So you are looking for a job and decided to refine your resume to highlight your best qualities but you wonder, "Do I lead with my degree or my work experience?"  I suggest going back to the job posting and see what it says.  Does the employer REQUIRE a degree?  Does the employer REQUIRE seven years experience making a very specific widget or operating a particular phone system?  Take your cue from the employer's posting.

If you still aren't sure, lead with your strongest quality.  For example, if the position requires a degree, but not in a specific discipline and your degree is otherwise considered unrelated (like you have an engineering degree and you are applying for a finance position) then lead with your experience.  On the other hand, the position requires nine years experience in music theory and appreciation and you only have six years, but have you a degree in music with a minor in fine arts then lead with the degree. 

A simple and widely accepted format for functional resumes is:  Identifier Information in the Header, Summary of Experience, Accomplishments by Discipline, Education and Professional Development, Work History (jobs you have held, title, where and when), Credentials & Licensing and Associations.  If you prefer the more traditional chronological resume your format would be something like:  Identifier Information in the Header, Summary of Experience, Work history with accomplishments, Education & Professional Development, Credentials & Licensing and Associations.

If you would like more tips on drafting an uber spectacular resume - keep reading future installments of the blog.  We are working on a series of entries to help novice resume writers become the talk of the town.

Leanne King
President, SeeKing HR