Lots of important things happen in 6 seconds or less. Every five seconds 375 McDonald's cheeseburgers are sold, 21 babies are born around the world, and 205,000 Facebook posts are written. Amazing, right?
If you are a job seeker, there is just one more amazing fact you need to know: recruiters spend just 6 seconds scanning your resume before deciding whether you are qualified for a role. So, what does a jobseeker need to do to make an impression in such a short window of time? Start by updating your resume format.
Recruiters have a job to do and need to do it quickly, which is why it is critical that they be able to assess your experience, education, and skills in just a few seconds. Having a great resume format is critical to organizing your information in a way that will help you get noticed.
Creating a great new resume doesn't mean hiring a design professional or learning Photoshop; a really great resume format isn't overly designed. Rather, it is well organized and gentle on the eyes.
We've chosen nine of our favorite resume designs for 2021, all of which will put the focus where it belongs: on your skills, work experience, and education. Each of these easy-to-read, attractive formats will help you get out from behind your computer screen and into the interview chair.
Which resume format should I choose?
In addition to design elements, a great resume format takes into account how best to organize your information to showcase your strengths. There are three standard resume formats: chronological, functional, and combination. But how do you know which one to choose?
Chronological Resume Format
The most commonly used resume format, a chronological resume is easy to read and easy to update. With your work history listed in reverse chronological order, this format makes it easy for recruiters and prospective employers see your career progression and stable work history.
This resume works best for job seekers with no significant employment gaps who have worked in the same industry for several years. This resume format might be less appropriate for those job seekers who have left the workforce for periods of time or who have done significant job-hopping.
Functional Resume Format
A functional resume format zeros in on your skills and strengths, and focuses less on your work history. In this resume format, information is organized in a way that highlights transferable skills and achievements, which makes it an especially great resume format for individuals who have gaps in their resume or who have made significant career changes. This type of resume is also terrific for recent graduates with limited work experience.
One drawback of using this type of resume is that some recruiters and headhunters dislike this untraditional format. Some complain that the format is difficult to read, and others feel that this less-straightforward format (it omits the dates of your work history) might be an applicant's attempt at hiding something on their resume.
Combination Resume Format
A combination resume format, or a hybrid, blends aspects of the chronological and functional resume formats in a way that some jobseekers find pleasing. This resume format shines an equal light on transferable skills and a progressive work history.
A combination resume works for those who have made significant career changes, individuals re-entering the workforce, older workers, and new graduates with internship or professional work experience, and job seekers with a strong employment history who want a way to highlight their skill set.
| Combination Resume | Chronological Resume | Functional Resume |
|---|---|---|
| Also called a hybrid resume, this format combines characteristics of the chronological and functional resume formats to create a versatile document. | The chronological format is the most commonly used by jobseekers. | This format puts the focus on your skills and strengths, rather than on your work history. |
| This format emphasizes both your transferable skills and a solid work history in equal measure. | It lists your work history in reverse chronological order – with your most recent job at the top. | Your experience is organized into categories to highlight your achievements and transferable skills. |
| The combination format is useful for a variety of jobseekers, including students, entry-level workers, and jobseekers looking to make a career change. | Because it's easy to scan by both recruiters and applicant tracking systems (ATS), this is the preferred format of recruiters. | Jobseekers who are new to the workforce or who want to downplay a spotty work history like this format. |
| It allows users to incorporate a variety of experiences into a single document. | This format is great for jobseekers who want to show off an impressive career trajectory and a record of consistent employment. | It also works well for those who have held the same – or very similar – role for many years, since it eliminates the repetition of listing similar duties and responsibilities for several roles. |
| The flexibility of this format appeals both to those who want to show off a solid work history and those who want to place more emphasis on skills and education. | Choose another format is you have a spotty work history or large gaps in your work history. | This format can be difficult for ATSs and recruiters to scan. |
9 Best Resume Templates and Formats of 2021
No matter the industry you work in or your personal style, LiveCareer has a resume template that will get you noticed. Take a look at our top picks for the greatest resume formats of 2021 and choose the one that's right for you.
Whitespace Resume Template - Combination Format
Reasons to love this 2021 resume format:
A fresh resume embraces white space! Plus, having the header left justified (and utilizing a larger font) helps draw a recruiter's eye to your contact information, while white space makes the black and white format appear well structured and professional. Recruiters will be clear: you stand on your accomplishments, not on your resume's design elements.
This resume format works best for:
- Jobseekers across the board can use this versatile resume format, which is appropriate for all industries and job titles.
- Whether you are a gardener, a CPA, or a legal assistant, the Whitespace resume format will help you get an interview for the job you want.
Professional Resume Template - Chronological Format
Reasons to love this 2021 resume format:
An eye-catching font size in the header makes your contact information stand out. This clean resume format keeps the focus on your accomplishments, not on your resume's design elements. The eye falls squarely on your skills and experience thanks to the liberal use of white space in this resume format, which allows a recruiter to clearly see what you have to offer.
This resume format works best for:
- This format works for professionals across industries but is especially well-received in more conservative fields, such as law or finance.
Pinstripe Resume Template - Functional Format
Reasons to love this 2021 resume format:
A bright pop of blue brings your name and contact information to the forefront instantly, while the orderly format draws the eye to your accomplishments. The bullet points and the use of spare black and white copy in the work history section organize your skills and past roles, making them easy to scan.
This resume format works best for:
- A top choice for jobseekers in creative industries, like fashion, design, or journalism, or anyone who wants to show off a bit of personality without sacrificing an orderly, easy-to-read design.
Artistic Resume Template - Combination Format
Reasons to love this 2021 resume format:
Red symbolizes strength, power, and determination, the perfect message for any jobseeker to send. The bold header grabs the attention of the hiring manager right away, while the use of red section dividers keeps your skills, experience, and education easy to find. The document's well-organized sections lead the eye to the critical information quickly, something every recruiter will appreciate.
This resume format works best for:
- This resume format isn't just for artists; it's for any professional who wants to show off their background, with a touch of flair.
- Professionals in creative fields, like advertising and UX design, especially love this resume format.
Pacific Resume Template - Chronological Format
Reasons to love this 2021 resume format:
The eye lands squarely on this resume format's solid header thanks to the use of blue, which sends the message that you aren't afraid to be noticed. This resume format's well-organized sections lead the way to the critical information a recruiter seeks and will help you get that coveted job interview.
This resume format works best for:
- While suitable across industries, professionals in creative fields, such as advertising, journalism, or the arts do especially well with the Pacific resume format thanks to its subtle touch of artistry.
Modern Resume Template - Functional Format
Reasons to love this 2021 resume format:
This resume format's right justified contact information and bold blue font announce your candidacy for the role like no other. At the same time, the otherwise simple black and white format keeps a recruiter's eye on the prize – your accomplishments – to prove that you have the experience they are seeking.
This resume format works best for:
- Any jobseekers who is looking to show off their accomplishments with a touch of personal style.
Executive Resume Template - Combination Format
Reasons to love this 2021 resume format:
The simple header keeps this resume format polished, just like you! We love the clean look of the black and white format, which works well for all types of jobseekers. By not distracting with lots of design bells and whistles, this resume format keeps the focus on your achievements.
This resume format works best for:
- Designed for those seeking executive-level roles, this resume format can be adapted for use by any jobseeker.
Blueprint Resume Template - Chronological Format
Reasons to love this 2021 resume format:
Being black and blue isn't always a bad thing, as evidenced by this crowd-pleasing resume format. Those looking to show off both their sassy and serious sides love this resume format's use of bright blue, which draws the recruiter's eye to your most impressive accomplishments in a matter of moments.
This resume format works best for:
- This attractive resume format is the golden ticket for new grads, entry-level jobseekers, and those in creative fields.
Refined Resume Template - Functional Format
Reasons to love this 2021 resume format:
This resume format is an ode to the value of white space, which subtly directs the eye to rest on your significant accomplishments. This simple format has wide appeal for both recruiters and job seekers alike, thanks to its ability to make skills and achievements the star of the show.
This resume format works best for:
- Jobseekers across industries who are looking to present their skills, experience, and education in a chic and understated resume format.
