Resume Formats

There are three common resume formats: chronological, functional, and combination.

Use the Resume Format Comparison Chart and the samples below to determine which format will best display your strengths. Visit the Resume Basics section of the Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development website for more information about resume formats.

Chronological resumes

Chronological resumes are a listing of employment and employment-related experiences arranged in time order.

Samples:

Work-to-Work Job Seeker (441KB, .pdf) - if you are switching jobs
School-to-Work Job Seeker (413KB, .pdf) - for the soon-to-be or recent graduate
Worksheet (316KB, .pdf) - a form to develop the first draft of your resume

Functional resumes

Functional resumes highlight skills, experiences, and accomplishments without identifying specific dates, names, and places. Many employers don't like this format because they suspect that the person may be trying to hide something. For example, applicants sometimes use functional resumes to disguise age, a lack of career progression, underemployment, employment gaps, or too little relevant experience.

Samples:

Work-to-Work Job Seeker (431KB, .pdf) - if you are switching jobs
No Paid Work Experience (422KB, .pdf) - highlight unpaid work and accomplishments
Worksheet (335KB, .pdf) - a form to develop the first draft of your resume

Combination resumes

A Combination resume allows you to focus on the best components of both chronological and functional resumes.

Samples:

No Paid Work Experience (472KB, .pdf) - highlight unpaid work and accomplishments
Work-to-Work Job Seeker (405KB, .pdf) - if you are switching jobs
Worksheet (376KB, .pdf) - a form to develop the first draft of your resume

Source: Creative Job Search , Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development.