Types of resume

The areas of your experience that you want to emphasise to an employer will affect the type of resume you use.

Understanding how your skills, knowledge and experience relate to the job can help you decide which type of resume to choose: reverse chronological, functional, targeted or customised.

Note: Within any resume, each section (e.g. Education, Employment) should list your most recent experience first and then continue back in reverse chronological order.

Targeted or tailored resume

Do you want to focus on examples of how you have previously used skills needed for the job?

This type of resume is tailored towards a particular job and may directly address the employer's selection criteria. It is effective in most situations and is probably the most versatile type.

Most effective if you:

• have varied work experience
• have not had previous positions related to the role
• are not required to address the key selection criteria in a separate document

Does not work well if you:

• can't provide specific examples of how you have used your skills in previous situations.

Reverse chronological resume or C.V.

Do you want to focus on your education and employment history?

A reverse chronological resume outlines major points only, and is the most common type of resume. Similar to a traditional Curriculum Vitae (Latin for 'life details'), it is a detailed list of experiences and dates. 

The main sections of this resume are: contact details; qualifications or education history; work experience and/or employment history.

Most effective if your:

• work experience is closely related to the position for which you are applying
• achievements are measurable and can be demonstrated
• employment history is consistent and has few gaps.

Does not work well if you:

• have gaps in your employment history
• do not have relevant work experience.

Functional resume

Do you want to emphasise the wide range of skills and abilities you have developed through your education, work experience, interests and extra-curricular activities?

Most effective if you:

• want to focus on skills and achievements rather than dates
• do not have a lot of relevant work experience
• may have gaps in your employment history.

Does not work well if you:

• can't provide specific examples of how you have used your skills in previous situations.

Customised resume

Do you need to include specialised information expected by the employer or in that field of work? For example, specific sections for:

• Teaching: 'Teaching Philosophy', 'School Practicum Experience', 'Voluntary Teaching Experience'
• Nursing: 'Clinical Placements' or 'Key Clinical Experience'
• IT roles: 'Technical Skills Summary'

To find out whether you need to include specialised information contact Careers and Employment staff, your faculty, related professional associations or relevant employers.