To create a
professional and appropriately
structured resume, you
should choose a resume format that best suits the position you are
applying for. There are essentially two types of formats,
chronological and skills.
Both resume
formats are considered correct, but the chronological
format is most common. The chronological format lists your education
and experience in reverse order chronologically, starting with the
most recent education and experience.
Using this resume format is
also a great way to start your draft. When you are searching out
samples of resumes, this is usually the format that is shown. There
are sometimes variations of the format.
You will often run across
terms like "functional," or "creative" to describe variations on the
chronological resume format. Headings using these types of words are
just highlighting your background and qualifications.
The other resume format is called a skills
format. This type of
resume combines all of the skills that you have or have acquired from
your various experiences.
These various locations where skills and
knowledge were attained could be paid or volunteer work, student
activities, projects, etc. What you would do with this format is
group the skills by category. Make sure that they are job-related
skills for your desired position.
When a traditional resume (usually
chronological) doesn't work to show you are the best candidate for the
job, even though you may possess the skills needed, a skills format
may be the best type of resume formats to choose from. After creating
your first draft, you may want to seek the advice of a Career Services
advisor to let you know if this type of format is the best for what
you are applying for.
If you aren't sure which resume format works
best for you and the
position you are applying for, you should look at some samples and
what each of them features. It would be best for you choose the
combination that matches your background and skills.
You shouldn't
choose a resume format just because it might be more likely to use
that format just because of the type of major you had. It doesn't
matter what type of job position, internship, etc. you are seeking,
resume formats won't affect the probability of you getting the job.
However, it is best to choose a format that
supports your objective
and personal skills best. If you are totally unsure, have some
critique your resume and revise it as needed.
