The Chronological Resume is like a Date with an Old Friend

The chronological resume is like going on a date with a long-time friend who is traditional by nature. This is the guy who pulls out the chair for you and lays his jacket over puddles so your Monolos won’t get wet; whose history and secrets you know well; he is familiar to you and comfortable to be around. You’ve participated in his life journey and watched his progression. He is transparent and most of your questions have already been answered.

The chronological resume is traditional and familiar to hiring manager; most prefer this format. It is the chronological format most job seekers employ and the format most hiring managers are conditioned to read. The chronological resume typically includes concrete content such as dates of employment, education, achievements, and professional development listed in reverse chronological order (meaning latest to earliest).

The chronological resume is employed if the job seeker has a steady, consistent, and progressive work history as it demonstrates growth in an industry. If you have had a variety of jobs in a short period of time, perhaps a functional or hybrid resume ought to be considered due to an anticipated employer’s perception of disloyalty or boredom.

A chronological resume is typically safe just like continuing with the relationship of your long-time friend. If you are seeking a relationship, ahem, resume that is even more comprehensive and offers everything desired, check out my next blog post on “The One.”