There are four standard types of resumes: chronological, functional, combination and functional/combination. A student would use one these types according to how much work experience s/he has, what occupation s/he would like to into, and how much relevant and irrelevant experience s/he has attained. For instance, if Jane Bruin is a college graduate and wants to be a journalist and has experience in that area, then a chronological resume might be in order (Brown and Brooks, 1991).
The following is an example of a resume for Jane Bruin. If our client has done two internships with news organizations, then the counselor can help the client design a chronological resume (Job Search Guide, UCLA Career Center, 1995).
Jane Bruin
405 Hilgard Ave.
Los Angeles, CA 90024
(310) ***-****
OBJECTIVE
To obtain a position as a journalist.
EDUCATION
Science Hill High School Expected Graduation 9/96
Senior Status
Editor of School Newspaper
Coursework includes: Advanced Journalism, Elementary Journalism, Creative Writing, Typing II, Typing I, Computers II, Computer I
EXPERIENCE Summer of 1994
KTLA News
Intern
- Wrote about sport stories at local high schools
- Filed different reports for newscasters
- Performed Data-Entry for station
UCLA Bruin Summer of 1993
Intern
- Co-Wrote a column about local UCLA events
- Proofread articles for writers
- Interviewed a Professor about his thoughts on summer classes at UCLA
SPECIAL SKILLS
Typing 70 wpm, Proficient in Macintosh and IBM programs, French
HONORS and ACTIVITIES
Drama Club, Key Club, Tennis Team, 3rd place at Science Fair
However, if Jane Bruin is a recent high school graduate with no experience and is considering a career in journalism, the counselor could then help her design a functional resume (UCLA Career Center, 1995).
Jane Bruin
405 Hilgard Ave.
Los Angeles, CA 90024
(310) ***-****
OBJECTIVE
To obtain a position as a journalist.
EDUCATION
Science Hill High School Expected Graduation 9/96
Senior Status
Coursework includes: Advanced Journalism, Elementary Journalism, Creative Writing, Typing II, Typing I, Computers II, Computer I
QUALIFICATIONS
Editor of School Newspaper 1992-Present
Responsible for writing front article every two weeks.
Interview teachers, coaches, students as well as local officials on the school board.
Design and sketch cartoons, pictures and graphs.
Use Macintosh WordPerfect and IBM programs to write articles
Type 70 wpm
Class Projects
Interviewed a State Representative and wrote report for class.
Written over 300 pages for Journalism Classes.
Wrote a 30 page paper on Freedom of the Press.
Coursework
Advanced Journalism, Elementary Journalism, Creative Writing,
Typing II, Typing I, Computers II, Computer I
SPECIAL SKILLS
Proficient in Macintosh and IBM programs, Elementary French
HONORS and ACTIVITIES
Drama Club, Key Club, Tennis Team, 3rd place at Science Fair
However, if Jane Bruin has some related and unrelated work experience, then she could use a combination resume.
Jane Bruin
405 Hilgard Ave.
Los Angeles, CA 90024
(310) ***-****
OBJECTIVE
To obtain a position as a journalist.
EDUCATION
Science Hill High School Expected Graduation 9/96
Senior Status
Editor of School Newspaper
Coursework includes: Advanced Journalism, Elementary Journalism, Creative Writing, Typing II, Typing I, Computers II, Computer I
EXPERIENCE
KTLA News Summer of 1994
Intern
- Wrote about sport stories at local high schools
- Filed different reports for newscasters
- Performed Data-Entry for station
UCLA Bruin Summer of 1993
Intern
- Co-Wrote a column about local UCLA events
- Proofread articles for writers
- Interviewed a Professor about his thoughts on summer classes at UCLA
ADDITIONAL EXPERIENCE
ASUCLA Computer Store 1995-Present
Cashier
Resident Hall of UCLA 1994-1995
Resident Assistant
SPECIAL SKILLS
Typing 70 wpm, Proficient in Macintosh and IBM programs, French
HONORS and ACTIVITIES
Drama Club, Key Club, Tennis Team, 3rd place at Science Fair
Finally, if Jane Bruin has no related experience but has some unrelated experience, then she could use a functional/combination resume.
Jane Bruin
405 Hilgard Ave.
Los Angeles, CA 90024
(310) ***-****
OBJECTIVE
To obtain a position as a journalist.
EDUCATION
Science Hill High School Expected Graduation 9/96
Senior Status
Coursework includes: Advanced Journalism, Elementary Journalism, Creative Writing, Typing II, Typing I, Computers II, Computer I
QUALIFICATIONS
Editor of School Newspaper 1992-Present
Responsible for writing front article every two weeks.
Interview teachers, coaches, students as well as local officials on the school board.
Design and sketch cartoons, pictures and graphs.
Use Macintosh WordPerfect and IBM programs to write articles
Type 70 wpm
Class Projects
Interviewed a State Representative and wrote report for class.
Written over 300 pages for Journalism Classes.
Wrote a 30 page paper on Freedom of the Press.
Coursework
Advanced Journalism, Elementary Journalism, Creative Writing,
Typing II, Typing I, Computers II, Computer I
ADDITIONAL EXPERIENCE
ASUCLA Computer Store 1995-Present
Cashier
Resident Hall of UCLA 1994-1995
Resident Assistant
SPECIAL SKILLS
Typing 70 wpm, Proficient in Macintosh and IBM programs, French
HONORS and ACTIVITIES
Drama Club, Key Club, Tennis Team, 3rd place at Science Fair
Resume Writing Research
There has been a great deal of research on how to write a resume and the value of resume writing, but very limited research on how to teach it. Fournier and Spin (1993) wrote one of the most comprehensive books on resume writing discussing many different types and approaches. Rick Synder (1995) discussed the advantages of resume writing for high school students. Stanley, Weigard and Pam (1991) also discussed the guidelines for resume writing in a business setting, and Mark Ware (1992) discussed the need for resume writing in development courses.
However, there has been limited research on how to teach resume writing. Joan Roderick and Herbert Jelley (1992) in their article An Innovative Method for Teaching Resume Design, investigated college students who learned to write a resume by either having their resume evaluated by a professor or an executive from a corporation. The results indicated that the students preferred evaluations from the executives. Also, Norman Rose (1988) discussed how to teach resume writing by use of a computer. This article describes the word-processing program and how to utilize it. Finally, Melvin Pedras (1994) discussed a portfolio approach to teach resume writing which included the students’ assessments of this approach. Results indicated that the college students found this approach to be advantageous.
