
What is a Resume: Definition, Examples & How-to
Job hunting can be confusing. You know you need a resume, but what is it exactly, and how to even write one? Deep breaths. Read on to learn everything you need to know.
Job hunting is tough business. You know you need a resume... but what kind? There are so many! In this guide you will learn what a chrono-functional resume is and how to write it.
Choosing the right resume style is key—
Why?
Because it’s your best chance of grabbing your next employer's attention by highlighting the information that matters most.
So depending on your current situation, you may need a different kind of resume than the most popular chronological resume.
Maybe you’ve had a two-year gap because you went to South America to find yourself, or you simply want to pursue your ideal career in the restaurant industry, but have worked for years in marketing?
No matter what it is, you may want to find out if the chrono-functional resume will work for you.
In this article:
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Looking for a different kind of resume guide? Check out these:
Want to find out how to write the best resume in the chrono-functional format?
You’re almost there, but first…
Let’s find out what a chrono-functional resume looks like:
Adam Woodard
4383 Kembery Drive
Chicago, IL 60607
630-614-0814
adam.woordard@gmail.com
Professional Profile
Enthusiastic and detail-oriented copywriting and marketing professional with 4+ years of experience creating SEO-friendly content. Experienced in customer service and various marketing strategies and tools. Increased Web traffic by 50% in first 6 months through content marketing on social media. Seeking to join Polian as a CRM and Brand Communications specialist to deliver a world-class comms plan for your products and services.
Key Skills
Relevant Work Experience
Content Manager
Newire
2018–2021
Key Skill: Content Management
Copywriter
BigTap
2016–2017
Key Skill: Copywriting
Hotel Front Desk Clerk
The Sheridan
2014–2016
Key Skill: Customer Service
Education
Associate of Arts (A.A.)
Triton Community College
2016
GPA: 3.9
No matter what type of resume you use, one thing is sure:
It has to tell a GREAT story about your professional life.
You're probably familiar with the chronological resume (which ironically uses the reverse-chronological resume format), and you've probably heard of the functional resume, even if you've never used it before.
But did you ever hear of a chrono-functional resume?
Even if you didn’t, you might want to hear this:
A chrono-functional resume can help you tell the best story possible.
It incorporates features from both a functional and a chronological resume, where the skills for a resume are at the top, followed by a list of the candidate’s previous job positions with a summary of their responsibilities and key accomplishments.
This type of resume is recommended for people who have gaps in their employment history, or their current job doesn’t reflect the skills needed for the new position they’re applying for.
Are you intrigued?
Let’s begin with the proper chrono-functional resume formatting:
Good attention to detail is one of the most important skills when it comes to any job, honestly.
Best way to prove it?
With a polished resume format that will make the recruiter go: “Ooh-la-la!”
Follow these steps:
Expert Hint: Save your resume as a PDF file to ensure your formatting is retained, or use a Word resume template if they want a .docx file.
A recruitment process is like speed-dating.
You have to leave a good impression, and you have only… well… seconds to do it.
Your resume summary or objective (depending on your experience level) is the first advertisement for your skills and expertise that a hiring manger will see.
So make sure it’s eye-catching and gets you a proper date.
Like this:
Professional Profile
Enthusiastic and detail-oriented copywriting and marketing professional with 4+ years of experience creating SEO-friendly content. Experienced in customer service and various marketing strategies and tools. Increased Web traffic by 50% in first 6 months through content marketing on social media. Seeking to join Polian as a CRM and Brand Communications specialist to deliver a world-class comms plan for your products and services.
Expert Hint: If you’re writing an entry-level resume, explain your immediate professional goals and intentions for applying to a job in a spot-on resume objective. Briefly touch on your most important academic achievements or other experience that you have (like volunteer work).
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Now, the focal point of your chrono-functional resume: the skills section.
Unlike other popular resume styles, the chrono-functional resume spotlights the skills, instead of experience.
So right below your profile section, you should list your key skills that best align with the job to which you're applying.
Especially if you’re writing a career change resume, really use this section to show off the transferable skills that can be taken from your prior career.
Here are several ways to list your skills in a chrono-functional resume:
Key Skills
Accounting skills include QuickBooks (advanced level) • Excel (advanced level) • General Business Knowledge • Customer Service • Data Analysis • Time Management
Professional Skills
Graphic Design:
Web Development:
Skills
See?
There are many ways to list your skills, depending on what you want to highlight.
How convenient!
Why should they hire YOU?
“Well… I have all the required skills and experience for the job.”
Good answer!
Now, all you need to do is show that on your resume.
So, here’s the deal:
The work experience section is an important part of any resume. Use this section to target your resume to the specific job you’re applying to.
Targeting is especially useful when it comes to creating a chrono-functional resume, as you might have some things you want to go unnoticed.
The best way to tailor your resume is to use resume keywords and phrases used in the job advertisement.
Do it right, and you’ll have them eating out of your hand.
Relevant Work Experience
Content Manager
Newire
2018-2021
Key Skill: Content Management
Want in on a little secret?
Start your bullet points with an action verb. Studies have proven this to be the most efficient resume approach ever.
Expert Hint: If you’re writing a resume with no experience, emphasize your academic achievements by putting your education section immediately below your skills.
The truth is:
You don’t need a college degree to get a job.
But a well-written resume education section can get you an interview.
So make sure to include this information on your resume.
It should look like this: Education Associate of Arts (A.A.) Triton Community College 2016 GPA: 3.9
or Education BA in Marketing University of Houston 2011
If you have extra details you’d like to incorporate into your education section, feel free!
Anything from GPA, relevant coursework, extracurricular activities, honors, awards, to publications will do the trick.
You’re almost at the finish line.
Your resume just needs a little boost to get there.
Extra sections will make your resume stand out even more.
So include things like:
But remember, nobody’s going to care about the fact that you enjoy cooking and make the best chili on the planet… so make sure to include information that is relevant to the job.
So, now that you know all the best resume writing practices, you can write your own.
Ready to go after that dream job?
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In order to write a professional-looking chrono-functional resume, remember to:
Thanks for reading! Still not sure whether a chrono-functional resume is the right choice for you? Got any burning questions about making a chrono functional resume of your own? Drop us a line in the comments section below!
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