Differentiate between a chronologicalrésumé and a functional résumé

Answer 1

The chronological résumé is the traditional organizational format for résumés. Two headings normally appear in the portion that presents qualifications: "Education" and "Experience.". Which one should appear first? Decide which one you think is more impressive to the employer, and put that one first. Within each section, the most recent information is presented first. Reverse chronological order is easier to use and is more common than functional order; however, it is not always more effective.
The chronological résumé is an especially effective format for applicant's who have progressed up a clearly defined career ladder and want to move up another rung. Because the format emphasizes dates and job titles, the chronological résumé is less effective for applicant's who have gaps in their work histories, are seeking jobs different from the job currently held, or are just entering the job market with little or no experience.
In a functional résumé, points of primary interest to employers—transferable skills—appear in major headings. These headings highlight what an applicant can do for the employer—functions that the applicant can perform well. Under eachheading, an applicant could draw from educational and/or work-related experience to provide supporting evidence.
A functional résumé requires a complete analysis of self, career, and the job sought. Suppose, for example, that a person seeking a job as an assistant hospital administrator wants to emphasize qualifications by placing them in major headings. From the hospital's advertisement of the job and from accumulated job appraisal information, an applicant sees this job as both an administrative and a public-relations job. The job requires skill in communicating and knowledge of accounting and finance. Thus, headings in the "Qualifications" section of the résumé could be "Administration," "Public Relations," "Communication," and "Budgeting." Under "Public Relations," for example, an applicant could reveal that a public relations course was taken at a state university, from which a degree is to be conferred in May, and that a sales job at ABC Store provided abundant opportunity to apply principles learned. With other headings receiving similar treatment, the qualifications portion reveals the significant aspects ofeducation and experience.