Getting familiar with the best resume format
Perhaps, like many other folks, you hate writing resumes but you have no choice. You have to get a good job to support your leaving. Resume writing is a very exhausting thing, especially for newbies. People have to put a huge effort to craft a good application but they can fail if they aren’t familiar with the best format.
Well, the choice of format for this paper depends on the applicant’s proficiency, working background, skills, and type of work. There are three key types of this document. Let’s get familiar with them.
Chronological resume
It happens to be the most widespread application format. A great number of recruiters prefer working exactly with this type because it enables them to easily find out what jobs the candidate had and when. This type puts an emphasis on the applicant’s work history. In this case, jobs are enumerated in reverse order starting with the most recent and current positions.
When should I opt for a chronological resume?
The applicant needs to utilize it if he boasts of extensive work history at the same position he’s applying for. That’s a good option for almost all applicants.
When should I choose other options?
If you are on the verge of changing your career, you shouldn’t opt for this paper. Well, you might boast of rich experience in a variety of industries. However, a chronological format requires a smooth and related working history. What’s more, a chronological application won’t tolerate gaps in your employment history.
Chronological resume structure
The paper comes with a catchy career summary at the top. Secondly, the applicant requires defining the chronology of your past work experience and making it as clear as possible. That’s the major section of this paper. As for the candidate’s special skills, certifications, and education, she/he can list them after work experience.
Functional resume
The given application type enables the applicant to shift from his work history to skills. It’s a skill-based resume and the candidate can benefit from it if he’s more confident in his skills than experience.
When should I utilize it?
As a rule, the given paper is utilized by those who are in the process of changing their careers. These people often have gaps in their work history. Other folks belonging to this category include folks whose work history doesn’t have to do with the position they are interested in and students with no experience.
When should I stay away from using a functional CV?
The given type of application is good for learners, teens, as well as graduates, lacking work experience but it can be offset by their projects, education, internships, campus activities, volunteering. It’s perfect for newbies. However, the paper neglects the job seeeker’s employment history. So, in case of having a number of achievements, she/he can hardly showcase it in this format.
Functional resume structure
The given type of application has the following structure:
- Contact details;
- Objective;
- Skills summary;
- Extra abilities;
- Experience;
- Educational background.
Combination resume
That’s something between the chronological application and the functional one. As follows from the name, it actually combines the features of the other papers mentioned above. It pays much attention to skills but at the same time employment experience isn’t neglected. The more transferable skills you mention, the more chances to get interviewed you will have.
When should I utilize this resume type?
It makes sense for you to stick with the given format if you are interested in a position that needs much expertise and many technical skills. Choose this format if you possess an impressive collection of achievements in past positions.
When shouldn’t I use it?
With unspecified duties and poor work experience, you’d better avoid using this format. Moreover, it’s not your resume if you lack awards, promotions as well as achievements in your career.
Combination resume structure
Skills along with qualifications occupy the first place in the structure of the given paper with the most relevant skills on the top. The candidate requires making a bulleted list of her/his achievements under every skill. Then she/he should place her/his employment history in the reverse chronological order. Education is the final element here.