Resume formats

Resumes come in three generally accepted formats: chronological, functional, and combination.

• The chronological resume is a listing of your work experience and education history in chronological order. Major categories usually include Education, Work History, Special Skills, and Affiliations and Awards. This type of resume tends to be used by individuals who are entering the job market as well as those who are changing jobs within a career field, which requires documentation of continuous activity.
• The functional resume organizes your experience according to specific skills or functions. Some major categories are Technical Abilities, Work History, and Education. The Technical Abilities category allows you to demonstrate your capabilities through your various experiences. This format is appropriate for the individual who is changing careers or for a person who is reentering the work force after a period of absence. This resume is especially effective for the individual with a lengthy work history.
• The combination format merges elements of the Chronological and Functional approaches. Both the job changer and the career changer can use this format to present capabilities and transferable skills combined with work experience. This is probably the most common and most effective format.