Resume Formats

            One of the barriers to overcome in the employment marketplace is HR wanting job seekers to use a resume format that is in the best interest of the department’s rejection process (typically chronological). What you should do is select the format that is in the best interest of your getting hired. Use their format requirements only if they will not accept any other. 

            Resumes are predominantly structured in one of three ways; they are set up in chronological, functional or combination (often referred to as hybrid) formats. There are others, such as an employer-targeted and accomplishment oriented, which basically utilize features from the first three. The use of the Internet has initiated another resume

type often referred to as an E-resume. For some professional occupations and the international market there are the curriculum vitae, or CV.

            Before writing you resume, first research what the employer or employers of interest are looking for or have looked for in the past. Presently advertised positions will often cover some of the essential job elements in the ad. If you are not applying for an open job, research the types of skills the employer generally looks for when advertising for a similar position. If you can’t find advertised positions, check on the organizations’ job descriptions in the human resource department or check out other employers’

advertisements of similar positions. Sometimes a little bit of detective work will let you know a key point you want to be sure to have in your resume.

            Next, list your education, accomplishments, skills and abilities. You may want to

 list accomplishments along with acquired skills and abilities from every position, paid or non-paid, which you have held. Pull out the relevant attributes that apply. If you think there are other relevant abilities you possess, use them as well. Then, after considering the following format descriptions, decide which is on the best format for you.