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Resume Writer Matthew
Greene, M.Phil.
Resume Tips for 2010:
What is the Best Resume Format For You in 2010 ? Chronological? Functional?
Combination? Technical? ASCII?
by
Matthew Greene, M. Phil.
Author
of Winning Resumes – "Sure-Hire" Tactics ... (Penguin)
To choose the best resume format for your needs in 2010,
is NOT a simple matter. It's more challenging than deciding
what to wear to an important job interview or social event! So,
please don't rush to use someone else's design. Will it also
showcase your unique job history and achievements?
Even worse than blindly deciding on any format, is to use a
readymade resume template!
Unfortunately, most of those templates are OUTDATED. They were
created in the '80s and '90s and won't help you in today's recession or buyer's job
market. Anyhow, DO YOU REALLY WANT YOUR RESUME TO LOOK EXACTLY LIKE HUNDREDS OF OTHERS?
It is essential that you choose your resume format
wisely. Your goal is to find a suitable layout that will help you
highlight your strengths and hide or disguise your shortcomings or
other resume blemishes.
Because a resume is a MARKETING document, your format must help you to
present your best self (or "sell") on paper. In fact, a busy reader wants
to see what you are offering in the first 10-15 lines. He or she will also
look for your value by scanning the entire document. Fortunately, there
are several resume formats to choose from.
The most suitable LENGTH of your resume is also a factor and we even
OUTGROW certain formats.
The crucial question is how and where will you
record your skills, strengths and experience in the most effective manner?
How and where will you SELL yourself in the Recession of 2010? Here are a few of your options and
the advantages and disadvantages of using a few of the best resume
formats:
Combination Resume
A modern Combination
resume is a very good answer because this
will combine the best features of the traditional
Chronological (dates in reverse order) and
Functional (skills) resumes. This format is ideal for an
entry-level candidate as well as for senior executives with 20 years'
experience who need a stronger and better resume.
This type of resume has a crucial 15-line section at the top for writing
an audience-oriented Job Objective and a Summary or Profile or Qualifications
Statement. The Combination resume enables you to present your "CAN
DO's" as well as a summary of your "HAVE
DONE's" in the top half of Page One. Managers and executives will also
be able to include two to three columns listing their areas of experience
or expertise. This always impresses a reader.
Nowadays, a Targeted
resume that addresses an employer's SPECIFIC needs is the best resume
format. It
focuses your resume towards a specific career objective or job advertisement
in a specific company, environment or industry. The targeting takes place
mainly in the first 15 lines. A Tailored ("Just-for-You")
resume shows the reader what a good "fit" you are for the position
advertised.
Such resumes will be effective in any job market. They are always the best
resume formats.
Chronological Resume Versus Functional Resume
The traditional Chronological resume
(dates in reverse order) is popular but very "basic". It does NOT
allow someone with 5-20 years' experience to do justice to his or her
skills, strengths, and accomplishments because this format is limited to
the facts of your Work Experience and Education. (It's like a C.V.) Where
will you write about your abilities? Where will you offer your value? How
will you sell yourself? Much of what a recruiter needs to know - your
"sell" -- will be missing!
It may therefore surprise you to learn that the widely used
Chronological resume is actually incomplete! It is definitely WEAK as a
sales/marketing tool. Unfortunately, this type of resume relies too
heavily on selling yourself in a separate cover letter which may or may
not be read.
Should you therefore go "Functional"?
In my view, too many people rush to use the Functional format. The
awful reality is that many employers DON'T care for it.
Here you develop
a resume which has a big skills section at the top (under different headings
such as "Management Skills" or "Production Skills"). The skills statements
are followed by one-line items setting out brief details of dates and names
of employers in the bottom third of the page. The resume is therefore "top
heavy".
Unfortunately, many employers DON'T care to read a lot about your
skills, abilities and achievements unless they are also given a chance to
MATCH UP these claims with the job titles and dates to which they refer.
Most employers prefer a "normal" Chronological resume with dates
and job descriptions. Many distrust a Functional resume because they know
it is used by those with something to hide or disguise. It makes them very
wary and suspicious.
In short, choosing the best format (or sections of different formats) to
create an effective resume in your case is NOT an easy matter and you may
need to seek professional resume help. There are many factors to take into
account, including the length of your resume, your accomplishments, as
well as possible shortcomings or potential negatives or "red flag" items.
A first-class writer deals with problems of resume
design every day and has the necessary skill and expertise to find or
develop the best solution for you in this recession.
He or she will also advise you about the advantages and
disadvantages of using Electronic (ASCII) resumes in Notepad and what can
be done to make them look better and be easily scanned.
So, please do NOT rely on your limited knowledge of different formats.
Your resume is your most important job search tool and it will always pay
you to consult a resume expert with much more experience than you might
have. In 2010, that will make a crucial difference to your chances of being hired.
Visit WINNING RESUMES BLOG for valuable recession "tips".]
My MAIN WEB SITE is at www.WINNING-RESUMES.com
mattgreene@aol.com
Tel.: 1-718-436-3504
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