Page 21 - Job_Search_Handbook_Flipbook

Job Search Handbook

Copyrighted Material
Types of Résumés
There are two primary formats recommended for resumes:
reverse chronological and functional/skills. You can have small
variations in these, depending on the unique situation of the
individual. Generally, it's better to stick fairly close to these formats
because they are what employers are accustomed to seeing. On the
other hand, your goal in writing the résumé is to present yourself as
a unique person with special gifts to offer the company.
Reverse Chronological Format. This format highlights your
jobs and what you did in them. It is especially good for showing a
progression of responsibility. This résumé format might be
preferred if you are staying in the same career field where the job
progression will have more relevance.
Remember that the reverse chronological résumé format is not
just a laundry list of when and where you worked. The jobs should
come alive and highlight the impact you had on the organization.
Avoid using more space for old jobs than for recent ones.
Functional/Skills résumé. If you have not had an outstanding
job progression, you have little experience, or you are changing
career fields, you might want to consider this format. It will focus
on the strengths you have to offer the company.
In the functional résumé you will use headings that focus on
the skills you have that would apply to the specific job field you are
seeking. Use bullet statements to highlight your experience and
lend impact to the organizations. A bullet statement is simply an
action oriented statement that describes how you used or developed
a skill in the past. By using bullets you can highlight the appropriate
attributes you have to offer the employer.
Because this format emphasizes skills, employers and
employment dates are down played and are often shown toward the
end of the document.

What Not to Include In Your Résumé
The best way to develop your résumé is to look at some good
models and then adapt them to your specific situation. Remember
that you want to highlight your strong points and, therefore, may
want to make subtle adjustments to the format to suit your situation.
The best resumes paint a picture of a unique person.
The bottom line for your résumé is: Be honest, show your
impact in the work place, and make it look professional.

36