Chronological, Functional, Combination…Which resume works the best?

The answer, of course, is chronological…well, unless something else would work better. There are many different types of resumes and templates out there and each one has a purpose. To answer the question “Which one works best?”, we really need to answer some questions about you.

First of all, what sort of job are you looking for? If you are looking for something in the same career path as your most recent position, the chronological may be right for you. However, if you are giving up your life of fire-fighting to become a librarian, the chronological resume may not be the way to go. You need a resume that draws a logical connection between your past and your desired future.

Another question that needs to be answered is, “Are there any gaps that need to be hidden?” If your work history has been spotty, a functional resume might help you display your skills without bringing attention to your work history. On the other hand, if your work history has been solid, there is no reason to hide your employment history. We need to make sure that we are painting your abilities in the best possible light so that you get noticed.

Some basic generalities…A chronologic resume still seems to be the most traditional and widely accepted resume format. This means that IF you can justify using a chronological format, then this is the route to go. Other, less traditional resume styles should be used when the chronological resume is not an option.

Careeronestop.org has some great resume templates available if you need a place to start. As always, if you have specific questions about resume formatting, feel free to post them in the comments.