Different Types of Resumes: The Primary Resume Formats

Like ice cream, resumes come in a variety of flavors.  The different types of resumes, representing different resume formats, were developed in response to specific job applicant needs.  We will begin our discussion of this topic with the oldest of the resume formats.

CV’s, otherwise known as a curriculum vitae, are the ancestors of the modern resume and today are primarily utilized by physicians and attorneys.  An effective CV should begin with a Summary of Qualifications or Professional Profile and should include data such as licensure, education, pre-professional experience if the candidate has not been licensed for a reasonable length of time, professional experience, ongoing professional development, and, if applicable, information concerning research and works that the candidates may have published.  “Curriculum vitae” is Latin for “course of life” and the CV’s utilized today are typically a formal listing of their subjects’ professional development and experiences. Given the fact that most hiring authorities understand the role of physicians and attorneys, CV’s usually contain significantly less descriptive information than resumes.

The direct descendent of the CV is the chronological resume and its offspring, the reverse chronological resume is perhaps the most widely recognized employment document.  The meat of this type of resume is the section concerning one’s experience, where the applicant will list his or her positions in reverse-chronological order; meaning, the most current job appears first on the resume and the oldest job, last.  Descriptive data concerning one’s job functions and accomplishments must follow the name of the companies, the dates of employment, and the candidate’s position titles.

Although the reverse chronological style is sometimes acknowledged as the “standard format,” the fact is that functional or skills-based resumes have not only been acceptable for more than thirty years, they have proven to be beneficial in ways that reverse chronological resumes often are not.  In a functional or skills-oriented resume format, areas of candidate competency are detailed without respect to particular position or employment.

For instance, if an applicant’s background consists primarily of inside sales as well as general office duties, the candidate might group the sales-relevant data, usually in bullet form, under a section entitled “Sales,” and the remaining information under a section called “Office Services.”  If the resume does not begin with an Objective (as is most often the case today), these sections should follow the opening Summary or Professional Profile.  After the presentation of pertinent skills would follow the applicant’s employment history, education, and any other relevant information – such as, licenses, certifications, awards, and references (if they are to be included in the document).

The hybrid resume is, as its name suggests, a blending of both the functional and the reverse chronological styles.  For many candidates, the hybrid resume format offers the best of both worlds, allowing the candidate to detail broad areas of skill and specific accomplishments in a less redundant, more free-flowing document.

Regardless of the different formats resumes may take, their purpose is the same – to present candidate qualifications and motivate a prospective employer to contact the candidate for an interview.  In selecting a resume format, candidates need to choose the style that best expresses their respective talents and background while minimizing or camouflaging potential liabilities.  Choosing the right resume format is critical to the success of one’s job search.