The purpose of a resume is to disclose your accomplishments and qualifications to the admissions committee. Think of your resume as a promotional brochure about you. You need to show the committee what you have accomplished and where your experience lies. Your strategy should be to emphasize the experience and skills that a particular school is looking for. Your resume is also an example of your communication and organizational skills.

Selecting the right format

There are several acceptable formats for a resume. Based on the amount of your work experience, you can use one of the following formats:

Chronological:

This is the most common resume style for people with significant work experience. In the Chronological format, the emphasis is placed on employment experience. The applicant's job history is presented in reverse chronological order, with the most recent jobs placed at the top of the list.

Functional:

In this non-linear format, your skills and achievements are emphasized. Your employment history is summarized and linked to your skills and achievements. Your skills and previous relevant experience (including educational experience) are presented at the beginning of your resume. The Functional resume can be particularly effective if you've held a number of similar positions; it will allow you to highlight your skills rather than itemize what might be a redundant looking job history.

Combination:

The Combination resume is simply a Functional resume with a brief employment history added. Educational qualifications are listed first, skills and accomplishments are still listed next; the employment history follows. You need to reveal where you worked, when you worked, and what your job position was. Emphasize your talents and show how you used them at the job.