Resumes: Chronological vs. Functional
Chronological
Chronological resumes are the most common. They emphasize job history, and are appropriate when you had steady employment and your career has shown consistent progress. The typical headings for this type of resume are:
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Name
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Objective
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Experience
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Education
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References
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Other (optional) Such as awards, certificates, hobbies, community interests, etc.
If you are looking for a career change, your employment history is inconsistent, or if you find lots of repetition in describing various jobs, consider a functional type resume instead.
Functional
Functional resumes emphasize skills acquired over the years in various positions. They typical functional resume does not detail tasks performed with each employer. It is characterized by the accomplishments and employment sections. The typical headings for this type of resume are:
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Name
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Objective
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Accomplishments
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Employment
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Education
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References
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Other (optional) -Such as awards, certificates, hobbies, community interests, etc.
Functional resumes are particularly useful in these situations:
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Career Change: Since you cannot show experience in your desired area, you may, instead, show that you have gathered the necessary skills for the new position.
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Frequent Job Changes: Turn a negative into a positive by showing diverse skills acquired in previous positions.
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Similar Positions: The functional resume avoids repetition by summarizing skills and accomplishments.
Remember that functional resumes are less common than chronological, and an experienced hiring manager will try to determine why you chose that particular type. Are you a job hopper? Are you changing careers? Hence, you should use a functional resume only when the benefit is obvious.
Resume Cover Letters
Opening Paragraph:
The opening paragraph of your cover letter briefly introduces you to the employer and identifies your purpose in writing (responding to classified ad, referral, cold letter, etc.)
Skill Summary Paragraph:
The second paragraph should summarize your skills, abilities and interests as they relate to the particular position and/or to the specific employer you are writing to.
Closing Paragraph:
The closing paragraph of the cover letter states the work seeker’s desires and the next step he/she will take with the employer.