When you don’t have a clue about how to write your own resume, you should go online and look for a sample resume format. After all, it’s so much easier to work with a structured format than a blank piece of paper. However, you need to keep in mind that different resume formats have different features. You need to make sure that the sample resume format you use is designed specifically to show off your strengths as a professional.
Chronological resume format
The chronological resume format showcases the applicant’s work background the most. It is, after all, essentially a reverse chronological listing of the applicant’s career history. If you’re applying for an executive position, and this particular strength is a prerequisite, then the chronological resume format will benefit you the most. It is also one of the most trusted resume formats by most recruiters in the job market.
However, not all applicants can pull off the chronological resume format. Professionals with noticeable employment gaps, for example, should use other resume formats that highlight their skill instead.
Functional resume format
When you’re freshly out of college, or if you’re undergoing a major career change, then a functional resume format will bring out the best of your assets. This format showcases the applicant’s skills instead of his/her career history. If you have a lot of unemployment years to hide, this is also the right resume format for you.
However, simply because it completely eliminates the applicant’s work history, the functional resume format is also dubbed controversial by most recruiters. This may not be the best resume format to use if you’re trying to establish trust between you and your prospective employers.
Combination resume
If you need to highlight your skills, but you’re afraid that you’ll turn employers off because you’re using the functional resume format, then you can look at the possibilities of a combination resume format. This resume format brings the skills and accomplishments of the applicant to the frontlines. However, unlike the functional resume, it doesn’t completely eliminate the work history from the picture. The work background of the applicant is still included in the resume, but it’s pushed back to the very tail end of the document.
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