CAREER SERVICES
Resume Style Guides
What's in a Resume?
It's all about Style
A resume is a written summary of your skills and work experiences. Presentation is as important as the information given. A good resume gets your foot in the door by ultimately leading to a job interview. Once you have gotten your foot in the door, use your verbal and non-verbal communication skills to land the job. Depending upon the position sought and your particular skills, it's important that you utilize the appropriate resume style. Use the Resume Worksheet (Word document--if you don't have Word, click here to download a pdf version) to get started. But, before you choose your resume style, follow these simple tips:
- Make your resume brief, no more than 1 to 2 full pages
- Use action verbs that are parallel to demonstrate your skills
- Highlight accomplishments, but don't stretch the truth
- Use correct grammar and correct punctuation and spelling errors
- Avoid personal information such as your birth date and religion
- Stress special skills and knowledge relevant to the position
- Always type your resume on a computer
- Make it appealing by using different fonts, no graphics
- Invest in white or ivory resume paper
What Style is Right for Me?
The Chronological Resume
This resume is the most familiar. It often contains an objective. Your work history and education are listed in reverse chronological order-in other words your last or current position is listed first. Most college students and recent graduates use this type of resume. |
USE THIS FORMAT WHEN
Click here for Chronological Resume Sample
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The Functional Resume
This resume is not organized around your work history, but rather around your skills and accomplishments. It is primarily recommended for those who have gaps in employment or those who have had lengthy absences in employment. |
USE THIS FORMAT WHEN
Click here for Functional Resume Sample |
The Combination Resume
This resume combines the features of the chronological and functional resumes. Specific skills and accomplishments are highlighted and a chronological work history is presented. This works well for those who are re-entering the workforce. |
USE THIS FORMAT WHEN
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You want to specifically highlight your skills suited for a particular position
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You have a solid work history, but with few jobs
Click here for Combination Resume Sample
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In today's technological society, some employers want your resume in an electronic or scanned format. You can use any of the resume styles mentioned earlier, but follow these simple tips to make the most of technically transmitting your information.
Electronic Resumes
These resumes are sent via email. Some employers want attached WORD documents, some prefer rtf files, or rich text formats. To prevent your resume from being scattered across the page, follow these tips:
- Left justify all parts of the resume, not even centering your name and address
- Don't use tabs between sections or words
- Limit characters to 60-65 per line (including punctuation marks)
- Save document in a plain, rich text format
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Scannable Resumes
These resumes can be scanned and placed into employers' resume databases. Rather than employers making copies for several search committee members, all can have access to view the document at one central location. To prevent smearing or poor scanning, follow these tips:
- Use plain white resume paper
- Do not use small fonts, use Times New Roman 11-14
- Do not italicize fonts or underline headings
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