In the chronological resume, job history is organized sequentially, with the most recent job listed first. Job titles and employers are emphasized and duties and accomplishments are described in detail.  

Use the chronological format if:

• you have an impressive list of recent employers and/or job titles

• your job history shows progress

• you are staying in the same career field

Do not use the chronological format if:

• you have changed employers frequently and/or have gaps in your employment

• you do not want to emphasize your age

• you are changing career fields

Functional Resume  

Functional resumes highlight skills and accomplishments developed through work, academic, and community experiences. This approach lets you group your education, experience, and activities into categories that support your job objectives.  

Use the functional resume if:

• you have a variety of unrelated work experiences

• you want to market skills and experiences gained through academic coursework or volunteering

• you are changing career fields

Do not use the functional resume if:

• you have little work or leadership experience

• you are entering a traditional field (education, government, etc.) where employment history is important

• you want to emphasize your career growth

Combination Resume  

The combination format merges the direct approach of the chronological format while stressing skills like the functional format. This format is great if your experience is limited, widely varied, or not clearly related to your job objective.  

The initial look employers will give your resume will be quick, so no matter what resume format you decide to use, be sure to put the most important points first. Craft the right resume, and it will get you noticed!

Source: Roxana Hadad, Fastweb.com