Resume Formats to Consider
Chronological Resume
The chronological format presents information in a fast and easy-to-read manner and is also the easiest to write. Jobs are listed in chronological order, starting with the most recent or present (which generally receives the greatest emphasis) and working back through the years. Job title, employment dates, and name of the organization precede a description of the job tasks and accomplishments.
Advantages
- Professional interviewers are most familiar with this format
- It is the easiest to prepare since familiar dates, companies and titles structure its content
- A stable employment record (without much job hopping) is put into the best perspective
- It provides the interviewer with an easy guide for discussing work experiences
Disadvantages
- It draws attention to employment gaps
- It may put undesired emphasis on job areas that an applicant wants to minimize
- Skill areas are difficult to spotlight unless they are reflected in most recent jobs
Click here to view an example of a chronological resume (pdf format).
Functional Resume
The functional resume allows more flexibility than the chronological. Job skills are featured by grouping similar skill phrases together regardless of where or when the experience was gained. This format ignores historical sequence. Elements of training and experience from several sources are grouped to show their applicability to your career goal.
Advantages
- It stresses selected skill areas which are marketable or in demand
- It can help to camouflage a spotty employment record
- It allows you to emphasize professional growth
- Positions not related to current career goals are not highlighted
Disadvantages
- Many employers want to see additional work history information
- It doesn't allow you to highlight companies or organizations you've worked for.
Click here to view an example of a functional resume (pdf format).
Combination Resume
This resume contains elements similar to both the chronological and functional formats.
Work experiences are presented chronologically, but you can also set aside relevant skill areas in separate categories. This allows you to highlight related areas of expertise and at the same time satisfies the employer's desire to know names and dates.
Advantages
- Provides a good opportunity to emphasize relevant skills and abilities
- Gaps in employment can be de-emphasized
- It can highlight a steady work history, while also specifying relevant skills and experience
Click here to view an example of a combination resume (pdf format).
Plain Text or ASCII Resume
Plain text resumes have no columns, bullets or bold or italic styles. They are emailed to employers in the body of an email or imported into databases (such as company databases or online job sites) where employers may use a keyword search to find candidates who have specific qualifications or skills.
- Keywords are critical in plain text resumes.
- ASCII (pronounced "askee") is an acronym for American Standard Code for Information Interchange.
Click here to view an example of a plain text resume (pdf format).