This article is part of a series from The Career Doctor's Cures & Remedies to Quintessentially Perplexing Career and Job-Hunting Ailments. Read more. The easy answer is that you need as many versions of your resumes as it takes…The less flip answer is that there are different types of resumes for different job-hunting methods -- and if you are using multiple strategies and approaches to search for a job, you'll probably need multiple versions of your resume. The first decision a job-seeker needs to make is determining the best type of resume. Do you need the traditional chronological resume, or would you be better off with a functional or chrono-functional resume? For some job-seekers, such as new college grads, the answer may be that you need both types. Employers prefer chronological resumes that clearly show employment history, but for job-seekers with little or varied career history, a chronological resume may be ineffective. The second decision a job-seeker needs to make involves the number of versions of resumes you’re willing to develop. In reality, job-seekers should tailor your resume to each employer. The core of your resume remains the same, but you might need to modify certain aspects, such as job objective or professional profile. In today’s computer-driven society, there simply is no excuse for having a one-resume-fits-all job opportunities situation. The third decision a job-seeker needs to make involves the number of resume formats you need. All job-seekers need at least two formats: the traditional "print" format and an electronic format. A traditional print resume is still needed for job interviews, career fairs, networking, and anytime a person actually reviews your resume. However, as more and more of job-hunting becomes electronic -- whether through online job-hunting or employer-based resume databases -- job-seekers must really have one or more e-resume formats. Always remember that your resume is your key marketing tool for gaining that all important interview, and if that means you need to have eight different resumes while job-hunting, then go for it. Your job is to follow each employer’s guidelines in how the company wants a resume submitted, thus increasing your chances for being contacted for an interview. Here are some resume resources that can help:
See a list of all the most common college, career, and job questions -- and Dr. Hansen's solutions. Who is the Career Doctor? Learn more, read his current career column, or browse the column archives when you visit the Career Doctor's homepage.
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Dr. Randall S. Hansen is a nationally recognized career and job-search expert.
He is Founder and Webmaster of Quintessential Careers, as
well as publisher of its electronic newsletter, 