80 Part Il: Resume Basics That Wow ‘Em Every Time Resume Formats Make a Difference Resume format refers not to the design or look of your resume but to how you organize and emphasize your information, Different format styles flatter dil- ferent histories. At root, formats come in three family trees: + The reverse chronological lists all employment and education, beginni with the most recent ancl working backward. The skills-based functionat shouts what you can do instead of relaying what you've done and where you dict it. © The inybrid or combination is a marriage of both formats. Note: The narrative formatis an outdated chronological format that starts with the oldest facts and works forward to the newest facts. A pretentious variation of the narrative format uses the third person as though you were writing a biography. | don't bother to even discuss them, and I strongly sug- gest that you don't use either one. (ui These basic styles have spawned a variety of other formats, the best known of which are these: i Professional Academic curriculum vitae 4 International curriculum vitae Table 5-1 gives you a breakdown of which format to use when. Table 5-1 Your Best Resume Formats ata Glance Your Situation Suggested Formats Porfoct career pattcrn Reverse Chronological Rookie or ex-military Functional, Hybrid, Accomplishment, Linear Seasoned ace Functional, Hybrid, Accomplishment Business Reverse Chronological, Accomplishment Technical Accomplishment, Reverse Chronological, Hybrid Profession: Professional, Academic Curriculum Vitae, PortfolioChapter 5:Creating YourBestResume § J Your Situation Suggested Formats Government Revars¢ Chronological, Professional Artsteaching Professional, Portfolio, Academic Curriculum Vitae Job history gaps Functional, Hybrid Multitrack job history Functional, Hybrid Ca r change Functional International job seeker International Curriculum Vitae Specialissues Functional, Hybrid The following sections explore each type of resume format so that you can choose the style best for you and your skills. Reverse Chronological Format The reverse chronological (RC) format, shown in Figure 53, is straightforward: It cites your employments from the most recent back, showing dates as well as employers and educational institutions (college, vocational technical schools, and career-oriented programs and courses). You accent a steady work history with a clear pattern of upward or lateral mobi Strengths and weaknesses Cheek to see whether the reverse chronological resume’s strengths are yours: + This upfront format is by far the most popular with employers and recruiters because it is $0, well, upfront. + RC links employment dates, underscoring continuity. The weight af your experience confirms that you're a specialist in a specific career field (social service or teclmology, for example). 1 RC positions you for the next upward career step. 1 As the most traditional of formats, RC fits traditional industries (such as banking, education, and agcounting).82 _ Parti: Resume Basics That Wow ‘Em Every Time ‘Take the weaknesses of the reverse chronological format into account: n your previous Job titles are substantially different from your target ion, this format doesn't support vour objective. Without careful management, the RC reveals everything, inclu and negative factors. » RC can spotlight periods of unemployment or brief job tenure, Without careful management, RC reveals your age. + Without careful management, RC may suggest that you were plateaued in a job too long. Who should use this format and who should think twice Use the reverse chronological if you fall into any of these categories: 1 You havea steady school and work record reflecting constant growth or lateral movement. Your most recent employer is a respected name in the industry, and the mame may ease your entry into a new position. v Your most recent job jes are impressive stepping stones. You're a savvy writer who knows how to manage potential negative fac- tors, such as inconsequential jobs, too few jobs, too many temporary Jobs, to many years at the same Job, or too many years of age, Think twice about using the RC under these circumstances: You have a lean employment history. Listing a stray student job or two is not persuasive, even when you open with superb educational creden- tials enhanced with internships and co-op experiences. With careful attention, you can do a credible job on an RC by extracting, from your extracurricular activities every shred of skills, which you pre- sent as abilities to do work with extraordinary commitment and a head for quick learning. You have work-history or employability problems — gaps, demotions, stagnation in a single position, job hopping (four jobs in three years, for example), reentering the workforce after a break ta raise a family. Exercise very careful management to truthfully modify stark realities, However, you may find that other formats can serve you better.