Order on the Résumé!

Order of the résumé is important for two reasons.  First, when you follow a standard résumé order, you are delivering what the reader expects. When you depart from the standard, you might be perceived as uninformed.  Second, when data is properly organized your most compelling selling points will shine. Within the résumé -writing realm, there are three standard formats. The format should be selected based on your unique situation.

Reverse-Chronological Résumé

This is the most common format. This is an excellent choice for candidates with a steady work history and those continuing on the same or similar career path.

Pros:   It is also an excellent way to show progression and growth over time. It is a very logical straightforward format, often preferred by recruiters and employers because they can easily find the information that they seek.

Cons:  If you have been unemployed for a while, you may benefit from a format that sells you based on your accomplishments before they see your work history.

The categories may include: 

• Name and Contact Information
• Headline (3-5 Word Descriptor Relevant to the Target Job)
• Summary of Qualifications (4-5 line Overview of the Candidate’s Value)
• Core Competencies Section (6-9 Key Job Skills) 
• Professional Experience (Employer Name, Job Title, Dates - Followed by Responsibilities and  Accomplishments for Each)
• Education
• Computer Skills         

Hybrid Résumé

A hybrid résumé is a clever way to highlight your functional experience and achievements while providing a detailed chronological history.  As the functional résumé is on the decline, the hybrid is becoming more popular.  Like the functional, the hybrid résumé is suitable for career-changers and those with significant gaps in employment. 

Pros:  This format can be effective in showcasing the skills and experience most relevant to the target career.  The Core Competencies and Career Highlights sections enable the candidate to highlight accomplishments from an earlier part of their career, including volunteer positions.

Cons:  Because the hybrid résumé contains all of the information recruiters and employers expect, the downside is minimal.  The only con may be that some readers may have a very strong bias for the traditional reverse-chronological résumé.

The categories may include:  

• Name and Contact Information
• Headline (3-5 Word Descriptor Relevant to the Target Job)
• Summary of Qualifications (4-5 line Overview of the Candidate’s Value)
• Core Competencies Section (6-9 Key Job Skills)
• Career Highlights (Selected Accomplishments Relevant to the Target Job)
• Employment History (Employer Name, Job Title, Dates)
• Education
• Computer Skills

Functional Résumé

In some situations, a functional résumé is recommended.  For example, it is often used for a career-changer or a candidate with a recent or current gap in employment. 

Pros:  This format can be effective in showcasing the skills and experience most relevant to the target career.  Because the reverse chronological listing of jobs is replaced with Career Highlights, the candidate may feature accomplishments from an earlier part of their career.

Cons: most recruiters and employers prefer The Reverse-Chronological.  Many readers like to see the accomplishments placed on the appropriate job.  Also, the absence of dates can be quite frustrating for most readers and may result in the elimination of the candidate.  For this reason, I very rarely recommend this format.

The categories may include: 

• Name and Contact Information
• Headline (3-5 Word Descriptor Relevant to the Target Job)
• Summary of Qualifications (4-5 line Overview of the Candidate’s Value)
• Major Skills Sets (Usually 3 Skill Categories with Several Accomplishments Under Each)
• Employment History (Employer Name, Job Title)
• Education
• Computer Skills

If you have a question about your résumé strategy, please email debra@careersdonewrite.com. For samples of effective resumes, follow this link.