Article by Margaret S Gremli Ph.D
One of the things that everyone wrestles with when writing their first resume is how to organise the information that needs to go into it. The conventional approach for someone who has been in the job market for some time is the “chronological” style. As the name suggests, this style tracks job progression chronologically. Its advantage is that it gives the reader an idea of how an applicant has progressed from one job to another in a particular career path….
Another common approach is a “functional” style where key skills and competencies are highlighted. This approach is useful if you are entering the job market for the first time or if the job title you are applying for is not a natural progression from jobs you have held in the past. By highlighting transferable skills you have demonstrated in the past, such as “spearheading a change initiative” in a work placement program, or “leading a team” in an undergraduate or graduate project, you can demonstrate that you have experience related to the type of responsibilities you would assume in the job you are seeking. If neither the chronological nor the functional style seems to work for you, you could merge both styles into what is known as “combination” style. This method links past achievements with future aspirations. A combination style would be suitable if your track record is sound yet you are attempting to move into a new area. If you select the combination style, it is important to show linkages between your track record and the job you are applying for.
Yet another possibility is to go for an style which is highly graphic and eye-catching. An unconventional style is appropriate if you are applying for a job which requires creative flair or artistic talent such as in advertising or other media work.
Showing off your creativity could encompass anything from using unusual fonts to writing the text horizontally or even diagonally across a page. Graphics programs offer a plethora of opportunities to demonstrate your creativity. For example, you can superimpose some of your photography or artwork over the text so that the overall effect is visually appealing.
If you are planning to prepare an electronic resume, you can use any of the four styles listed above. An advantage of an electronic resume is that you can create links to a home page which provides additional information to the reader. If you have posted any of your projects on the internet, you can provide the necessary links from your resume to these web sites. This would be essential if you are applying for a job in web site design or if the job you are applying for involves day to day use of the internet.