Here is a brief explanation of the types and who should use what:- Chronological Resume - Information is organized in a date order. Focus is on employment dates and job titles, highlighting your most recent experience.
- Functional Resume - Highlights your skills, experience and accomplishments without identifying specific dates and places
- Combination Resume - brings the best of both formats together.
Functional resume - is best used by individuals just out of school, who have gaps in employment, frequent job changers, or individuals who have gained skills from areas outside of documented employment (possibly volunteer work). Good - emphasizes skills rather than employment, disguises gaps in work history, and organizes a variety of experiences. Bad - loses direction because of lack of focus, deemphasizes job growth.
Combination resume - good format for those individuals in career transition or re-entering the job market after an absence. Good - highlights most relevant skills and accomplishments, De-emphasizes employment history in less relevant jobs, Combines skills developed in a variety of jobs or other activities, and Minimizes drawbacks such as employment gaps and absence of directly related experience. Bad - can be confusing if not organized, requires more effort to prepare.
Career Resource Specialists at the Illlinois workNet Centers can assist you in determining what format is best for you. Visit one of our centers today!
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