A resume being one of the most important tools that helps you in your job search, it needs tremendous care in its crafting. Selecting a format is a major strategic decision and it should be remembered that there is no universally ‘right’ format that is appropriate for all people. Each individual has a unique background and to have the most effective resume, you need to utilize the best method in order that it has considerable impact on prospective employers.
Red Flags
Have you ever wondered why your resume never got you to the interview door? Have you ever wondered why it is ending up in the ‘round file’ before you even get the chance to really prove yourself? Have you wondered whether your resume is raising red flags? Red flags are immensely harmful and will eliminate you from being selected. You have very little time to make a favorable impression on the reader and you need to do everything within your power to be considered for the next stage in your job search.
Some of the major red flags that would jeopardize your path to success are job-hopping, lay-offs, termination of positions, and employment gaps. Such things placed in the chronological format are hazardous in nature and hence, great efforts need to be made to downplay them. In a competitive world with so many people waiting to get ‘the’ job, prospective employers do not really have the time or patience to stop and ask (at the resume stage), as to why you switched jobs, why you were laid off or why there are gaps in your employment history. The very fact that they are there could close doors on your face.
Functional versus Chronological
The best way to overcome this visibly detrimental factor in your resume, is to apply a format that would de-emphasize dates and highlight your skills, your contributions, and the value you brought along in all the positions held by you. To do this, a functional type of resume is recommended and not a chronological one. The chronological format puts the spot light on dates and tenure, whereas, the functional format has the nature of drawing attention to all your abilities. The functional resume would go something like this:
1. Profile or Summary Of Qualifications
2. Areas of Expertise
3. Key Accomplishments
4. Employment history (with dates not tabbed)
5. Education & Training
6. Publications & Presentations
7. Additional Information (which could include language or computer skills; community involvement; unique interests, etc.)
Merits of functional
As you can see, your key skills, knowledge, and related accomplishments are the primary organizing principles of the functional format. It proves your ability to contribute with relevant examples of effectiveness. It also provides an opportunity to establish the transferability of skills and grouping these items in self-contained categories builds a case for your abilities to function in a new situation. Further, the functional format widens the scope of informal experiences supportive of your career objective, including special projects, internships, community service and relevant leisure pursuits while eliminating distinctions that discount their importance. The conventional chronological resume format negates or contradicts this talent.
The functional format is particularly effective and highly recommended for people without direct experience in the area of their career objective as well as those with major red flags like frequent job-hopping and employment gaps. This is simply a pointer towards how you can effectively use functional formats to hide red flags.
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