Resume Format

The term resume format can have different meanings. It sometimes refers to structure, style or type of electronic file.

On this page we will define resume format as the forma structure of the resume. This includes the order of subcategories, content of subcategories and commons styles used for each. For purposes of simplicity, we will define the two most common ways to format the resume:

Reverse Chronological Resume Format and Functional Resume Format. (keep in mind that hybrid or mixed versions of these resume formats do exist).

Often times people refer to "resume format" as style or type of electronic file, such as referring to the word processing file or ASCII text file. For information on online and electronic resume formats, please visit this link

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The Functional Resume

The functional resume format is one that is used to assert a focus to relevant skills that are specific to the type of position being sought. This format directly emphasizes specific professional capabilities and utilizes experience summaries as its primary means of communicating professional competency. In contrast, the chronological resume format will briefly highlight these competencies prior to presenting a comprehensive timeline of career growth via reverse-chronological listing with most recent experience listed first. Individuals with any of these conditions may effectively consider a functional resume:

• A mixed career background with a collection of jobs not specific to the type of position being sought.
• Someone returning to a previous profession, where the most recent experience is not as directly applicable as transferable to the job currently sought.
• Someone ready to develop a professional career from less than full-time experience, either from part-time or pastime related experience while ones full-time occupation differs from the previous full-time background.
• Job seekers returning to the workforce after a considerable lapse in employment.

The outline for a functional resume will generally follow this type of pattern:

Name and Address Header
Opening Headline, Objective or Occupational Title
Summary of Qualifications
Experience Highlights
Work/Employment History
Education and specific Computer, Software or Equipment Skills or Training

Breakdown: The functional resume format uses a summary introduction section followed by a detailed description of the job seekers skills and expertise in specific functional areas. This "functional" section serves as the main area of content. Work History will be listed below (usually in reverse chronological order). Work History is represented as a simple listing and does not include descriptions of the job. Education and other sections are listed below.

Functional Resume Example

The Chronological or Reverse-Chronological resume

The chronological resume (also referred to as reverse-chronological) format is by far, the most common resume layout in use. In using this format, the main body of the document becomes the Professional Experience section, starting from the most recent experience going chronologically backwards through a succession of previous experience. This resume works to build credibility through experience gained, while illustrating career growth over time.