Condensing years (or even decades!) of your work history, skills, and achievements into a single-page document—one that’s perfectly structured to persuade a stranger to hire you and offer the salary and benefits you deserve—is no easy task. But it can be done.
When it comes to your resume, there are countless choices to make (font! colors! bullet points!). But the biggest question is: Which format should you use? Here’s a breakdown of the three most common resume formats and how to choose the best one for you.
- The Chronological Resume
- The Functional Resume
- The Combination Resume
Plus, what you need to know about resume formats and applicant tracking systems.
The Chronological Resume
When people hear the word “resume,” they usually picture the chronological format—because it’s the most widely used. Also called a reverse-chronological resume (which is a bit more precise), this style highlights your work experience, listing it from newest to oldest.
What’s Included in a Chronological Resume?
Typically, this format includes the following sections, in roughly this order:
- Name and contact details
- Summary statement (optional)
- Work history (or relevant experience), with each role’s title, company, location, and dates—plus key accomplishments, starting with your most recent job
- Education
- Skills
- Optional extras: Hobbies, interests, volunteer work, awards, or other relevant details
Is a Chronological Resume Right for You?
Most job seekers—from fresh graduates to experienced professionals—can benefit from this format. It works especially well if your career has followed a steady, logical path without major shifts or employment gaps.
Pros:
- Recruiters and hiring managers recognize this format instantly, making it easy for them to scan your career progression.
- It tends to perform well with applicant tracking systems (ATS), which are tools employers use to screen applications. (More on ATS later.)
Cons:
- If you’re changing careers, have an unconventional work history, or have significant employment gaps, this format might unintentionally highlight those challenges instead of the skills you bring to the table.
Example of a Chronological Resume
Want to see how this looks in practice? Check out the example below.
(Note: Image or template reference would go here, but no link is included as per instructions.)
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The Functional Resume
A functional resume—or skills-based resume—takes a different approach. Instead of leading with work history, it emphasizes your key skills and achievements that are most relevant to the job. Your work experience is still included, but with minimal detail.
What’s Included in a Functional Resume?
This format generally has these sections, in this order:
- Name and contact information
- Summary statement (optional)
- Skills/expertise, grouped into relevant categories with accomplishments under each
- Work history (just role, company, location, and dates—no descriptions)
- Education
- Optional: Additional skills, hobbies, volunteer work, awards, etc.
Should You Use a Functional Resume?
This format is sometimes suggested for people with little work experience, career changers, or those with inconsistent job histories.
But here’s the catch: Most recruiters dislike functional resumes. They often assume the candidate is hiding something—like employment gaps or a lack of relevant experience.
Since recruiters review tons of resumes, you want yours to be as clear and straightforward as possible. A functional resume, with its sparse work history section, can make it harder for them to assess your background.
Career experts generally advise against this format. Instead, they recommend using a combination resume (more on that next) to highlight skills while still providing a full work history.
Example of a Functional Resume
Take a look at the example below to see how this format appears.
(Note: Template reference would go here, but no link is included.)
The Combination Resume
Think of the combination (or hybrid) resume as a middle ground between chronological and functional formats. It showcases your skills upfront while still providing a detailed, reverse-chronological work history.
What’s Included in a Combination Resume?
This format typically follows this structure:
- Name and contact details
- Summary statement (optional)
- Key skills
- Work history (with role, company, dates, and accomplishments)
- Education
- Optional: Additional skills, interests, awards, etc.
Is a Combination Resume the Best Choice?
This format works well if your work history alone doesn’t fully convey why you’re a great fit for the role. It’s especially useful for:
- Career changers
- Veterans
- Recent graduates
- Professionals with varied experience or employment gaps
While some recruiters might still be wary (thinking you’re downplaying your work history), the inclusion of a full chronological section makes it more transparent than a purely functional resume.
As recruiter Steven Davis puts it, this format lets hiring managers focus on your skills first—what you excel at—before diving into your job history.
Example of a Combination Resume
See how this format looks in the example below.
(Note: Template reference would go here, but no link is included.)
Resume Formats and Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS)
Before finalizing your resume, there’s one more thing to consider: Will it pass through an ATS? Many companies use this software to scan resumes before they ever reach a human.
Key Tips for ATS-Friendly Resumes:
- Stick to clear, structured formats—chronological and combination resumes work best.
- Avoid headers/footers for critical info (like your name and contact details), as some systems may miss them.
- Keep it simple—skip fancy graphics, unusual fonts, or complex layouts. Stick to standard fonts like Arial or Times New Roman.
- Test readability by pasting your resume into a plain text file. If it looks messy or loses details, adjust the formatting.
As career expert Amanda Augustine advises, a clean, straightforward resume will have the best chance of making it through the ATS—and into a recruiter’s hands.
