Different Types Of Resume Formats And When To Use Them

Writing a solid resume serves as the first step in finding a job; regardless of what you are looking for, your dream job or becoming a corporate ladder, you will need to look for the range of several resume formats to choose from, and the one that you use depends on the job you’re applying for, work experience, and other factors. So go through the guide to help you learn about all the different types of resumes and the time you need to use them.

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The Different Types of Resumes And The Time You Need To Use Them

There is a need to learn about the most common types of resume formats while crafting the perfect resume. It’s worth noting that Each one has its benefits and drawbacks. Use the information below to determine the right type of resume for your next job search.

• Chronological Resume

A chronological resume serves as a resume format listing work and education experiences in chronological order from the most recent to the oldest. In the education section, list any degrees earned from the highest honor and work backward. Elements you need to include in a chronological resume include your personal and contact information, employment and education history, a brief summary, and a skills section, including soft skills and hard skills. You don’t need to list the work experience totally on your chronological resume. List experiences in the last 10-15 years. Include skills on your resume relevant to the open position.

Pros and Cons 

Pros:

• Listing a linear career path
• Familiar format
• Hiring managers and employers prefer it

Cons:

• it is hard to hide resume gaps or career path detours
• Emphasizing experience is a problem for entry-level workers

Who Needs To Use a Chronological Resume 

Individuals who have a consistent, extensive work history without any employment gaps need to use it. If your previous jobs had been a steady, linear progression through your field, it’s worth noting that a chronological resume help highlights that. Some employers ask for a work history as part of your job application.

• Functional Resume

A functional resume serves as a resume format focused more on highlighting your skills and expertise over work experience. The option is preferable for individuals with little work experience, unfocused work history, and lapses. Also, the ones in the middle of a career change benefit from this option. New graduates benefit from using a functional resume. When it comes to a functional resume, there is a need to list the experience by skill categories instead of specific employment history listings. Also, list your employment history, but without the necessity to expand on past jobs beyond job title, employer, and work dates. A functional resume built with Resumod includes elements like personal and contact information, summary, relevant skills, and work and education history. 

Pros and Cons 

Pros:

• Highlights skills and experience
• Elevate your most relevant qualifications featuring them in higher
• Disguises employment gaps

Cons:

• It shows that you lack a steady work history
• Based on your formatting choices, the resume can be hard for applicant-tracking systems
• Not effective as combination resumes, providing some work history in addition to skills

Who Needs to Use a Functional Resume

Workers with gaps in their resumes, relatively little work experience, and wanting to change jobs need a functional resume format. But it’s worth noting that recruiters and hiring managers l look for your work history. A carefully crafted cover letter with a resume including Academic Resume Templates highlights transferable skills and other qualifications that compensate for lack of experience.

• Combination resume

Combination resume combines other resume formats highlighting both your chronological work history and your skills and expertise. A combination resume serves as a good choice with transferable skills across a varied range of work experiences. Also, use it to highlight the relevant technical skills used over your entire career. The resume format includes elements like personal and contact information, a detailed technical skills section, and a brief summary alongside the work and education history.

Pros and Cons 

Pros:

• Offers best features of chronological and functional resume formats
• Highlights skills and work history

Cons:

• Feels repetitive if you have similar skills applying to different positions
• Longer than chronological and functional formats

Who Needs To Use a Combination Resume 

Mid-career professionals with lots of related experience and skills need this format. Whenever you are using this resume type, you need to be ruthless about what you include in your combination resume. Emphasize skills that are most relevant to the job.

How To Determine What Type Of Resume You Should Use

The best resume format you need to choose while applying for the job depends on your career level, work history, skill set, and qualifications. Also, note that the job you’re targeting plays a role.

To determine the resume type to use, note the following points:

Related work experience: If you have several years of steady employment and your career path shows regular promotions, a chronological resume or combination resume serves as a good choice.

Most relevant skills and qualifications: Read the job description, and based on that, you need to find out which skills, certifications, and abilities are most desirable. Check qualifications, and consider a functional resume format. The alternative is choosing a combination resume with a skills section.

Employer’s specifications: employers also quite often share their application requirements. Follow instructions. Certain recruiters want someone with experience in the industry, indicating a chronological or combination resume.

Expectations for industry: Different industries have different rules for job seekers, and sometimes there is a need to list the education first and keep the resume to one page.

Final words

Make a positive impression by making the resume professionally and consistently formatted. In the process, there is a need to also use free resume templates.