Résumé formats

I got into a discussion recently about résumés. It was about which style of résumé is the best one. How about the style that gets you the interview, or the style that best presents your skills and accomplishments as they relate to the job you are going after. It is also about understanding who the receiver is. Many recruiters want to see a chronological résumé. They like to see everything laid out exactly the way you have been working. They might want to know if you have been recently doing the type of work they are trying to fill.

A lot of employers want to know that you have the ability to do the job they need done, so a skills based accomplishment résumé or functional style might work. The best advice I can give someone is find out ahead of time. Make connections with people who do the hiring in the industry you are interested in and ask them what they want to see. Tell them you are updating your résumé and will follow up next week with a new one and perhaps get some input or a crtique.

Now you have another reason to go back and continue networking with this new contact.

Glen Slingerlands Skills 101/ Job Development