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Choose
your style
Organizing
your resume in chronological order is not necessarily the best way
to showcase your skills. Many job seekers use this traditional format,
and it may be right for you, but if you're changing career paths or
re-entering the workforce, a different style may be better. Here are
the three most common resume templates and how they can best serve
your needs.
Employers
find chronological resumes, the old standby, easy to read
because it gives them a simple work history and allows them to quickly
detect any gaps in employment. Listings appear in reverse chronological
order with the most recent job experience first.
For
an example ...
Most
suitable when:
- Last
few employers and job titles are impressive.
- Work
record is steady.
- Goals
and objectives are clear.
- Career
field is staying the same.
- Job
history shows advancement.
Least
suitable when:
- Emphasizing
capabilities not used in recent jobs.
- Changing
careers.
- Unstable
work record.
- Looking
for your first job.
- Trying
to de-emphasize age.
- Gaps
in employment exist.
- Away
from the job market for a period of time
Less
common but still effective, functional resumes organize information
by skills or job accomplishments instead of chronology. Subheads
are often used to emphasize areas of expertise, such as Sales, Technical,
or Management Skills.
For
an example ...
Most
suitable when:
- Changing
career paths.
-
Lack direct experience for job opening.
- Prefer
to focus on accomplishments as opposed to work history.
- No
continuous growth or progression in career.
- Re-entering
the workforce.
- Held
similar positions for a long period of time.
- Variety
of unrelated work experiences.
- Work
has been freelance, consulting or temporary.
- Playing
down employment gaps.
- Entrepreneur
transitioning back into the corporate world.
Least
suitable when:
- Wish
to highlight your promotions and career growth.
- Lack
achievements.
- New
to the working world (first job).
- Specific
past employers are prestigious.
These
resumes combined chronological and functional approaches,
tying work history, career achievements and marketable skills together.
Subheadings are used to capture key skills, while work history is
mentioned in a separate, usually smaller section. This form is ideal
when creating an electronic resume, as you can include a paragraph
of keywords or summary of skills.
For
an example ...
Most
suitable when:
- Successful
work record.
- Patterns
of accomplishments and skills.
- Changing
jobs in a related career field.
- Worked
in the same position for many years.
- Trying
to de-emphasize work history and spotlight transferable skills.
Least
suitable when:
- Lack
of established work history.
- No
track record of career achievements.
-
New to the workforce.
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