Resume Writing

functional resume format

A less popular resume format among recruiters and hiring staff, the functional resume highlights your skills without revealing the dates associated with your job history. The functional resume minimizes specific job titles and eliminates dates of employment, while emphasizing your abilities and skills by placing them in functional skill categories. The functional resume works well if you: Have worked many different jobs or possess very diverse skills Have skills that relate to the position, but not a lot of previous work experience in the field Have gaps in employment history, are a recent graduate, or are changing careers Are a mature worker who wants to de-emphasize your age

combination resume format

The combination resume format combines the functional and chronological formats. It includes functional skill categories, but also lists the dates of previous employment. This format works well for job seekers who: May have obtained the required skills from seemingly unrelated industries or jobs Are trying to change careers and want to emphasize transferable skills Have had a steady work history

chronological resume format

The most commonly used resume format is the chronological resume. On a chronological resume, your work history is listed by job title beginning with your current or most recent job. The chronological resume works best for job seekers who: Want to showcase a steady employment history Are looking for a position that matches or logically progresses from previous jobs Are seeking a conventional position, such as an office clerk, accountant, or teacher

basic info you need on your resume

Your Contact Information, so a hiring manager can easily get in touch with you if needed. A Professional Summary, sometimes called a profile, that gives the hiring manager a glimpse of your skills and accomplishments. Your Employment History, which should provide specific details about the accomplishments and successes you've had in your previous jobs. It always includes the names and locations of the employer, and should include a job title that is generally understandable. Dates are often included in this section, although you may want to omit them if you have gaps in your employment history. Your Education information, which should include the certifications or degrees you have earned, the institutions from which you earned them, and the dates they were awarded. Any Additional Skills and Information that highlight any technical or specialized skills you have that are applicable to the position.

resume

a document that tells prospective employers exactly what you want them to know about you and why you would be a good fit for their open position. It should advertise your skills in an easy-to-read, logical, and concise format.

tips for writing a great resume

Customize your resume for each position you are submitting it for. Use your summary or profile section to highlight your skills and expertise as they relate to the specific job. Better yet, carry this customization throughout the entire resume. It may be convenient to create several versions of your resume based on common positions you will be applying for, thus eliminating the amount of customization you will have to do for each job. Make sure the rest of your resume supports your summary, profile, or objective. If you include in your summary that you have been "a consistent top seller for your region", you should include specific examples in the body of your resume to reinforce this statement. Include key words on your resume. Keep the job description close by when you are customizing your resume, so that you are including key words and phrases that fit the job, field, or occupation. Recruiters often scan a resume in under 15 seconds. They are looking for key words that show you have the skills and knowledge required for the position. Be concise. Because some recruiters look at as many as 500 resumes to fill one position, they want to see your accomplishments, skills, and experiences in as few words as possible. Bullet points and very concise language can showcase your communication skills while highlighting your areas of expertise. List your past work accomplishments (not just your responsibilities) using some form of measures. Hiring managers want to compare your skills and abilities to the other candidates they are considering. For example, tell them what percentage you increased sales or the number of staff that you managed or the specific scope of a project.

mistakes to avoid

Don't submit your resume for a position for which you are not qualified. This was cited as the No. 1 pet peeve among HR professionals on a recent LinkedIn discussion. Make sure you meet at least the basic requirements. Think creatively, though, because sometimes the work you have performed outside of the field may help you meet job requirements. Don't lie. Whether intentional or not, including false, inaccurate, or misleading information brings your ethics into question and can be illegal! Keep in mind that hiring managers are much more likely to Google and/or conduct background checks to eliminate dishonest candidates. Don't disregard references. While you do not need to post your reference information on your resume, you should at least have them listed on a separate document that can be easily supplied if requested. Make sure your references are willing and ready to discuss your skills and abilities with a potential employer. Don't use more than two fonts. More than two fonts can make a document difficult to read. The reader's eye needs familiar and easy-to-read fonts, like Times New Roman or Tahoma. Don't use clip art on your resume. Generally clip art is not considered professional, and any style or formatting design should be minimal. However, if you are applying for a job in a creative industry, then showcasing your design abilities on your resume may be more acceptable and appealing. Don't include pictures. Unless it is required for the position, your photo is not necessary. Don't include personal or health-related information. This includes your birth date, height/weight, health or marital status, religion, or affiliations in clubs that are not related to your career. While it may be appropriate in other cultures and for certain jobs, personal information should generally not be included if you are submitting