Chronological vs. Functional

Your resume is one of the most important tools in the job search process. It is an employer’s first impression of you as a candidate. The resume is often a determining factor in whether or not you are asked to interview for a position. That being said, it is important to format your resume in such a way that the content is easily accessible and you are presented as a unique candidate.

A resume is a flexible document that should be tailored to the position for which you are applying. The content categories you select for your resume will be determined by the types of positions you seek and should include your strongest “selling points.” You may have several versions of your resume if you are targeting different types of career positions. For more information on resume writing, check out our Resume Guide.

Which format should I use?

Chronological: The chronological resume is by far the most commonly used resume type. It organizes work and educational history in reverse chronological order.

Use a Chronological Resume if...

• You are in a more traditional field (e.g., education, counseling, human services, etc.)
• You are seeking a job in the same field in which you already have experience
• You are trying to highlight your last place of employment or job title
• You have no significant gaps in employment

 

Functional: The functional resume rearranges employment history into sections that highlight your qualifications, skills and related achievements with little emphasis on employment dates.

Use a Functional Resume if...

• You have diverse experiences that do not add up to a clear cut career path
• You are changing careers
• You want to minimize gaps in employment
• You want to highlight your transferable skills
• You want to de-emphasize your places of employment