Resume Types

The type of resume that is best suited to represent you depends upon your employment history, long term career goals and immediate objective. Depending on your situation, you could have more than one type ready to go at any given time. Having a clear understanding of the different types and their purposes will help you determine which is best for you.

Chronological

Lists your employment history in order beginning with your current or most recent position. Click here to learn how to write a chronological resume.

• Pros: Commonly accepted format
• Cons: May not highlight the most relevant experience

Functional

Groups accomplishments by skills and experience. Click here to learn how to write a functional resume.

• Pros: Puts the spotlight on relevant experience and can mask gaps in employment
• Cons: May cause hiring managers to be uncertain about your employment history

Combination

Lists skills and experience first, then lists chronological employment history.

• Pros: Allows you to bring your most relevant skills to the top of the page while clearly showing history
• Cons: Slight variation from the most common format

Targeted

Written to support your application for a specific job.

• Pros: Clearly conveys to the hiring manager how your skills and experience qualify you for their open position and communicates that you are very interested in that specific job.
• Cons: Very time consuming to write

Mini

A short snapshot of your career highlights for networking purposes.

• Pros: Easy to have available to distribute at a moment’s notice
• Cons: Must be backed up by a full resume

Video

Career history, skills and experience delivered by you, recorded and posted online or sent electronically.

• Pros: Opportunity to display some personality and make the first impression more impactful
• Cons: Difficult to customize or target for a specific company, and could give a negative impression if not very well done