Choosing the Best Resume Format - Don't Sweat It Too Much

Tips on Finding a Job >> Your Resume Format

I remember taking a resume class when I was in college, where they told us to use a certain resume format for scenario 'A,' a different format for scenario 'B' and so on. It all seemed so rigid to me at the time, and since then I've read dozens of articles from "experts" who have argued back and forth on this subject. It's enough to make your head spin!

A few years later, I found myself in the role of a hiring manager, screening the resumes sent in by job applicants. And you know what? I didn't care what format a particular resume was in, as long as it was (A) well organized and easy to read and (B) relevant to the job posting. In other words, if I could easily read the resume to find relevant experience, the format did not matter to me at all.

Some resume "purists" will disagree with me on this, and that's fine. But I have spoken to enough people in hiring roles to know that the specific format will not make or break a resume. Here's the bottom line -- if a resume is organized in some logical way, and it showcases the right skills and credentials, it will probably make it through the initial screening process.

In all of the screening situations I've been involved with over the years, I've never heard a manager or supervisor say: "Well, these three people seem to be equally qualified, but this one uses the chronological resume format, which is my absolute favorite, so she gets my vote!" It jut doesn't happen this way.

The Best Resume Format

Personally, I've often thought the best resume format was the "hybrid" style -- one that combines the best qualities of several different formats. Aside from that, readability and organization should be your guide.

I also recommend that you tailor a unique resume each time you apply for a job. This will give you more flexibility with the information you include, and it will help you put your most relevant skills and accomplishments right up top. In my experience, this is much more important than adhering to the guidelines of this or that resume format.

It's also important to realize that much of the resume guidance online today it outdated. There's certainly no harm in this kind of old-school advice, and it does have it merits. But it can often lead to a condition I refer to as "analysis paralysis," in which the job seeker spends more time tweaking the resume format than doing something useful -- like finding a job.

People have been regurgitating the same advice for decades about the "functional" resume format versus the "chronological" format, which one to use in which situation, etc. But there are no studies that prove one format more effective than another. It's all based on common sense.

Instead of locking yourself into such a rigid mindset, I recommend taking the following approach:

• Gather some sample resumes online. You can find plenty of them by doing a Google search. College websites usually have a good collection of them.
  
• Find one that matches the kind of job you are seeking, as much as possible.
• Start with that format, and then customize it as needed to incorporate your information.
• Step back and ask yourself: "Does this resume put my most significant credentials toward the top?" If it does not, rearrange it until it does.
• Then ask yourself: "Is this format arranged in a logical way? Will it make sense to a stranger?"
• Make sure your resume is easy to read by using one-inch margins, bold sub-headers, bullet points, etc. I've tossed many resumes aside in the past simply because they had no formatting. A page full of dense text with no spacing or subheading is hard to read -- it literally hurts your eyeballs!
• Do you have a friend or family member who has experience screening resumes? Somebody in a supervisory or management role? Ask them to look at your first draft and suggest improvements.
• And then get out there and start job hunting. Once you feel that your resume is the best it can be, start putting it to use. Tailor the content as needed for different job descriptions, but don't spend any more time sweating the format.
  

Here's what you should take away from this. Resume formats are a good starting point, but they are not written in stone. You can use a sample resume or a template to save time when creating your own, but you shouldn't feel like you are tied to any particular format. You're not.

Yes, your resume should be well organized and follow some kind of logical structure. Yes, it should be formatted to make it easy to read. Most importantly, your resume should contain the types of skills and experience the company is looking for. But beyond all of that, most hiring managers will not care what format you use.

Learn More: This blog post is part of an ongoing series of lessons. Visit the table of contents page to get more tips on finding a job.