Resume for Business Assignment

13-4a. Choosing a Résumé Style

The first step in preparing a winning, that appeals to both the human reader

and the ATS screening device is to decide what style to use. Résumés usually fall into two

categories: chronological and functional. This section presents basic information as well as insider

tips on how to choose an appropriate résumé style, determine its length, and arrange its parts. You

will also learn about adding a , which many busy recruiters welcome.

Models of the résumé styles discussed in the following sections are shown in our comprehensive

Résumé Gallery.

What Is a Chronological Résumé?

The most popular résumé format is the chronological format, shown in Figures 13.10, 13.11, and

13.12 in our Résumé Gallery. The lists work history job by job but in

reverse order, starting with the most recent position. Recruiters favor the chronological format

because they are familiar with it and because it quickly reveals a candidate’s education and

experience. The chronological style works well for candidates who have experience in their field of

employment and for those who show steady career growth, but it is less helpful for people who

have changed jobs frequently or who have gaps in their employment records. For college students

and others who lack extensive experience, the functional résumé format may be preferable.

Book Title: eTextbook: Essentials of Business Communication 13-4. Customizing Your Résumé 13-4a. Choosing a Résumé Style

customized résumé

summary of qualifications

chronological résumé

Figure 13.10.

LinkedIn Profile/Résumé for New Graduate

Monkey Business Images/Shutterstock.com Courtesy of Linkedln

At LinkedIn Haley Hawkins is able to present a more personal description of her background, education, and experience than on her résumé. She includes a photo and a headline, “Honors graduate in e-marketing with social expertise.” Her summary briefly describes her skills and experience, but one expert warns candidates not to cut corners on the summary statement. Describe what motivates you and use first-person pronouns, unlike what you would do on a résumé. LinkedIn gives you a chance to be more conversational than you can be in a résumé. You may be asked to present this same kind of personalized résumé information at job boards.

Figure 13.11.

Chronological Résumé: Recent University Graduate With Limited Experience

Haley Hawkins used Microsoft Word to design a traditional chronological résumé that she plans to give to recruiters at campus job fairs or during interviews. The two-column formatting enables recruiters and hiring managers to immediately follow the chronology of her education and experience. This formatting is easy to create by using the Word table feature and removing the borders so that no lines show.

Haley includes an objective that is specific in describing what she seeks but broad enough to encompass many possible positions. Her summary of qualifications emphasizes the highlights of her experience and education. Because she has so little experience, she includes a brief list of related courses to indicate her areas of interest and training. Although she has limited paid experience that relates to the position she seeks, she is able to capitalize on her intern experience by featuring accomplishments and transferable skills.

Figure 13.12.

Chronological Résumé: Student Seeking Internship

Although Amy has had one internship, she is seeking another as she is about to graduate. To aid her search, she prepared a chronological résumé that emphasizes her education and related course work. She elected to omit her home address because she prefers that all communication take place digitally or by telephone. Instead of a career objective, she states exactly the internship position she seeks.

Notice that in her résumé Amy uses standard headings that would be easily recognized by an applicant tracking system. She decided not to start with a summary of qualifications because she has little to offer. Instead, she focused on her experience and related it to the position she seeks.

What Is a Functional Résumé?

The , shown in Figure 13.13, focuses on a candidate’s skills rather than on past

employment. Like a chronological résumé, a functional résumé begins with the candidate’s name,

contact information, job objective, and education. Instead of listing jobs, though, the functional

résumé groups skills and accomplishments in special categories, such as Supervisory and

Management Skills or Retailing and Marketing Experience. This résumé style highlights

accomplishments and can de-emphasize a negative employment history.

functional résumé

Figure 13.13.

Functional Résumé: Recent College Graduate With Unrelated Part-Time Experience

Recent graduate Dallas Dayal chose this functional format to de-emphasize his meager work experience and emphasize his potential in sales and marketing. This version of his résumé is more generic than one targeted for a specific position. Nevertheless, it emphasizes his strong points with specific achievements and includes an employment section to satisfy recruiters. The functional format presents ability-focused topics. It illustrates what the job seeker can do for the employer instead of narrating a history of previous jobs. Although recruiters prefer chronological résumés, the functional format is a good choice for new graduates, career changers, and those with employment gaps.

People who have changed jobs frequently, who have gaps in their employment records, or who are

entering an entirely different field may prefer the functional résumé. Recent graduates with little or

no related employment experience often find the functional résumé useful. Older job seekers who

want to downplay a long job history and job hunters who are afraid of appearing overqualified may

also prefer the functional format. Be aware, though, that online job boards may insist on the

chronological format. In addition, some recruiters are suspicious of functional résumés, thinking the

candidate is hiding something.