Functional Resume Format vs Chronological Resume Format

Functional Resume Format vs Chronological Resume FormatFunctional Resume Format vs Chronological Resume FormatForget what youve been told about chronological resumes.Its easy to find advice on how to format resumesjust Google proper resume format.Just because its easy to find doesnt make such advice correct or up to date, however.One example that crops up in many resume advice sites and gets passed along by well-meaning friends, family members and colleagues is to use a reverse-chronological format, i.e. the most-recent jobs listed first, instead of a functional resume structure, which describes your skills and experience without necessarily linking those elements to dates or even employers.Which one is right? Both and neither, said Steve Burdan, a certified professional resume writer who works with Ladders. The most effective resume is a kreuzung that combines both functional and chronological information, with a summary section that outlines career highlights and key qualities and accomplishments, and a chronological section that puts those elements into context in well supported blurbs for each job title that not only state where you worked and when but also the nature of your top achievements and details of your job responsibilities.Burdan recently used the hybrid approach to overhaul the resume of a sales professional. The salespersons original resume used only the functional approach, which Burdan called the least effective format.The first thing I knew when I looked at the original version of his resume, I saw it and said Man, we got to melt it down and recast it, so to speak, he said. The primary drawback of the functional resume is it takes all these neat accomplishments out of chronological sequence. You dont know if the guy did something last week or 20 weeks ago.The Hybrid modelBut a chronological resume doesnt stand alone, Burdan said.While a reverse-chronological resume clearly presents how recently in your career you accomplished a given achievem ent, it doesnt necessarily focus the readers attention on the job seekers strengths.Burdan compares the job search to online dating, and he extends the metaphor to liken the hybrid resume to a well-positioned suitor in a speed-dating scene.You really want to put your best foot forward, he said. In speed dating, you have 3 minutes to make that chemical connection. Its the same with your resume At the beginning of the resume, you insert a strong profile and areas of expertise section. The job seeker in question didnt have that on his old resume. With the new hybrid resume, right at the beginning of the resume, Im focusing the readers attention immediately on what hes capable of doing. I wanted to make a big splash right up front.In a hybrid resume, build up separate sections that cover both chronological information and functional information.With the sales professionals resume, Burdan first built a branding statement area to encapsulate exactly what an employer would get were it to h ire the candidate. The title of the revamped resume reads Management - Business Development, followed by a profile that begins Entrepreneurial leadership experience in new geschftlicher umgang development, territory management, branding strategies and industry networking initiatives in consumer-oriented and start-up business environments.This branding section should also include a bulleted list with such items as Profitably develop and implement successful business plans and high-impact product launches with a creative, visionary approach ensure delivery of high-growth revenue results.The hybrid resume then lists Areas of Expertise in its own section that includes such keywords as Strategic Planning, Relationship Building and Performance Metrics. Finally, the hybrid format details the job seekers employment history in reverse-chronological order, with achievements highlighted in bulleted lists preceded by job-function descriptions in brief paragraphs.In all the sections each senten ce and key phrase are like nails in a strong building, Burdan said. Im nailing home what I want the reader to understand about what a job seeker is capable of doing.