How to Choose a Professional Resume Writing Format

Professional resume writing includes having the ability to choose the best format to make your resume stand out. There are three types of formats to choose from called the chronological, functional and the combination format. In order to choose the right format you need to know a little about each one and then choose the one with the qualities that fit your needs the best.

The chronological format is designed to highlight your career growth and show your experience in chronological order. This professional resume writing format makes it easy for the hiring manger to scan the resume and determine if you would be a great candidate for the position. It’s the best choice when you have a steady employment history without major gaps or inconsistencies.

The functional format highlights your skills and accomplishments instead of your employment history by listing it at the bottom. In other words, it places the focus on your accomplishments instead of when it was accomplished. It’s best used by applicants new to the workforce, changing careers, re-entering the job market after several years and applicants with hard to explain gaps between jobs.

The combination format combines both of the other two together by listing your best qualities and skills first and then backing it up with a detailed list of your work history. This professional resume writing format is a great choice when you have consistent work experience and you want to highlight your skills to create interest and prove you’re an excellent applicant for the job. The professional resume writing format you choose will have a huge impact on how successful your resume is so, take your time and choose wisely.