Chronological resumes are the format that most job seekers will be comfortable creating and most employers are used to reviewing. For candidates that are transitioning to industries or positions that use skills from the distant past, a functional resume may be a format that will better represent the experience the employer is looking for. Consider these questions to determine which way to go:
· Why are you choosing the format? Using a functional format to ‘hide’ gaps in employment is the wrong reason to use it. When you fill out the job application the employer will see the gaps anyway.
· What are the top skills and experiences needed for the position? If the most recent experience you had in those areas would normally make it to the bottom of the first page or the second page of your resume, a functional format could be a better choice.
· Does your chronological resume have the right content to create a functional resume? Functional resumes are more challenging to create because information has to be clearly separated into sections that make sense to the employer and still show the candidate’s abilities. The best first step is to create an impactful chronological resume and then work on a functional resume or enlist assistance from a professional resume writer to develop that format.
Phoenix job seekers can get more information on all aspects of the job search process at a free workshop this Saturday:
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