Proper Format of a Resume: Your Key to Job-Hunting Success

Nothing is more critical to your job-hunting success than an articulate, compelling presentation of your accomplishments, skills, experiences, educational foundation, and other information pertinent to your background and career.  While resumes and resume formats have historically served the purpose of summarizing the backgrounds of the individuals about whom they were prepared, today’s resumes must do more, as must today’s resume formats.

Much like packaging on a product, a thoughtfully prepared, properly formatted resume attracts attention and generates a positive image of its subject.  In today’s dynamic employment marketplace, the resume is the first and, in many cases, the only means through which the applicant can gain the attention of the prospective employer and distinguish him/herself from other highly qualified applicants.  For this reason, it must accentuate the positive aspects of one’s background, tell the candidate’s unique story, and eliminate or camouflage potential liabilities.  The resume format will determine how this is accomplished.

Proper Format of a Resume

The proper format of a resume can vary.  Among the most common resume formats are the chronological or historical resume, functional or skills-oriented resume, curriculum vitae, and narrative profile or biography.

The chronological – or more precisely, reverse chronological resume is the most common resume format.  At its heart are the listing and description of positions and their accompanying responsibilities and accomplishments.  This approach is best employed by an individual whose career is characterized by a well-defined career path including frequent promotions to positions of increased responsibility.

The functional or skills-oriented resume is a document that focuses on job functions, skills, and accomplishments.  This resume format enables the writer to more broadly articulate background and skills within a structure that is a significant departure from that employed by most applicants.  For this reason, the skills-oriented resume format has become a popular option for those changing careers, students, and others seeking to gain an edge on their competition.

The curriculum vitae, or CV, is the resume format option of choice for physicians, attorneys, scientists, academicians, and other professionals whose credentials provide clear evidence of their respective qualifications.  CV’s usually include complete listings of publications, appointments, research projects, and professional licenses, certifications, and affiliations.

By contrast, the narrative profile or biography, while not technically a resume format, is a promotional piece written in third-person that is often used as a brief introduction to a job candidate with a more detailed resume to follow.  Profiles or biographies are also used in conjunction with formal business proposals, marketing or public relations materials, and online networking sites.

Proper Format of a Resume – Content

While the proper format of a resume may vary, all resume formats will contain information in some or all categories including “Name,” “Contact Information,” “Objective,” “Profile” or “Summary of Qualifications,” “Core Competencies” or “Skills,” “Selected Accomplishments,” “Experience,” “Education,” “Professional Development,” “Licenses,” “Certifications,” “Publications,” “Affiliations,” and “References.”  While many of these categories are self-explanatory and either necessary or superfluous dependent upon the background and qualifications of their subject, some are worthy of elaboration.

“Contact Information” should be complete and include residential address, landline telephone and mobile phone if both are applicable, and email address.  Residential addresses should include number, street, and apartment or unit if applicable.  Avoid using P.O. box addresses if possible, as these addresses often indicate transience on the part of their holders.  Similarly, always include a personal email address with an appropriate user name, even if you must establish one for the sole purpose of inclusion on your resume.  Absence of an email address on your resume format conveys a lack of computer literacy that will, in most cases, be detrimental to your employment search.

While a well-written resume should convey a sense of purpose, inclusion of a statement of “Objective” is dependent upon the subject’s job-hunting focus.  Once a staple in resumes, the statement of objective has become less popular among those seeking opportunities within a broad array of careers and industries.  If specific, a statement of objective illuminates the reader regarding the background and aspirations of the candidate for employment.  If general, the objective is a largely meaningless assertion adding nothing of substance to the resume.  Given the changing nature of employment in today’s economy, a statement of objective at the outset of a resume is too restrictive for most job seekers and can be replaced by a “Profile” or “Summary of Qualifications” detailing the nature of the applicant’s background and scope of experience.  The applicant may then use his/her cover letter to express job focus and aspirations.

Given the fact that many companies use talent acquisition management (TAM) applications like Taleo, Kenexa Brass Ring, and PeopleSoft that automate and manage their initial resume review process, all resume content areas including “Profile” or “Summary,” “Core Competencies” or “Skills,” “Selected Accomplishments,” and “Experience” should be developed using a keyword approach.  Incorporating all of the appropriate keywords for your desired position into your resume will optimize it for automated review and, thereby, enhance your opportunities to secure interviews.

Perhaps most importantly, any and all “Accomplishments” incorporated into your resume should detail the situation, issue, or challenge faced, the strategies and actions you instituted, and their quantifiable results.  Uncovering and articulating these “Accomplishments” tells the prospective employer your story and demonstrates your value to any hiring organization.

Your Key to Success

Will prospective employers readily perceive the full value of what you have to offer?  They will only if you create a persuasive, distinctive resume capturing the optimal expression of you and your potential contributions to their organizations.  The proper format of a resume, combined with compelling content, is the most significant tool enabling you to secure employment or advance your career.