5 Resume Styles That Will Make You Look Professional

Noone says that their favorite pastime is to perfect their resumes. In fact, even if you are merely updating them, it is a task that you are likely to save until the last minute. 

Luckily, there are templates where you only have to fill in the details to get your resume to look fresh and anew. However, the risk is that there are many resume styles that have become too common and get easily overlooked. 

The trick is to find the right professional template and build a resume customized around your career objectives and skills. Though resumes are normally standardized, you can change the design to communicate effectively. 

How to Choose the Right Resume Style for You?

The internet has no shortage of downloadable resume formats. The challenge is finding the right one that will reflect your personality and professionalism to the recruiter. The key here is to seek a design that matches your target job and employer interests. 

Let’s say you love colorful graphics. But if you are applying for a position in a traditional firm, you might want to stay away from any flashy formats and stick to the basics. 

Consider the following aspects while picking a style. 

Does it strike the right balance between your recruiter’s anticipations and your personal taste?

With 55% of recruiters using Applicant Tracking Systems(ATS), one needs to consider which resume style is best equipped to get you through. If you have answered the questions we have listed above, now is the time to look into the most popular resume styles. 

Chronological Resume 

This is the most common type of resumes you are likely to come across. You will essentially be listing your experiences in reverse chronological order. You start with the recent or the current position at the top and go backward till your education. 

This pattern is effective in showing how you have grown in your professional field. This way you will also highlight relevant work experiences. If you are a fresher, you can also go for the chronological order beginning with internships and moving down to education. 

Who Should Use It?

The chronological resume style is best suited for those who have a steady progression in their career. If you have a track of accomplishments and no obvious gaps, this would be the best way to present yourself to the recruiter. 

Functional Resume 

A functional resume focuses on showcasing your skills over your career advancements. Instead of the work experience taking up the front seat, here you will need to present the actual skills. 

For instance, a software developer could choose to explain one’s knowledge of different programming languages or come up with new product ideas . One will go with presenting projects rather than going for a chronological style. 

Who Should Use It?

Functional resume style works well for freelancers and those who are new to an industry. If you are changing careers, you want to exhibit the relevant skills applicable to your target job, not necessarily your latest positions. 

Alternatively, if you have a career gap, you could use a functional format to emphasize your aptitude with evidence of your skills. 

Infographic Resume 

The last few years have seen a significant increase in the infographic resume format. Resumes transformed from being simple black and white word documents to colorful and creative files. This style incorporates graphics and various fonts to highlight the skills and add a spin to the designs. 

The downside of these resumes is that not every graphic element will get picked up by the ATS. For instance, if you are using graphs to represent your level in skill sets, the system might not record it. 

Who Should Use It?

As this resume style requires creativity, designers can take advantage of it to showcase their professional skills. You can demonstrate your capabilities and let the resume speak for itself. 

Online Resumes 

It is becoming a common practice for professionals to include links to their resumes rather than attach the actual file. These could vary from a single page resume format to extensive portfolios or a dedicated website that features your projects and skills. 

Today, there are dozens of resume builders online that will let you create online portfolios with no knowledge of coding required. 

Who Should Use It?

Such resumes are preferred by creative professionals such as web designs, graphic design, and architecture. A website serves as a resume by itself while giving you more room to discuss your projects in detail. It will also keep the audience more entertained than a typical resume. 

However, you also need to keep in mind what kind of jobs you are applying for. If you are a freelancer pitching a project, a website might serve you well. On the other hand, if you respond to an opening that receives hundreds of applicants who are willing to create startup ideas, a traditional resume format might be better to get you through the ATS. 

Targeted Resume

Simply put, a targeted resume picks up the specifics of your target job and tailors the whole document to it. To achieve this, you should first identify the keywords and specific responsibilities listed in the job opening. Make sure that your resume highlights those. 

In fact, recruiters do favor targeted resumes. This also means that even if you have a template, you will have to change the content every time you apply for a new job. But it would also increase your chances of getting a call. 

Who Should Use It?

Regardless of what specific resume style you choose, a targeted resume can give you an upper hand. This approach is recommended for all job seekers to have the edge over other candidates. 

Final Words

As evident, the choice of a resume style should depend on where you stand in your career and the profession. You can always try a combination to find the right match. No matter the type, ensure that the text is readable, organized, and is appealing to the eye. 

Ask yourself: what am I best at? Consider your unique strengths and use a resume style that will reflect the ideal candidate the recruiter wants to see.