By and large, resumes styles can be divided into three general types: Chronological, Functional, and Combination. From these three types the most common resumes can be found.

Which one is for you?

But the trick is to find the right one for you, so that you can present yourself in the best possible way - because you know very well that a resume is not merely a list of your accomplishments and jobs - rather it is your marketing tool. It is said that an employer decides to hire an individual in the first few seconds of seeing that individual's resume. The interview that may follow is merely a confirmation and verification of that decision.

The chronological resume

This style lists your job and education history in a reverse chronological order: You begin with the most recent and work backwards.

The functional resume

This style does not follow a chronological order, and leaves out the names of employers, educational history, and all dates. Instead, this resume concentrates on your skills and abilities and presents them in a clear, concise manner.

The combination resume

This style combines the prime elements of both the Chronological and Functional Resumes, presenting your skills and abilities in an effective manner, while at the same time respecting the demands of employers to see some sort of job chronology.

Appearance counts

Because your resume is your sales pitch, try to make it as professional looking and clean as possible. Always, always avoid cutesy stuff. That means, no dogs and cats, no slogans, no political axes that you need to grind. Professional means: White Bond Paper, Size: 8 ½ x 11. Use a professional font such as Times New Roman. You can use Bold and Italics.

Length

Your aim should not be to write a mini-book about yourself. Keep it brief.

For most jobs, a two-page resume is enough. You'll see that when you summarize your work history, experience, and education, you will also learn how to focus on your strengths, skills, and capabilities - which are your most effective sales tools.

LAYOUT

PERSONAL INFORMATION:
Your Name
Your address
Telephone, Fax
Email

POSITION APPLIED FOR:
Employers always want to know which position you're applying for, as they might have several openings. Don't make the employer guess. If you do, he'll file your resume under "G" for "Garbage."

YOUR OBJECTIVES:
This is your sales pitch. Keep it short. Keep it precise. Don't ramble. Stay focused. Write no more than one sentence. Two if you absolutely have to.

EXPERIENCE:
This is your work history. Use the chronological, functional, or combination approach. Whichever suits your needs. All three are good.

Include the following facts:

• Dates of employment. Make sure you don't leave a gap in years. Employers like to see the fact that you were always employed. Even if you were unemployed put down something that you did that was meaningful, like going back to school, or volunteering.
• Name and location of your employer.
• Type of work you did. Give not only the position title, but also a very brief description of what you actually did.

EDUCATION:
Use the chronological method to summarize the skills and education that make you the ideal candidate for the job you're applying for. Don't use the shotgun approach - which means trying to get a broad coverage. Stay focused. Emphasize those skills, that education and training that specifically pertains the position you're applying for.

This is where a lot of people make themselves irrelevant by throwing in everything but the kitchen sink. Don't make the employer wade through everything you've done. Lead him through the highlights of your education and training that clearly fit the type of skills he or she is looking for.

REFERENCES:
You will be expected to list the names of people whom the employer can contact for information about you.

Make sure you get the permission of the people you'll be putting down as references, because nothing is worse than a cold call from someone you don't expect to be calling.

Give the following information about each reference:

• Full name (spelled correctly)
• Title (Mr. Ms, Dr.)
• Title of the position held by the referee
• Name of business and address
• Telephone, fax, email

There is only one way to get a job interview - through a powerful resume. Time to get busy and write, construct, and hone your effective sales tool. Make yourself marketable!

To get you into the right frame of mind, think of yourself as a product. Your resume is your sales tool. Now sell yourself! Make yourself desirable! Get yourself hired!