Composing Your Resume

Format

There is no single format that can be applied across-the-board since each individual is unique with special characteristics and life experiences. The major function of the resume is to offer a summary of you and your skills, showing how you are different from all other applicants. Your individuality is lost when the items are forced into a predetermined format. Therefore, start with your skills and assets, arrange them in a logical order, and design an individualized format for your resume.

There are several different ways to organize the information in your resume, depending on the story you want to tell, the experience and/or education you want to highlight, or the gaps you want to avoid. Your goal is to emphasize area of expertise that will be beneficial to the employer while presenting a total picture that is as favorable as possible. You should be comfortable with your resume and confident that it sells your competencies and capabilities.

The three most common formats are the chronological resume, the functional resume, and the targeted resume. A combination approach would include features of two or more formats.

The chronological approach organizes information by date; it is the chronological sequence that determines how items are to be listed. Typically, reverse chronological order is used because it allows you to emphasize your current activity as the most important. It is an easy format for the employer to read, and it's easy to prepare. The disadvantage in this approach is that there is a temptation to simply write a fact sheet which highlights dates. Dates do not sell your ability and, therefore, should not dominate the resume.

The functional approach goes beyond simply outlining education and experience. It enables you to draw from all life experiences, de-emphasizes historical sequence, and focuses on your skills. The functional approach organizes information from employment, volunteer work, internships and practicums, and possibly even course work, under skill headings or categories. If you use this approach, select two or three skills that are the most relevant or pertinent to the type of position you are seeking.

The targeted resume focuses on your capabilities and accomplishments for a specific position or type of job, eliminating all irrelevant information. The targeted approach allows you to project your ability to do the job even if you do not have direct experience. If you have done the necessary background research on the position requirements, you can look like a natural for the job. In addition to the Capabilities and Accomplishments or Achievements categories, a Job Target (i.e., Career Objective) is required.

Regardless of the type of format you choose, your resume should communicate to the employer what you can do. Therefore, it is advisable to include in your resume some information regarding your skills. Skills included in a resume can range from the general (e.g., writing, interpersonal skills, research, public relations, public speaking, management) to the specific (e.g., computer languages, budget management, demographic analysis, accounting, quantitative methods).

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