Chronological
Use the chronological format when you are looking for work in your current field, your work experience shows progression in responsibilities, and/or an employer is particularly noteworthy or important.

The chronological resume is a reverse timeline of your work experience, from your most recent experience to your least recent. The focus with this type of resume will be on your experience and growth and any achievements worth emphasizing.

Functional
Use the functional format when you are making a career change, the job you want doesn’t match the skills you have or if there are any significant gaps in employment.
The focus with this type of resume is on your skills, abilities and credentials, and each skill that you include can be drawn from more than one work experience. 

Combination
Use the combination style resume when you are applying for a job for which education is important, but your work experience may be limited.

This resume format takes advantage of both types of resumes by listing your education reverse chronologically to emphasize it, but then you are able to focus on your skills even though you may have limited work experience in the field.

Curriculum Vitae (CV)
A CV serves a similar purpose as a resume, but the format and content is quite different. In North America, a CV is typically required for individuals in academic, scientific/research or educational positions. However, if you are seeking a job internationally, in Europe, Asia, the Middle East or Africa, a CV is expected instead of a resume.

Templates can be found online as well as what specific information should be included and how. Like a resume, a CV should include your name, contact information, and education and work experience. Unique to CVs, you should include any teaching and research experience you may have, any awards, grants or fellowships, details of any published work, involvement in any professional associations and any other information relevant to the position you are seeking. Like a resume, you should have different versions of your CV for different positions.

Alternatives to Resumes
There are several different alternatives to resumes that are worth mentioning, but a resume is still the most common and expected way for you to sell yourself. The most important thing when considering an alternative to resumes is to select the right format for the position you are applying for.

There are alternatives for technically inclined positions like personal websites, video resumes (which can be posted for free on websites like youtube.com), power point CVs/resumes, and electronic resumes including multimedia like pictures, graphics and music. The technically inclined alternatives can often incorporate creative elements and may take on an artistic appearance. Also notable are brochure resumes, folded a variety of ways to best sell yourself, video chats, marketing packages and portfolios. It is up to you to determine what is included in a marketing package; this form is an open ended way to market yourself. Portfolios on the other hand, are historically meant for creative types like designers, artists and marketers, but this is not the case anymore. Anyone can benefit from creating a professional portfolio. Include awards, special recognitions, letters of recommendation and anything else tangible that will back up your resume.