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Traditional chronological vs. hybrid résumés
If you attended college, you most likely were taught the traditional, chronological résumé format when submitting job applications, but depending on your industry, particularly if you have three or more years of work experience, you have additional options in the way you present your curriculum vitae. Canterbury Résume Services wants to tell you about the use of a hybrid résumé and the option of incorporating functional résumé characteristics, which may help you present your information in the most attractive light.
Hybrid résumés
Many of us have a mixed work history with experience that would fit into more than one industry. Those of us who seek to make a career shift may have recent work experience that is not as relevant to our present career goals. A hybrid résumé allows you to emphasize that work experience that is most relevant to your present job search.
Hybrid résumés follow the format of traditional, chronological résumés with one difference. Instead of one section for your work experience, create two. The title of the first section in your hybrid résumé will reflect that work experience that you desire to emphasize and that is most relevant to your current career goals. The second section, with the title of “Other Professional Experience,” will include other significant work experience which may or may not have complementary skills toward your desired career path but are still important to include on your résumé. By including your other professional experience in a separate section on your hybrid résumé, you will be able to show a consistent work history and also show your diversity and ability to adapt. Both sections, however, must be in chronological order within each section, starting with the most recent work experience.
Hybrid résumés can either list education before work experience or afterwards; however, unless you attended MIT or Columbia University in the last five years, you are more likely to list your education after your work experience. If you have more than three years of work experience and your consistent job history is a stronger asset to you than your education, list your work experience first followed by your education. Most potential employers want to know where you attended school and the type of your degree, so whether you include it at the top or after your work experience, they will still be drawn to it.
Profile or Statement of Qualifications
Some potential employers are particular about your use of a traditional, chronological résumé. Some will not consider you unless you follow that format. For example, if you are an attorney seeking to gain employment at a law firm, stick to the traditional résumé format you learned in college, but you can still do some things that will paint a clearer picture of your present career goals.
Whether you choose a traditional or hybrid résumé, you can insert a three- to five-line, pithy profile or statement of qualifications at the top of your résumé that emphasizes your qualifications which are most relevant to the position for which you are applying. Profiles and statements of qualifications are very similar. A profile includes a 3-5 line statement just as the statement of qualifications, but it also includes short bullets in two or three columns that briefly describe your skills and experience. The bullets need be about the same length in order to create visual balance at the top of your résumé. Writing them and positioning them just right can be a challenge, but they can be very effective in providing a quick overview of your qualifications.
Some people say that potential employers don’t even look at an introductory section if you include one on your chronological or hybrid résumé – but even if they skip over it at first glance, they are likely to review it upon second glance. I encourage job seekers to include a Profile or Statement of Qualifications on their résumés because at some point during the hiring process, it will give you an opportunity to emphasize those skills and work experience that will put your best foot forward.
Traditional chronological and hybrid résumés each have their purpose and each can be very effective in presenting your information in a way that potential employers are most likely to take notice. Let Canterbury Résumé Services help you determine which format is best for you by signing up now.
© 2010 by Emily Sanderson. All rights reserved.
