| u learned to write a resume more than 10 years ago, | | | | different headings. For example: Sales Experience will |
| you may be thinking, “I didn’t know | | | | include everything you’ve done in |
| there were different formats.” That’s | | | | sales—from all of your jobs. Organizational |
| because until recently, most workers were pretty | | | | Experience will include everything you’ve ever |
| predictable: they stayed at the same | | | | done in that category, etc. |
| company—or at least within the same | | | | • Third is the actual Employment category. In |
| field—throughout their careers. Few people | | | | reverse chronological order, list your employer, dates |
| switched careers, and they certainly didn’t | | | | of employment, and title. Don’t record job |
| switch careers the three to five times many workers | | | | responsibilities—all of the good stuff will already |
| today do. | | | | be listed above. |
| Everyone learned how to write a chronological | | | | • Now add your Education section. |
| resume because it made sense. And it’s still a | | | | • Finish with your Additional Skills section. |
| viable format for many people, but there’s a | | | | Technical Resume |
| whole new world of possibilities out there. Below is an | | | | As its name implies, a technical resume is ideal for |
| outline of popular formats and a listing of when | | | | drawing attention to a job seeker’s technical |
| they’re most useful. | | | | skills—a highly valuable commodity in |
| Chronological Resumes | | | | today’s market. Done correctly, it also |
| These are still the most commonly used | | | | highlights stability. Use this format when |
| resumes—first, because most people apply for | | | | you’re: |
| jobs that are relatively similar to the position they | | | | • Applying for a technical job and have lots |
| currently occupy and secondly, because it’s | | | | of experience. |
| the most commonly taught resume. Chronological | | | | To format this type of resume: |
| resumes are perfect for showcasing your growth | | | | • Start with a Profile section that lists your |
| within a field of employment and progression up a | | | | strengths and skill sets. |
| career ladder. Use this format when you’re: | | | | • Next add an Experience section that lists |
| • Applying for a position within the same field. | | | | your jobs and associated responsibilities in reverse |
| • Applying for a promotion at the same | | | | chronological order. (Because technical formats are |
| company. | | | | geared toward technical industries, it’s |
| To format this type of resume: | | | | assumed that you don’t need to hide career |
| • Start with your Objective, where you list a | | | | gaps or changes.) |
| specific job you’re interested in, or an | | | | • At the bottom, insert your Education |
| Interest section, where you list a few of your most | | | | section, and include any additional training, certificates, |
| marketable strengths. | | | | courses, etc. |
| • Next is the Experience or Work History | | | | Curriculum Vitae |
| section. In reverse chronological order, list your jobs, | | | | Many people use “curriculum vitae” |
| dates of employment, and significant tasks. | | | | and “resume” interchangeably. But |
| • Add your Education section third (assuming | | | | technically, a curriculum vitae is specifically used within |
| you’ve been out of school at least five years | | | | the academic and research arenas. It’s a |
| and have been building your career since then), and | | | | format that accents teaching, publication, and |
| include any special training or certifications | | | | research experience. Use a curriculum vitae when |
| you’ve received. | | | | you’re: |
| • Finish with an Additional Skills list, where you | | | | • Applying for an academic or research |
| describe abilities that may not be directly related to | | | | position. |
| the job for which you’re applying, but are | | | | To format this type of resume: |
| assets just the same (superior computer skills, | | | | • Start with your Education |
| foreign languages, etc.). | | | | section—even if you’ve been out of |
| Functional Resumes | | | | school for years. In reverse chronological order, list |
| Functional resumes are the second most popular | | | | your degrees, where they were earned, your areas |
| format because they can be used to both highlight | | | | of study or research, and thesis topics. |
| and hide certain elements. This format is great for | | | | • Next, in reverse chronological order, list your |
| emphasizing a skill set and unique abilities. For better | | | | Practica section (for educators who also have a |
| or worse, it doesn’t underscore the jobs | | | | degree in areas such as psychology, as well as |
| you’ve held, so make sure you understand | | | | researchers) or Teaching section (for academic |
| that before putting together a functional resume. Use | | | | resumes). Both of these are the equivalent of the |
| this format when you’re: | | | | Experience or Work History sections of most job |
| • Switching careers or fields. | | | | seekers’ resumes. If you need both a |
| • Re-entering the work force after an | | | | Practica and Teaching section, list the Practica first. |
| absence (to stay at home with kids, an illness, etc.). | | | | • Third, list your Research section (if |
| • Young and entering the work force for the | | | | applicable). Discuss what projects you worked on, |
| first time. | | | | under whose supervision, what the results of your |
| To format this type of resume: | | | | research were, and any other highlights of your |
| • Start with your Objective or Interest | | | | experience. |
| section. This is especially important with a functional | | | | • Add your Publication section next, listing the |
| resume, which may include information from several | | | | journals in which your work has appeared. |
| fields or careers. | | | | • Finish with an Affiliation section followed by |
| • Next list all of your experience under | | | | an Honors or Awards section. |