Types of Resumes

To avoid your resume getting overlooked, it’s helpful to create one that’ll stand out among the rest with an organized, easy-to-scan design. In fact, it’s almost always better to stick to one of the standard types of resumes when applying for professional and managerial positions. Consider the following structures when deciding on formatting your resume:

The Chronological Resume

The chronological resume is the most common type as it puts the attention on your most recent experience while demonstrates progress in your career and highlighting your skills. It lists what you’ve accomplished within each role, which helps you stand out from the competition. It’s easy for employers to take a brief scan of your credentials, level, range of experience, job and sector movement, and the nature of your achievements.

However, the chronological resume format is less valuable if you’ve had numerous job changes, false starts in different sectors, or your performance has been variable or undistinguished. An interview would likely highlight your areas of weaknesses, as well as raise doubts about your goals and commitment. If this is the case, it’s advised to consider the functional resume format with focuses on your skillset rather than experience.

Name
Street, City, State, Zip · Phone · Email

Job Objective
State concisely what job you’d like next.

Summary

• Summarize why you’re good at your job in 3-4 bulleted statements. Each bulleted statement should only take up one or two lines.
• Highlight your strengths with each statement. Focus on experience, service, or skills that directly relate to the job.
• The most relevant statements come first.

Professional Experience
Company Name, City, State, Year Placed – Present

Job Title

• Write two or more statements describing the work performed. Also, describe what you accomplished. Make sure that it’s relevant to your current job objective.
• Give details where possible; qualities, totals, or other measurable information will show more precisely how your work relates.
• List any awards or commendations received that relate.

Company Name, City, State, 20xx-20xx

Job Title

• Write two or more statements describing the work performed. Use the tips previously mentioned to list accomplishments, etc.
• The most relevant statements come first.

Company Name, City, State, 19xx-xx

Job Title

• Write two or more statements describing the work performed. Use the tips previously mentioned to list accomplishments, etc.
• The most relevant statements come first.

Education
Degree, Major, Minor (if relevant), Year Obtained
School, City, State

Community Service
Organization, position, very short description (if relevant), year(s) served
Organization, position, very short description (if relevant), year(s) served

The Functional Resume

A functional resume will be quite different from a chronological resume, as it puts far greater emphasis to your key skills and potential. You’re also de-emphasizing your lack of experience or gaps in your employment history.

This type of resume may be more suitable if you have various but unrelated work experiences and want to focus on your overall qualities, such as adaptability, rapid learning ability, collaboration skills, etc. 

Employers tend to view functional resumes more critically, as they’re likely to exude a lack of experience, don’t show consistent career progression, and give scant attention to job titles. They are also far less common than chronological resumes, and require you to show exactly what you can bring to an organization.

Name
City, Province · Postal Code 
Phone · Email 

Objective: To secure a full- or part-time role as a/in Title of Position/Area of Work.

Highlight of Qualifications 

• Years of relevant experience — paid or volunteer
• Relevant education, training, and awards
• Skill or attribute related to how you do your work. What are you known for? How have your co-workers/supervisors described your work to you or others?
• Skill or attribute
• Skill or attribute

Relevant Skills
Attained Skill That Relates to Your Objective

• An accomplishment expressed as an action statement using action verbs.
• An accomplishment expressed as an action statement using action verbs.  
• An accomplishment expressed as an action statement using action verbs.  

Attained Skill That Relates to Your Objective

• An accomplishment expressed as an action statement using action verbs.
• An accomplishment expressed as an action statement using action verbs.  
• An accomplishment expressed as an action statement using action verbs.  

Work History
1st Most Recent/Current Job Title, Organization, City/, Province, Year – Present
2nd Most Recent/Current Job Title, Organization, City/, Province, Year – Year

Volunteer Experience
Title of Most Recent Volunteer Role, Organization, City, Province, Year – Year

Education and Training 
Latest Qualification Achieved, Organization/Institution, City, Province, Year – Year

• If the qualification is broad or unusual—like a multi-year diploma—highlight some relevant courses or learning significant to the resume’s objective.

2nd Most Recent Qualification Achieved, Organization/Institution, City, Province, Year – Year

The Combination Resume

Combination resumes blend the styles and benefits from both chronological and functional formatted resumes. With a combination resume, it’s important to pay attention to the following:

• Your career summary or profile
• Your work-related skills
• Your employment history or record

The combination resume is especially valuable when you want to demonstrate that you have a proven track record of solid performance and success.

Name
Street, City, State, Zip · Phone · Email

Job Objective
State concisely what job you’d like next.

Highlight of Qualifications 

• Summarize why you’re good at your job in 3-4 bulleted statements. Each bulleted statement should only take up one or two lines.
• Highlight your strengths with each statement. Focus on experience, service, or skills that directly relate to the job.
• The most relevant statements come first.

Professional Accomplishments
Key Skill

• Write two or more statements describing the work performed. Also, describe what you accomplished. Make sure that it’s reliant to your current job objective. 
• Give details where possible, quantities, totals, or other measurable information that shows how your work relates.

Key Skill

• Write two or more statements describing the work performed. Use the tips above to list your accomplishments.
• The most relevant statements come first.

Work History
Month Year – Present
Organization, City, State
Job Title

Year – Year
Organization, City, State
Job Title

Year – Year
Organization, City, State
Job Title

Education
Degree, Major, Minor (if relevant), Year Obtained
School, City, State

Community Service
Organization, position, very short description (if relevant), year(s) served
Organization, position, very short description (if relevant), year(s) served

To get started on your job search, browse our available jobs or contact a Michael Page consultant.