The chronological format wins “The People’s Choice Award.” Why? Plain and simple. Employers prefer it! In economic parlance, the buyer (your prospective employer)-who usually holds the upper hand in the supply-demand model-can better evaluate what the seller (you, the candidate) has to offer. Most hiring managers have an innate curiosity about what you’ve done and where you’ve done it. A logical, straightforward chronological format answers their questions.

Points

Many! The chronological format is easily digested and won’t raise suspicions that you are attempting to hide vocational skeletons, such as a former conviction as a serial job hopper. A chronological format’s most obvious advantages are these:

• Showcases a progression of increasingly responsible positions, especially preferred by executive recruiters and decision-making boards for management and top-tier executive slots.
• Demonstrates that you are qualified to take the next step in your career.
• Highlights impressive employers who will add weight to your credentials because of their name recognition, comprehensive training programs, or strong market position.
• Answers the employer’s question of whether your work history has been stable.

Pitfall

The chronological format really puts you under the microscope and can make you feel a bit naked. I liken it to wearing skimpy spandex to the gym: If you’re not in great shape, it will show every roll and dimple.

Marketing Manager Resume Before

Marketing Manager Resume After:

One-Minute Quick Quiz

Now add the check marks for both the Chronological and Functional columns and place the total for each column in the Totals row. If the number of “chronologicals” outweighs the “functionals,” you should probably use a chronological format. If the reverse is true, and you have more “functional” responses, consider presenting your skills in a functional format.

Tip: Weigh the pros and cons of each format when determining which to use. If you’re a candidate who might go either way, write both versions; then “test market” the résumé with friends or colleagues who have human resources backgrounds or hiring experience. Honest feedback from colleagues can be invaluable in determining the best presentation for your résumé.

Remember, this quiz is a simplified formula to use when you want to crank out a résumé in about an hour. For those of you with inquiring minds who want to know the strategy behind why you’re using a particular format (remember, knowledge is power), you’ll benefit from reading through the rest. In it, you’ll learn that, beyond the chronological and functionalformats, you can choose from many other format variations, one of which will suit your unique mix of career experiences. You’ll also be encouraged when you see how these different formats solved a variety of professional problems for some average people and some not-so-average people.

One Page or Two?

Résumé length should be determined by several factors, including the number of years of experience you possess, your position level, and your industry (for instance, résumés for educators are typically longer than résumés for sales professionals). Use this general rule of thumb for deciding on length:

• One page for new graduates or people with 5 to 10 years of experience.
• Two pages for management-level candidates and those with more than 10 years of experience.
• Two to three pages for “C”-level executives (such as chief executive officer, chief operating officer, or chief financial officer).