Résumé

Résumé is a document used by individuals to present their background, skills, and accomplishments. Résumés can be used for a variety of reasons, but most often they are used to secure new employment. A typical résumé contains a summary of relevant job experience and education. The résumé is usually one of the first items, along with a cover letter and sometimes an application for employment, which a potential employer sees regarding the job seeker and is typically used to screen applicants, often followed by an interview.

History

The word résumé comes from the French word résumé meaning "summary". Leonardo da Vinci is credited with the first résumé, though his "résumé" takes the form of a letter written about 1481–1482 to a potential employer, Ludovico Sforza. For the next 450 years, the résumé continued to be a mere description of a person and included their abilities and past employment. In the early 1900s, résumés listed things like weight, height, marital status, and religion. It was not until 1950 that the résumé evolved into something more than words written on scraps of paper.

Content

Résumés may be organized in different ways. The following are some of the more common formats:

• Chronological résumé: A chronological résumé starts by listing your work history, with the most recent positions listed first. Your jobs are listed in reverse chronological order with your current, or most recent job, first. Employers typically prefer this type of résumé because it's easy to see what jobs you have held and when you have worked at them.

• Functional résumé: A functional résumé focuses on your skills and experience, rather than on your chronological work history. It is used most often by people who are changing careers or who have gaps in their employment history.

• Combination résumé: A combination résumé is a mix between a chronological résumé and a functional résumé. At the top of the résumé is a list of one's skills and qualifications. Below this is one's chronological work history. However, the work history is not the focus of the résumé and simply includes the company name, position, and dates of employment.

• Targeted résumé: A targeted résumé is a résumé that is customized to specifically highlight the experience and skills you have that are relevant to the job you are applying for. It takes more work to write a targeted résumé than to just click to apply with your existing résumé. However, it's worth it, especially when applying for jobs that are a perfect match for your qualifications and experience.

See also

• Curriculum vitae
• Job hunting
• Application for employment
• Cover letter

References

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