Chronological vs. Functional Resumes

Chronological vs. Functional ResumesChronological vs. Functional ResumesEvery job hunter knows If you have gaps in your work history, if you are trying to change careers, if youve had too many jobs, or youve got too much experience, all you have to do is organize your resume according to skills rather than dates of employment. This is the functional, as opposed to the chronological, resume.See how to stay positive during a long job search.But theres just one tiny problem Three out of four hiring managers say they prefer chronological resumes. Theyre used to seeing them formatted like this. They like to see a nice, neat career progression, preferably headed upward. They are still really hung up on gaps in work history. And, lets face it, they feel- perhaps justifiably- that job seekers who go the functional route are trying to hide something.A functional resume can be a red flag. Recruiters in particular may refuse to even read one. So, heres an idea Address any potential problems hea d on. Explain upfront, clearly but briefly, in your cover letter or on the resume itself, why youve had gaps in your work history, why you are seeking to change careers, and why your multiple jobs, or years of experience, are pluses instead of minuses.Most of all, know this Even if you have a stellar chronological work history, your job hunt should never consist of simply sending out resumes. A resume is actually a pretty small part of a job hunt. The way to find a job is through personal contacts. If you dont have any, make some.Start nowKaren Burns is the author of the illustrated career advice book The Amazing Adventures of Working Girl Real-Life Career Advice You Can Actually Use, recently released by Running Press. She blogs at www.karenburnsworkinggirl.com.