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	Resume Writing Tips

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You Aren't Single Dimensional – So Why Is Your Resume?

By: Heather Eagar

Choosing a resume style is as difficult or easy as choosing the most suitable dress or suit for that all-important interview. It is all too simplistic to say that a one ‘jacket fits all’ strategy will work for everyone when deciding what resume style to use – still, most job seekers take this approach and use a functional resume, even when it may not be well suited to their specific situation.

One appropriate alternative to the functional resume is the combination resume. You may wonder how this type of resume will work for you. What you need to understand is the fact that each person’s situation is different, and resume readers (your potential bosses) are different people with variable moods and different points of view. A combination resume can be an effective alternative to a functional resume in many cases. Let’s take a look at what a combination resume really is.

Combination Resumes

As the name implies, a combination resume is one that merges the styles of both the functional and chronological resumes. The combination resume doesn't just present the facts in reverse chronology but also highlights the functional aspects of each position that you have held, such as your unique skills, the experience gained in all previous jobs and your knowledge.

How Will A Combination Resume Work For Me?

Combination resumes suit all those who have varied (read: checkered) employment histories. This can be due to gaps in employment or having held substantially different positions. If you are changing your career, a combination resume will most likely work well for you. This is because they emphasize your skills and adaptability more, which is typical of changing careers at regular intervals. A combination resume is also perfect for students and new graduates with only part time or internship experience.

The crux of the matter is that the combination resume provides the perfect platform for highlighting and presenting your soft skills, in addition to allowing you to list your work experience in a chronological sequence. For all these reasons, a combination resume is a workable alternative to a straight chronological or functional resume.

Here is a snapshot of candidates that would benefit from using a combination resume:

1. Entry level candidates who have very short work experience to speak of but strong academic excellence and marketable skills.

2. Older employees—they can make use of the summary section to highlight their strong credentials from their long careers.

3. Frequent career changers. With the caveat that if you are radically changing your career, it is more advisable for you to use a functional resume than the combination resume.

4. Candidates who have had gaps in their employment for long periods of time and are now attempting reentry to the job market.

5. Lifers. Those job seekers who have spent a long time in a single job or similar jobs without breaks or any changes whatsoever. They could very well use the chronological style, but the combination resume will present them as more polished and adaptable (key here).

Doing Double Duty

The key to a combination resume really lies in how effectively you market your skills and abilities on paper. Use the combination resume to head off possible red flags that can torpedo your chances with a particular employer or for a particular position right from the start. Take advantage of the benefits of a combination resume by positioning your unique combination of skills and accomplishments upfront. By using a combination resume, you give the employer what they want, (because employers either consciously or unconsciously look for a chronological-format resume) and give yourself an immediate advantage over the competition—candidates that use other resume types.

A New Twist On An Old Friend – The Chronological Resume

By: Heather Eagar

What is a chronological resume? A chronological resume is a resume in which you list your past jobs and educational qualifications in reverse chronological order, beginning from the latest or the present one first. This is the traditional and most well known resume format.

Why Use A Chronological Resume?

A chronological resume is especially effective for mid-career professionals and new grads that have limited work experience. It allows the employer to see all of your qualifications including education upfront. Your resume shouldn't read like a Ph.D. Dissertation – it should get straight to the point, and the chronological resume does this and more:

1. It explicitly demonstrates your career progression. It easily illustrates the solidity of your career.

2. The simple, traditional format makes it easier for employers to skim through quickly and to determine your qualifications. The fact is that most employers are expecting a chronological resume.

3. A chronological resume is a straightforward summary of your professional history. It is neat and simple. An employer usually takes only about 10 minutes to review your resume, and executive recruiters take even less time. Do you want them to do more work than they have to? They won't, because they don't have the time!

4. There are no ambiguities about your qualifications whatsoever as everything the interviewer wants to know is open and apparent. This is what you want—because they less questions they have about your resume, the less questions you'll have to answer in the interview!

Downsides To A Chronological Resume

Of course, like everything in life, the chronological resume has a few downsides. Since you are probably reading this to assess the pros and cons of this resume style, you may as well go in knowing these possible pitfalls:

1. The chronological format does not positively accommodate gaps in employment; in fact, when used, it could expose them quite easily. Additionally, a chronological resume does not suit those candidates who have changed careers often. If this describes you, then you may want to consider this resume style carefully before using it.

2. Cross-discipline skills may not be highlighted to their full potential; some employers are looking for continuity, and if you have changed careers in short periods of time, then using a chronological resume will highlight this fact instead of the valuable skills you can bring to the table.

3. If you have a short work history, a chronological resume will only highlight your lack of experience. For most employers, this is an immediate red flag and enough to make them file your resume under “C” for circular file. I hope you know what that means!

When to Use the Chronological Resume

Students and new grads applying for internships invariably have to use this style as they have a limited work history – they don't have much choice. But, sometimes seasoned professionals use this format when applying for jobs that involve routine tasks. Here is another example of when one can use this style: An accountant who is applying for her next job after several years of routine experience will have not much to show in terms of professional gains, but she can show job continuity. For such candidates who need to show continuity when changing jobs, the chronological resume works very well. Continue here!

Article Source: Article Hangout

Heather Eagar is a former professional resume writer who is now dedicated to providing job seekers with resources and products that promote job search success from beginning to end. If you need resume examples and tools, go to www.NothingbutResumes.com.