Most job seekers organize their resume in a classic, chronological format, which sequentially lists each position they’ve held along with the associated responsibilities for each. For most professionals, the chronological resume is effective and easy-to-read. However, for certain candidates, a functional format resume may be a more elegant and flattering way to present diverse experiences. For those considering a functional resume, there are both benefits and drawbacks.

The Benefits:

Highlight Skills Over Experience

In the digital age, hiring managers often receive many more resumes than they can read thoroughly. The result? Employers are likely to skim resumes initially, looking for keywords, job titles, school names, or other quick indicators that you’d make a good match for the position.

As a result, it is essential that your resume be tidily arranged and highly readable. Here are a few basic pointers for creating a readable and attractive resume.

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If you are looking for a job after a long or short break in employment, or if you have noticeable gaps in your employment history, you must be prepared to address these lapses with potential employers. While many job seekers worry that gaps in employment will negatively affect their job opportunities, taking time off is commonplace and there are many ways to effectively address the issue. Take a deep breath and read on.

After a job interview, it is proper business etiquette to send a thank-you note to the person who interviewed you. Thank-you notes are the best way to reaffirm your interest in the position. However, even if you decided the position wasn’t for you, you should still take the time to extend this courtesy to the interviewer.

Send a thank-you letter promptly, within 24 hours of your meeting. Begin your letter by thanking the interviewer for taking the time to meet with you. Be sure to mention the position name again and re-state your interest in the job and the company.

Nowadays, business communication often takes place through the Internet. Among its many advantages, e-mail can be a much faster and efficient way to communicate, and also provides each party with a written transcript of their exchange.

However, it is very important to keep in mind that e-mail, although often less formal than other forms of written communication, is nonetheless a business exchange. When you are applying for a job using e-mail, treat the communication professionally and avoid common errors.

Thanks to the active online job market, employers are flooded with hundreds (if not thousands) of resumes every time they post an open position. To manage the incredible influx of candidates, many large companies employ resume tracking software, which automatically searches resumes for important buzzwords. Later, hiring managers use this data to identify qualified candidates.