There are varieties of different types of resumes. At its essence, the resume is a marketing vehicle used to sell you and your specific talents to an employer. All of the different types of resumes will present your information in a different light, so you need to look at each type to determine which best suits your needs for each particular job to which you apply. Discover some of the most common resume styles in the list below, along with a description of what makes them different from all the rest.
Different Types of Resumes
- Chronological Resume - This resume will list your work history first. Begin with your most recent employment and work your way backwards in time.
- Functional Resume - In this resume, you will focus on your skills and experience, rather than on your employment history. The functional resume groups work experience and skills by skill area or job function. Use this type of resume when you have gaps in your employment history or when you are changing careers.
- Targeted Resume - Use this resume when you want to specifically highlight experience and skills relevant to the job you are seeking. It simply means you go through your resume and target it for the specific job. Insert keywords or "buzzwords" of the particular industry and job to which you're applying.
- Combination Resume - It incorporates elements from the chronological, targeted and functional resumes. List your skills and experience. Next, list your employment history in reverse chronological order. Highlight your skills that are most relevant to the position.
- Mini or Micro Resume - This is an abbreviated version of the traditional, longer resume.
- Europass - In the European Union, a standardized CV model has been promoted as a way for citizens of EU countries to transition their skills and education between the member states.
- Curricula Vitae (CV) - The Curricula Vitae presents a detailed statement of your qualifications. It is only used in certain positions and industries, predominantly for education or science-related positions.
Different Types of Resume Formats
You can deliver your resume in various ways. The majority of employers today prefer a Word® document or a PDF file sent by e-mail. Some employers may require that you copy and paste your resume into the body of an e-mail, rather than sending an attachment.
It is important to have both a formatted, printable version of your resume and a text-based version. The table below shows some of the various technological format terms associated with resumes.
| Format | Description | Advantages |
| Print and Print-Ready | This is the standard printed version of ink on paper. A "print-ready" resume is one that you create in a word processing program that is fully ready to print with all correct formatting in place. | Employers can print it out and read it; You can mail it or hand-deliver it |
| Formatted | This means a print-ready resume in document form, which you can send as an attachment to an e-mail message. | Ease of use; Employers can print it out and read it |
| RTF | Rich Text Format is a document file format developed by Microsoft, which is often required for online job boards, such as Monster or HotJobs. | Compatibility across software and word processing programs - most word processors are able to read and write RTF documents; An RTF resume is ready to upload to job boards and databases |
| Text-based | This is also called an ASCII text file. It is an e-resume that has been stripped of most formatting. | Compatibility across software and word-processing programs; Ease of uploading to job boards and databases; It can be pasted into body of e-mail without formatting problems |
| A PDF is a "Portable Document." You use Adobe Acrobat®, or other PDF software, to turn your word processing document into a PDF. | Ease of use and storage; Compatibility across computer platforms and software; Reduction of the threat of spreading computer viruses; You retain control over the document being altered | |
| Web-based resume in HTML | HTML is hypertext markup language, a special way of writing for web pages. | HTML resumes can be placed on web sites; They are accessible to employers 24/7; They are easily expandable into a web portfolio |
Multiple Versions of Your Resume are Necessary
Today's job market requires multiple versions of your resume. It would be wise to have a print-ready resume saved as both a word processing document and a PDF. You may want a text-based version stripped of formatting so you can post it quickly to job boards and online databases. You may also want a RTF version, required by some job boards. To tailor your resume for different employers, you may need to have different formats, such as a chronological resume, a combination resume and a functional resume. It does require extra work to create several different versions of your resume, but this extra effort can make all the difference>.
