A resume is a document used by persons to present their backgrounds and skills.Résumés can be used for a variety of reasons, but most often they are used to seek new employment. A typical résumé contains a summary of relevant job experience and education. The résumé is usually one of the first items, along with a cover letter and sometimes an application for employment. A potential employer considers the information regarding the job seeker in the resume. It is typically used to screen applicants before an interview. The résumé is also called curriculum vitae (CV) in many countries. However, a resume is very much shorter than a CV. In many contexts, a résumé is short (usually one to three pages), and directs a reader's attention to the aspects of a person's background that are directly relevant to a particular position.
Many résumés contain keywords that potential employers are looking for, make heavy use of active verbs, and display content in a flattering manner. A résumé is a marketing tool in which the content should be adapted to suit each individual job application which is aimed at a particular industry. Sending resumes directly to employers became increasingly popular as late as 2002. Job seekers are able to avoid the job application process and reach employers through direct email contact. There are two main types of resume - a reverse chronological resume, and a functional resume. The reverse chronological résumé lists a candidate's job experiences in reverse chronological order, generally covering the previous 10 to 15 years. Positions are listed with starting and ending dates. Current positions on a résumé typically list the starting date to the present or to the current year. However, This kind of resume format is most commonly used by those who are not professional résumé writers.