The three most common formats are the chronological resume, the functional resume, and the curriculum vitae.

  1. A chronological resume is the resume style that most students use for their first resumes. It's called "chronological" because under the "employment" section, it lists your most recent experience first, and works backwards to your least recent experience. Employers usually prefer this type of resume, because it's simple, easy to read, and straightforward. It is never more than one page long.

  2. A functional resume is common among those who have garnered a potpourri of work experience, are changing fields, and want to emphasize their translatable skills. Instead of listing your jobs, you list some different skills (e.g., management, organization) highlighting the relevent work experience under each. The functional resume works well if you have a mixed bag of work experience with a loose thread holding them all together. It is never more than one page long.

  3. A curriculum vitae (often called a "C.V.") is a resume that is often used when entering a teaching or science position. This resume not only is longer than one page, but it can be as long as you want (10 pages, 20 pages, however long it takes). A C.V. includes all the stuff that the other resumes do, but it also lists every single publication ever printed, every project worked on, every honor awarded, every lecture given, every conference attended, and every bit of education received.

SoYouWanna know more? Check out our full-length article SYW write an impressive resume?