Jessica Pierce

Five Types of Resumes and How to Use Them

As a career expert I am often asked what kind of resume is the best. The answer is a non-specific “it depends.” College students and Baby Boomers will have different types of resumes, for example, for the simple fact they have different work histories and experience. Your resume will change as you grow and learn…and for so many of us after we are laid off. The type of resume you present depends on a variety of factors though for most job seekers a chronological resume is the recommended option.

Here are the five types of resumes and how to use them:

1. Master Resume: This is the most challenging resume to create and the version from which all others are created. It is important to identify positions in the last ten years including skills, responsibilities, recognition and awards. Once created you will see trends in your skill set. Perhaps you have sales experience or combined you are an excellent managerial candidate. This resume is for your eyes only and will guide you through the next four versions.
2. Chronological: For most job seekers this is the type of resume you will create and the one I recommend. It is a list of positions, skills, responsibilities and recognition throughout your career. Its name is no accident as you will list most recent first then last job and so on for the last ten or so years. For those of us who have been working for many years we may find this version to be more than the recommended 1-2 pages which leads us to the next version.
3. Targeted: Taking your cue from the chronological version, a targeted resume is also in chronological order. The difference is that it is tailored to the position for which you are applying. If you’re applying for a sales position you want to include all sales experience as well as key words from the job listing.
4. Functional: For those who are re-careering (entering a new field) I recommend a functional resume. Keeping the work history you will update positions to highlight skills and expertise related to your new business or field of expertise. While your former position might have been analyst, for example, you were a team leader. On your functional resume highlight the leadership and include less detail about the analysis.
5. Combination: On the combination resume highlight skills and areas of expertise at the top of the resume followed by applicable experience. My resume is a combination resume that can be viewed at http://jessica-pierce.com/resume-3/. While I have remained in the general field of careers and training my roles and experience have changed; this resume reflects that development and yours can too.

I invite you to attend a Career Connectors event where we always have resume experts from the Resume Writers Council of Arizona. Here’s to you landing the career of your dreams!

Jessica Pierce is Founder and President of Accelerated Team Dynamics, LLC (ATD) a company dedicated to getting employees placed in the right positions in the marketplace by coaching companies as well as candidates. She is also Executive Director of Career Connectors, a community outreach program dedicated to connecting Real People to Real Careers. She is a known speaker, trainer and career transition expert.

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