Determine Your Résumé Format

Résumés can be developed in several different formats. Choosing the best résumé format for you depends on your background and the requirements of the jobs you will be applying for. At the Albion College Office of Career Development, we recommend students use a chronological resume format. If you are an alumnus of Albion College, your work experience may make a functional résumé more appropriate.

Chronological Résumé

Chronological résumés are the easiest to prepare and the most popular style of resumé. This format lists your educational experience first. Then, list your relevant experiences and include a few bullets to describe what you accomplished, starting each bullet with an action verb. Employers like this format because they can clearly read your experiences.

Functional Résumé

The functional format highlights the skills, aptitudes, and qualities most applicable to the position being sought by listing your most significant qualifications first. This style emphasizes what you can do rather than merely reporting your achievements.