What You Should Know About Resume Styles
The job market is extremely competitive, and you want to make the best impression possible. While there hundreds of resume styles being used by job seekers, you want to take the time to choose the right one.
But why are there so many different styles to begin with? One of the reasons is the many different ways resumes are sent these days. A style that is suitable as a physical printed document simply won’t translate as well when you fax it or email it. Because more and more people are viewing documents online, there is a definite need for a resume style that suits the medium.
The particular position that you are applying for may also require a very specific resume style, and you should be prepared to adapt your present resume to best display your skills according to the situation at hand. This after all is what the main purpose of a resume is: to show off your capabilities.
The most prevalent resume style is the chronological template, by far. As most can guess from its name, the chronological resume lists all the previous jobs you’ve, starting with the most current or recent.
The functional style resume is a bit newer, but it’s steadily growing in popularity. Unlike the chronological style, you use this resume to list your very best accomplishments and qualifications first, followed by the just slightly less impressive ones. The advantage of this resume is that it makes it easy for the employer to read it quickly and decide whether or not you sound like someone who is qualified for the job. It also lets you give your strengths the center stage.
There are a few other commonly used resume styles, but these are mostly variations of the two aforementioned styles. This brings up an important point: do not be afraid to mix up resume styles to suit your purpose or a specific need. Remember, you want to showcase your abilities the best way possible and using the ideal resume style will allow you to do just that.
