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For most job seekers, the typical ‘reverse chronological order’ resume is sufficient to get a call back from a potential employer, move on to the interview and even land a job.

However, the typical resume format isn’t always the best one to use. Other formats include functional, combination and nontraditional.

Regardless of the resume type that fits your needs, it is important to customize each resume to the particular job you are seeking. While customization takes more time and effort than a one-size-fits-all resume, the investment is appreciated by hiring managers and can be the difference between getting noticed and being ignored.

That being said, consider the following resume types and when it is best to use each one.

The standard or ‘reverse chronological’ resume

The main focus of this resume is your work history. Starting with your current or most recent position, you list your previous jobs in reverse chronological order. Hiring managers generally favor this kind of resume because it’s easy to understand what jobs you held and what your responsibilities were, making it easy to quickly get a sense of your capabilities.

This kind of resume is helpful for people with a solid work history. If you are just starting out or changing fields, you might want to think about using another kind of resume.

Functional resume

A functional resume concentrates on abilities in a very broad sense, as opposed to specific skills. Rather than featuring a “work history” section, a “professional skills” or “achievements” section can feature abilities you have developed that might be relevant to the job you’re seeking. A work history section could appear at the bottom of a functional resume.

Functional resumes are most useful for individuals who are changing careers or who have taken a long break in their career. A functional resume is also the ideal choice for those who are entering the workforce, have limited work experience or have issues with their employment, such as large gaps or job hopping.

By emphasizing abilities as opposed to work history, a functional resume can show you are qualified for the job based on your skills.

Combination resume

A combination resume is a blend between a standard and a functional resume. In a combination resume, your abilities and qualifications are listed first, and your work history is second.

With this kind of resume, you can spotlight your relevant abilities while not completely ignoring your work history. A functional resume is best for people in an entry-level stage of their current career path.

Nontraditional resume

A nontraditional resume is a distinctive resume that includes graphics, pictures, design elements and other visual components. A nontraditional resume might also link to online footage or other kinds of visual portfolio.

Nontraditional resumes are best for those working in media and creative fields, who want to their resume to show their capability to develop visually appealing design or content.

At Action Group Staffing, we regularly help job seekers craft optimized resumes for various job opportunities. If you’re currently looking for job search assistance, please contact us today.


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