When it comes to resume formats, there are two main schools of thought: chronological and functional.
While both formats have their own advantages and disadvantages, the reverse chronological resume format is the best choice for most job seekers.
What is a Reverse Chronological Resume Format?
A reverse chronological resume format lists your work experience in reverse chronological order, with your most recent job listed first.
This format is the most common and preferred by most employers.
It allows hiring managers to quickly see your work history and experience, making it easy to compare your qualifications to the job requirements.
Why is the Reverse Chronological Resume Format the Best Choice?
There are several reasons why the reverse chronological resume format is the best choice for most job seekers.
First, it is the most common format used by employers.
This means that hiring managers are familiar with it and know how to read it.
Second, the reverse chronological format highlights your work experience, which is the most important factor for most employers.
Third, it’s easy to read and understand.
This is important because hiring managers are often busy and have little time to read through long, complicated resumes.
What is the Functional Resume Format?
A functional resume emphasizes the skills, abilities, and achievements of the job applicant rather than a chronological listing of their work experience.
Instead of detailing your employment history in reverse chronological order (most recent job first), a functional resume highlights your relevant skills and achievements for the position you are applying for.
It typically includes sections such as a summary of qualifications, areas of expertise, and professional accomplishments.
These resumes look like pages and pages of paragraphs rather than nicely formatted, easy-to-skim sections with bullet points.
Why You Shouldn’t Use a Functional Resume Format
Avoid using functional resumes when applying for a job, and do not pay a resume writer to create one for you.
Why?
Functional resumes can be hard to read and comprehend as they are not as widely used as chronological resumes.
Hiring managers may have difficulty understanding your work experience since functional resumes do not present a clear timeline of your career progression.
It’s really hard to evaluate a candidate’s qualifications against the job requirements when the resume jumps all over the place.
And often, functional resumes end up in the proverbial garbage because they’re not worth the effort to try to decipher.
No one has time for that!
Stick with the tried and true format, and you’ll have a better chance of getting more interviews.
How to Write a Reverse Chronological Resume
Here are a few tips to help you write a resume that gets more interviews:
- Use clear and concise language.
- Quantify your accomplishments whenever possible.
- Use keywords throughout your resume relevant to the job you are applying for.
- Use action verbs to describe your responsibilities and results.
- Use bullet points to make your resume easy to read.
- Customize your resume to the specific job you are applying for.
If you need help with your resume, submit it for a professional review here.
