Understanding Types of Resumes: Introduction

Resumes are a critical part of the job application process. They allow you to convey your best attributes to a potential employer and therefore it is integral that your resume not only highlights your best traits but also why you would be a good fit for the position. Everyone who is applying for the position will also be considering this when designing their resumes so crafting something unique and meaningful is the best way to stand out from the pack.

The development of resumes has changed over the years. Not only are resumes designed to list all your accomplishments but they are also a way to express your creativity and value to an organization. Furthermore, depending on the industry or level for a position, different resume styles are more suited to specific applications. Leveraging the wrong type of resume for an application can ruin your chances of a callback.

There are three main types of resumes that you should understand before starting to craft your resume; Chronological, Functional, and Targeted. Each of these has pros and cons and thus is useful in different scenarios. To further this there are three different variations that can extend the base type of resume; Detailed, Summarized, and Focused. Combining these types and variations allows you to craft a meaningful resume for the specific position you are looking to apply to.

During our next series of blogs, Understanding Types of Resumes, we will take a closer look at each type and each variation to understand the fundamental principles of each before looking at how combining variations with types can amplify your resume to maximize the presence.