26-03-2014, 03:08 PM
A Guide to Professional Resume Development
Professional Resume.pdf (Size: 243.41 KB / Downloads: 104)
Basic Resume Formats
There are two dominant resume types or formats—Chronological and Functional, with combinations or
permutations thereof being called Hybrids. The traditional resume is the Chronological, and most HR
managers, recruiters, and hiring managers expect to receive resumes in that format, and thus tend to prefer
that type. Likewise, Resume Management Systems used to screen through resumes (described later) are
often programmed to extract data from resumes that are formatted chronologically. So, unless you have a
specific reason for choosing the Functional format, you are safest in crafting and circulating a basic
Chronological resume.
Chronological Resumes
Chronological resumes list work experience in reverse chronological order. The most recent job is
highlighted first under the Professional Experience heading, with most emphasis given to that job,
especially if you have worked in that position for a significant number of years. Dates, titles, and location
are given for that job and each prior job, as well as other individual titles you may have held with that same
employer. Thus, your work experience and accomplishments are clearly linked with the title(s) you held,
the company for which you worked, and the associated years of employment. This type of resume works
especially well if you are seeking a job in the same industry and/or same functional area as your most recent
position.
Look to the Future
Like many Jones School students, you may have chosen to make the commitment to pursue an MBA Program to
broaden your experience and knowledge base so that you have more latitude in targeting positions within your
company. You should keep your ultimate targeted position(s) clearly in focus as you choose your
coursework/projects.
When writing your resume, you should look to the future. What areas interest you? What skills and
abilities are needed in your targeted position? As you write about your current and previous employment,
emphasize the skills you know your next employer will want. For example, if you want to go into
marketing, but your previous employment has been as a controller, focus on the customer service,
presentation, and persuasive aspects of your work. If you want to go into a job that requires attention to
detail and analytical abilities, be sure to include any elements of your coursework/ previous employment
that demonstrate your analytical and problem solving abilities.