Chronological vs. functional resumes
A resume is a one- to two-page document summarizing your career objectives, professional experiences and achievements, and educational background.
While there are numerous ways to format your resume, there are two main resume styles: chronological and functional.
As its name implies, a chronological resume is one that lists your experience and education in order, starting with the most recent jobs or achievements. This type of resume is sometimes also referred to as reverse chronological resume, because the order of the listing starts with your current employment. This type of resume preferred - employers will want to know what job you currently hold so that they can better asses your qualifications for the job of your interest. The same is true for your education; your potential employer would rather know your most recent scholastic achievement. Listing your experience and education in reverse chronological order also shows your potential employer your overall career progress. It also helps in determining the length of employment at each organization, and indicates any gaps in your career (in case of gaps, make sure to address them in your cover letter as to not lead your employer to believe that you are omitting information on purpose). Chronological resume should list your current job, as well as two to four previously held positions. Don't skip any employment information on purpose; if your employment history is long, or if you have held jobs further in the past that align well with your current career objective, you can address these qualifications in your professional profile or in your cover letter. Chronological resumes are the most commonly used style, and work best for anyone who has had some
professional experience.
Functional resumes focus on your qualifications, not your career timeline. This style of the resume highlights what skills you have, rather than where and when you acquired or utilize them. In other words, instead of listing your experiences by your job titles, your resume will contained sections titled by your skills such as verbal and written communication, customer satisfaction, project management, etc. This resume style is recommended for college students seeking internships or their first jobs out of college, for those with no professional experience, those who have not worked for some time, or for career changers. While potential employers will appreciate the overview of your skills, if you hold any professional experience, consider using the chronological resume, or a combination resume, over the functional format.
A combination resume, although not often discussed, has become a popular format in recent years. As its name implies, it is a combination of chronological resume style and functional resume style. This hybrid style allows professionals to highlight the qualification they have that are critical for the job of their interest, while at the same time listing employment and educational history in reverse chronological order. A word of caution - don't try to do too much when using a combination resume by going over board with the type and number of sections you include in your resume. It is best to keep the information listed, even in the combination format, to what is relevant for the job.
Same rules apply for each style. Don't exceed two pages, tailor your resume to your career objective and put your best foot forward in order to get the interview, and eventually the job.
Terms of Use for this Private Label Article
Possibly Related PLR Articles:
Website Customization: What can we do?
Nowadays, in this trendy world, people get very uptight when they do not look entirely presentable. This would also be the case in web designing.
Every individual would definitely want their website to look good, if not, to the best they can....read more
How to Profit from Real Estate Without Being an Investor or Realtor
You don't have to have a title in order to profit from real estate. In fact, even if you are not an investor, realtor or someone who has studied the market, you can still profit from real estate. All you have to do is know exactly where to find...read more
Beat that Slot Machine
Slot machines are very popular in the casinos. Everybody seems to be drawn by the look and the feel of playing it by spinning the wheel. The thrill of playing a slot machine keeps anyone coming back either they win or not. Here are a few reminders...read more
Carpet Spot Removal
Anyone who has experience with carpet knows the types
of accidents that can happen. Carpet is very common
with most houses these days, making the risk for
accidents and spills higher than ever. No matter
what the spill may be, mud, blood,...read more
A Timeless Secret
It is said that the art of distilling was discovered somewhere in Asia in approximately 800 B.C. The assumption was that this technique was merely used to make perfumes, however this has been refuted.
The method by which the processes found...read more
Cheap Corporate Promotional Gift Item: Is it Effective?
Investing on corporate promotional gift items is investing on relationship between you and people who help you succeed. These include your partner, your client, your employees, your loyal costumers, and everyone who have stood by your products or...read more
The Success of the Air Freight Forwarding Industry
The Birth...
Even before, flying has been an innovation. Humans before couldn't imagine of a time without journey. All they wanted was to fly. That's why airplanes were born. Eventually, technology made it a reality for people to ride on the...read more
Finding a Rental Apartment
Those who do not wish to purchase a home may find that renting an apartment is an ideal solution for their situation. An apartment can offer many of the conveniences of home ownership such as a functional living space offering the renter the...read more
The History of the Hybrid Car: An Evolution for the Future
Due to the demand of having a car wherein everyone can consume less fuel and will not contribute to the air pollution, the hybrid car was finally created to meet this end. And due to the rapid advancements in the gasoline engine, the hybrid car has...read more
ALCOHOL HAS NO FOOD VALUE.
Alcohol has no food value and is exceedingly limited in its action as a remedial agent. Dr. Henry Monroe says, "every kind of substance employed by man as food consists of sugar, starch, oil and glutinous matter mingled together in various...read more