Resume Styles

A resume is an article containing outline of working experience and educational qualification for the related post. It contains precise information in one or two pages. Resume is formally written on A4 or letter size paper.

Resume or Curriculum Vitae is the first thing that represents a person's skill, capacity, education and experience. According to information given in the resume any company or organization can call for the interview.

To get good opportunity, your resume should be written in proper steps, it will help to the organization or company to understand your skills. There are three main styles for writing resume -

1) reverse chronological resume
2) functional resume and
3) combination resume.

Reverse chronological resume:

In the Reverse chronological resume candidate's experience is listed in the reverse sequence which generally covers previous ten to fifteen years of experience.

This format is mostly used for writing professional resume. While writing reverse chronological resume, the experience section should start from the new or current working experience followed by the previous experiences. This type of resume shows skills and knowledge which you have gained throughout the work experience.

Functional resume:

Functional resumes clearly shows persons quality or skill. This type of style is used when selected or specific skills are required for the job.

Functional resume type is completely different from the reverse chronological resume. In chronological resume work experience is listed in reverse order starting from the recent one. However in the functional resume specific skills or experience is written in the beginning.

Some persons change their career, and get different types of experience in different fields, for them functional resume is best style for writing resume.

Combination resume:

This type is combination of reverse chronological resume and functional resume. In combination resume functional skills are followed by the chronological list of experiences. It is less preferred as compare to others because of chances of repeating experience again.

Resume style may be easy, causal or imaginative or conventional, you can change or modify your resume according to the post for which you have applied and mention the qualities or skills you will carry in the work or job.

Resume style elements:

• Always use white paper for writing resume, font color should be black. Color paper is not advisable for resume, it gives negative impact.

• You can make 1, 2, or 3 columns depending on how would you like to present your resume. While making resume in columns take care of white space, it should be properly separated. Single column can allow user to read resume properly from top to bottom

• Carefully select font type and size for writing resume so that it will become easy for reading. You can use Times Roman, Bookman or Georgia. Different font can be used for giving headlines

• Justified text alignment is suitable rather than others. It is easy to read information in points than in paragraph

• You can use standard bullets like the circle or the disc or the square to highlight achievements and skills

• You can use graphical elements like vertical or horizontal lines. Information can be written in tabular form. Do not include unnecessary pictures in the resume.