Writing A Professional Resume

To get some of the best careers such as working for John Lewis Jobs is very difficult to get in the door as a lot of career vacancies are taken internally. However, if you are armed with a professional resume, it can only enhance your chances of getting a foot in the door.

The correct usage of styles is crucial if you are to gain an advantage over the other applicants who are competing against you for a position. There are many different styles that can be used when composing your resume. Both the Chronological and Functional styles will be looked at as they are the most common styles.

This is a Chronological Resume. This style of has a number of advantages being easy to read and showing your career development. Some of the disadvantages are that your main achievements are not demonstrated and it doesn't draw attention to your other skills. If your career is continually progressing this style will be appropriate. The best type of Resume could well be a Chronological one if you are staying within the same field of employment.

On the other hand, a Functional Skills Resume starts with your skills and main accomplishments and ends with your job history. Highlight your major achievements by using this style. It is difficult for a prospective employer to follow your work experience which is its main disadvantage. It would be to your advantage to use the Functional Resume style if you haven't progressed or are looking for a career in an area where you have little or no experience. This style would also be worth considering if you have lots of gaps in your employment history or you are continually changing jobs.

Other Resume styles would include Targeted, Imaginative and Combination.

Totally focused on one specific target or position, only relevant supporting material is presented in the Targeted style of resume. A different one must be prepared for each position you are applying for.

A position in an area such as graphic design requires an Imaginative Resume style, similar to a mini-portfolio.

Combining the Functional and Chronological Styles is known as the Combination Resume Style. To give you more flexibility, try combining a number of elements from each of the different styles. The differences in styles must be carefully considered in the light of the position you are applying for as it is a reflection of the way you present your skills and experience. Adapt the style to suit you as opposed to being constrained by it.