Types of Resumes – How to choose the right type?

Hearing it over and over again feels meaningless, clichéd at this point, especially if
you're in the middle of a life-changing job application process. But here's the problem
about cliches.  They're far too true to be dismissed.
You undoubtedly know how to write a resume at this point, at least on a general level.
The best ones, on the other hand, are meticulously written and tailored to the job
description you want.
If you are unsure about which type of resume is best for you, then you are at the right
place.  There is a particular type of resume to fit your needs, no matter how much
experience you have or what kind of job you want.
Here's a guide of the different types of resumes that exist and how to choose the ideal
one for you.

Traditional Types
The chronological resume, the functional resume, and the combination resume are the
three most traditional resume styles used by job seekers today, each having its own set
of strengths and uses.

1. Chronological Resumes

Although you may have heard that the most important information should be
listed first on a resume, this is not the case with a chronological resume.

This type of resume is generally used to track an applicant's professional

progress from the start. It's used to keep track of vertical growth within a
same field. This is the type of resume you should use if your professional goal is
to advance as far as possible in your field.

Work experience is the most important part of a chronological resume. List your
qualifications backward, with your highest qualification at the top, to show your
growth and credibility. It is generally recommended that you mention the past 10
to 15 years of your career if you have had a long career.

For individuals with a gap in their employment history, this type of CV is not
recommended. On the other hand, if you have a good reason to fill in the gap, go
ahead and create a chronological resume - if that's what is ideal for you.
 A chronological resume has two advantages: 
 It allows the recruiting manager to easily see how far you've progressed in
your career.
 It places your most relevant job experience at the top, where recruiters
and employers will see it first.

Who should use it?

If you have no big gaps between jobs, steady growth throughout your career, and
a long record of accomplishments and skills in the sector you're applying to, a
chronological resume is perfect.

2. Functional Resumes

The list of skills and specializations that you have or have acquired throughout
the years is the focus of this type of resume. Your skills are more or less
derivative of your job experience in the previous types, but a functional resume
provides you a more direct way to display your skills.

In the following scenarios, you'll probably want to use a functional resume:

 If you're looking for a new job, you can emphasize the skills you've
acquired so far and how you can apply them to your new field.
 If you're looking for a job in a field where you've taken a break or a
sabbatical. A chronological resume would have put you at a disadvantage,
but a functional resume allows you to establish credibility by
demonstrating that you have all skills.
 If you have a diverse set of skills, you will be more useful in the job. This is
also a wonderful method to show off your own growth and versatility.

Who should use it?

A functional resume will probably fit you:
 If you're changing industries.
 If you have significant gaps in your employment history.

3. Combination Resumes

This is the best of both worlds, it goes without saying.

This is a combination of the aforementioned types of resumes, as the title

suggests. A resume that combines the best aspects of chronological and
functional resumes has clear advantages. If you've had a long and successful
 career, you've earned the right to showcase your achievements. You can
mention your abilities as well as your career trajectory in the same document.

If you're attempting to create a combination resume, make sure the document

isn't cluttered. Write each part in short, concise bullet points (ideally with key
words rather than entire sentences) and neatly divide it. Keep it as simple as
possible to prevent any more difficulties.

Who should use it?

If you have any of the following to showcase, a combination resume is an
excellent choice when compared to the other types of resume formats:
 You've developed your technical abilities over a long, specialized career.
 Transferable skills, as well as a complete work history

Non-Traditional Types
There are several types of resumes that are either less commonly used or tailored for a
specific purpose.
Here are some other types of resumes that aren't as common:

1. Online Resumes

It is the internet age.

So, create a LinkedIn profile for yourself!

Since they are easier to maintain and access, online resumes are becoming
increasingly popular. Maintaining a constant public presence also allows you to
network with a wide range of people in your profession. Alternatively, you may
build your Resume on your own website or webpage.
The good thing about a LinkedIn profile, or any online profile, is that you can
change it whenever you want.

2. Infographic Resumes

If you work in a field where visual aesthetics are important, such as art, design,
or photography, this is a good Resume to include. A combination of an
infographic CV and an online portfolio will do wonders for your career!
 This is an ideal opportunity for you to offer samples of your aesthetic inclinations
in addition to stating your qualifications. So be creative: make graphs, tables,
charts, and whatever else you can think of!

Who should use it?

If you're an aspiring graphic designer, an infographic resume is a great method to
show off your skills while also demonstrating them.

Be careful, though:

Approximately 75% of businesses use or plan to employ resume-reading

software known as applicant tracking systems (ATS). Your resume is scanned by
ATS software to see if it includes enough resume keywords to be shown to a
hiring manager.

Many design features on infographic resumes are unreadable by ATS software,

which means your application may be rejected. Moreover, many employers view
creative resumes as unprofessional.

Use an infographic resume just if you're drafting a graphic design resume or you
know the firm doesn't use an Applicant Tracking System. A standard resume, on
the other hand, is preferable since it more clearly demonstrates your abilities and
professional background.

3. Social Media Resumes

We've already discussed how LinkedIn may help you demonstrate your career.
Facebook, Twitter, or a personalized blog/site are all examples of this. People
are often concerned about the Internet's ability to permanently record our
activities. So, why not put it to good use?
In an online Resume, you may strengthen your claims by including detailed
examples of projects and organizations in which you've worked. It's
another opportunity for you to demonstrate your flexibility in terms of skills and
accomplishments. 

4. Federal Resume

To apply for jobs in the US federal government, you'll need to utilize a federal
resume template.
In several ways, federal resumes differ from traditional resumes:
 Firstly, they're significantly longer, usually between two and six pages long, and
they include a section on experience.
In addition, federal resumes include information relevant to government jobs,
such as your GS grade, security clearance, and citizenship information.

Who should use it?

If you're looking for a job with the US federal government, you should utilize a
federal resume.

5. Mini Resume

A business card–sized handout with a brief version of your resume introduction

to a notepad paper–sized resume are all examples of this sort of resume.
The idea is that you maintain a mini resume on hand in case you run into a
recruiter or a CEO.

Who should I use?

Take a mini resume with you to networking events or industry conferences if
you're looking for a new job. Since you won't be seeking for employment at these
events, unlike at a job fair, it's pointless to bring full-size prints of your resume.
A mini resume provides you with something to hand out in case a good
opportunity comes.

6. Targeted Resumes

A targeted resume is one that is specifically tailored to the demands of each

company to which you apply. It can be formatted as a functional, combination, or
chronological resume; the key difference is that each detail is tailored to the job
you're looking for.

Read over the job posting for any significant skills, job tasks, keywords, or
requirements that relate to you in order to build an efficient tailored resume.
Then, make changes to your resume to emphasize your most relevant skills and
expertise.

Since you must study each company and customize your resume to fit the
requirements of each job description, writing a focused resume takes longer than
other types of resumes. It is, however, the most successful Resume you can
write since it portrays you as the ideal person for a certain job.
 Who should use it?
You should develop a targeted Resume if your experience and talents meet the
job description. Since targeted resumes are more likely to get callbacks, anybody
with relevant experience should write one.

We hope you're now well prepared to produce a top-notch and unique resume that
represents all of your potential, whether it's online or offline, traditional or non-traditional,
plain or colorful! All the best.

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functional resume and all the types of resumes. Who should use each of the resume?