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CHOOSING THE BEST RÉSUMÉ FORMAT
Written by Michael Dumas

The unthinkable has happened and you have been downsized from the company where you have been employed for the past ten years. In all this time, you haven't touched your résumé and now find that you must completely rewrite it. Being the intelligent person that you are, you figure that writing a résumé can't be too difficult, and you sit down with a book of samples, prepared by professional résumé writers, hoping that they will guide and inspire you as you write your own. As you browse your book, you slowly come to realize that each sample is very personalized. There doesn't seem to be a template of a "typical" résumé, and in fact there even appears to be many distinct formats. Maybe this isn't as easy as you first thought…with all these choices how will you ever make a decision about which style and format is best for you?

You are correct in your recognition that each résumé is personalized and unique. Most professional résumé writers' take great care to tailor each résumé that they create to highlight the unique skills, qualifications, and accomplishments of the individual. In this sense, they must be personalized, and just because one résumé utilizes a particular heading and layout, does not mean that the next will. However, if you read carefully, with an eye toward format, underlying these layouts are two distinct types of résumés written in three distinct formats. Deciding which is best for you is not difficult if you understand the advantages and disadvantages of each. The following guidelines will help you make your choice.

Step 1 - Choose Your Focus

Targeted Résumé

A targeted résumé is used to focus your résumé toward a specific career objective, performed in a specific industry, and for a specific company. The content of a targeted résumé is written to highlight the skills, qualifications, and experience that match the requirements of your job target. You may want to consider writing a targeted résumé when:

1. You know the title of the position you are interested in and have a good idea of the qualifications that will be required for entry into this position.
2. You are sending your résumé in response to an employment advertisement.
3. You are writing or revising your résumé to apply to a specific company.
4. You have several different specific career objectives and want a different résumé for each one.

Targeted Résumé Example

Inventory Résumé

If you have only a general objective and don't want to limit yourself to a specific job title, an inventory résumé may be your best choice. Likewise, if you want to be able to use the same résumé to apply to a number of companies, you should write an inventory résumé. This type of résumé is designed to highlight your skills, qualifications, and achievements in a more general manner. Understand however, that you must have at least a general objective, for example, "a management level position in sales." In this case, you know that you are interested in sales management but you are open to the industry and company that you do this for. Once you have a clear idea of your general objective you can focus the content of your inventory résumé by deciding on 4-6 key skills and abilities that you possess, that are relevant to your general objective, and that will be of value to an employer in this field. The content of the résumé should highlight these skills by demonstrating them through statements of relevant accomplishments and achievements. If you are conducting an extensive job search campaign, the inventory résumé is your most efficient choice and in most cases, you are still able to target specific companies and job openings by writing a tailored cover letter to send with your résumé. Also, keep in mind that if you have more than one unrelated career objective, you should write a separate inventory résumé for each of these.

Inventory Résumé Example

Step 2 - Choose Your Format

The Chronological Résumé

The chronological résumé is designed to highlight progressive career growth and advancement. It is easy to read and can be quickly scanned for employment history. For these reasons, it is the most accepted format among hiring authorities. In fact, many even prefer and/or expect it.

The chronological résumé is most suitable when:

1. You have a steady and consistent employment history with no major gaps in employment and have not changed career tracks recently.
2. Your employment history has been one of progressively responsible positions.
3. Your titles have been impressive and/or you have been recently employed at well-known companies.
4. Your major accomplishments have been achieved in your most recent positions.
5. You are seeking a career in a field where this format is expected.

Chronological Résumé Example

The Functional Résumé

The functional résumé highlights key skills, accomplishments, and qualifications at the top of the résumé, regardless of where they have occurred in your career. Your employment history is de-emphasized by placing it toward the bottom of your résumé and by documenting a simple listing rather than details of each position. In this way, the functional résumé firmly places the focus on what you have done rather than where or when you did it.

Unfortunately, many hiring authorities don't like this format, as it is generally believed that the functional résumé is used to hide some deficiency in your career history. Despite this, the functional format can be very effective when:

1. Most of your achievements and accomplishments occurred in a past position.
2. You have recently graduated from high school or college.
3. You have been out of the job market for some time and are trying to reenter.
4. You are an older worker and want to de-emphasize age.
5. You have held a variety of unconnected positions.
6. You are changing career tracks.
7. You are returning to a previous line of work.

Functional Résumé Example 1 - Functional Résumé Example 2

The Combination Résumé

This combination format combines the benefits of both the chronological and the functional formats. By beginning with a summary (functional format) of your most impressive qualifications, skills, abilities, and accomplishments, it immediately places the emphasis where you want it. This is followed by an employment history section, written in the chronological format, that supports the statements made in your summary.

The combination format is well accepted by hiring authorities and you should consider using it when:

1. You have a steady and progressive employment history.
2. You are applying for a position for which the chronological résumé is expected but you also want to highlight qualifications from earlier positions.
3. You are writing a targeted résumé and need an effective way to match your skills to the job requirements.

Combo Résumé Example 1 - Combo Résumé Example 2 - Combo Résumé Example 3

Step 3- Final Considerations

Now that you have chosen your résumé style and format, you are ready to write your content. Before you do this, consider the following:

First, remember that even more important than the format you choose, is the content of your résumé and how it is arranged. With only 15 seconds to capture the attention of a reader, it is essential that you arrange your content so that the most important and impressive information is in the top third of the document. This is easily accomplished by using a "Summary" or "Qualification Highlights" heading at the very top of your résumé.

Second, be certain that your résumé has a focus. An employer must be able to look at your résumé and immediately discern the logical principle holding it together. This too, is easily accomplished if you keep your objective in mind the entire time you write. You may explicitly state your objective in a separate "Objective" section or you may prefer to state it implicitly, through the organization and content. Either way, be certain that you know what your focus is and that you communicate this clearly within your résumé.

Finally, stay away from boring descriptions of your job responsibilities. Instead, whenever possible, write concise statements that describe specific examples of accomplishments and achievements. Tell employers how you will be of value to them by describing how you have been of value to previous employers. Examples of accomplishments to include would be how you have saved money, increased profits, improved productivity, or enhanced services. Whenever you can, include actual dollar figures and percentages.

About the author: Michelle Dumas is the principal of Distinctive Documents, a leading Internet-based resume preparation and job search coaching firm that has been serving clients across the U.S. and internationally since 1996.

Ms. Dumas has earned her NCRW, CPRW, CCM, JCTC, and CEIP industry credentials. As one of only two professionals worldwide to earn all five of the recognized industry credentials, she is considered one of the top professionals in the resume writing field. Since 1999, Michelle has worked on the National Resume Writers' Association (NRWA) Certification Commission, setting and upholding resume writing quality standards through rigorous training and certification programs for members. She has also served as the NRWA New England Regional Board Representative, 1998 to 1999, and 2001 to present.

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