Three Types of Resumes
Resumes are an essential part of job acquisition. Before 1940, resumes included height, weight and age, according to The Resume Clinic. Now, resumes just list experiences, skills and education in an easy-to-read and concise manner. Although getting a job is the ultimate goal, the resume's purpose is to get the job seeker an interview. Most hiring personnel spend less than 20 seconds reviewing resumes, so information must be presented clearly to get the best response.
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Chronological Resumes
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Chronological resumes emphasize employment information in reverse order. The most recent job is listed first under a heading such as "Experience" or "Professional Experience." Work history should include the time frame with the job such as the month and year for the start and end of tenure. Job seekers must name the companies they worked for, their job titles and specific achievements on the job. A separate section may include descriptions of distinct skills such multitasking capabilities, team work and management skills. Use the chronological format if you have steady employment within a specific field.
Functional Resumes
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The functional resume highlights a job seeker's positive qualities, talents and abilities in contrast to the chronological resume's emphasis on work history. The functional resume should present the job seeker's strengths and may include skills developed through community service activities, personality traits and skills relevant to the open position. The functional resume may be used if the job seeker has sporadic employment history or if he is moving into a new career and wishes to highlight transferable skills.
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Combination Resumes
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A combination resume highlights work history and skills relevant to the position. As with the chronological resume, the combination resume features work dates, positions held, companies and specific accomplishments on the job. But, the combination resume also showcases personality traits and skills also highlighted in a functional resume. The combination resume is formatted with an "Accomplishment" section at the top of the page underneath an objective or professional summary. The work history section is placed underneath the accomplishments.
Electronic Resumes
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Online job banks allow job seekers to post resumes on job boards that can be searched by employers. Many professionals also create their own websites where they post their resumes, publications and other accomplishments they wish to show employers. Job seekers have their own website address they include on the resume for employers to visit. Job seekers should still send their resumes to employers via traditional means such as fax or mail so that employers have a hard copy version of the resume.
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