3 resume styles

What type of resume should you use when you're applying for jobs? There are several different styles of resumes used to apply for job openings. There are also non-traditional resumes, such as digital or web-based resumes, that some job seekers use. Not sure which resume style to use?

Resume Formats

Then… WHAM, a commercial hits you. In the May issue of Time Magazine, Victor Luckerson explains that the average ad time in a minute network TV program in was 14 minutes and 15 seconds. Why is so much money spent in marketing? The answer is obvious. Because it works. Why is so much time spent in creating your resume? An effective resume is a sales pitch to a prospective employer. You are the salesman. Your experience, talents, and education are the products.

A well-written resume is one of your best marketing tools. There are 35 different types of commercials, but only six basic approaches. With regards to getting a job, there are four basic resume types: chronological, functional, combination and targeted.

The chronological resume is exactly what its name implies. Your work history is listed in order, according to dates. Begin with your most current position and end with the earliest.

Many employers prefer this type because it gives them an overview of your experience. This basic resume type is best for those people with a solid employment background who have no lapses in their work history.

It is also beneficial if most of your experience coincides with the job you are interested in. Generally, the last years should be listed on the resume. Start with the most current position and work backward. It is not etched in stone that only full-time jobs should be listed.

Include part-time positions, volunteer work, or anything else that will emphasize the skills you have to offer. A functional resume focuses on your skills and experience and de-emphasizes your work history. Employment history is secondary to the abilities you have to offer. This basic resume type is preferable if you have lapses in employment. The gaps could occur for any number of reasons such as raising a family, illness, or job loss.

It is also beneficial for new graduates who have limited employment experience or people who are in the middle of a career change. Those who have had diverse occupations with no focused career path will also find this basic resume type helpful. In a combination resume you highlight both your skills and traits and provide a chronological listing of your work experience.

This gives you a flexible platform to list your workplace assets and show what kind of employee you are. However, you only have so much space available. List the most recent or advanced degrees first and work in reverse order. If there are older courses that are more specific to the position, list them first. This will set you apart from other applicants.

The final format you might want to consider is a targeted resume. This basic resume type is customized and specific to the position you want. Your work history, abilities, and education are reflections of the job requirements.

Perhaps you worked part time as a proofreader to help with college expenses. All these things would make an employer want to know more about you. Study the job description of the position you want. It is important to know what skills and abilities a prospective employer is looking for in their applicants. If the ad requires self-reliance and innovative thinking, and these are traits that describe you, then showcase your experiences that will exemplify these traits.

Visit the company website to find out if they are an industry leader. Does it have a strong vision or mission statement? Now that you know which basic resume types exist and which one is right for you, here are a few final tips to help you polish it to perfection.

All basic resume types are still professional. The standard font size is 10 to 12 point font. A fresh set of eyes will help find errors that you might miss. Employers may receive hundreds of resumes or cover letters for a single position.

Chances are the person reviewing them will spend seconds on each one. He or she will be less likely to consider a lengthy resume. As a rule, one page is more effective. List additional proficient skills, such as speaking another language, technical skills, teaching skills, etc. Share special interests that are specific to the position you want.

Missing some of these details might send a skewed message about your wealth or lack thereof of your abilities. Be sure you know them and have them readily available in one succinct document. Review your resume every few months.

If you have obtained new skills or more education, you should update it. Your resume will then be current if, and when, you need it again. If you could go back and do it over, which basic resume type would you have chosen instead? Scroll below to share your story. We love reading your comments! Kimmel is an executive search firm located in Asheville, North Carolina. Our professional recruiters are committed to exceeding client expectations.

They work with the same dedication, honesty, and attitude of service that has been the Kimmel standard for over 34 years. Read full bio. Basic Resume Type 1: Chronological The chronological resume is exactly what its name implies. Basic Resume Type 2: Functional A functional resume focuses on your skills and experience and de-emphasizes your work history. Basic Resume Type 3: Combination In a combination resume you highlight both your skills and traits and provide a chronological listing of your work experience.

Basic Resume Type 4: Targeted The final format you might want to consider is a targeted resume. Final Tips for All Basic Resume Types Now that you know which basic resume types exist and which one is right for you, here are a few final tips to help you polish it to perfection.

Keep it professional. Keep it brief. List specific skills. Know your references. Update regularly. The Author Straight from the desk of.

Here are the three most common resume formats that recruiters expect to see. 1. Reverse chronological resume format. This is the bread and butter choice for most. Infographic: What's the Best Resume Format? Resume Formatting: 4 Tips.

Dedicated to helping job seekers find work during the pandemic. Click here to read more. Not all resume types are the same. Resume formats affect the way hiring managers view your job candidacy. Typically, recruiters spend no more than six seconds reviewing your resume - so it must be easy to scan.

One of the most important choices in building a resume is its format.

There are several basic types of resumes you can use to apply for job openings. You can choose to write a chronological, functional, combination, or a targeted resume. Each resume type is used for different purposes.

Types of Resumes

Resume Writing Guide. Resume Formats. Resume Templates. Resume Examples. There are three standard resume formats to choose from in your job search.

Your Resume Format Guide: Chronological, Functional, Combination + Examples

Most hiring managers spend less than 7 seconds scanning a resume, so how you present your information is crucial. While there are no set rules about which format to use, you should be aware of some well-established guidelines. Job seekers must decide for themselves which format is best for their particular situation. Once you decide on a format, you can build your own resume using our custom builder. The chronological, or reverse-chronological, resume is the most common format and the default layout that people use when writing resume advice, including our writing guide. As the name suggests, it presents your work history in chronological order. Your current or most recent position is listed first, followed by the role immediately prior, and so forth. Each entry clearly shows both the position you held and the length of time. One thing to keep in mind with using the chronological format is determining how far back your work history should go.

For many career professionals, writing a great resume will involve several stages. Each step is important, but the order in which you approach them can greatly increase your efficiency and the quality of your final product.

Then… WHAM, a commercial hits you. In the May issue of Time Magazine, Victor Luckerson explains that the average ad time in a minute network TV program in was 14 minutes and 15 seconds. Why is so much money spent in marketing?

Resume Formats: The 3 Best Options

And your personal story better impress recruiters , otherwise, no job for you. Part of developing an effective resume is choosing the right format to tell your personal story. But very few people consider how to format a resume in a way that showcases their specific skills and experiences. No, a resume is not a CV. And that means that there is greater flexibility in choosing a format that best highlights your qualifications. Here are the three most common resume formats that recruiters expect to see. This is the bread and butter choice for most job seekers. With this resume format the work experience section receives the most emphasis, with items listed in order of most recent to oldest. The resume layout places the work experience section before skills and education. This resume format has also been called a skills-based resume format. It is the least popular format for a resume being used today. Instead, the layout devotes more space to skills that are relevant to the role being pursued. You guessed it, this resume format combines the reverse chronological and functional resume formats. Call it the best of both worlds, or a happy medium, this format places equal emphasis on skills and work experience.

Best Resume Formats for 2020 [3+ Professional Templates]

While there are no hard and fast rules where resume format is concerned, it is still wise to select from one of the resume format options that have the best track record for success. Which resume format is right for you depends on your work history, experience level, and the position you are targeting. After our overview of the best formats, we also explain situations in which one format thrives over the others. Each of these format types has proved popular with recruiters over the years. They are considered to be easier for software and human recruiters to review, and present information in a way that recruiters prefer to see. The reverse chronological resume format is currently considered to be the most popular format for resumes and is one of the best resume formats in use today. It provides a well-structured design that enables applicants to highlight both their job history and work experience, beginning with the most recent job held.