RÉSUMÉ TYPES

Scannable Résumés
Scannable résumés are canned into a computer and chosen by a hiring manager based on keyword content. These résumés should be easily readable by a computer. Avoid embellishments such as underlined, bold, or italicized text.
Use keyword terms to describe your skills and experience (e.g., nonprofit, marketing, legal, drafting). Include a keyword summary of your skills and accomplishments to make it easier for a computer to select your résumé
(e.g., software versions you use). Use standard fonts and typefaces such as Arial, Helvetica, Optima, Universe, Times New Roman, Palatino, and Courier, between 10 and 14 points. Print on only one side of the page with a printer.
When faxing, set to “fine” mode.

E-Mail Résumés
Many employers request résumés via e-mail. Preparing your résumé for e-mail is a fairly straightforward process. Save your résumé as an ASCII file. Three popular file formats are Plain Text (.txt), Rich Text (.rtf), and Hypertext (.html). Plain text is the most widely used format on the Internet. Avoid boldface, underlines, italics, special fonts, type sizes, and margin settings. Also, use the space bar instead of tabs, and use asterisks instead of bullets. Make each line no longer than 60 characters. E-mail your résumé as part of the message itself. Simply copy and paste your plain-text résumé into the body of your email message.

Chronological Résumés
The chronological résumé is the most popular and widely accepted résumé format. It is organized by job title and presents your work experience in reverse chronological order. It is easy to read and can be quickly scanned for employment history. Use a chronological résumé under the following circumstances: you have a steady and consistent employment history with no major gaps in employment and have not changed career tracks recently; your employment history has been one of progressively responsible positions; your titles have been impressive and/or you have been recently employed at well-known companies; your major accomplishments have been achieved in your most recent positions.

Functional Résumés
The functional résumé highlights your skills, accomplishments, and qualifications at the top, regardless of where they have occurred in your career. Your employment history is not the focus since it is placed toward the bottom. Consider using a functional résumé under the following circumstances: you want to emphasize skills and accomplishments not from your most recent position; you have been out of the job market for some time and are trying to reenter; you have held a variety of unrelated jobs; you are changing careers.

Combination Résumés
The combination format unites the benefits of both the chronological and the functional formats. By beginning with a summary (functional format) of your most impressive qualifications, skills, abilities, and accomplishments, it immediately places the emphasis where you want it. This is followed by an employment history section written in the chronological format. Consider using it under the following circumstances: you have a steady and progressive employment history; you are applying for a position for which the chronological résumé is expected, but you also want to highlight qualifications from earlier positions; you need an effective way to match your skills to the job requirements.

Excerpted from The Strategies for Success: Surviving and Succeeding in Today’s Job Market, produced by Manpower with financial support provided by North Island Federal Credit Union and San Diego Workforce Partnership. Free copies are available at all Manpower and North Island Credit Union locations in San
Diego County or by e-mailing admin@manpower-sd.com.