Identify and discuss when to use each of the three main types of rsums. What will be an ideal ...

Answer to #1

Answer: Although there are a number of ways to organize a rsum, most are some variation of chronological, functional, or a combination of the two. The right choice depends on your background and your goals. In a chronological rsum, the work experience section dominates and is placed immediately after your contact information and introductory statement. The chronological approach is the most common way to organize a rsum, and many employers prefer this format because it presents your professional history in a clear, easy-to-follow arrangement. If you're just graduating from college and have limited professional experience, you can vary this chronological approach by putting your educational qualifications before your experience. A functional rsum, sometimes called a skills rsum, emphasizes your skills and capabilities, identifying employers and academic experience in subordinate sections. This arrangement stresses individual areas of competence rather than job history. The functional approach has three benefits: (1) Without having to read through job descriptions, employers can get an idea of what you can do for them; (2) you can emphasize earlier job experience through the skills you gained in those positions; and (3) you can deemphasize any lengthy unemployment or lack of career progress. However, you should be aware that because the functional rsum can obscure your work history, many employment professionals are suspicious of it. A combination rsum meshes the skills focus of the functional format with the job history focus of the chronological format. The chief advantage of this format is that it allows you to highlight your capabilities and education when you don't have a long or steady employment history, without raising concerns that you might be hiding something about your past.

Answer to #2

Answer: TRUE
Explanation: In a chronological rsum, the work experience section dominates and is placed immediately after your contact information and introductory statement. The chronological approach is the most common way to organize a rsum, and many employers prefer this format because it presents your professional history in a clear, easy-to-follow arrangement.

Answer to #3

Answer: FALSE
Explanation: Developing a rsum is one of those projects that really benefits from multiple planning, writing, and completing sessions spread out over several days or weeks. You are trying to summarize a complex subject (yourself) and present a compelling story to strangers in a brief document.

Answer to #4

Answer: TRUE
Explanation: Even if you apply to a company that doesn't want to see rsums from applicants, the process of developing your rsum will prepare you for interviewing and pre-employment testing.

Answer to #5

Answer: A
Explanation: A) Choose Media and Channels. Start with a traditional paper rsum and develop scannable, plain text, PDF, and social/online versions, as needed. Consider other formats as supplements.

Answer to #6

Answer: A
Explanation: A) Research the target industries and companies so you know that they are looking for in new hires; learn about various jobs and what to expect; learn about the hiring manager if possible, all when gathering information during the planning phase of rsum writing.