Types of Resume

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As most job seekers know, one of the most important tasks in the job search is the preparation of a resume. Usually done on quality 8 ½”x 11” paper, it is of two types: chronological and functional. The chronological resume is used when the candidate have had a fairly direct path of development from one position to another in the same field. A functional resume emphasizes skills and is used by people who change jobs or careers frequently or who have little employment experience. A good resume will be one page long and will capture career goals, education, and work experience. The formats for both types of resumes follow. Activity: Prepare two resumes, using the models below and those on the following pages.


1. Chronological Resume

Name, Address, Telephone numbers
Professional Objective: Position and type of organization desired.
Education: Names of schools, dates, major fields of study, honors, GPA
Experience: Most recent first then work backwards, name of employers, dates, job title and achievements
Military Science: If applicable
Special Skills: e.g., computers, languages, (state which skills and level of proficiency)
Interests: hobbies, athletics, crafts
Memberships: In civic, political, religious organizations
Background information (optional): age, health, marital status
Reference: Write: “Furnished upon request”

2. Functional Resume:

Name, address, telephone numbers
Professional Objectives: write several
Skills and Abilities: List 3-4 areas of expertise you possess then document with experience. Use action words (e.g., designed, managed, promoted, etc.) to describe them.
Education: same as above
Employment History: refer to any military or other services rendered, publications, interests, personal data, honors, scholarships
References: same as above.


1 For more suggestion, read Bernadette M. Curtin and Fred J. Hecklinger. Job Campaign Strategies, The Career Life Assessment series. Booklet Three. Richmond, VA: Virginia State Department of Education, 1981 (In ERIC ED 211 171)

PREPARING A WINNING RESUME

Two fundamentals should be considered when creating a winning resume; the reader and the purpose. A hiring manager spends an average of thirty seconds reading a resume, so simple, concise, direct references are a necessity. Due to the importance of a good first impression, it is vital that a resume be aesthetically pleasing and no more than two pages in length. When compiling the body of a resume, individuals should provide dates for when degrees and professional credentials were earned and for their employment history. The resume should highlight and, if possible, quantify specific and verifiable achievements. If individuals are responding to an advertisement, their cover letter should show how their experience specifically matches the requirement stated in the ad.