In the final analysis, it’s not critical what you call the format or how you categorize it. If it works, it’s right. However, for clarification, I’ll give some detail on each format variation (presented alphabetically), followed by examples. Whenever possible, Before examples are included to show how the candidate’s résumé looked initially.

The Accomplishments Format

I like this name. It sounds so positive! However, don’t think that by using this format, your content will be drastically different. It will simply be arranged differently. Remember what you learned just a few paragraphs ago? Play Wheel of Fortune with me for a minute and finish the following sentence. (I’ve bought you a few vowels to get you started.)

Every business résumé should include

A ___ ___ ___ ___ ___ ___ I ___ ___ ___ E ___ ___ ___

Hard-driving copy that shows your track record with past employers will transform your résumé from a ho-hum job description to an impressive marketing piece. When your “trophies” are placed together under a separate Accomplishments heading (instead of grouping accomplishments with the associated employer), the accomplishments format materializes. Typically, the Accomplishments section follows your Objective or Qualifications Summary. Following the Accomplishments section is an employment summary, with little or no description of your responsibilities, and dates sometimes omitted.

An Accomplishments Format Worked for McKenzie

McKenzie, a buyer for a New York–based retail chain, had a great list of accomplishments, backed by verifiable factoids. By grouping the accomplishments together and placing them at the visual center of the page, she looked unbeatable on paper. See McKenzie’s résumé on the next page.

Senior Shoe Buyer Resume

Points

• Positions your strongest selling points front-and-center.
• Unearths buried accomplishments from long ago.

Pitfalls

• Limits the space you might use to flesh out details of your past responsibilities.
• Won’t work as well if you’re short on accomplishments or in a profession that’s difficult to quantify.

The Combination Format

The most common variant of the chronological résumé is the combination résumé (sometimes referred to as a hybrid résumé). It takes this name because it combines elements of both a chronological and functional résumé.

Typically a Summary section leads off the résumé. The Summary might be quite brief, as short as two to three lines. Or it might be an introductory sentence followed by a bulleted list, as in the résumé of Helen Wolchek (see below. The Summary can also be quite extensive, such as an Executive Summary that consumes nearly three-quarters of a page in a two-page résumé.

Resume: General Management – Business Development, Customer Service, Cost Controls, Productivity

Resume: General Management

Condensing 30 Years of Experience

Finance and management executive Jonathan had an extensive background that spanned 30 years. His résumé detailed all of it-four pages worth-without zeroing in on the highlights. I’ve included just two pages of the Before picture , followed by the After picture Note how effectively the Executive Summary takes older but impressive accomplishments and positions them front and center.

Points

• Capitalizes on the strengths of both the chronological and functional formats.
• Preps the reader (through use of the introductory Summary section) to focus on what you deem most important.

Pitfalls

• None of any consequence!
• Well, maybe one. If your career is relatively young, this format might be overkill: You’ll likely find yourself repeating information in the functional section and the experience section.