What is a resume format?
It is the step by step presentation of resume details to give it a more attractive, precise and concise look. There are different formats to choose from and you need to select the format that best suits your details and highlights them in effective manner. Different formats are used for different purposes. Today there are three main formats in use. They are Chronological format, functional format and combination format. Now let us discuss which of these resume formats is suitable for you.
As you go through number of resume samples, you will get confused on what format is suitable for you. You will get samples in all the above formats. It is your responsibility to see what the requirements of job are and which CV format can match these requirements.
Importance of Choosing an Appropriate Format
It is known to all that employer will spend less than a minute going through your CV. Your CV should be attractive and well written to get attention from the employer. Choosing an appropriate format will make it attractive and enhance its quality. Also, the information in your CV must be easy to read rather than being crowded. It must highlight your job relevant key skills effectively so that it is easily visible to the recruiter.
All resume formats are equally important. There is no best resume format to choose from and every format holds its importance. It is up to you to choose the format according to your requirements. Following is the basic difference between chronological and functional resume formats. Know these differences and see which of these formats are suitable for you.
Chronological Format
This format is best suitable for fresher applicants. It usually focuses on the skills of the applicant. It is designed to present your career details with the corresponding dates in the reverse chronological order. With such presentation of details, employer will know about your current skills and fresh knowledge.Resume writing Skills are most important in this type of format. They are listed in bulleted pints for better visibility.
When listing the work experiences, this format focuses on the position you worked on in the company and job duties you performed there. It will highlight your employment details effectively if you don’t have any employment gaps or do not change your job more frequently. The sequence of sections in this format is –
Career Objective Career Summary Work Experiences Educational Credentials References
Functional Format
It is the more descriptive type of format. It is suitable for people with frequent job hopping or large employment gaps. This format can hide the employment gaps of an individual by avoiding listing the employment dates.
It is also known as skill based format. It emphasizes on your abilities and achievements. It will preferably not focus on listing the work details. This format is also best for recent graduates those are looking for a job opportunity. It is also best suitable for people with little work experience, those going back to work after long time period, etc. This format will emphasize on the transferable skills of the applicant giving least attention to the employment details. The sequence of section in this type of format is –
Job Objective Accomplishments Capabilities and Strengths Employment Details Educational Details References
Knowing the difference between both these formats, you can decide which format is best for presenting your details. Chronological format is most widely used and hence it is recommended to use it for the job application. Use the functional format only when required.