WHEN it comes to creating résumés, managers would rather receive a chronological résumé with the most recent work history listed first.

Seventy-five per cent of managers favour the chronological résumé compared to the functional résumé, according to a survey by Accountemps, a staffing service that questioned 150 executives. The managerial answers to this résumé question have changed little in the past 10 years.

A chronological résumé is arranged by dates of employment, while a functional format is arranged by job skills.

“Chronological résumés allow job-seekers to present their career progression to prospective employers in a straightforward, easy-to-follow way,” notes Max Messmer, the chairman of Accountemps. “Functional résumés, which emphasise 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 favourite of employers. It is often better to address a career challenge directly than try to write around it.”

Accountemps provides suggestions for frequent résumé obstacles:

. Gaps in employment. In your cover letter, write a concise explanation for spaces in employment history.

. Lack of work experience. Include internships, part-time positions or volunteer work to strengthen your work history.

. Desire to change industries. Emphasise your skills and achievements that could be carried over to another career field.

– Creators News Service