By Vivian Fridas, Former CSP Mentor
When applying for a job, one of the most important components of your application is the resume. A resume is a concise, polished document which gives employers a quick overview of your educational and professional life to date. This short document can give employers the information they need in order to decide whether to interview you for a specific position. Sometimes employers receive hundreds of resumes for one position, so they may not spend much time with your paperwork. Whether you are competing against one person or a hundred, it’s important that your achievements stand out to employers in a professional way, and a well-structured resume can help them to do so.
Chronological Resumes
A chronological resume is the traditional resume format which job seekers still use today. This resume format is very easy for employers to read quickly. This resume is organized by job titles, listed in reverse chronological order with your most recent experience displayed first. If you use this format, present your employment experience under headings by job title, company, location, and dates of employment. This will allow a potential employer to understand the work you performed at each position you held. In addition, you can include education information along with any certifications or special skills you may hold.
Who should use this Format?
Chronological resumes are best for individuals with experience in their field of interest. Many recent college graduates do not have much professional experience in the specific fields in which they hope to work, but if you were lucky enough to have internships, temporary jobs or volunteer experience in your field, a chronological resume will work well for you.
Functional Resumes
Instead of utilizing a chronological work history, a functional resume is organized into sections which highlight areas of skills and abilities acquired along with past accomplishments. You will still need to provide a brief summary of your employment history, but you can include it at the end of your resume as a footnote to your skills and accomplishments. Typically, a functional resume opens with a summary or profile detailing your work history, education, and strengths in 1-3 sentences. The bulk of the resume should consist of headings which demonstrate your most impressive functional skills. Under each applicable heading you may wish to include responsibilities, accomplishments, and quantifiable achievements. Remember, though, that employers will generally prefer that this type of work history remain concise, 1-2 pages at most. Ideally, a functional resume will demonstrate how you match the requirements of the particular job for which you are applying.
When using a functional resume, keep in mind that some employers are not accustomed to this resume format, which can make it confusing for them to follow.
Who should use this format?
A functional resume is best for individuals who:
Have gaps in their work history that they would like to minimize;
Are entering the work force after an extended absence;
Have work experiences in a variety of unrelated or loosely related professional fields;
Have frequently changed jobs;
Are looking to transition into a new career;
Need to emphasize transferable skills.
Conclusion
No matter which format you choose, always ask someone else to check over your resume to make sure the formatting is consistent and professional. If you don’t have a friend or family member you would trust with this responsibility, colleges and universities usually have career development centers on campus. Setting up an appointment with a career counselor or attending a resume-writing workshop can provide valuable information on resume writing.
Remember that each type of resume has its advantages and drawbacks. In the end, it comes down to the position for which you are applying and the way you feel you can best present yourself and your experience. A carefully crafted resume will make an employer feel eager to get to know you more deeply through the next phase of the job-seeking process, the job interview.
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Envision’s College Success Program (CSP), a part of the William L. Hudson BVI Workforce Innovation Center, is committed to serving college and transitioning high school students who are blind or low vision. The CSP is a virtual program that provides a holistic support system and engages students through online resources, events, mentorship, and more, all at no cost to them. Contact the CSP at csp@envisionus.com.