Chronological, functional or combination resume, which one is most beneficial for a transitioning Veteran?

2015-05-27T21:16:57-04:00

Response by Col Private RallyPoint Member made May 27 at 2015 9:28 PM

2015-05-27T21:28:40-04:00

I think that chronological will have the most bang for the buck. It demonstrates the most recent experience.

Response by Sgt Aaron Kennedy, MS made May 27 at 2015 9:30 PM

2015-05-27T21:30:13-04:00

ALWAYS tailor the resume for the job. That said, functional is "superior" from a technical standpoint, however chronological is your most user friendly. People like the feel of it. It's simple, easy to read, and works well to show progression. So the combination resume offers the best of both worlds.

Your "default" resume is a snapshot, that should give a nice clean picture of your last dozen or so years. But the biggest thing is actually reading the job listing and marrying up your resume with the listing.

Response by Lt Col Jim Coe made May 27 at 2015 9:37 PM

2015-05-27T21:37:53-04:00

Agree with others who said tailor for each job application. In general I liked chronological both from the applicant and manager perspective. I always looked for a pattern of increasing responsibility and accomplishments.

Response by MSgt Private RallyPoint Member made May 27 at 2015 9:57 PM

2015-05-27T21:57:44-04:00

Honestly I think it depends on the job. I have tailored mine to the job description, duties and responsibilities, etc. If you apply on USAJobs, make sure you check out the Occupational Questionnaire as well when you are building your resume.

Response by SFC Donald Sweeting made May 27 at 2015 10:28 PM

2015-05-27T22:28:03-04:00

I would agree with the masses that the chronological is much easier from the standpoint of a hiring official but be careful to not sell yourself short. I have assisted many of my brothers and sisters in arms with development of their resume and the most common theme is that it is easy for someone that has performed what most would consider to be difficult tasks on a daily basis to fail to put them in their resume. The only other thing I would tell you is to make the resume stand on its own. Remember that the resume is your way in the door for an interview.

Response by MSgt Private RallyPoint Member made May 27 at 2015 10:49 PM

2015-05-27T22:49:07-04:00

It truly depends on what you are applying for.

If you are looking for a leadership position a Chronological format that shows progressive responsibility.....etc....would be good.

If you are going for a mid level position I would go with a combination....that way you can tone it down a little if needed but still highlight progress in the field if needed

If you just wanting a job go with functional on the broadest spectrum you can and be careful not to overpower any one section (no one wants to hire their replacement).

Hope this helps.

Good luck.

Side note if you getting out as a SSgt assuming you around 6-12 years in service...Chronological may work best for you .....especially if you on the lower end of timeline and just looking for a low end supervisor/shift leader type position.

Response by SPC Jan Allbright, M.Sc., R.S. made May 30 at 2015 12:11 PM

2015-05-30T12:11:32-04:00

I am assuming that you have substantial MOS experience in the area you are pursuing in the civilian world.

High experience sort of dictates a functional resume.

When I was a hiring boss I used the "trashcan test" to do my 1st reading of resumes. I had the pile of resumes on the desk and the trash can behind my chair. I would pick up a resume and start scanning as I swiveled the chair around to the trash can. If I hadn't seen anything that excited me on the resume by the time I got to the trash can .. I dropped it in.

Response by CPT Jack Durish made May 30 at 2015 12:54 PM

2015-05-30T12:54:08-04:00

I wish I knew. I'd love to help, but I haven't a clue as to which is best which is funny in that I relied on my resume more than most over a long career of contracting rather than steady employment. Whereas most people switch jobs infrequently, I changed them almost as often as my socks.

The truth is that the resume and the cover letter don't get you a job. That's the purpose of the interview. The resume and cover letter merely get you in the door to the interview. Thus, you want to provide just enough information to pique their interest. Save the big guns to close the deal.

Then again, that's just my opinion and we all (especially those who have served) know what opinions are worth...

Response by MSG Brad Sand made Jun 23 at 2015 8:41 AM

2015-06-23T08:41:15-04:00

Yes. Each type of resume has a function and purpose and each could be the best for a transitioning veteran...it is always in the detail and we have no detail on the veteran, or the job, so an actual answer is impossible.

With this being said, for most transitioning veterans, coming right out of the service, they probably would want to take a very close look at the chronological resume. Also, remember the resume is not, and never has been, designed to get a job. The resume is to get an interview. Often, too much information is worse than not enough. Give the person reviewing the resume what they need to move you to the next level.

Response by Vikki Nicometo made Feb 10 at 2016 12:22 PM

2016-02-10T12:22:29-05:00

Chronological!! Recruiters (in general) are not fans of functional resumes.