Resume formats matter because they control how hiring managers see your story. The wrong format can hide your best qualities or make you look scattered. The right one puts your strengths front and center.

There are three main resume formats:

1. Reverse-chronological (work history first)
2. Functional (skills first)
3. Hybrid (both combined)

Each works better for different career stages and goals. Your personality also plays a role. Some people naturally organize information chronologically, while others think in terms of skills and achievements.

Our resume builder makes it easy to test different formats without starting from scratch. You can switch layouts and see which one tells your story best.

What is the reverse-chronological resume format and when should you use it?

The reverse-chronological resume format is a layout that lists your work experience from most recent to oldest, and you should use it when you have steady work history in the same field. This is the most common format because it shows clear career progression.

Best for: People with steady work history in the same field. If you’ve been building skills and moving up over time, this format works perfectly.

Pros:

• Hiring managers can scan it quickly
• Shows growth and stability
• Most widely accepted format
• ATS systems love the simple structure

Definition: A reverse-chronological resume organizes work experience by date, starting with your current or most recent position and working backward through your career history.

Inside our resume builder, you’ll find chronological templates that automatically organize your experience this way. Just add your roles, and the tool handles the rest.

When does a functional resume format make sense?

A functional resume format makes sense when you’re changing careers, have gaps in work history, or want to highlight skills over job titles. This format focuses on your skills and achievements rather than your work timeline. Instead of listing jobs chronologically, you group your experience by skill categories.

Best for:

• Career changers entering a new field
• People with gaps in work history
• Recent graduates with limited experience
• Anyone whose job titles don’t match their actual skills

Pros:

• Highlights what you can do, not where you’ve been
• Great for showing transferable skills
• Helps explain career pivots
• Perfect resume for career change situations

Warning: Some ATS systems struggle with functional formats. Keep it simple and use clear section headers.

Our personality insights can help you identify which skills deserve the spotlight. If you’re naturally creative but worked in accounting, we’ll help you present those creative problem-solving skills effectively.

What’s a combination resume and is it worth using?

A combination resume is worth using when you have both strong skills and solid work history that you want to showcase equally. This hybrid resume blends the best of both worlds. It highlights key skills while also showing your work timeline. You lead with a strong skills section, then follow with your chronological experience.

Best for:

• Mid-career professionals with diverse experience
• People changing industries but staying in similar roles
• Anyone with both strong skills and solid work history
• Professionals who want to show progression AND capabilities

Pros:

• Shows both what you can do and where you’ve done it
• Great for highlighting transferable skills
• Gives context for your achievements
• Works well for varied career paths

Keep it focused: Don’t try to cram everything in. Pick 3-4 key skill areas and support them with specific examples from your work history.

Do some industries need unique resume formats?

Some industries do need unique resume formats, with creative fields welcoming visual elements while technical roles prefer clean, data-focused layouts. Creative industries and technical roles have different expectations.

Creative industries: Graphic design, marketing, media

• Visual elements can show your style
• Portfolio links are essential
• Stand out with thoughtful design choices

Technical roles: Engineering, IT, finance, healthcare

• Clean, simple layouts work best
• Focus on certifications and technical skills
• Numbers and metrics matter most

ATS-friendly rule: No matter your industry, avoid heavy graphics, unusual fonts, or complex layouts if you’re applying through online portals. Keep it simple for the robots, impressive for the humans.

Our builder offers flexible templates that work for both approaches. You can add visual flair for creative roles or keep things minimal for technical positions.

What’s the best resume layout for beating ATS filters?

The best resume layout for beating ATS filters uses simple formatting that applicant tracking systems can easily read. These systems scan resumes before humans ever see them, so an ATS-friendly resume is crucial.

ATS stands for Applicant Tracking System, which is software that screens resumes automatically.

How to format a resume for ATS success:

1. Use keywords from the job description (but don’t stuff them unnaturally)
2. Stick to standard file formats (.PDF or .docx work best)
3. Choose simple layouts with clear section headers
4. Avoid tables, images, and fancy headers/footers
5. Use standard fonts like Arial or Times New Roman

Resume layout tips for ATS:

• Left-align everything
• Use bullet points for easy scanning
• Keep contact info at the top
• Use standard section names (Experience, Skills, Education)

Beginner resume tips and advanced strategies both follow the same ATS rules. Simple and clear wins every time.

How do I choose the right format for me?

You choose the right format for you by letting your work history, career goals, and personality guide your choice. Here’s a simple decision framework:

If you have:

• Steady work history in one field → Reverse-chronological resume
• Career gaps or changing industries → Functional resume
• Solid experience but pivoting roles → Hybrid resume
• Limited work experience → Functional resume

Your personality matters too. Some people naturally think chronologically, they remember their career as a timeline. Others think in terms of skills and projects. Trust your instincts about how you organize information.

Sometimes the best resume format isn’t obvious at first glance. Take a step back and look at your full career story. Ask yourself: What themes emerge? Are you a steady climber in one field, or someone who’s built diverse skills across different roles?

What matters more than the format?

What matters more than the format is clarity, relevance, and honesty in how you present your experience. The best format is the one that amplifies your strengths and tells your story clearly.

Your resume should be:

• Easy to scan in 15 seconds or less
• Relevant to the role you’re targeting
• Honest about your experience (gaps and all)
• Adaptable to different opportunities

Pick the format that feels most natural for your story. A mediocre reverse-chronological resume beats a confusing hybrid every time. Focus on making your content compelling, then let the right format showcase it effectively.

Remember: Your resume is a living document. As your career evolves, your format might need to change too. Stay flexible, keep it simple, and always lead with your strengths.

FAQs

What are the main resume formats?

The main resume formats include three types: reverse-chronological (work history first), functional (skills first), and hybrid (combination of both). Each serves different career situations and experience levels.

Which is the best resume format?

The best resume format depends on your work history and career goals. Reverse-chronological works for steady career progression, functional for career changers, and hybrid for those with varied experience.

How do I know how to format a resume properly?

How to format a resume properly involves using clear sections, simple fonts, and layouts that both humans and ATS systems can read easily. Keep formatting consistent throughout and use standard section headers.

What are the most important resume layout tips?

The most important resume layout tips are using plenty of white space, consistent formatting, bullet points for easy scanning, and keeping your most important information in the top third of the page. Simple layouts always perform better than complex designs.

When should I use a reverse-chronological resume?

You should use a chronological resume when you have steady work history in the same field with clear career progression. It’s the most traditional and widely accepted format among hiring managers.

Is a functional resume right for me?

A functional resume is right for you if you’re changing careers, have employment gaps, or are early in your career with limited experience. This format lets you highlight skills over job titles.

What’s the difference with a hybrid resume?

The difference with a hybrid resume is that it combines both skills and work history sections to give a complete picture of your qualifications. It works well for mid-career professionals or those with diverse experience.

How do I create a resume for career change?

You create a resume for career change by focusing on transferable skills rather than job titles, using either functional or hybrid formats. Highlight skills that apply to your new field and downplay irrelevant work history.

What are the best beginner resume tips?

The best beginner resume tips are starting with a functional format, highlighting coursework and projects, including volunteer work, and focusing on skills gained rather than lack of experience. Keep it to one page and emphasize potential over experience.

How do I make an ATS-friendly resume?

You make an ATS-friendly resume by using simple formatting, standard fonts, clear section headers, and keywords from the job description. Avoid graphics, tables, and unusual layouts that can confuse applicant tracking systems.