What Type Are You? Common Resume Formats

Despite being a rather standard document in the job hunting process, resumes come in a variety of different formats. To shed light on the subtle differences I’ve researched a few of the common types and provided a brief summary of each below.

Chronological Resume
Often thought of as the default style, the chronological resume lists your most recent experiences followed by the next most recent. This format is perfect for illustrating the evolution of your career. Recruiters prefer this style because it’s easy to read and gather information about applicants quickly. The chronological format isn’t for everyone however. It’s time bound layout can create difficulties for job seekers with lack of work experience and gaps in employment history. The chronological resume also is a poor choice for older workers because dates for education or employment can reveal age.

Example: http://owl.english.purdue.edu/owl/resource/927/03/ 

Functional Resume
If you’re a first-time job seeker, changing careers, or reentering the workforce, a functional resume might be a good fit. This resume style shines at highlighting specific skills over employment history. It also has the advantage of showcasing work experience which maybe important to a particular job posting. Functional resumes are great for in-person conversations such as networking or info interviews but are often received poorly by recruiters who have come to expect chronological resumes.

Example: https://www.k-state.edu/hr/funres.pdf

Combination Resume
For the bold and daring looking to shake things up, a combination resume might be a good fit. This type of resume presents skills and abilities gained from work in reverse chronological order. The format’s hybrid nature allows you to highlight specific skills while staying within a format recruiters are familiar with. If you use the combination style resume you have to carefully consider when to start your timeline. Going too far back could result in a document reaching two pages and possibly beyond.

Example: http://www.washington.edu/doit/Careers/comb_resume.html

Final Reminders
No matter what format you choose it’s important to target your resume for specific job postings. Employers frequently use software to manage job applications. Technology now allows them to scan through resumes quickly and search for keywords. If you don’t include the right terms or descriptions, your resume could end up in the recycling bin.

I’m currently using a version of the functional resume. Its versatility helps highlight my skill set. This resume format also allows me to easily customize it depending on the job post and is fantastic for info interviews. 

Copy of my resume for reference: http://joshuaholland.co/docs/joshuahollandresume.pdf 

For additional info about resume writing, checkout
http://www.wa.gov/esd/guides/resume/write/write_start.htm 
http://seakingwdc.emsicareercoach.com/resume/
http://careers.washington.edu/Alumni/Write-a-Resume-CV-or-Cover-Letter
http://www.law.seattleu.edu/careers/students/preparing-materials/resumes

[Photo Courtesy of woodleywonderworks]

Sunday Afternoons at the Dog Park

“Bark, woof, grr…” These are common sounds which often fill my weekend. As a dog dad I frequently visit off-leash areas with my four legged friend Judo. While I’d like to say I’m completely unbiased, I do have a few favorites. Below are my top picks.

Magnuson
Located in Seattle’s Sand Point neighborhood, Magnuson is one of the city’s finest. The park contains 9 acres and features a variety of environments including small dog play areas, lake access, mini hills, and an expansive open play field. Magnuson’s mix of features has made it a number one destination for Seattle pet owners.

Genesee
Nestled in Seattle’s Rainier Valley, Genesee Park offers dog owners a savannah style landscape covered in gravel and light vegetation. Formerly a city dump, this park is remarkably flat compared to the surrounding hills. The park is frequently filled with dogs from around the neighborhood, making it easy for your pup to make friends with other dogs.

Westcrest
Near the border of West Seattle and White Center, this park is a common default for residents living in the southwest part of the city. The park sits next to a greenbelt and capped water reservoir. The main play area has gravel and mini obstacles for dogs to traverse. There is also a nice wooded trail you can walk with your dog.

For a complete list of Seattle’s carnie playgrounds, be sure to check out http://www.seattle.gov/parks/offleash_detail.asp?id=398. Also, if you’re a Foursquare user, I’ve created a handy list to help you track them down. 

Tips from an Unexpected Entrepreneur

Late last year a friend proposed a question to me as I was ending my relationship with a former employer. She asked, "Why don't you try working for yourself?" She asked.

Always a company man, I was taken back by the suggestion. Working for myself seemed like a distant dream, not something I could realistically achieve in my mid-twenties.  After all, what tools and resources did I have to be successful?

Following the meeting I reflected on the question further and came to the conclusion that thanks to a perfect mixture of life circumstances and professional experience, persuing a solo endeavor was actually quite possible for me.

The initial conversation I had at the start of the year led to a shift in the New Year which made me realign my focus and priorities. Now in my seventh month, I've had the opportunity to work with a few clients including Citizen University, Marx Foods, and most recently Seattle Goodwill and Tripcierge. 

The transition from a component of a PR agency to a solo life hasn't been seamless; I've had my fair share of learning moments and reconfigured take offs.

Here are a few lessons I've learned so far on this unexpected journey.

Clients are people

Common sense but easy to forget when conducting business. Connecting with people on a 1:1 level and sharing personal information helps you connect with clients and enhances your relationship with them. As I was once told, no one wants to do business with jerks or robots.

Update your network

New business can sprout from just about anywhere. Your friend or former client could help you discover your next lead. Thanks to social media it's easy to quickly update your network. LinkedIn is often the best tool for this task.

Keep in touch 

Contracts by nature are designed with an end date in mind but it's important to keep communication open with former clients. A friendly email or call usually will suffice.

Weekends are Imaginary

Weekends are a product of the industrial 9-5 work culture. While they won't completely disappear, prepare for the lines to blur; work isn't confined strictly to Monday - Friday. 

Meet new people

Entrepreneurship requires creating new connections frequently. Networking is a vital comment to success.

Recharge

Batteries run down much quicker when you're on your own; Ways to prevent it include spending time with family and friends, consuming inspirational media, and indulging in guilty pleasures or hobbies.

Photos Courtesy of smig44_uk