How to Choose the Right Resume Format
Not all resume types are the same. Resume formats affect the way hiring managers view your job candidacy. Typically, recruiters spend no more than six seconds reviewing your resume - so it must be easy to scan. In addition, well over half of all major employers utilize applicant tracking systems, which require the use of specific keywords. This page will guide you through the 3 main resume formats: functional, chronological, and hybrid. When you are ready, try our easy-to-format resume templates in our resume builder.
3 Things to Consider When Choosing
a Resume Format
Before you begin writing, you’ll need to choose a resume format. To decide which is right for you, you’ll need to ask yourself the following questions:
- 1. What’s your experience level? Different resume formats highlight different parts of your background. If you want to demonstrate that you have a strong career progression, choose a chronological resume format. If you are new to the workforce but want to emphasize the skills you’ve developed in school, a functional resume format would be a better choice. Finally, if you are in the middle of your career and want employers to see that you possess both some solid work experience and a set of industry-specific skills, go with a combination resume format.
- 2. Do you have a consistent work history? If you have gaps in your employment history, this should be a consideration when choosing your resume format. If you have been laid off or have taken time off for personal reasons, say, to raise children, a functional resume format would emphasize your skills rather than your work history and might help smooth over those gaps. Alternatively, a chronological resume would give details about your past roles and could risk calling attention to breaks in your employment history.
- 3. Is it ATS-friendly? The way your resume is organized is critical to getting past an applicant tracking system (ATS). This software, which is used by the majority of mid- to large companies in the United States, is designed to weed out unqualified candidates. Choosing a resume format that is easy to scan and that puts your most impressive achievements front and center is critical to making it past ATS and in front of a human recruiter. Choosing one of LiveCareer’s easy-to-read resume templates and using the resume format appropriate for your experience level can increase your chances of getting hired.
Resume Success Stories
Chronological Resume Format: The choice for experienced professionals
Who should use this format?
- Job seekers who have worked in the same industry for many years
- Applicants who want to show off an impressive career progression
- Anyone who is applying for an executive-level position
How is a Chronological Resume Organized?
Here’s how the sections of your chronological resume should be listed:
Header :
Include your name, email address, phone number and location. Your mailing address is not required on a modern resume but highly experienced candidates should consider adding links to their LinkedIn profiles or their website, if applicable.
Professional Summary :
Your professional summary is your elevator pitch, a two-to-five sentence teaser that highlights at a high level what you bring to the table. Name your most sought-after skills and experience here.
Work History :
This is the primary focus of a chronological resume format. This section should be listed in reverse-chronological order with your most recent work experience at the top of the list. In a chronological resume, this section should be detailed. Use data and metrics wherever possible to show the impact your work has had on past employers.
Skills :
List your most relevant hard and soft skills in this section, paying close attention to those called out in the job ad.
Education :
List your last degree (i.e., MBA, JD or BA/BS). If you don’t have a college degree but have a lot of work experience, feel free to leave this section off your resume.
Dos and Don’ts for using a Chronological Resume Format
Do use a Chronological Resume Format to:
- Utilize an easy-to-scan resume format.
- Show a strong work history.
- Demonstrate your career development.
Don’t use a Chronological Resume Format if:
- You have little to no work experience.
- You have large gaps in your employment history.
- You have changed jobs frequently.
More Chronological Resume Format examples
The Combination Resume: The preference of mid-career professionals
Who should use this format?
- Job seekers who have had at least two jobs in their field.
- Applicants who have a solid mix of skills and experience.
- Those who are entering a field in which they have work experience after an extended leave.
Elements of a Combination Resume
Here’s how the sections of your chronological resume should be listed:
Header :
Include your name, email address, phone number and location. Mid-career applicants should consider adding links to their LinkedIn profiles, website or online portfolio, if applicable.
Professional Summary :
Your professional summary should be two to five sentences that highlight the most impressive skills and experience you have cultivated up to this point in your career.
Skills :
Study the job ad to determine what the most critical hard and soft skills are for the role. Then, add in any other relevant skills and training that will make you stand out. Since a combination resume focuses on skills and experience, feel free to make this a comprehensive list.
Work History :
List your work experience in this section in reverse chronological order with your most recent work experience at the top of the list. This section should be detailed, so be sure to include any metrics that will highlight your professional successes.
Education :
List your advanced degrees in reverse chronological order. If you don’t have a college degree, list high school in this section. Otherwise, leave it off.
Dos and Don’ts for using a Combination Resume Format
Do use a Combination Resume Format to:
- Showcase both your relevant skills and your work experience.
- Demonstrate your transferable skills when making a career change.
- Show off career progression when you’ve worked for one employer in a variety of different roles.
Don’t use a Combination Resume Format if:
- You are just beginning your career.
- You have limited transferable skills.
- You want to focus the reader’s attention on your education.
More Combination Resume Examples
Functional Resume Format: The best format for entry-level applicants
Who should use this format?
- Job seekers who have little to no work experience.
- Applicants who want to show off their skills and education.
- Those with multiple gaps in their employment history.
How is a Functional Resume Organized?
Here’s how the sections of your functional resume should be listed:
Header :
Be sure to add your name, email address, phone number and location. Your mailing address is not required on a modern resume.
Summary Statement :
Your summary statement on a functional resume is your introduction to an employer. Unlike the other two resume formats, which use a Professional Summary focused on what you have to offer an employer, in this resume format it’s okay to mention the type of role you seek since many users won’t have an extensive work history.
Summary of Qualifications :
Your summary of qualifications should include information about your degrees, relevant training, academic achievements, and a high-level overview of your professional skills.
Professional Skills :
In this section, group your skills into categories for easy scanning. A good rule of is to add three main categories of skills with a list of at least three job duties you’ve performed that are associated with each of those skills
Work History :
Here, note any relevant work experience you have had, even if it isn’t directly related to the role you seek.
Education :
List your degrees in reverse-chronological order, with your most recent degree at the top of the list. If you did not get an advanced degree, list your high school education and any professional certifications you have completed.
Dos and Don’ts for using a Functional Resume Format
Do use a Functional Resume Format to:
- Showcase your education and skills over work experience.
- Deemphasize large gaps in your work history.
- Make a career change into a new field.
Don’t use a Functional Resume Format if:
- You are looking for a new job in your current field.
- You can provide employers with details of your professional achievements.
- You are not an entry-level worker.
Resume Format FAQ
- Which format do most employers prefer for resumes?
- Can I use more than one resume format?
- Are skills necessary on a resume?
Which format do most employers prefer for resumes?
The chronological resume format is the most commonly used format. It is also the one most recruiters say they prefer since this format makes it easy to scan an applicant’s employment history and career progression. However, you should choose another format if you are an entry-level candidate, making a major career change, or if you have serious gaps in your employment history.
Can I use more than one resume format?
Typically, you will send only one resume per application. However, if you are applying to multiple jobs at once, you may consider several formats. For example, you may have experience in one field and less in another. In this case, you would send a chronological resume to the former and a functional or combination format to the latter.
Are skills necessary on a resume?
Yes. Regardless of which resume format you choose, every resume should have a skills section. While the skills section in a functional resume will be longer than the skills section on a chronological resume, it’s critical to list your hard and soft skills for every role for which you plan to apply.
