Below sample resume contains data for a person with moderate work history. Chrono-Functional resume format is used in order grab the attention. This is a simple, clean and single page resume. This can perform especially well online due to the SEO aspects.

Sara White

 1818 Broad Street • Washington, DC 99999 • (555) 555-1313 • saraw@resume.com

Consulting                  USA Management Systems                          Washington, D.C.

Experience                   Senior Consultant Government Practice                      1998-present

• Ensured operational readiness of a division of the Internal Revenue Service System by preparing a staff gap analysis
• Developed a database to record staffing demand of new organizations
• Developed operational policies, procedures and responsibilities handbook for IRS
• Evaluated underutilization of grant funds for Housing and Urban Development
• Provided analytical and technical support to Department of Energy and Office of Environmental Management.
• Tracked appropriation legislation and managed the researched and maintenance of a portion of EM’s FY 2004 budget request

Research Analyst                                                                                         1996-1998

• Developed organizational redesign and change management initiatives for the District of Columbia, Metropolitan Police Department
• Responsible for facilitating client team working groups
• Developed data collection while conducting best practices research 

Computer                    Howard University                                        Washington, DC

Experience                       Web Developer                                                   Fall 1996

• Pioneered Web page, including HTML tool
• Provided general public access to UR Press publication profiles 

Government                Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee

Experience                  Washington, DC                                                        Fall 1996 

Education                   Howard University                                        Washington, DC

                                          Bachelor of Arts, Political Science                               1996

 Qualifications        

• Able to manage cases from evaluation and data collection to analysis
• Significant knowledge of government terms
• Vast experience using Excel, Word and PowerPoint for research and presentations

When it comes to writing a resume, there are three main formats that you can use – Chronological, Functional, and a Chrono-Functional (a hybrid of both). Each of these formats serves a unique purpose and you will need to choose your format based on your situation. Below, we will discuss each of these three types of resume formats and tell you who should use each format.

Chronological Resume Format

A chronological resume format is likely the one that pops into your head first when you think of the word ‘resume’. This is the most popular kind that is used by professional when looking for a new career opportunity. This is best for anyone who has the past work history and/or educational credentials to perform the job they are applying for. The people who should not use a chronological resume format are entry-level job seekers who don’t have a large educational background to showcase. Nursing resume template (Available for free download) is based on chronological format. This format may not be suitable for you if your career has too many stops and starts or shorter work periods.

Functional Resume Format

A functional resume format is one that allows you to showcase your skills and abilities, rather than your work history and educational background. This type of resume is best for those who are seeking an entry-level position and do not have a large educational background to showcase. This will allow you to tell the employer what you can offer the company, while downplaying your lack of experience and education qualifications. However, you should be warned that some employers are not impressed by functional resumes, since they know that you are trying to downplay those weak areas.

Chrono-Functional Resume Format

A chrono-functional resume is a combination of the previous two resume formats. This is good for those who would like to use a functional resume, but feel that they may have a better chance by offering a few pieces of their background to the employer, or those who have a little bit of work history or educational background to showcase, but not enough for a chronological resume. Although you will briefly mention specifics of your work history with this type of resume format, there will still be a larger focus on your skills and abilities, as opposed to a chronological resume format. Sample resume for sales manager contains similarities to this format.

Remember, the goal of your resume is to land an interview. In order to do that successfully, you need to choose the resume format that is going to make you look the best. While you can use a chronological resume format with little to no work history and educational background, it will look thin and unappealing. Using a functional or chrono-functional resume format will help beef it up. On the other hand, if you have a great background to showcase, then using a functional or chrono-functional resume format would only help to draw attention away from those accomplishments. Choose wisely!

It is true that you job hunt in order to snag a job, but do you know what your resume should really be focused on? There is a great saying that goes “you must crawl before you can walk” – this is also true when it comes to your job hunt.

Although you may not know it, the true objective of your resume is not to get a job. If it were that simple, then there would be no need for the interview processes. Rather, the objective of your resume should be exactly that – to snag the interview and make it to that ‘next round’ of the fight. Once you get to that level, that it when you go in for the kill – otherwise known as the job.

In order to make your resume effective in terms of landing an interview, you need to ask yourself what you would want to hear as an employer, to make you interested in knowing more about a job candidate. This interest is what will persuade the employer to call you in for an interview, which will give you a real fighting chance at getting the job. Before that, you are just another piece of paper in a stack of hundreds – or even thousands – of papers.

As with any marketing strategy, you should keep your customer and your objective in mind. Many times, you aren’t actually selling to the customer, but pre-selling them. In this instance, you are making the case for why the customer should click the link to the website and take a look at the real sales letter. In a job hunt, your resume is pre-selling you. You will do the real selling once you meet the employer face-to-face. If you keep in mind the true objective of your resume, it will help you make a better pitch to the employer.

So remember this when writing your resume: you should not write your resume focused on ‘will this get me the job’; rather, you should write it focused on ‘will this pique the employers interest enough that they will want to know more about me’. You need to distinguish yourself from all of the other pieces of paper and avoid having your resume tossed in the trash. Once you get you foot in the door, then you can convince them that you belong at the company.