The Ultimate Basic Resume Format & Structure Guide

A document as important as the resume also needs to adhere to a structure in order for it to look presentable. You can read about the importance of resumes. The first step in the approach to writing a winning resume is selecting the right format/layout/structure according to your requirement. The perfect resume is succinct and brief and this is relative to the nature of the job as well. For example, a writer may have to list down all the previous work done while the emphasis will lay on the acquaintance with design software for a graphic designer. Let’s look at three main structures of resumes.

1. Chronological Resume

This one is the easiest to adapt and as the name suggests, your work experience history is listed in reverse chronological order where the most recent work you’ve done is listed first. But is it the right structure to opt for? It’s the best for people who have a long work history to show. It’s ideal if you’re looking out for a job in the same field of interest your current job is in or if you’re looking for a better position in the same career path. But in cases where you’ve changed jobs frequently, or changed career paths more than once or if you feel you won’t bag the next job by showing your previous experience, then the chronological structure is not the one for you.

2. Functional Resume

In this structure, more emphasis is laid on your abilities and your skills. This is a bit time-consuming to adapt and develop, but it gives the recruiters a great idea of what you’re made up of. This structure lets you package yourself to the best of your abilities to potential employers and helps you stand out. This can be adapted in case of you being a fresher with no prior professional experience, or if you have changed and hopped over to multiple jobs and you’re not comfortable emphasizing on that and instead you choose to showcase the positives, or if you’ve been out of the work arena for a while then this structure of resume will fit you perfectly. This works best when you’re using this for the target position or the target job you’re seeking. This will get you the recruiter’s attention for sure.

3. Combination Resume

We can call it a hybrid version of the above two which has the best of both worlds. It serves both purposes — one, it showcases your skills upfront, and two, it also gives a neat timeline of your work history. But, the employment gaps won’t be something that you can whisk away from the eyes of the recruiter if you use this structure. This is more flexible and it leaves the choice up to you to choose which factor to lay emphasis on, and which to downplay.

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