Resume Templates
Recruiters review thousands of resumes, and the most common formats are chronological, functional, and hybrid.
When you’re looking for an entry-level job right out of college, your resume is going to look a little different. Your education section is moved up above your work experience and you’re expected to expand upon your college experience. Go into detail with honors, clubs, coursework, etc.
Here’s a breakdown of what makes each format unique, helping you choose the one that best highlights your strengths and increases your chances of landing interviews.
The chronological resume format is one of the easiest for recruiters to review because it tells your career story in reverse order, starting with your most recent role.
This format allows employers to quickly see where you’ve been, how you’ve progressed, and whether your professional experience aligns with their needs.
Who should use the chronological resume format?
- Professionals with a steady career path. Ideal for those who have a clear, consistent career trajectory. Good for emphasizing your achievements and promotions.
- Job seekers with relevant, recent experience. Perfect if your latest role is closely related to the position you’re applying for.
- Candidates in traditional industries. Especially effective in fields like finance, marketing, or project management. This is where employers expect a straightforward work history section.
The functional resume format, also known as a skills-based resume, focuses on your skills and abilities rather than your chronological work history.
This resume format highlights what you can do. This can be a smart choice if you’re early in your career, making a career change, or have gaps in your employment history.
Who should use the functional resume format?
- Career Changers. If you’re moving into a new field, you want to focus on the skills that transfer from your previous roles.
- Job seekers with gaps in employment. This format draws attention to skills and achievements rather than dates. This allows you to focus on what you’ve accomplished rather than any breaks in your career.
- Recent graduates or early-career professionals. If you lack work experience, this format highlights the skills you gained through education, internships, or volunteer work.
- Freelancers or contractors. If you’ve worked on multiple short-term projects, the functional resume can highlight your core skills and strengths.
- Candidates with diverse experience. If you’ve worked in multiple fields or roles, this format lets you highlight skills over a checkered job history.
The hybrid format works well when you have both skills and a solid work history you want to showcase. (That’s why this resume format is also known as the combination resume).
With this format, recruiters can see your top skills right up front. This makes it easy to tell if you have the niche abilities they are looking for. Then, when recruiters look down the page, they get a straightforward view of your job titles and career path.
Who should use the hybrid resume format?
- Professionals with specialized skills. Recruiters in industries like software engineering, marketing, and project management focus on finding candidates with specific, relevant skills. A hybrid format can help you bring these front and center.
- Career changers with relevant skills. If you’re moving into a new field but have skills that transfer well, a hybrid format gives you ample space to showcase those skills.
- Experienced candidates with diverse roles. The hybrid resume allows you to emphasize both your key skills and your years of experience.
- Freelancers or consultants. This format shows off your skills and recent projects without needing to list every job individually.