Styles and Formats
The functional resume
Opposite to the reverse chronological resume, a functional résumé lists a candidate's professional experience, skills and studies sorted by area or function.
It is used to make the recruiter focus on skills relevant to the job position the job seeker is applying for, so it emphasizes specific abilities and shows positions where the candidate has applied them, as well as important related achievements.
Since it doesn't follow a chronological order, the functional resume is ideal for those with career gaps or with little or no working experience, because they can still stand out thanks to their skills and capabilities.
Styles and Formats
The combination or hybrid resume
Just like the Combination Curriculum Vitae, a hybrid résumé mixes the functional and chronological styles.
Just like the Combination Curriculum Vitae, a hybrid résumé mixes the functional and chronological styles. This resume style typically starts with a list of the candidate's skills (functional approach) and continues with a chronological list of job positions (reverse chronological approach).
The hybrid resume is not as widely used as the other two formats since it may repeat itself and for many applicants, it's harder to organize information in both ways at the same time, losing the main focus between working experience and personal abilities.
Styles and Formats
The reverse chronological resume
One of the most common resume types is the one where information in organized in reverse chronological order. It usually covers the last 10 to 15 years of the candidate's working experience and studies. Job positions are listed with start and end dates, while the current position can have the start date listed to the current year or to "present".
This resume format focuses on the professional experience section and tries to show some career growth over time. That is why this style is not recommended for applicants with gaps in their career, since it would stand out.
Choose the reverse chronological resume if you have a strong working experience you want to let the recruiter know about. Remember you can download free resume templates here.
Styles and Formats
Resume Types and Formats
There are many types of resumes you can use to apply for a job opening. However, depending on the job you're applying for or your working experience, you may choose one format or the other.
- Chronological resume: Also called performance CV, it is the most traditional and widely used format. It lists your work experience in reverse chronological order, starting with your most recent position. Employers usually prefer this resume format because it allows them to see what positions you've held and how much time you've spent on them. Don't use it if you have little or no working experience.
- Functional resume: Recommended if you have a small working career or employment history gaps, since it focuses on skills and achievements no matter where you've aquired them (school, internships, etc).
- Combination resume: This resume format is an amalgamation of the other two. It's not that widely used but it's probably the most complete. This can be contraproductive since many recruiters don't have the time to read a long resume and may discard it before even taking a look at it. On the other hand, it may be good for making a good impression since it allows you to highlight the skills that are relevant to the job.
- Targeted resume: Customized to highlight the necessary skills for the job position you're applying for. It is ideal if you're interested in a particular position, area or company and the best thing would be to attach a motivation letter to it.
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