Build a Resume
A resume, no matter how good, will not get you a job by itself. However, a good resume will attract the attention of the hiring manager and secure a job interview. The purpose of a resume is to disclose your accomplishments and qualifications to a potential employer. If the employer likes what he/she sees, she will contact you for a face to face meeting.
Think of your resume as a promotional brochure about you. You need to show a potential employer what you have accomplished and where your experience lies. Your strategy should be emphasizing the experience and skills that a particular employer is looking for.
Your resume is also an example of your communication and organizational skills. A well-done resume is itself another remainder of what kind of valuable employee you would be. Likewise, a sloppily produced resume is a terrific way to get yourself taken out of the running before it even starts.
When so many different employment experiences possible, there is no single resume template that works for everyone. There are, however, generally accepted ways to arrange the information on your resume to present it in the best light.
Types of resumes:
The two styles that are discussed most often are the Chronological format and the Functional format. Both have their own advantages and disadvantages when it comes to presenting your information. A third style, the combination, is a compromise between the two and has become more popular in recent years. Here, an overview of each format is given to help you to decide which is best for you.
1. Chronological format:
This is the most common resume style, and the one that employers prefer. In the Chronological format, the emphasizing is placed on the employment experience. The applicant’s job history is presented in reverse chronological order, with most recent jobs placed at the top of the list.
Advantages:
The Chronological resume is good if your recent job experience is relevant to the job you are applying for, and you want to stay on a similar career path. Potential employers can easily see what you have done, and how you have progressed and garnered experience.
Disadvantages:
Despite its popularity, there are some reasons why the Chronological format may not be right for you. If you are just entering the workforce from school, a resume like this may actually highlight your lack of experience. You may have held jobs recently that have no relevance to the position you are applying for. If you are re-entering the workforce after a substantial absence, this resume will highlight your recent inactivity. Any large gaps in your recent employment history will be evident, and you may be asked about them.
Likewise, a job history full of briefly held jobs might lead a potential employer to question your ability to remain employed. A long employment history at a single company will reveal your age to some extent, something you may not feel comfortable doing.
2. Functional format:
In this non-linear format, your skills and achievements are emphasized. Your employment history is summarized or avoided altogether. Your skills and previous relevant experience (including educational experience) are presented at the beginning of you resume. They are organized so that the employer can see how your skills relate to the job position you are applying for. It may take more effort to write a Functional resume, but you are free to highlight your talents instead of your recent job experience.
Advantages:
The Functional resume can be particularly effective if you have held a number of similar positions. It will allow you to highlight your skills rather than itemize what might be a redundant looking job history.
Disadvantages:
But the Functional resume may also raise concerns in some employer’ minds as to whether you are withholding information. This doesn’t mean that functional resumes are ignored or that they can’t be effective. But an employer looking for a clear job history may be put off by the Functional resume format, especially if you have used a Functional resume to hide your experience or a long gap in your employment history.
If you don’t have any problems with the reverse Chronological format, use it instead. If you still like the idea of the Functional format, you may want to make it more acceptable by combining it with the Chronological format and creating a Combination resume.
3. Combinational format:
The combination resume is simply a Functional format resume with a brief employment history added. Skills and accomplishments are still listed first. The employment history follows. You need to reveal where you worked, when you worked, and what your job position was. This will allay an employer’s worries about your experience, and it still allows you to emphasize your talents and how you would use them for the job you are applying for. While most employers might still prefer a Chronological resume, this is a good alternative to the Functional format.
Think of your resume as a promotional brochure about you. You need to show a potential employer what you have accomplished and where your experience lies. Your strategy should be emphasizing the experience and skills that a particular employer is looking for.
Your resume is also an example of your communication and organizational skills. A well-done resume is itself another remainder of what kind of valuable employee you would be. Likewise, a sloppily produced resume is a terrific way to get yourself taken out of the running before it even starts.
When so many different employment experiences possible, there is no single resume template that works for everyone. There are, however, generally accepted ways to arrange the information on your resume to present it in the best light.
Types of resumes:
The two styles that are discussed most often are the Chronological format and the Functional format. Both have their own advantages and disadvantages when it comes to presenting your information. A third style, the combination, is a compromise between the two and has become more popular in recent years. Here, an overview of each format is given to help you to decide which is best for you.
1. Chronological format:
This is the most common resume style, and the one that employers prefer. In the Chronological format, the emphasizing is placed on the employment experience. The applicant’s job history is presented in reverse chronological order, with most recent jobs placed at the top of the list.
Advantages:
The Chronological resume is good if your recent job experience is relevant to the job you are applying for, and you want to stay on a similar career path. Potential employers can easily see what you have done, and how you have progressed and garnered experience.
Disadvantages:
Despite its popularity, there are some reasons why the Chronological format may not be right for you. If you are just entering the workforce from school, a resume like this may actually highlight your lack of experience. You may have held jobs recently that have no relevance to the position you are applying for. If you are re-entering the workforce after a substantial absence, this resume will highlight your recent inactivity. Any large gaps in your recent employment history will be evident, and you may be asked about them.
Likewise, a job history full of briefly held jobs might lead a potential employer to question your ability to remain employed. A long employment history at a single company will reveal your age to some extent, something you may not feel comfortable doing.
2. Functional format:
In this non-linear format, your skills and achievements are emphasized. Your employment history is summarized or avoided altogether. Your skills and previous relevant experience (including educational experience) are presented at the beginning of you resume. They are organized so that the employer can see how your skills relate to the job position you are applying for. It may take more effort to write a Functional resume, but you are free to highlight your talents instead of your recent job experience.
Advantages:
The Functional resume can be particularly effective if you have held a number of similar positions. It will allow you to highlight your skills rather than itemize what might be a redundant looking job history.
Disadvantages:
But the Functional resume may also raise concerns in some employer’ minds as to whether you are withholding information. This doesn’t mean that functional resumes are ignored or that they can’t be effective. But an employer looking for a clear job history may be put off by the Functional resume format, especially if you have used a Functional resume to hide your experience or a long gap in your employment history.
If you don’t have any problems with the reverse Chronological format, use it instead. If you still like the idea of the Functional format, you may want to make it more acceptable by combining it with the Chronological format and creating a Combination resume.
3. Combinational format:
The combination resume is simply a Functional format resume with a brief employment history added. Skills and accomplishments are still listed first. The employment history follows. You need to reveal where you worked, when you worked, and what your job position was. This will allay an employer’s worries about your experience, and it still allows you to emphasize your talents and how you would use them for the job you are applying for. While most employers might still prefer a Chronological resume, this is a good alternative to the Functional format.
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