Choosing the Best Resume Format

If you learned to write a resume more than 10 yearsNext list all of your experience under different
ago, you may be thinking, "I didn't know there wereheadings. For example: Sales Experience will include
different formats." That's because until recently,everything you've done in sales-from all of your jobs.
most workers were pretty predictable: they stayedOrganizational Experience will include everything
at the same company-or at least within the sameyou've ever done in that category, etc.o Third is the
field-throughout their careers. Few people switchedactual Employment category. In reverse chronological
careers, and they certainly didn't switch careers theorder, list your employer, dates of employment, and
three to five times many workers today do.title. Don't record job responsibilities-all of the good
Everyone learned how to write a chronologicalstuff will already be listed above.o Now add your
resume because it made sense. And it's still a viableEducation section.o Finish with your Additional Skills
format for many people, but there's a whole newsection.
world of possibilities out there. Below is an outline ofTechnical Resume
popular formats and a listing of when they're mostAs its name implies, a technical resume is ideal for
useful.drawing attention to a job seeker's technical skills-a
Chronological Resumeshighly valuable commodity in today's market. Done
These are still the most commonly usedcorrectly, it also highlights stability.
resumes-first, because most people apply for jobsUse this format when you're:o Applying for a
that are relatively similar to the position theytechnical job and have lots of experience.
currently occupy and secondly, because it's the mostTo format this type of resume:o Start with a Profile
commonly taught resume. Chronological resumes aresection that lists your strengths and skill sets.o Next
perfect for showcasing your growth within a field ofadd an Experience section that lists your jobs and
employment and progression up a career ladder.associated responsibilities in reverse chronological
Use this format when you're:o Applying for a positionorder. (Because technical formats are geared toward
within the same field.o Applying for a promotion attechnical industries, it's assumed that you don't need
the same company.to hide career gaps or changes.)o At the bottom,
To format this type of resume:o Start with yourinsert your Education section, and include any
Objective, where you list a specific job you'readditional training, certificates, courses, etc.
interested in, or an Interest section, where you list aCurriculum Vitae
few of your most marketable strengths.o Next is theMany people use "curriculum vitae" and "resume"
Experience or Work History section. In reverseinterchangeably. But technically, a curriculum vitae is
chronological order, list your jobs, dates ofspecifically used within the academic and research
employment, and significant tasks.o Add yourarenas. It's a format that accents teaching,
Education section third (assuming you've been out ofpublication, and research experience.
school at least five years and have been building yourUse a curriculum vitae when you're:o Applying for an
career since then), and include any special training oracademic or research position.
certifications you've received.o Finish with anTo format this type of resume:o Start with your
Additional Skills list, where you describe abilities thatEducation section-even if you've been out of school
may not be directly related to the job for whichfor years. In reverse chronological order, list your
you're applying, but are assets just the samedegrees, where they were earned, your areas of
(superior computer skills, foreign languages, etc.).study or research, and thesis topics.o Next, in
Functional Resumesreverse chronological order, list your Practica section
Functional resumes are the second most popular(for educators who also have a degree in areas such
format because they can be used to both highlightas psychology, as well as researchers) or Teaching
and hide certain elements. This format is great forsection (for academic resumes). Both of these are
emphasizing a skill set and unique abilities. For betterthe equivalent of the Experience or Work History
or worse, it doesn't underscore the jobs you've held,sections of most job seekers' resumes. If you need
so make sure you understand that before puttingboth a Practica and Teaching section, list the Practica
together a functional resume.first.o Third, list your Research section (if applicable).
Use this format when you're:o Switching careers orDiscuss what projects you worked on, under whose
fields.o Re-entering the work force after an absencesupervision, what the results of your research were,
(to stay at home with kids, an illness, etc.).o Youngand any other highlights of your experience.o Add
and entering the work force for the first time.your Publication section next, listing the journals in
To format this type of resume:o Start with yourwhich your work has appeared.o Finish with an
Objective or Interest section. This is especiallyAffiliation section followed by an Honors or Awards
important with a functional resume, which maysection.
include information from several fields or careers.o