Freelance Writing Jobs | Today's Articles | Sign In

Functional and Chronological Resume Formats

Finding the Right Resume Template

Jul 14, 2009 Emily Jones

How the resume looks can be just as important as what it says. Here are some resume formatting tips, as well as hints for finding and using resume templates.

First impressions are important, especially in the business world. That’s why it’s especially important to have a proper, professional resume. The resume is the first thing potential employers see, and most take only a few seconds to decide whether or not it’s worth reading. No matter how qualified the candidate, if the resume lacks visual appeal, he or she is likely to be passed over.

Basic Resume Layouts

There are two basic types of resume: the functional resume, and the chronological resume. A functional resume focuses on skills and is best used when a person is looking to change fields. A chronological resume lists employment history in descending order (that is, with the most recent first) and is best used when all or most of one’s experience is directly related to the job being applied for. A hybrid or combination resume combines elements of the functional and the chronological.

Resume Outlines

Regardless of the type of resume, there are a few things that absolutely must be included, and there is a standard order to put them in:

Name, Address, Phone Number(s), and E-mail Address
Resume Objective or Profile
Relevant Skills or Experience
Education
Resume References

The applicant’s name and contact information should always be at the top of the first page of the resume. Job seekers should use their legal name, not a nickname. Preferred short forms may be listed in brackets. Also, make sure the e-mail address is professional – employers are not likely to contact “hotstuff123” or some such moniker.

Depending on the expert, either an objective stating the position and industry being applied for or a profile summarizing the applicant’s skills and experience should lead off the resume. This is then followed by a list of the relevant skills (for a functional resume) or work experience (for a chronological resume). These may be presented in bulleted lists. On a functional resume, skills could be listed under subheadings of general skill sets (e.g., organizational skills, communication skills, etc.) On a chronological resume, work experience should be listed in order, starting from the most recent job.

Finally, list relevant education, including certificates, diplomas and degrees, along with the date (year is usually sufficient) each one was completed.

In prior years, a list of personal references closed a resume, but nowadays, most people simply type “References available upon request” or something to that effect and save the actual list of references (usually three, all professional, though some places may ask for a personal reference, as well) for the interview stage.

Resume Templates and Tools

Resume templates and resume examples can be helpful tools for building a resume, but the most important thing about a resume is that it represents the person it belongs to, so one should always feel free to add or remove elements that don’t fit either his or her personality or the job being applied for.

There are many books on resume writing, most of which include excellent sample resumes, and there are also numerous resume builders available online. For truly personalized, professional service, consider hiring a resume service, which employs professional resume writers to produce resumes and cover letters tailored for each client.

The copyright of the article Functional and Chronological Resume Formats in Career Advice is owned by Emily Jones. Permission to republish Functional and Chronological Resume Formats in print or online must be granted by the author in writing.

Get Noticed With the Right Resume Layout