WHEN TO USE

FUNCTIONAL AND CHRONOLOGICAL RESUMES

WHEN TO USE A FUNCTIONAL RESUME

* When you want to get some quick information to an employer (expecting to provide more information or a chronological one later).

* If you have had a bad work experience and want to skip a period of time.

* When you want to emphasize your skills and abilities that are not used in your most recent work endeavors.

* If you are entering the job market after an absence or returning to the work world using a set of skills previously used.

* When the skills you want to use have been garnered in different and relatively unconnected jobs.

FUNCTIONAL RESUMES ARE NOT USEFUL WHEN:

* Your past employers have been prestigious.

* If you want to focus on career growth you have experienced.

* You are applying for a job in a highly competitive field.

WHEN TO USE A CHRONOLOGICAL RESUME

* When applying for a job in a highly technical or competitive field.

* If a detailed work history is needed to make you more competitive.

* You have worked for a company or 'employer that is prestigious and you wish to show your connection to them.

* You are attempting to gain employment in your current field.

* You wish to show your growth and development in your current work field.

CHRONOLOGICAL RESUMES are most commonly used and their format usually the most accepted form.

They are not as useful if:

* You are changing career fields

* You wish to omit or not show a bad work experience

* You have been out of the job market for some time.

* If you have changed employers frequently.

WHEN USING THE CHRONOLOGICAL RESUME REMEMBER

* List your work experience from most recent job to earliest.

* Provide job titles and duties as well as areas of responsibiiity.

* Periods of employment with each company

* Special accomplishments or projects that were successful

* Include references (you may or may not choose to do this) as well as character references

* List your career objective at the beginning of either a functional or chronological resume

* List soft skills as well such as sharing leadership roles, team building and people skills

It is possible to combine functional and chronological resumes. Some people choose to use a reverse chronological resume that lists work periods from earliest to most current.

THE COMBINATION RESUME

* The chronology of work history follows the description of work activities you want to perform.

* Two or three paragraphs of skills follow a summary of your qualifications

* Education comes last

* Separate your leadership or soft skills from your technical skills or the skills that you want to use.