Which resume format should I use?

Question

I originally went with the traditional format (education, work experience, ...) since I could fill up a page or two that way. When I interviewed with an engineering firm for a design management position, the only questions they asked were about a design course I took. I felt that because it was a management position, they could have asked about the leadership and communication (two things I think are crucial in management) experience I have accumulated beyond that course from things like being involved in government, planning and hosting a school-wide event, etc. While these things have nothing to do with technical engineering design, they were useful qualities to bring to such a job and I felt like the interviewer didn't recognize that. So, I am thinking it might be more effective to reformat my resume using categories like "leadership", "communication", etc. to make it more apparent. Feedback, please!

Also
For those that have interviewed with engineering firms, what can you expect?

Thanks for the responses so far. I too have been told that more than one page is okay if necessary. For the second part of my question, I would like to hear others experiences as well as get feedback on if this is typically how an interview is conducted. Maybe they just want to know about your technical experience?

Answer 1

Personally, I don't see a need to change resume formats here because it's pretty obvious from their focus on that course that the engineering firm felt you HAD the management background needed for the job. But since it's a DESIGN management position, they were questioning whether you had enough of a design background, which is perfectly fair.

No reason to question someone's management background when they already feel you've got it, but when it came to the design part of the job, that's where they were unsure if you fit the bill. So their focus during the interview was in this area.

Answer 2

Your resume CAN be more than one page! When I graduated college, I had three different career counselors look over my 2 page resume, to see if they could find stuff that didn't need to be in there, and they couldn't (I was VERY involved in activities, classes, etc).

Instead of going with the traditional resume format, I suggest using a "FUNCTIONAL" format. This really allows you to showcase your skills (such as leadership and communication).

Check out this website for a pretty good example.

Answer 3

Actually, resumes should only be a page long. Put down credible jobs that will help you get other jobs and what you did/your achievements in the jobs, where you went to college and high school and any achievements you had, and if you still have room put down your hobbies and interests and any special skills you have. Don't forget to put your name and contact information on the top.