Your resume is often the first impression you make on a potential employer, so it’s important to make sure it showcases your skills and experience in the best possible way. One of the key decisions you’ll need to make when creating your resume is what resume format is best for you.
There are several options available, each with its own advantages and disadvantages. In this blog post, we’ll take a closer look at the most popular resume formats and help you decide what resume format is best for you when it comes to applying for jobs. Depending on your personal preferences and what type you think will work best for your application.
Chronological Resume Format
The chronological resume format is one of the most common and straightforward formats. It lists your work experience in reverse chronological order, starting with your most recent job and then starts to work backwards. This format is great for job seekers who have a strong work history and want to highlight their career progression.
It’s also a good choice if you’re applying for a job in the same field as your previous work experience. Because it features your most recent job at the top. Do keep in mind that if you have had a lot of different jobs over the years that this format could get a little lengthy. If that is the case you might want to consider only mentioning the most recent jobs you have had. Or focus on those that fit the current application you are doing the best.
Functional Resume Format
The functional resume format focuses on your skills and achievements rather than your work history. It highlights your abilities and accomplishments in categories such as leadership, communication, and problem-solving. This format is ideal for job seekers who are changing careers or have gaps in their work history. Do keep in mind that on the one hand it, could be possible for some employers to view this format as missing certain parts. If you are afraid that might happen, it could be a good idea to add a cover letter to your application. And in the cover letter explain any gaps in your employment history.
On the other hand, there can also be a lot of benefits with a format like this. For example, if you have had a lot of different jobs, having a format like this might actually be helpful to just focus on the skills that are meaningful for the job application. It can act as a filter to help you focus your application and can help the employer quickly see your skills instead of having to read through the whole work history. On a lot of open jobs they for example ask for a specific amount of experience in years, not neccesairilly when or where you worked. Having a functional format can quickly focus on those requirements.
Combination Resume Format
The combination resume format combines the best of both worlds – it highlights your skills and achievements while also listing your work history in reverse chronological order. This format is great for job seekers who have a strong work history but want to emphasize their skills and achievements. It’s also a good choice if you’re changing careers or have gaps in your work history.
Make sure to keep an eye out on length, especially with this type of resume format if you have a long job history it might be a good idea to summarize the relevant experience. If you don’t want to leave anything out you can create a first page which is a combination resume that focuses on your most relevant work history. And you can then add a second or maybe even a third page with all your other work experience.
Targeted Resume Format
The final format is the targeted resume format. This is customized to the job you’re applying for. It focuses on the skills and experience that are most relevant to the position and uses keywords from the job posting. You should use this format if you’re applying for a job that requires specific skills or experience, or if you’re applying to a company that uses an applicant tracking system (ATS) to screen resumes.
The main difference between this format and the other formats is that the main goal of the resume is to be targeted. So while in the other formats, you might want to send the same resume to different companies here that won’t be the case. The focus will only be on the work history and skills that are needed for this specific job.
If you are trying to target your resume for an ATS system, you might want to make sure that certain skills that are mentioned as a requirement are also in your resume. As long as you actually have those skills of course. Also, make sure that you use the wording and terminology the employer wants you to use.
For example, if the job mentions experience with international sales, and you have experience as a sales manager. And in your role as a sales manager, you have done international sales and have experience with it. Then make sure to add the term international sales somewhere on that resume. Make sure, to tell the truth on your resume and don’t lie, fabricate, or fake experience.
What Resume Format Is Best
The answer depends on your individual needs and circumstances. If you have a strong work history and want to emphasize your career progression, the chronological format may be the best choice. If you’re changing careers or have gaps in your work history, the functional or combination format may be a better fit. And if you’re applying to a job that requires specific skills, and experience or you want to optimize for ATS, the targeted format may be the way to go.
No matter which format you choose, be sure to customize your resume to the job you’re applying for, highlight your achievements and skills, and keep it concise and easy to read. With the right format and content, your resume can help you stand out from the competition and land your dream job. Also, keep in mind that writing a cover letter to accompany your resume could help you in your search for a new job. Or help explain or highlight parts of your resume.