Résumé Formats

Résumés come in many formats, though they share typical categories of information and features. The three most common formats, which we'll address here, are the reverse chronological résumé, the functional résumé, and the combination résumé.

Reverse Chronological Résumé: This is the traditional format, in which work experience is highlighted and is listed chronologically with the most recent positions listed first. This is a good style for job seekers who already have professional experience in a specific field and who are looking for a new job within the same field.

Functional Résumé: This is a skills-based format, in which specific job skills are highlighted. This is a good style for job seekers without much professional experience, or for those who are looking to move into a new field.

Combination Résumé: This style highlights the job seeker's skills and also provides a chronological listing of experience. An excellent style for foregrounding skills but also providing a work history.

You can (and should) adapt the formats and résumé categories to your own experiences and skills, as well as to the job being targeted. You may want to develop a number of different formats for your résumé, to be used and adapted for different jobs. Don't rely on a single résumé to serve the purpose for all situations: you will need to adapt and revise your résumé and cover letter each time you target a new position.

Typical Categories in a Résumé

Contact Information

Your name and contact information should stand out clearly. Include your name, address, and phone number. You may also include your e-mail address. If your résumé exceeds one page, be sure that your name and contact information are listed at the top of every page.

Objective (Optional)

Your objective should be specific to the job you're targeting. Specify the position, field of work, or skills to be used on the job. Avoid vague statements such as, "I am looking for a challenge" or "I want to work with people." This is where to tell the potential employer, I want to work for you in such and such a capacity, and this is why/these are the skills I can bring to this position. (See sample résumés below.)

Summary of Qualifications (Optional)

Some job seekers substitute a Summary of Qualifications for the Objective. This is a brief description of your background, training, and skills. (See sample résumés below.)

Education

Along with listing your degree (or anticipated degree), recent graduates may also want to include information on curriculum, honors, activities, and study abroad. (See sample résumés below.)

Experience

List your title, place of employment, city, state, and dates of employment. Write job descriptions that give evidence that you have the skills the employer wants. (See sample résumés below.)

Activities (Optional)

List activities that are either relevant to this position or can offer the employer a sense of your qualities and qualifications as a job candidate. If you're short on work experience, you may want to provide details of volunteer work or leadership positions you've held in the context of your education or the community. If space is at a premium, you may want simply to list the organizations you're affiliated with and your positions within them. (See sample résumés below.)

Honors/Awards (Optional)

If these are related to your education, you may want to list them above, in the education section of the résumé. If you have a substantial list of honors or awards, a separate category is probably appropriate.

Other Categories (Optional)

The categories in your résumé are used to highlight particular areas of strength or experience. You should create them and adapt them to fit your purposes. Some résumés include categories such as Computer Skills, Related Skills, Leadership, Special Training, Research Experience, Volunteer Work, Internships, etc. Design headings to draw attention to particular, related attributes or experiences.

References (Optional)

Some applicants use "References" as a heading and state "References available upon request." Others don't refer to references in the résumé at all. In either case, it's better to have a separate reference sheet. Most applicants don't provide this with the résumé, but do prepare it to take to a job interview. Employers will ask for references in advance if they want them.

Example of a Reverse Chronological Résumé

Example of a Functional (skills-based) Résumé

Example of a Combination Résumé

For additional résumé samples, see the UW Career Center's résumé information.