Creating Different Resume Styles is Easier than Ever
If you find yourself having to write a resume, create a CV, or compose a resume cover letter, you may be wondering exactly how to go about it. Resume advice abounds both online and in the face-to-face world. Some people will swear that any resume style that consists of more than one page will not even be read by the potential employer. Others will swear that every position you ever had and every accomplishment you ever had should be in your resume, no matter how many pages it takes to accomplish that goal. Most likely, the best resume formats fall somewhere between those two extremes, and if you are looking for the best way to highlight your particular employability skills, you are in luck. Samples of resumes and resume cover letters are available with the click of a mouse online and there are online resume templates you can use, as well as various resume builder software packets you can purchase for a modest sum.
Most people realize the importance of making their resume stand out from the crowd of other resumes that employers are sure to see in this tight economy, but you may be one of the many who are unsure whether to use a traditional, chronological resume or a functional resume. You may not even be aware of the growing functional resume trend, in fact.
The difference between a chronological resume and a functional resume is in how you organize the information. A traditional resume puts the focus on your chronological employment history. A functional resume puts the focus on the ways you have accomplished and demonstrated particular skills. If you have a limited number of positions (or too many – you job-hopper, you), the functional resume may be the best way to show off your skills.
Take a look at the job description or position announcement and see what skills the employer is looking for, and then build your resume to suit the company’s needs. If an employer specifically states something like “seeking strong work ethic,” and you have held most of your positions for many years each, the traditional, chronological resume format may be best.
However, if the announcement declares something like “seeking outstanding writing skills,” you might want to consider using the functional resume style and listing all the writing accomplishments you have had under the Writing Skills section of the resume format.
Regardless of what you decide to do, you should also rest assured that technology has helped you once again. There are plenty of websites that provide examples of resumes and resume cover letters, and you can also find resume templates and tips on creating a resume with just a few clicks of the mouse.