Do you know that an employer can decide not to hire you by just reading your resume? A resume gives the employer the first impression of you. It is a resume that draws the employer’s attention to you. It also helps to outline your best skills and makes the employer aware of your company’s usefulness. An excellent resume could lead to an interview. Therefore, you should make your resume count by choosing the right resume format.
There are three types of resume formats. They include;
- The Chronological Format. The chronological format is the most common of all types of resume formats. When writing a resume using the chronological form, one chronologically lists their work history, with the most recent job at the top, going down. It is mostly used in applying for a job that is similar to your previous job. For instance, a teacher seeking a new school job could use the chronological format showing the work history in several other schools.
- The Functional Format. The functional resume format focuses on your skills, abilities, and experience. The format is mostly used when one has limited work experience, for example, if one is freshly out of school and applying for their first job.
- Hybrid resume format. A hybrid resume, also known as the combined resume, combines the chronological and functional resume format. It allows you to list your skills and experience and support them with your work history.
Now that you are familiar with the three types of resume formats, the dilemma remains on which kind of resume format to use on your job search. How do you decide to write a hybrid resume and not a chronological or functional resume?
The following are some tips on how to select the right resume format for your job search; - Consider your Experience
Do you have experience in the job you are applying for? If you do not have experience in the job that you are applying for, writing a chronological format will lower your chances of getting the job, especially if your work history is not related to the job you are applying for. Therefore, you should use a functional format to highlight your skills and show how they are relevant to the job, thus increasing your chances of getting an interview. - Consider the Job Requirements
What kind of an employee does the employer seek? Do they want an experienced person? Or do they want a person with a record of a similar job history? Choosing either the functional or chronological format will show the experience and not the work history and vice versa. Therefore, you should select the hybrid resume as it will highlight both your skills and experience and your work history; this will increase your chances of getting the job.
The combined resume has a clear picture of all your competencies and is your best shot of landing most job opportunities. However, whichever format you choose, ensure it gives the best impression about you. Make it count.