Types of Resumes: Capture your employer with the RIGHT kind of resume

As you begin your job search, you may hear requests for some common prerequisites to landing the job you desire. Depending on the job, you may be asked to submit your resume, cover letter and transcript. While a cover letter and transcript can be an essential piece to your application packet, a strong resume is what most employers are seeking as they begin the hiring process.

What is a resume?

A resume is a document that presents employers with a snapshot of your skills, experience, and education. It paints the picture of the types of jobs you have had and provides a scope of your experience level in the roles or industries.

There are several ways to structure your resume to achieve your intended goal and aesthetic.

Types of Resumes  

Chronological

Functional

Combination

  • Job history is listed in order of current to Past. Illustrates continuity of work experience.
  • Best used when there are limited Gaps

 

 

  • Focuses on relevant professional Skills for the job you’re applying for. Do this by categorizing your skills as opposed the Jobs
  • Best used when large gaps are between employment

 

  • Provides opportunities to showcase extensive job history and details about skills attained.
  • Best used to illustrate technical skills gained over the span of a career. Also provides an employer in-depth overview of how your skills have evolved.

There are other forms of resumes that may be required when looking into specialized fields. For example, if you are interested in becoming a professor working in academia, these positions typically require a Curriculum Vitae. A Curriculum Vitae (CV) is very similar to the structure of a resume but includes a very comprehensive overview of your experience in education.

If you are looking to work in public service and want to launch a career with the federal government, you will need to use a federal resume template. These resumes are typically between 2-6 pages long and need to be very detailed about your specific job experiences.

No matter what job or internship you’re seeking be sure to do your research on the company. This will tell you the type of skills and candidates they are looking for to fill the role. This will also give you an opportunity to make yourself stand out as an ideal candidate.

For more information on resumes check out these free online resources:

https://mycareer.lincolnu.edu/resources/

https://resumegenius.com/blog/resume-help/types-of-resumes

By Brittany Hilderbrand
Brittany Hilderbrand