There are three main ways to organize your information in a résumé. Which is the best one? That all depends. Check out each format below and see which one best suits your situation.

CHRONOLOGICAL

The chronological format is probably the most popular résumé format (but not necessarily the best one for you).

A chronological résumé highlights your job history and your formal education. Employment and education information is listed in reverse chronological order, with your most recent job or most recent schooling first and working back through the years. The job titles and educational degrees are emphasized and job descriptions, duties and accomplishments are highlighted.

Use a chronological résumé when:

1. You want to find a job in the same area as your previous jobs.
2. Your job history and/or education shows growth and development.
3. The name of previous employer is an important consideration.
4. Prior job titles are impressive.

1. You want to emphasize skills that haven't been used in recent work experience.
2. You are looking for a job in an area you haven't worked before.
3. You've changed employers frequently in the past.
4. You are looking for your first job.

FUNCTIONAL

A functional résumé is organized around the skills, talents and abilities you have rather than around your previous education or employment history. The functional résumé is best when you have little or no actual work experience in the area in which you are now looking for a job.

Specific dates are not as important as they are in the chronological format. What you have done and what you can do are more important than when you did any particular job.

Use a functional résumé when:

1. You haven't worked before or are a new graduate entering your chosen career field.
2. You are applying for a job you have never done before or a job you have done many times but for different companies.
3. You want to emphasize skills you haven't used on a particular job.
4. You have had a variety of jobs in the past which are relatively unconnected.

1. You want to emphasize a growth pattern in the work you have done or in your education.
2. Your past employers are important in relation to your job objective.
3. Your most recent employers have been highly prestigious.

COMBINATION

The combination résumé uses features of both the chronological and functional résumés. It features a functional section that highlights skills, accomplishments and experience and combines this with a chronological listing of employment and education.

The combination résumé is most effective when both skills and job experience need to be emphasized. Its main disadvantage is that it sometimes leads to a longer résumé, which might turn off prospective employers.

Use the combination résumé format when:

1. You have three or more years experience in a position similar to the one you are applying for, and have substantial skills and accomplishments to emphasize.
2. Your education is an important part of your overall skills presentation and your functional skills are limited.
3. Your work history reflects more time in other occupational areas.