Most resumes will fall into one of these two formatting categories. They both have their advantages for varying situations. So how do you know which one will best highlight your skills?
To simplify the decision process I've written below descriptions of both formats and some basic factors to help you determine which best suits your format....
Chronological Format:
The Chronological format, as it's name indicates is a chronological offering of your work experience. It follows a logical timeline, generally with the most recent job listed first on your resume. It groups together all of your experience and accomplishments associated with each employer.
This format is by far the most commonly used format and it is also the most preferred by employers. They can easily see job progression as well as employment gaps.
Below are some situations in which a chronological resume is best suited.
-You are seeking a position similar to the one you currently hold or one which is in logical succession to your current position.
-You have strong career progression over the past several years and jobs.
-You do not possess recent or large gaps in employment.
-You have worked for well known or reputable employers
-You are applying for a position in a more conservative field.... Ie: engineering, government positions, pilot or accounting.
-You are returning to work after a hiatus (ie: raising children), and returning to the same field/ position.
Being the preferred choice of employers, if the majority of your circumstances match the above indicators, it may be well worth your effort to devise a chronological formatted resume or a variation very similar to the chronological format. However if these situations don't primarily describe your situation, it may be more beneficial to use a Functional Format.
Stay tuned below to the situations which are better suited for a Functional Resume.
Functional Resume
The functional resume is based on skills which are categorized based upon the necessary skills for the job you desire. In a nutshell, you highlight your skills and experience and achievements in one section. Then, generally, an employment section, and is severely "de-emphasized".
Employers often see this format and a "red flag" is raised. The will often start looking for "the problem" and this can then become the focus of the reader. So to use this format is a risk, however, if done well, it can also be a benefit.
Below are some situations where a Functional Resume may be best suited:
-Your strongest experience is not in your most recent or second most recent job.
-You are changing careers
-You are changing fields
-You do not have a strong progression in your work history
-You have a high level of volunteer experience, but not paid experience related to the job you desire
-You are highly over qualified for the job
-You are looking for less responsibility than your current job
Of course, few individuals will fit cleanly into either of these categories. It is always up to your judgment as to which format will be most beneficial for you. These are only guidelines. If you are relatively even in both, it may pay to do a resume in each format and get some feedback from a knowledgeable resume writer or a friend in the Human Resources field.
This is just a start.
