The resume format plays a vital role in helping the recruiters make the right decision about you. It changes their outlook and the way they perceive you as their future employee.
There are three major resume formats that you can pick up from –
- Reverse-Chronological
- Functional
- Combination or Hybrid
The choice of the format is based on your exact requirements. Each format has its own features as well as disadvantages. You have to select the one which is most impactful as per your needs. To help you decide about the right resume format, let has a look at all of them.
1. Reverse-Chronological – It is one of the most frequently used formats today. In this, you list your experience first, starting with the latest one. It should be used when your work experience has a close connection with your job. This format is also preferred by recruiters nowadays, as they are able to see the professional life of the candidate first clearly. It contains the following sections –
- Contact Information –* Include your name, address, contact number, and email address.
2. Functional – This format focuses on skills, accomplishments, and qualifications. The work experience is provided at the bottom without much explanation. Those who have long gaps in their job experience should select this format. This format is usually not preferred as it is considered a way to hide limitations by job seekers. The major sections of a functional resume are –
- Contact Information
- Resume Summary or Objective
- Professional Title
- Qualifications (Include any additional certificates you have earned or projects completed).
- Skills Summary
- Additional Skills
- Work Experience
- Education
3. Combination or Hybrid – It combines the elements of both reverse-chronological and functional resume formats. It is a flexible format where you can highlight your skills and list your reverse-chronological order experience. You can pick the best of both formats. It has the following sections –
- Contact Information
- Resume Summary or Objective
- Professional Title
- Skills Summary
- Additional Skills
- Education
Choosing the right format
Now when you are aware of the pros and cons of all three formats, you can easily make a decision about which one is best suitable for your needs. You just have to analyze your future goals and take a close look at your career history. As per my recommendation, if not absolutely necessary to select other formats, you must choose the reverse-chronological format as it is most likely to be picked by ATS (Applicant Tracking System).
Hope this article was helpful to you in understanding all the three major resume formats and making the correct decision.
*Summary: *This article talks about 3 common resume formats in brief, with resume writing service, and also discusses their pros and cons so that job seekers can decide which one to use.
