- A resume is a personal document that summarizes one's education, work experience, and skills for a job application. It is an important part of most career searches. - There are several types of resumes including chronological, functional, combination, and targeted resumes. A chronological resume lists work history in reverse chronological order while a functional resume focuses more on skills than work experience. A combination resume balances both approaches and a targeted resume highlights skills relevant to a specific job opening. - The key components of a resume typically include personal contact information, work experience, education, skills/certifications, and references. A curriculum vitae (CV) provides a more detailed academic and professional history without a page limit.