What Type of Resume is Best for Me?

The current state of our job market is leaving candidates frustrated, frantic, desolate, and anything other than hopeful. Yes you know that your resume has to stand out and that it should be attractive. Yes you are aware that you should keep trying because persistence pays off. You are probably cognizant of the fact that you should have more than one resume. What you may not know is that your resume could be more appealing if you were using the appropriate type. Here is a breakdown of the various forms of resumes and based on your objectives, you can decide which style suits your needs:

1. Chronological resumes work best for job seekers who have solid work histories, who are possibly applying for a role within the same field that they currently work in, or even for the entry level job seeker. Your resume should contain an objective, your work history; current or most recent job first, and your educational background. Some chronological resumes also include key accomplishments and professional affiliations.

2. Functional resumes are used by those who are interested in changing career fields and who could possibly have gaps in employment. This type of resume tends to focus on your skills rather than your chronological work history. Instead of having a section for each job, there should be a section for each skill with a brief chronology of your work history at the end.

3. Combination resumes contain both your work history and your skills. It is suggested that you list your jobs chronologically, then for each job list the main functional skill followed by specific accomplishments.

4. Targeted resumes are customized so that they specifically highlight your relevant experience and skills to the job you are applying for. Keep in mind that this type of resume can be time consuming. However, it's well worth the effort, especially when applying for jobs that are a perfect match for your qualifications and experience.

Regardless of which style you select, your resume should not exceed 2 pages, should contain resume "buzz words", and should showcase your ability to exceed the employer's expectations. I would suggest performing a search for the type of resume that meets your immediate career needs. Templates are extremely easy to find online and you can appear to be a stronger candidate when you use the appropriate resume style.

Ericka Spradley
www.mynxtlvl.info