Did you know that the average corporate job opening attracts about 250 resumes? Yet, only 25 are seen by hiring managers. In fact, most recruiters spend a mere six seconds checking a resume.
This document can make or break your chances of getting a job. Regardless of your skills, a bad resume can take you out of the race instantly.
Common mistakes, such as using the wrong format or failing to include relevant keywords, can land your resume in the trash.
The first step to writing a winning job application is to explore the different resume types and choose one that fits the job. There are chronological resumes, functional resumes, mini-resumes, and other formats.
Chronological resumes, for instance, are a good choice for experienced workers. If you’re a fresh graduate, write a functional resume to highlight your skills rather than your work history.
Interested to learn more? Here are some of the most popular resume types to keep in mind when choosing a professional resume template:
Chronological Resume
Chronological resumes focus on your professional experience. If you choose this option, you will list your work history in chronological order. Start with your most recent job and finish with the earliest.
This type of resume can be quite long, so try to keep it clear and to the point. Anything longer than two pages can be a deal-breaker for most recruiters.
Search for professional resume templates that showcase your work history without looking crowded. For example, a template with two or three columns will allow you to condense the information in a brief and clear format.
Use a chronological resume if you’ve had at least three jobs or roles. This is also a good choice for those who climbed the career ladder and have a track record of success.
Functional Resume
A functional resume should emphasize your skills and areas of specialties. It’s one of the most popular types of resume formats for those who are new to the job market or have significant employment gaps.
This format also works well for those who are planning to change careers.
If, say, you’re an SEO professional looking for a job in web design, you may not have enough work experience as a web designer. However, you may possess the skills needed for the job, so that’s what you should focus on.
Functional resumes allow you to highlight specific skills, strengths, and capabilities. It’s ideal for emphasizing transferable skills you have used in coursework, freelance work, or volunteer work, for example.
Combination Resume
A combination resume offers the best of both worlds. It emphasizes your work history and experience while showcasing transferable skills.
Generally, this type of resume is used by those looking to make a career change. It’s not the best choice for those with limited experience or large employment gaps.
If you choose this option, look for resume templates that include a “Summary” or “Highlights” section at top of the page. Use this area to list your skills or any notable achievements.
Explore the Different Resume Types
These are just three of the most popular resume types. Depending on your career goals, you may also use a targeted resume, a video resume, or other creative formats.
A graphic designer, for example, can seek new, innovative ways to format this document so that it stands out.
In this case, you may include infographics, videos, or illustrations. It all comes down to your skills and the type of job you’re interested in.
Writing a professional resume is just the first step to your dream job. Browse our Job Search section for other expert tips and insights!