types of resumes

functional resume

are also sometimes referred to as "skill-based resumes" because they place the emphasis on what you can do rather than on what you have done in the past. This format enables you to de-emphasize work experience and focus on your skill set. It also enables you to group relevant skill sets together for greater emphasis. But this style comes with caveat emptor: Some employers are suspicious of this format because they suspect you may be trying to hide something from them.

chronological resume

are by far the most recognized and wisely used format to present your qualifications. A hallmark of this resume' format is that it presents your work history in reverse chronological order. This allows employers to scan your resume' quickly to determine whether you have the right qualifications and expertise for the job. If your background is a less-than- perfect match, you may need to consider alternative styles that present qualifications differently.

cirriculum vitae (CV's)

are created specifically for academic jobs. The CV is usually much longer than the other resumes' because it includes a complete list of grants, research projects, publications and presentations.

targeted resume

are created with specific jobs (or job objectives) in mind. If you keep your resume in the computer, it should be relatively easy to tailor each resume' to the specific job for which you are applying.

combined resume

include elements of both the chronological and functional formats. They may include the chronology of job descriptions preceded by a short Skills and Accomplishments section or a Summary of Your Qualifications that includes major skills and accomplishments.

scannable resume

are much like traditional resumes' minus the formatting. They have all of the same important information but don't include boldface, underlining, bullets, italics, font changes and other design characteristics so they can be scanned electronically. Many employers search resumes' for keywords, so you need to review the employment information (job title, responsibilities and so on) and include that language in the body of your Scannable Resumes'. Scannable Resumes' are also good to use when you are applying for a job online because they don't lose design characteristics when you send them via e-mail.

portfolios

are visual resumes' that are often used by people in creative or artistic fields to showcase their achievements. They may be presented in oversized leather or plastic briefcases and contain pictures, photographs, articles, illustrations, or other creative products, and they are often accompanied by a traditional resume'.