Types of resume: which format is right for you?

Choosing the right resume format can improve your chances of getting hired. Well-structured resumes showcase your top-flight skills and experience to potential employers, thereby attracting their attention. Selecting the wrong format can just lead to confusion. So, if you’re trying to ensure your resume stands out, which format is right for you?

The resume format you choose will depend on your unique professional situation. Whether you’re just entering the workforce, a seasoned professional looking to make your next move, or someone seeking a completely new career direction, you’ll need to frame your skills and experience the right way. 

In this article, we’ll explore the top three types of resume formats and provide examples to give you some inspiration, including:

• Reverse-chronological resume format

• Functional resume format

• Combination (hybrid) resume format

• Top 5 resume red flags

Which resume format is right for you?

Choosing the right resume format will ensure that you highlight your strengths and downplay any weaknesses. Here’s our top 3 resume formats, with examples: 

Reverse-chronological resume

While you may be tempted to equate traditional with boring, in the resume world think of the reverse-chronological resume like a timeless classic. There’s a good reason why this format has stuck around for so long. 

An easy-to-read format and the ability to see a clear timeline of career progression are two major reasons recruiters prefer this resume type. Another added bonus is that this format can easily be parsed by applicant tracking systems (ATS) that many companies use, meaning your resume is more likely to get past these automated gatekeepers too.

The typical structure of a chronological resume will include your contact information, professional summary, work experience in reverse-chronological order, education, and any additional skills. This format works best for the majority of individuals, particularly those with a solid work history and relevant career accomplishments they need to showcase.

Functional resume

A functional resume is also known as a “skills-based resume.” Rather than a heavy emphasis on work history, functional resumes shift the focus to the relevant skills you have acquired in your career to date. This is typically structured as contact details, short professional summary, detailed skills section, education, and a brief list of work experience. 

One thing to bear in mind, is that functional resumes aren’t too popular with recruiters. Hiring managers view this format a bit like smoke and mirrors. They’ll be wondering why you’re trying to bury your work experience at the end of your resume. ATS software also finds this format difficult to parse due to the lack of a straightforward timeline. 

However, a functional resume can be the best option in some situations:

• Changing careers. If you’re pursuing a career pivot, a skills-based resume is ideal. For example, if you’re switching from teaching to tech, this format allows you to showcase your strong technical, training, and critical-thinking skills. 

• Re-entering the workforce after a long absence. Family responsibilities or a period of illness can result in several years absence from the workplace. In this scenario, a functional resume is a great way to reinforce the skills you can bring to the workplace. 

Combination (hybrid) resume

Often considered the offspring of the reverse-chronological and functional resume, the combination or hybrid resume places equal weight on both skills and work experience. Typically, relevant skills and abilities are placed at the beginning of the resume, closely followed by the work experience section. 

This format is a great way to showcase your skills while also providing the hiring manager with a picture of your chronological work history, which is usually what they want to see. The hybrid resume offers the perfect balance for most job seekers, particularly if you're a junior or mid-level candidate with a few years of work experience or are looking to change careers or industries.

Top 5 resume red flags

Choosing the right format for your resume is the first step, but there are some other pitfalls you need to avoid in order to avoid raising any resume red flags:

1. Generic resume. Many candidates adopt the “one-size-fits-all” approach when creating their resume and send the same generic version for every job opening. Tailoring your resume for each specific job posting will produce better results.

2. Unfocused resume. A long and winding career story is unlikely to hold the hiring manager's attention. Create a resume with focus by sticking to one or two pages in terms of resume length. Bullet points are a great way to keep the content concise when used in appropriate places, such as the work history and key skills sections.

3. Inaccurate information. Typos, grammatical errors, and formatting errors show a lack of attention to detail and professionalism. Always proofread, polish, and review your resume before clicking send.

4. Employment gaps. Significant employment gaps in your resume or cover letter can raise alarm bells. Parental leave, caring for a sick relative, or pursuing studies are better explained than leaving the recruiter wondering whether this employment gap is due to being fired or unmotivated to find a job.

5. Unprofessional social media presence. Most employers check out your social media after receiving your resume, so make sure this is professional so that the hiring manager is confident of your ability to positively represent the team and company if appointed.

If you’re just starting out on your job search, check out Career.io’s Job Search Strategy tool that provides a clear roadmap and optimal job search resources for your next career move. 

Key takeaways

1. Selecting the right format for your resume will ensure you present your skills and experience in the best possible light and attract the hiring manager’s attention.

2. Whether you select a reverse-chronological, functional, or combination (hybrid) format will very much depend on your level of experience and unique situation.

3. Tailor your resume to each job opportunity, be professional on social media, and ensure your resume is focused, accurate, and addresses any employment gaps.