1. Experience-based - Highlights your job history and your formal education
In the experience-based résumé, job history is organized chronologically with the most recent job listed first. Job titles and employers are emphasized and duties and accomplishments are described in detail. An experience-based résumé is easy to read, and can highlight career growth. It is suited to those whose career goals are clearly defined and whose job objectives are aligned with their work history.
An experience-based résumé is advantageous when:
your recent employers and/or job titles are impressive;
you are staying in the same career field;
your job history shows progress;
you are working in a field where traditional job search methods are utilized (e.g., education, government).
An experience-based résumé is not advantageous when:
- you are changing career fields;
- you have changed employers frequently;
- you want to de-emphasize age;
- you have been recently absent from the job market or have gaps in employment.
2. Skills-based - Highlights the skills and abilities you have
In a skills-based résumé, skills and accomplishments developed through work, academic, and community experiences are highlighted. Your skills and potential can be stressed and lack of experience or possible gaps in work history de-emphasized.
The skills-based résumé is advantageous when:
- you want to emphasize skills not used in recent work experience;
- you want to focus on skills and accomplishments rather than a lengthy employment history;
- you are changing careers/re-entering the job market;
- you want to market skills and experience gained through coursework and/or volunteer experience;
- your career growth in the past has not been continuous and progressive;
- you have a variety of unrelated work experiences;
- your work has been freelance, consulting, or temporary in nature.
The skills-based résumé is not advantageous when:
- you have little work experience or leadership experience;
- you want to emphasize promotions and career growth;
- you are working in highly traditional fields, such as teaching, accounting, and politics, where employers should be highlighted.
3. Combination - Features a section that highlights the skills and abilities you have and combines this with a chronological listing of employment and education