3 Resume Styles - Chronological, Functional, & Combination

After studying, decide which will work best for your background, experience, and personal attributes.

1)  Chronological: the most commonly used, it highlights a steady work history, and focuses on the skills you have acquired through the years. It itemizes your history one job at a time, working backward chronologically.

This works well for people who have, for the most part, not strayed from their single career path.  This format demonstrates consistency and advancement in a single career path. It also emphasizes that the position you are seeking is in the same field as your old one. It also makes it easy for employers to compare applicants side-by-side.

2)  Functional: this format focuses on the skills you have acquired through the years that make you a viable candidate for the job you seek.

It takes attention off a spotty work history or long gaps in employment. This works well for students just entering the job field, moms re-entering, or for those with a sparse work history.

3)  Combination: Combines the strengths of the Chronological and the Functional, as it will focus on both a steady work history and your transferrable skills.

The emphasis of a Combination Formatted Resume should be to showcase the specific skills  and accomplishments that you can bring to the potential employer.  It should also emphasize a steady work history.  It is a 'combination' of both the Chronological and Functional styles.