The Basics of a Resume
When a company posts an available position, applicants often bombard hiring managers with resumes. If you want a shot at getting your dream job — or at least a position that pays the bills — you need an attention-grabbing resume that’s professional yet memorable.
Your resume contains key information about who you are and why you deserve to fill an open job slot. Aside from a cover letter, a resume provides the only glimpse hiring managers have into your life, so it’s essential that you showcase your most important achievements. At a bare minimum, your resume should contain your name, objective, skills and relevant business or educational background. You may also want to include awards, industry records and professional references.
There are several ways you can format your resume, but chronological, functional and targeted resumes are a few of the most popular options. The type you choose depends on your employment history, educational background and future goals. Sometimes, you may also want a resume tailored toward a specific company or position rather than a one-size-fits-all document.
Tip!
There are several ways you can format your resume. The type you choose depends on your employment history, educational background and future goals.
Chronological Resumes
A chronological resume is ideal for people with a lengthy work history that has few, if any, gaps. It requires you to list all of your employers in chronological order, beginning with your most recent position and ending with your oldest one. If you’ve been working for decades, focus on jobs from the last 10 to 15 years rather than your full employment history.
Functional Resumes
A functional resume emphasizes your skills rather than your work history. This resume is a good choice for people who job hop or applicants who took extended time off from work due to illness, relocation or the birth of a child. You can include volunteer work, externships, internships and freelance work on a functional resume.
Targeted Resumes
Use a targeted resume if you have your heart set on landing a specific position. Familiarize yourself with the job duties and skills required then make sure your resume reflects this. Bonus points for tailoring your resume toward a specific company, too. You can do this by learning about the company’s culture and mission on their website or via press releases.
Regardless of which resume format you choose, it’s important to present yourself in a professional manner. Avoid using slang unless you’re in an industry that prefers it, and don’t use profanity or other inappropriate language.
Need a visual of what’s appropriate for a resume? We’ve provided three brief resume examples below to help you during your job search.
Regardless of which resume format you choose, it's important to present yourself in a professional manner. Avoid using slang unless you're in an industry that prefers it, and don't use profanity or other inappropriate language.
Chronological Resume Example
Functional Resume Example
Targeted Resume Example
