The three basic types of resumes are: chronological, functional, and targeted. There's also another, more freewheeling style that might be called creative. This type is intended for people who are in creative fields, such as advertising or publishing. Let's look at each type of resume.
Chronological. This type of resume is literally a chronology of your work experience; it starts with your current position and works backwards, with a brief description that applies to each position you have held. Each job description should be written with your job goal in mind. Designate the time period you held each job by year (e.g., 1989-1992).
The chronological resume is more suitable for college graduates than 50-plus professionals, but it may serve your purposes for specific situations. If you plan to continue working in your career area of expertise, the chronological resume is a good choice because it demonstrates how your career has progressed. Your work experience is listed by date, beginning with your current job and chronologically going back to the earliest job. If you use dates, don't go back more than 20 years. You can also write a chronological resume without using dates. However, to offset possible age discrimination, using dates within the 20-year experience range is recommended. Career counselor Kate Wendleton suggests writing the number of years you worked on each job, not the dates. According to Ms. Wendleton, it's best to omit the dates because they don't help your case.
Use the method you feel makes the best presentation.
Functional. The functional resume lists your job function and accomplishments in short, punchy paragraphs, starting with the most important ones and then working down in descending order. For example, it highlights your accomplishments and marketable skills such as designing, financing, managing, and writing. It both supports and emphasizes what you have done. Dates are not always writ ten in the functional resume because of the way it is set up, which makes it a good choice for the 50-plus professional, including homemakers and widows. It is also a good resume for career changers and people reentering the job market because it permits the job hunter to list a broad range of work experience skills. Again, dates can be included or left off. Companies you worked for are listed at the bottom of the resume.
Targeted Resume. As its name indicates, the targeted resume is sent to the person in the organization responsible for the specific job you want. The Objective/Job Target zeros in on the position you want. It must be specific and state precisely the job you are seeking. Under the following categories-Skills, Accomplishments, and Work History - emphasize your qualifications and literally target your resume to the job at hand. This resume has to be carefully written in order to be successful. The targeted resume is the easiest one to write once you have assembled the necessary information. Work history-the companies you've worked for - are listed at the bottom of the resume.
Creative Resume, This type of resume is geared toward specific types of jobs in creative professions. The writer highlights specific work he or she has done, citing several examples, starting with the most important one and working backward. Although the typography used may be larger, varied, and more striking, careful judgment and good taste should prevail.
Before you write your resume, it's necessary that you do some thoughtful soul-searching, especially if you've been out of the job market for a while. A resume is not a detailed history. It is not a biography. You are putting on paper a highly selective work history that presents to a would-be employer the most important accomplishments in your work life.
How you present this information is vitally important. For example, if this material is written in a dull, uninteresting manner, the gloss of your accomplishments is dimmed. You have to write it as you would an advertisement. You want the employer to buy the product - you.
You can't be modest or bashful when you write your resume. You have to be pleasantly aggressive. Looking for a job is like being in show business. If you hide your light under the proverbial bushel, someone else will get the prize.
