Employers Prefer Chronological Resumes

October 2, 2009 (PLANSPONSOR.com) - Three out of four hiring managers interviewed (75%) said they prefer a chronological resume, with the most recent work history first, over those organized by job function and skills.

An Accountemps press release, said the responses from employers were little changed from 10 years ago when the same question was asked.

Seventeen percent of respondents said they prefer a functional resume, while 8% indicated no preference. “Functional resumes, which emphasize skill sets rather than jobs held, are popular among professionals in career transition or who have had lengthy gaps in employment, but they are not a favorite of employers. It is often better to address a career challenge directly than try to write around it,” said Max Messmer, chairman of Accountemps, in the announcement.

The survey was conducted by an independent research firm and is based on telephone interviews with 150 senior executives from the nation’s 1,000 largest companies.

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