Resumes Styles

Chronological

Chronological emphasizes your work history. Arrange your work history by date, starting with the most recent and working backward. This works best when you have worked continuously in the same field for which you are applying. Chronological resumes generally follow this basic pattern:

Heading : your name, address, phone number and email address
Objective : a brief statement of your career goal
Work History : arranged by date (beginning and ending), most recent date first. Give details in order: company, position title, and short job description emphasizing skills
Education : degrees and relevant coursework/certifications
Optional Information : memberships, awards, military service, certificates, and activities.

Functional

Functional emphasizes your skills, knowledge and abilities without putting them into any time frame. Group your experiences and abilities under one or more broad categories. Place these categories in order of importance to your objective. A brief work history is usually included without a description of work tasks. Just list company, dates, position, title. Functional resumes usually follow this basic pattern:

Heading: your name, address, phone number and email address
Skill Categories: description of function-related terms and accomplishments
Work History: dates, places, and positions
Education: degrees and relevant coursework/certifications
Optional Information: memberships, awards, military service, certificates, and activities.

Combination

Combination resumes blend the strengths of chronological and functional. You may begin with the skill categories and follow with a fuller work history. Or you may list each position you have held chronologically with strong emphasis on the skills, knowledge and abilities attained in each position.

Heading: your name, address, phone number and email address
Objective: a brief statement of your career goal
Work Experience: with description of skills, knowledge and abilities
or Skill Categories: blended with a work history showing when skills were acquired or upgraded
Education: degrees and relevant coursework/certifications
Optional Information: memberships, awards, military service, certificates, and activities.