functional hybrid resume

Do You Need a Combination Resume? Here's How to Know (and How to Write One)

Your resume is one of the most important things a potential employer uses to determine whether you’ll move forward to the next phase of the hiring process. That’s a lot of weight on one document that should almost always be a single page long. So you want to be certain your resume makes it abundantly clear why you’d be a fantastic pick for the job.

But what if listing out your work history doesn’t really tell the right story about you as a candidate, or any coherent story at all? You’re not doomed. Maybe you just need to consider using a combination resume to ensure that you stand out—and get through that first hoop to interview for the role.

What Exactly Is a Combination Resume (or Hybrid Resume)?

You can’t really understand what a combination resume is without first being familiar with the two other resume formats it melds together.

You’re probably familiar with the chronological resume —sometimes referred to more accurately as a reverse chronological resume—because it’s the one job seekers use (and the one recruiters see) most often. Your professional experience is the star of this type of resume, which lists your roles from the most recent going back in time with details below each entry and perhaps a brief skills section toward the bottom of the page.

The functional resume , also known as a skills-based resume, takes a different approach. Here, the meatiest part of the document is a detailed summary of your areas of expertise, laying out your key skills relevant to the role with supporting evidence. You might still list your professional experience, but briefly and less prominently, likely putting it lower down on the page and including for each job only your title, the company name, its location, and the dates.

A combination resume, also referred to as a hybrid resume, does exactly what its name suggests, finding a middle ground by combining aspects of both the chronological and functional resumes. It includes a section focused on your relevant skills near the top of the page followed by a section that runs through your relevant work history in some detail. In this case, your skills and work history are billed as co-stars with relatively equal footing.

“It gives you a chance to show chronology and evolution, but also a chance to pinpoint skills you want to point out,” says Muse career coach Neely Raffellini , founder of the 9 to 5 Project. Look, it says, I can do this job, and here’s why.

Who Should Use a Combination Resume?

A combination resume “allows the recruiter, like me, to pay very close attention to skill sets first. What do they think they’re really good at?” says recruiter Steven Davis , a Muse career coach. And, more specifically, how do the ways in which they excel make them a great choice for this particular role?

So this format might be a good choice for anyone who feels a chronological list of their past jobs doesn’t immediately highlight those abilities or tell the right story in a straightforward way, such as:

• Career changers: Whether you’re making a small pivot or taking a bigger leap, the job you want is different from the ones you’ve had in the past. A recruiter or hiring manager might not have an easy time picking out the reasons you’re a great fit from your work history. Instead of crossing your fingers and hoping they’ll notice the third bullet under this job and the second bullet under that one and put them together to see that you have obviously transferable skills, you can do the work for them. In a combination resume they’ll still be able to see where you’ve worked and get a sense for what you did and where, but you’re also helping making it super clear how it all adds up.
• Veterans: As a service member, you’ve gained invaluable experience and a slew of skills. But civilian jobs don’t always match military roles one-to-one. If you’re transitioning from the military into the civilian workforce, you can help show a recruiter or hiring manager how your previous experience is actually great preparation to take on the role you’re applying for by pulling out the relevant skills and expertise and putting it front and center. “For example, if somebody is [an officer] in the military managing a team of soldiers, they could be considered to be a project manager in a company,” Davis says. If you opt for a combination resume, you could list project management as a key skill and demonstrate how you made use of it in your previous roles.
• Recent graduates: If you’re only one job removed from school and don’t have a whole lot of traditional work experience to list in a chronological work history section, you might want to emphasize the skills you’ve developed and honed not only at work, but also through volunteering, school leadership roles, internships, and more.
• Candidates with a lot of experience or multi-track job histories: Let’s say you have the opposite problem. You’re well into your career and have oodles of experience taking on different responsibilities over the years. Maybe you’ve even had a somewhat varied career that’s more of a winding path or one that has multiple prongs. If you’re worried that someone attempting to wade through all that will get lost or confused, give them a hand by pointing them to exactly the right spots.
• Folks with big gaps in their employment: If you’ve been out of the workforce for some time for whatever reason—dealing with a health issue, for example, or caring for a child or parent—you might decide to go with a combination resume so that the long-ago date of your most recent employment isn’t the first thing on your resume.

Are There Any Downsides to a Combination Resume?

Any time you’re using a less common format, you take the risk of standing out, and whether that’s a good thing or a bad thing really depends on the specific person reading your resume.

The biggest risk: Some recruiters have the perception that candidates who use functional or combination resumes are trying to hide something, Smith and Raffellini both say.

Because its format is so different, a functional resume also has the problem of being “harder to read and harder to contextualize the work and really understand what your experience has been,” Smith says. But that’s less of a problem with a combination resume, which also includes robust details about your work experience, making it less likely to confuse or turn off a recruiter.

And here’s the truth: “If people haven’t been getting results,” Raffellini says, they “don’t have anything to lose from trying another format.”

What Goes Into a Combination Resume and in What Order?

The prospect of creating a new resume can be intimidating, and a whole new format may feel like too much. But remember that most of the substance is the same. In essence, you’re just taking a lot of the same material and presenting it in a new way.

A combination resume includes the following components (many of which should look familiar even if you’ve only ever used a chronological resume):

• Name and contact information: Your resume header at the top of the page should be prominent, so anyone reading can easily remember who you are, know how to get in touch with you, and click through to your portfolio, social media profiles, and/or any other important links.
• Summary (optional): The resume summary —a brief statement that sums up who you are (professionally) and what you have to offer—is not a must. However, it can be particularly effective for career changers or professionals with years of experience who want to tell readers a concise story about what they bring to the table for this particular role.
• Relevant/key skills: The first half of the main show in a combination resume, this is where you list your key skills that are relevant to the role you’re applying for. See below for a few different possible approaches to this section.
• Work history: The second act in a combination resume is a list of your past roles, with responsibilities and accomplishments listed below each one. If you have a great deal of experience, you may want to consider trimming this list down to the most relevant entries and labeling it “Relevant Work Experience” or “[Field/Type of Role You’re Applying For] Experience.”
• Education: In your education section, you’d list any degrees you have in reverse chronological order (similar to the way you would in a typical chronological resume).
• Additional skills, volunteer experience, awards, interests, or other sections as needed: You can create one or more additional sections that are relevant to you and the role you’re applying for. For example, you might want to list out additional skills that didn’t make it into the top section or include volunteer experience, awards, interests or hobbies, etc.

How Do You Create the Skills Part of a Combination Resume?

As with any aspect of your application, you want to make sure to tailor your combination resume to the role you’re applying for. You can start off by taking a look through several job descriptions for the type of job you want and identifying which skills and areas of expertise they all seem to mention. While you obviously want to list skills you actually have on your resume, this process can help you narrow down exactly which ones to highlight for which jobs.

According to Davis, the requirements and responsibilities sections of a job description can be particularly helpful for understanding which skills are critical. “We’re living in an electronic qualification stage here in getting interviews or not,” he says, emphasizing that an applicant tracking system will be programmed to look for certain keywords. “The more that keywords in job descriptions are mentioned in resumes, the better the chances are that someone will receive an interview.” So it’s worth tweaking your resume even further to match each specific job description before you hit submit.

In terms of actually putting down those skills on your combination resume, there are a few possible approaches. Depending on which you use, your skills section might be relatively short, or it might be pretty meaty, maybe even as long as what you might find in a functional resume. There’s no one correct format here—grow or shrink the relative space you give your skills and work experience depending on what makes the most sense for you and the role you’re applying for.

The first approach is to just include keyword skills without further elaboration, either all grouped together or split into categories. It might look like this:

Tech Stack JavaScript • Node • CSS3 • HTML5 • Jest • Webpack • ESLint • Git • Jira

Practices Mentorship • Test Driven Development • Agile • Documentation • Continuous Delivery

Muse career coach and HR executive Angela Smith likes to opt for a table consisting of three columns and two or three rows with a skill in each cell (in just a word or two) because it’s “really eye catching and gives the reader a lot of info in a really digestible format.” It might look like this:

Alternatively, you can make a list of bullet points, one for each skill with a few words of description. It might look like this:

• Account Management: Maintained and cultivated relationships with 45–50 clients.
• Training and Leadership: Onboarded all mid-market account managers and led training sessions that allowed 95% of hires to reach or exceed 90-day goals.
• Public Speaking: Won regional Toastmasters competition two years in a row and placed third in a statewide contest.

Or this (which you could format as two columns of three bullet points each):

• Meeting aggressive deadlines
• Closing long, complex sales cycles
• Strategic consultative sales approach
• Strategic planning, forecasting, and KPIs
• Training, learning, and development
• Stong writing/copywriting skills

And if you really want to get into the nitty gritty of two or three top-level skills, you can create a separate heading for each one with a handful of bullets below it to relay responsibilities and accomplishments that demonstrate your expertise. In this case, Raffellini recommends trying to keep the number of bullets below each relatively uniform and phrasing them much as you would under your work experience by starting with an action verb . It might look like this:

Front-End Web Development

• Wrote responsive designs for 10 websites, reducing load times by 80%.
• Implemented style guides and coding standards across sites.
• Created HTML email templates that improved click-through rates by 28%.

People Management and Mentorship:

• Managed a team of seven entry- and mid-level engineers, both in-office and remote.
• Oversaw project completion, beating delivery schedules in 12% of cases.
• Mentored early career engineers, helping two of them earn promotions.

What Does a Combination Resume Look Like?

All sound good in theory? Great. But what in the world does a combination resume actually look like when you put all the pieces together? Here’s an example of a hypothetical applicant with a decade and a half of engineering experience looking to highlight recent experience and skills for a senior front-end engineering role:

Download an Example Combination Resume

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Resume hybrid format: what it is and how can you use it

You’re switching to a new career or sector 

You work as a freelancer or creative professional , you plan to reenter the job market after a break, you have some experience already, but want a step up , resume header, professional summary, skills section , work experience, education section.

Also known as a combination format, the hybrid resume structure highlights both your skills and your experience at once. If you are struggling with indecision about whether to use a functional format (focusing mostly on your skills) or a chronological format (which prioritizes specific work history), you might find this format to be a happy medium. 

While any professional can use the resume hybrid format, it is especially useful for freelancers, creative professionals, other project-based workers, or those making a career transition. 

Not sure how to craft a winning hybrid resume? In this guide, we’ll walk you through everything you need to get started, including:

• An introduction to the hybrid resume format
• How a hybrid resume differs from other resume formats
• The benefits of using a hybrid format for your resume
• The sections to include when using this structure
• The pros and cons of using a hybrid resume format
• Advice on how to create an interview-winning resume and where to find hybrid resume templates

Hybrid resume template

Hardworking college student with a motivated attitude and a variety of powerful skills. Adept in various social media platforms and office technology programs. Committed to contributing my expertise in a dynamic office or media production environment.

• Office Technology Skills
• Motivated Attitude
• Social Media Platforms
• Advanced Communication Skills

Employment history

Sales Associate at Coffee Grinders, Boston  September 2015 - June 2018 

• Greeted customers and assisted them with purchasing products.
• Helped customers grind coffee beans and sample new products.
• Maintained a clean and welcoming store environment.
• Handled financial transactions.
• Monitored and recorded inventory records.

Bachelor of Film and Media Studies, Boston University, Boston  August 2016 - Present 

• Working towards a Film and Media Studies degree

High School Diploma, Regis High School, New York  September 2012 - May 2016 

• Graduated with High Honors
• President of the Journalism Club

Hybrid resume examples

How does a hybrid resume format differ from other formats.

The chronological resume format puts the spotlight on your experience, placing this section front and center. On the other hand, the functional format highlights your skills. If neither of those two options appeals to you, you may prefer the hybrid option.

As the name suggests, the hybrid resume format combines key elements from the other two structures. At the top of the page, you have a standard resume header and summary. However, next comes a curated skills section where you can list your core competencies. Directly below that, include your experience and education. 

When you use a hybrid format, it helps the reader take note of your talents immediately upon the first viewing. Then, a simple glance down the page tells them about your experience. 

Try out different resume formats!

If you don’t know where to start when it comes to choosing your resume format , why not try out a few different options? The weight of your skills and experience will determine which option best suits your needs. To get started, take a quick look at our tried and tested resume templates , which include chronological, functional, and hybrid resume examples.

When should you use a hybrid resume format?

Deciding which format best suits your application can be tough—however, there are times when the hybrid option will be the obvious choice for you. Some of these include:

If you’re looking to enter a new sector or transition to a new career entirely, the hybrid format may be the way to go. This option allows you to show off your skills first and foremost, while still delving into your work experience. Since your work history may not be directly applicable to the role at hand, this option lets you showcase your transferable skills before your previous work. 

Working on a freelance basis means that you move from gig to gig swiftly, which is great news if you thrive on variety. However, when it comes to applying for new jobs or gigs, it can be hard to illustrate your prior work in an organized way. The hybrid format allows you to get around that issue. 

In the skills section, you can share the talents that make you the right person for the job—that’s a huge draw for recruiters. Then, you have the chance to talk about any relevant projects or gigs you’ve completed.

It’s common for professionals to take a career break at some point in their lives, whether due to caregiving, personal projects, or an unfortunate layoff. This doesn’t have to have a negative impact on your career.

However, when you decide to reenter the job market, chances are a chronological resume format won’t cut it. The first thing recruiters will see when they look at your resume is that you’ve been out of work for a while, which may land your application on the “no thanks” pile.

Using a hybrid resume format means that you can impress recruiters with your dazzling skill set before they even get to the work experience section . By the time they see you’ve had a career break, they’ll already be enamored with your professional talents. 

Looking to climb the career ladder , but not certain you have the experience to take the next step? The hybrid format is the way to go. As we have covered, it immediately shows recruiters that you have what it takes to meet the job requirements. When they are reviewing your resume, the skills section will catch their eye before anything else. If you have a robust set of competencies but not quite the required amount of experience, this option gives you the best chance at success. 

Sections of a hybrid resume

Like any other resume format, there are specific sections any hybrid resume template should include. These include the following:

• Resume header. Your name and contact details
• Professional summary. An introduction to you as a professional
• Skills section. Your core competencies and transferable skills
• Work experience. The most relevant full-time jobs or projects
• Education section. A brief summary of your educational credentials

It’s important to recognize that the layout of your resume may differ depending on the template you use. You may, for example, have two skills sections—one for core competencies and one for technical skills. Similarly, you might decide to list some sections to the right or left of the body of the document in a column. 

Regardless of the specific layout that you choose, the resume should include the sections above. Let’s break them down. 

This section is at the top of your resume and includes details about you: your name, location, and contact details. You don’t need to do anything fancy here; simply make sure the information is clear and easy for the reader to find. 

Cynthia Crespo College Student

44 Summer Street  Boston, MA  02108 781-234-5454  [email protected]

The summary section consists of three or four lines that describe you as a professional. Before starting to write, consider your unique selling point . What do you bring to the table that no other candidate can? The more high-value information you can sneak into the section, the better.

The hybrid format emphasizes your top skills , so don’t waste this opportunity to show recruiters that you have what it takes to excel. Choose eight to 10 skills, keeping in mind that the competencies you choose should align with the job at hand. Take a look at your transferable skills and match them to the job posting before you begin. 

This is where you spell out any full-time work or gigs you’ve had, listing them in reverse chronological order (starting with your most recent position or project at the top and working backwards). 

Beneath each job or project, include three to five concise bullet points . Focus on the results you achieved and the impact you made instead of simply listing job duties. The more specific metrics or accomplishments you can achieve, the better.

Although the education section isn’t the main focus—your skills and experiences are, instead—you should still include any degrees or certifications that you have. Keep it brief: simply list the credential, the institute, and, if they’re within the past five years, the dates. You may also want to include additional training or awards in this section if they’re relevant. 

Pros and cons of using a hybrid resume format

Still deciding whether to use a hybrid resume format? We have some points you may want to consider. Here are some to keep in mind: 

Tips for creating the best hybrid resume

To give you a competitive edge as you create the resume that will land the job, we’ve put together some expert tips: 

• The skills section is the star of your hybrid resume, so be selective when choosing your skills. Include a few transferable skills, a few core skills, and a couple of skills that apply directly to the job opening. It may help to start with a long list, then whittle it down to a final selection.
• Play around with the layout . There are a couple of sections that will be smaller than the rest (like education, for example). Consider putting them in a sidebar to shorten your overall document.
• If you are struggling to fit everything onto one or two pages, don’t immediately change the font size . Instead, edit the content: take out any unnecessary words or move sections to the side or bottom of the page. To get some inspiration, check out the examples of hybrid resumes at Resume.io.
• To give yourself an easier time and take the trouble out of designing your resume, use premade templates . This lets you play around with a variety of layouts until you find one that suits your needs.

Key takeaways 

The hybrid resume format shows off both your skills and experience, making it a structure that offers the best of both worlds. While this format includes all of your information, it does differ from other formats as it places the skills section above your work experience and education.

Before choosing such a format, make sure you have a robust set of talents and a background that lends itself well to a hybrid structure.

Finally, take the hassle out of building your resume by using Resume.io’s resume builder , which includes templates for every format, streamlined designs, and tried-and-tested examples.

How to write a Hybrid Resume (with instructions, tips, and examples)

If you are looking for a great way to highlight your best skills on your resume while showcasing a clear timeline of your career, you may want to learn how to write a hybrid resume.

For some job-seekers, showing that you have the right skills for the job you are applying for can be difficult. If your most recent position isn’t directly related to the job posting, it’s important to list your transferable skills, but your most relevant accomplishments might not have been in your most recent job. This requires some creativity when structuring and formatting your resume.

Fortunately, there is a great way to show your best skills while retaining a clear career history: the hybrid resume format.

The hybrid resume format opens with a robust Skills section, ensuring your transferable skills are emphasized, then follows with a reverse-chronological Work Experience section, listing your past positions in a logical order.

This article will explore:

• Resume formats
• The hybrid resume format
• Reasons to write a hybrid resume
• How to write a hybrid resume
• Hybrid resume templates and examples
• What is a hybrid resume?

A Hybrid resume is a resume that emphasizes skills over work experience, but retains a clear timeline of past positions.

To truly understand a Hybrid resume format, it’s important to understand the two other most common resume formats: the reverse-chronological resume format and the functional resume format.

The Reverse-chronological resume

A reverse-chronological resume, often incorrectly called a chronological resume, is a resume that focuses primarily on past jobs.

In a reverse-chronological resume, the Work Experience section is the largest and most important part of the resume, and past positions are listed in reverse-chronological order, beginning with the most recent job and working backwards. The resume may open with a Summary section or a short Skills section, but the Work Experience section will receive the most focus, particularly the most recent positions.

This is the most common resume format, and the one most job-seekers will use. It is the ideal resume format for people who have had a typical career path, where each position is a logical next step from the previous one.

The Functional resume

A functional resume, sometimes called a skills-based resume, is a resume that highlights skills over work experience. In a functional resume, the Skills section is the largest and most important part of the resume, while the Work Experience section is shorter and less detailed. Further, in a functional resume, jobs listed in the Work Experience section are ordered by relevance rather than chronology.

In a functional resume, the Skills section will be more detailed than in a reverse-chronological resume. Instead of a simple list of relevant skills, each skill area will be its own heading, and examples of your accomplishments or abilities in that skill area will be listed below. This makes the Skills section much longer and more important.

The functional resume is sometimes used by people with less traditional career paths, who may want to focus on their abilities rather than their recent positions. However, most employers prefer to see the dates of employment for recent positions, so this format is not popular.

Instead, if you want to emphasize skills over past jobs, you may want to write a Hybrid resume.

The Hybrid resume

A hybrid resume, sometimes called a combination resume, is a resume that combines the best features of the functional resume format and the reverse-chronological resume format. It begins with a long, detailed Skills section (like a functional resume), but still retains a reverse-chronological Work Experience section (like a reverse-chronological resume).

In a hybrid resume, your Skills section will be positioned above your Work Experience section. It will also be longer and more detailed. Like a functional resume, it will have detailed examples in the Skills section rather than a simple bulleted list of skills, and like a functional resume, entries in the Work Experience section will be short and less detailed. Unlike the functional resume, however, past jobs will still be listed in order.

This allows you to showcase your skills without obscuring your dates of employment and career journey.

If you want to highlight skills rather than work experience, consider writing a hybrid resume.

• Why should you write a hybrid resume?

You should write a hybrid resume if your career path has been unconventional or unusual and you feel that your skills are more important than your career timeline.

A hybrid resume allows you to emphasize all your best and most relevant skills right at the top of your resume with lots of detail, with less of a focus on the timing of specific accomplishments. This can be helpful when your most recent position isn’t directly relevant to the job you are applying to.

If you are changing careers, for example, a hybrid resume can help you highlight your most transferable skills better than your current position. Similarly, if you are returning to work after an absence, a hybrid resume will emphasize your existing skills. If you have a history of job-hopping, have worked in many different industries, or your work history has some long gaps in it, a hybrid resume format might work for you.

Now that you know what a hybrid resume is for and when you should use one, you are ready to start writing. When it’s time to write a hybrid resume, follow these steps:

1. Write a brief summary

While not strictly mandatory, it is a good idea to start your resume with a Summary section whether you are using a hybrid resume format or not. This section should be short, no longer than a few sentences or bullet points, and punchy. This is where you introduce yourself to an employer, listing a few important qualities, skills, or highlights from your career. If done well, your Summary section can be what hooks an employer and convinces them to read the rest of your resume.

2. Focus on your skills

In a hybrid resume, your Skills section is the most important part of the resume. It should be the largest section of the resume, positioned high on the first page and written with lots of detail.

In your Skills section, identify your most relevant and most impressive skill areas . Make each skill area a heading, then list examples or explanations underneath. For example, if you are applying for a sales role, you may want to include a section such as:

Sales and Marketing

• Successfully conducted over 150 new and resale transactions, achieving sales volumes exceeding $25M and selling 48% of the project's condominiums within the first year at York Simpson.
• Overcame buyer challenges, such as high property taxes and HOA fees, to secure 5 offers within 24 hours at York Simpson.
• Generated awareness of new properties through targeted in-print and online marketing strategies, effectively reaching potential buyers and increasing property visibility.
• Utilized strong negotiation skills to secure favorable deals for clients, resulting in high customer satisfaction and repeat business.
• Consistently met or exceeded sales targets, demonstrating a strong ability to drive results and achieve business objectives.

When coming up with examples of your skills, focus on your achievements in past roles. Your past accomplishments should contain examples of the skills you want to highlight for the position you are applying for.

Try to use concrete examples of your successes. This should include quantifiable details, like sales, revenue, team size, project budgets, or customer success scores. Any measurable details from past jobs will look great on a resume. They show not only that you are successful, but that you measure your success and track your performance, all attractive qualities in an employee.

Further, when describing past accomplishments, use active language as much as possible. Action words like spearheaded , overcame , conducted , and negotiated all characterize you as an independent worker who can take initiative. The way you describe your accomplishments is almost as important as the accomplishments themselves.

Throughout your Skills section, make sure to include both soft skills , the transferable skills that make you a great employee, and hard skills , the technical abilities that make you competent in your vocation. This will allow you to demonstrate that you are a well-rounded worker who would be an asset both in terms of your abilities and your personal attributes.

The Skills section is the centrepiece of a hybrid resume, so it’s important to get this section right.

3. List your previous work experience

In a hybrid resume, your Work Experience section is secondary to your Skills section. That doesn’t mean, however, that it isn’t important.

In your Work Experience section, list your previous positions in reverse-chronological order. For each item, include the

• Company name
• Dates of employment

Because your key accomplishments are all listed in your Skills section, it isn’t necessary to add more detail to your Work Experience entries. However, if you feel some explanation is needed, you can add a bullet point or two with some details about the specific roles.

4. Show your education

It’s important to list your education in your resume, even if it isn’t directly relevant to the job at hand. Academic credentials can still impress employers. In your Education section, list your degrees in reverse-chronological order. For each item, include the:

• Institution name

Dates are optional in your education section.

• Hybrid resume example

Jordan Armstrong is a Marketing Specialist with a strong background in marketing and management. With experience as a Marketing Manager and Assistant Manager at ACME, Jordan has demonstrated expertise in developing and implementing successful marketing strategies. They hold a Bachelor's degree in Business Administration from State University. Their experience in marketing management, combined with their strong communication and problem-solving skills, make them a valuable asset to any organization.

• Developed and implemented strategic marketing campaigns, resulting in a 20% increase in brand awareness and customer engagement.
• Implemented a successful direct-mail follow-up program for new customers, resulting in a significant 55% increase in repeat business.
• Led and coordinated marketing operations, ensuring alignment with the company's brand, product, and service standards.
• Ensured consistency and professionalism in all marketing communications, avoiding industry-specific jargon for better comprehension.

Business development

• Maintained clear and open communication with stakeholders, ensuring a shared understanding of goals and objectives.
• Significantly improved customer satisfaction ranking from #10 to #3 among twelve branches, demonstrating exceptional customer service skills and dedication to enhancing the customer experience.
• Proactively sought customer recommendations, resulting in a 20% increase in referral business.
• Effectively communicated with customers through multi-lingual telephone and written correspondence, promptly addressing queries and resolving claims.
• Successfully managed high-performing teams, consistently delivering excellent results and maintaining the highest operational standards across all areas of business.
• Conducted regular performance evaluations and provided constructive feedback to team members, fostering a culture of continuous improvement and development.
• Utilized data-driven insights to identify areas for improvement and implemented targeted strategies to enhance overall store performance.
• Successfully improved staff retention rates at a high turnover store by effectively managing expectations, proactively addressing issues, and implementing a tracking and reward system to recognize employee progress.
• Implemented customer retention initiatives, resulting in a significant increase in customer retention figures from 70% to 94%, directly contributing to increased profits.
• Conducted comprehensive evaluations of employee productivity, identifying untapped potential and implementing strategies to maximize performance, resulting in a 33% increase in sales compared to the previous year.
• Consistently met or exceeded performance targets, including customer satisfaction ratings and sales quotas.
• Maintained clear and concise documentation of customer interactions and issue resolutions, facilitating efficient communication and knowledge sharing within the team.

Work Experience

Marketing Manager ACME May 2019 - Oct 2021

• Promoted to the role of Marketing Manager at ACME, contributing to the smooth operation of the organization.
• Led all marketing initiatives and strategies.

Assistant Manager ACME Nov 2016 - Apr 2019

• Supported the Manager in daily operations, ensuring efficient workflow and adherence to company policies.
• Demonstrated strong leadership skills by effectively managing a team of employees.

Customer Service Advisor PowerTrain Industries Jan 2007 - Jan 2010

Customer Service Advisor InfoCorp Jan 2004 - Dec 2006

Bachelor of Arts in Business Administration State University

• Hybrid resume templates

If you are still looking for inspiration, here are some hybrid resume template examples to help you get started.

Hybrid resume template example 1

Hybrid resume template example 2

Hybrid resume template example 3

Community Success Manager & CV Writing Expert

Ben is a writer, customer success manager and CV writing expert with over 5 years of experience helping job-seekers create their best careers. He believes in the importance of a great resume summary and the power of coffee.

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Combination Resume Guide [w/ Templates & Examples]

Are you in the middle of a career change?

Or maybe you’re a senior professional with a diverse set of skills?

Whichever the case may be, the combination resume might be the right one for you!

This hybrid resume allows you to highlight both your work experience AND skills in a single resume, making your professional background shine!

So, want to learn more?

• What a combination resume is & when to use it
• How to create a hybrid resume that really stands out
• How to write must-have sections for any combination resume

Let’s get started!

What’s a Combination Resume

So, what is a combination resume exactly and what does it combine?

Essentially, a combination resume , aka a hybrid resume , combines 2 traditional resume formats .

It’s a mix of the reverse-chronological resume and the functional resume format.

As in, it places equal emphasis both on your skills and work experience.

The format offers 2 main advantages:

• It allows you to present a quick overview of your actual employment history and the areas that are transferable.
• While at the same time, showing the HR manager your top skills and qualifications.

Keep in mind, though, unless you’re in a very specific situation, the combination resume might not be the right resume format for you. What do we mean? 

Read on to find out.

When to Use a Combination Resume

The combination resume is pretty rare.

Most job-seekers worldwide tend to use a reverse-chronological format (and for a good reason). It’s pretty much the standard: HR managers are used to it, it’s straightforward and easy to make.

The combination resume format is very situational. You shouldn’t use it unless you:

• Are going through a career change.
• Have some employment gaps in your work history.
• Are a senior-level candidate, with a diverse range of skills and experiences.

In case you fit the bill for one of these 3 cases, though, here’s how to create a combination resume.

What to Put on a Combination Resume

When creating a combination resume, a proper layout is your best friend.

Typically, you’ll want to cover the following resume sections :

• Contact Information
• Resume Summary
• Work Experience or Areas of Strengths
• Skills Summary
• Additional Skills

Now, we’ll walk you through each of these sections, and teach you how to write them.

Starting with -

Add Contact Information the Right Way

Let’s start with the basics.

If the HR manager is interested in interviewing you, they’ll want to know how to reach you.

In the contact information section you include:

• First name, last name.
• Phone number - Make sure you include your country code if you’re applying outside your country.
• Email address - Your email should be professional. Ideally, something like [FirstName][LastName]@gmail.com
• Location - Are you located in the area? Open to relocation? Or maybe you’re looking for a relocation sponsor? Make sure it’s clear.
• Title - Your professional title goes here. Either your current job or the one you’re applying for word-for-word. If you’re switching careers, you could also do something like “Aspiring [Desired Job Title]”

Once done, make sure you double-check everything, slowly and carefully, for any typos. 

We’d recommend reading everything out loud just in case. You’re not going to go far if the recruiter can’t get in touch with you because of a typo in your email.

Got the basics down? Good!

Now, let’s move onto the resume summary .

Grab the Recruiter’s Attention With a Resume Summary

A resume summary is a 2 - 5 sentence summary of your professional background.

You should look at the resume summary as an introduction to your resume.

It’s the first thing the recruiter sees on your resume, and if you fail to catch their attention, they’re not going to read the rest of it.

So, how do you write a good resume summary?

You mention things like:

• Career highlights
• Qualifications
• Top achievements
• Relevant skills

Here’s an example to better understand what that might look like.

• “IT project manager with a proven track record of working with agile and waterfall methodologies. Managed teams of 5+ people on software development projects over the last 4 years. Decent understanding of JavaScript, React, and Python.”

PS - Need more inspiration for writing a strong resume summary? Check out our how-to guide with 40+ resume summary examples .

Use Your Work Experience to Show Off Relevant Skills

The next section in your combination resume is the work experience.

The work experience section is where you get to really sell yourself and brag about your past achievements.

List out your work history in a reverse-chronological order (starting from the most recent and ending with the oldest), and mention the standard things like:

• Job title and position
• Company name, location - If the company isn’t famous, you can describe what they do in 1-2 sentences. And you should always mention the location too.
• Period of employment - The standard format is mm/yyyy - mm/yyyy.
• Achievements or responsibilities - With achievements, you should list any specific changes you made happen (think in terms of numbers and data). Though, if that’s not possible because of the nature of the job (e.g. cashier), you can just stick to responsibilities.

Sounds simple enough, right?

A couple of other things you should keep in mind when writing a work experience entry:

• When possible, focus on achievements instead of responsibilities. 
• Back up your experiences with numbers and data.
• Tailor your experience to the job you’re applying for.

Now, here’s what a work experience entry looks like in practice:

Web Developer

Company X, Denmark, Copenhagen, 05/2018 - Present

• Full-stack developer, responsible for web applications and creative cloud engineering. Led a team of 5+ junior developers, using different methodologies.
• Optimized old check-out page, based on core UX principles, which increased customer purchases by 20%.
• On average, prototyped up to 20+ different product features per year.

Here’s what’s done right:

• Information is relevant, and straight to the point.
• It’s backed up by data and numbers.
• It lists achievements over daily responsibilities.

Now, compare that to -

Company X, Denmark, Copenhagen, 05/2016 - 07/2019

• Collaborated with project managers and provided updates.
• Designed website and mobile apps, while providing exceptional user experience.
• Worked with other developers in a team.

That’s extremely vague, right?

It doesn’t really say anything, or HOW the person actually did their job.

Now, imagine you’re the HR manager and you get to pick between these 2 candidates.

Which one would you pick?

• Going through a career change? You might want to use your work experience section to highlight your transferable skills.
• This way, you’re showing how your seemingly irrelevant work experience gave you the skills you need to do the new job right.

Show You’re the Right Person With the Skills Summary Section

The skills summary section is what differentiates the combination resume from the reverse-chronological one.

This is where you show your know-how for the job and that you have the right skills for it.

This section is especially useful for career changers, as it allows you to focus more on your skills (as opposed to work experience).

So, how do you write a skills summary section?

You start by listing all the required skills for the job you’re applying for.

For example:

• SEO, Content Writing, Growth Hacking
• Graphic Design

Then, underneath each skill listing, you describe how you’ve used this skill in the past.

Combination Resume Skills Summary Example

• Started personal blog for reviewing electronics and latest tech gadgets. Grew email list from 0 to 500+. Ranked in top 5 Google searches for “best dash cameras for Uber”, and “best front and rear dash cams”.
• Gained over 1,500+ visits from Quora from answering questions daily.
• Reached out to fellow bloggers in the field and got 30+ backlinks to my blog for answering frequently asked questions.
• Used WordPress theme to design website, know basic HTML/CSS.
• Designed infographic using Adobe Illustrator which gained over 500+ tweets / retweets.
• Used Ahrefs to perform site audit, and fix underperforming blog posts by doing a better keyword search.
• Familiar with the basics of Google Analytics and Google Search Console.

Not bad, right?

But what if you’re not switching careers, do you still include the skills summary section?

In that case, you’re using a skills summary section to show your vast range of skills and know-how (that your experience section can’t cover).

If you’re an experienced candidate, your main skills probably don’t stop there.

And that brings us to the next section of your combination resume.

Additional Skills for a Combination Resume

Remember how in the previous section (skills summary), we mentioned the must-have skills?

Well, this is where you list everything you left out.

Now, all you have to do is scan a job ad you want to apply for, look for all the essential skills that you didn’t mention in the skills summary section, and mention them in this section.

Let’s take a look at an example...

Combination Resume Skills Example

Let’s assume that the job is looking for a designer who has:

• Proficiency in UX software (Sketch, InVision, Photoshop XD, etc.).
• Basic understanding of HTML, CSS.
• Strong problem-solving, project management and organizational skills.
• Good communication skills and is a team player.

Now, all you’d have to do is mention those requirements in your skills section, like so:

• HTML and CSS.
• UX / UI software (Sketch, InVision, Photoshop XD, Figma).
• Verbal and written communication.
• Teamwork and time management.

Wondering what other skills are essential for your job? Check out our full guide of 150+ must-have skills for any resume .

Now that you know how to get the skill section right, let’s move on to the next section - education .

Write an Education Section That Stands Out

Your education section comes last on a combination resume, but luckily, it’s fairly straightforward.

The section is pretty much a requirement for any resume.

Here’s what you include in your education section:

• Type of degree - e.g. MSc in Economics and Business Administration
• Educational institution name - The University of Chicago
• Years attended - 09/2017 - 06/2019 
• Program location (optional) - Chicago, Illinois
• GPA (optional, only if noteworthy) - 3.87
• Relevant courses (optional) - Project Management Principles and Practices
• Exchange program (or any other noteworthy achievements) - Exchange program in Washington, D.C.

Here’s what the full listing might look like for a combination resume :

Now, what if your degree isn’t relevant to the job you’re applying for, as it might be if you’re switching careers?

Do you still list it?

As long as you have an actual degree, it still says a lot about your passion and commitment to education.

In some cases, you can even show off some transferable skills with your degree.

Let’s take a look at another example and say you’re applying for a graphic design job , with a B.A. in Communication :

B.A. in Communications

University X, 10/2013 - 06/2017

• Excelled in visual communication and digital media classes.
• Designed posters for university events and social media content.

Key Takeaways

To recap, a combination resume is a type of resume format that places equal emphasis on your skills and work experience.

To make sure your hybrid resume is exceptional, here’s what you should keep in mind:

• Make sure you cover all the necessary sections for a combo resume: contact information , resume summary , skills summary , additional skills , and education .
• When listing your qualifications, focus on only what’s relevant .
• Finally, end with your education . Even if your degree isn't relevant to the job, you should still include it to show your passion for learning.

Done with your resume and looking for extra career advice? Be sure to check out our career blog for more actionable advice and insights.

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Recommended reading:

• 43+ Resume Tips and Tricks to Land Your Next Job in 2024
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• What Are The Most Common Mistakes In A Resume In 2024? [Examples]

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Why the Hybrid Resume is the Best Resume Format

Customers Interviewed by:

When it comes to creating a resume , choosing the right format can be tricky. You must highlight your skills , experience , education , and more within (preferably) one piece of paper. So, how do you decide?

First, you need to think about where you are in your career. Are you a seasoned professional or a recent graduate ? Do you have a gap of time somewhere in your career, or have you spent years climbing the ladder without any breaks?

Everyone’s career journey looks different, and there is no “right” or “wrong” way to go about it. However, there are specific resume formats that can help you best relay your journey to potential employers:

• Chronological resume
• Functional resume
• Hybrid resume

We’ll dive in deeper with information on each of these formats throughout the article. However, the focus of this post is why the hybrid resume format is simply the best.

Let’s get started.

What is hybrid resume?

The hybrid resume, also called a combination resume, combines the chronological resume format and the functional resume format. 

It highlights the job seeker’s skills and achievements section first (like a functional resume) followed by work experience (the focus of a chronological resume format). While the chronological resume format seems a bit too traditional to some modern job seekers, the functional resume format is typically not preferred by hiring managers.

Think of it like Goldilocks and the Three Bears—the hybrid resume is the resume format that’s “just right.”

The benefits of a hybrid resume format

• Highlights skills and accomplishments
• Takes the pressure off of work history/gaps (but doesn’t hide it)
• Top-loaded style shows hiring managers the most valuable information first
• The neutral format appeals to both traditional and non-traditional hiring managers

The functional resume template focuses on skills as well but it is not preferred by hiring managers because it tends to leave out employment history and gaps in employment, which makes the applicant seem unforthcoming. Employment gaps happen, and most hiring managers will understand. The hybrid format helps diminish those gaps without totally hiding them. 

It also helps hiring managers see your best selling points (your skills) first. As Jessica H. Hernandez , Executive Resume Writer explains, “Hiring managers are not reading the entire resume on the first pass. They’re going to scan over it for position titles, employment dates, keywords, and metrics that stand out before deciding to read it thoroughly. The resume format you choose should make those areas of information simple to locate and read.

Who should use a hybrid resume format?

The hybrid resume is, most often, the best option for a job seeker, but it is particularly useful to those starting out in the workforce for the first time, changing careers , or re-entering the workforce .

This format shifts the focus away from work experience and turns the attention toward transferrable skills (skills that you may not have picked up by working in a particular industry but still apply to the job for which you’re applying), which is why it’s great for people who don’t necessarily want to showcase their work history.

If you’re applying for a job in the same industry that you’ve worked in for many years, you can also consider the chronological resume format.

Hybrid resume examples and templates

Get additional templates here .

Skills sections are an important part of any hybrid resume. Including skills also helps your resume make it past applicant tracking systems . Jobscan compares the job description to your resume and lets you know exactly which skills you’re missing.

How do you write a hybrid resume?

To write one that will get you hired, this is what you need to know:

• Which fonts will get the most out of your resume
• How to write your accomplishments (fill in the blank)
• How to top-load your resume

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Hybrid Resume Examples and Templates for 2024

How To Write a Hybrid Resume

How to pick the best hybrid resume template, hybrid text-only resume templates and examples, frequently asked questions: hybrid resume examples and advice, check out related examples.

To write an eye-catching hybrid resume, fuse the best aspects of both the reverse chronological and functional formats. This is also known as the combination format, as it allows you to feature your professional experience, skills, and certifications according to your career needs. Our resume examples, tips, and writing techniques will help you translate your career into a powerful marketing document.

• Entry-Level
• Senior-Level

1. Write a dynamic profile summarizing your qualifications

The profile section of your resume serves as an opening summary of your most compelling qualifications. Hiring managers often lack the bandwidth to thoroughly read every resume they receive, so it’s important to make a strong impression early. Keep your profile concise and limited to no more than four or five lines. Start with a sentence that lists your title, years of experience, and three to four skills that match the job posting.

Profile Example #1

A recent graduate with a bachelor’s degree in software engineering, specializing in Python, JavaScript, application development, and software development. Adept at creating scalable code to build high-quality software applications to support users and businesses.

Profile Example #2

A speech pathology graduate specializing in speech-language therapy, ASD, American Sign Language (ASL), and case management. A proven track record of mentoring students within the Speech-Language program and providing English as a Second Language (ESL) tutoring services.

2. Add an accomplishment-driven professional experience section

On a hybrid resume, you may opt to feature skills, certifications, or academic projects above your professional experience section, depending on your career needs. If you take this approach, featuring your achievements and positive contributions remains an essential component of the resume-building process.

That being said, a combination approach is commonly used by candidates who lack hands-on work experience. In this situation, you can leverage your internships or academic projects to demonstrate your industry expertise.

Professional Experience Example #1

Professional experience.

Software Engineer Intern,  StarTech Software Solutions Inc., Miami, FL | January 2023 – June 2023

• Performed testing and supported the development of features for mobile applications in React and Android environments under the supervision of software engineers
• Attended meetings with the project team to expand knowledge of application development, discuss potential new features, and evaluate user needs

Professional Experience Example #2

Research Assistant, Dr. William Stern, Temple University, Philadelphia, PA  | September 2022 – June 2023

• Conducted research on a variety of psychology topics and trends, including emotionally-focused therapy and cognitive behavioral therapy techniques
• Coordinated with a team of scholars to conduct a research project analyzing the psychological effects of poverty in food desert areas, including conducting interviews, developing surveys, and evaluating statistical trends

3. Include relevant education and certifications

On a hybrid resume, you can place your education, coursework, and certifications at the forefront of your document. This is generally recommended for entry-level job seekers or professionals in academia. Even outside of these unique situations, you can still leverage your certifications to drive your career forward. As you progress in your field, pay attention to the types of credentials companies are looking for and determine whether or not the investment might yield dividends.

• [Degree Name]
• [School Name], [City, State Abbreviation] | [Graduation Year]
• Bachelor of Science (B.S.) Psychology
• Temple University, Philadelphia, PA | 2023

Certifications

• [Certification Name], [Awarding Organization], [Completion Year]
• Certified Entry-Level Python Programmer (PCEP™), Python Institute | 2023
• Computing Technology Industry Association (CompTIA) A+ Certification | 2023

4. List pertinent key skills

The key skills section serves two distinct purposes. First, it allows you to incorporate keywords from the job description to ensure compliance with applicant tracking systems (ATS). Secondly, this section highlights your most relevant skill sets and qualifications for the hiring manager. Incorporate these terms into your bullet points as well during the resume-building process, and provide tangible examples of using these skills throughout your career. Below are keywords you may encounter during the job search:

A hybrid resume template should be flexible, allowing you to easily adapt the format according to your career goals and professional needs. Opt for a simple, elegant design that features appropriate sections for your work history, certifications, education, and independent or academic projects. Avoid flashy colors, graphics, and overly decorative fonts, as these types of visual elements may distract the reader from your content.

Anthony Gentile (123) 456-7890 [email protected] Miami, FL 12345 LinkedIn | Portfolio

• Application development
• Software development
• Software engineering
• Certified Entry-Level Python Programmer (PCEP), Python Institute | 2023
• CompTIA A+ Certification | 2023

Academic Projects

Software Engineering Projects,  Miami Dade College, Miami, FL | September 2022 – June 2023

• Designed and developed a mobile application to aid users in scheduling and monitoring appointments with real-time alerts, which included testing functionality, identifying bug fixes, and programming using Python
• Built a fantasy football application using JavaScript to enable users to analyze and compare player statistics in real-time to determine scoring percentages and trade value

Bachelor of Science (B.S.) in Computer Science Miami Dade College, Miami, FL | 2023

Christine Li (123) 456-7890 [email protected] Philadelphia, PA 12345 LinkedIn | Portfolio

A psychology graduate specializing in behavioral analysis, cognitive behavioral therapy, and developmental psychology. Adept at executing complex research initiatives and collaborating with diverse academic teams.

Bachelor of Science (B.S.) Psychology Temple University, Philadelphia, PA | June 2023

GPA: 3.8/4.0

• Vice President, Temple Student Psychology Association, 2019-2021
• Member, Psi Chi Psychology Honor Society, 2017-2021
• Dean’s list 2017-2021
• Magna cum laude
• Coordinated with a team of scholars to run a research project analyzing the psychological effects of poverty in food desert areas, including conducting interviews, developing surveys, and evaluating statistical trends

Psychology Research Projects,  Temple University, Philadelphia, PA | September 2021 – June 2023

• Wrote a 25-page research paper for the psychology capstone course analyzing the cultural experience of Chinese-American immigrants in urban and rural areas and the relationship between institutionalized racism and anxiety
• Developed a 10-page research paper evaluating the benefits of cognitive behavioral therapy techniques to treat depression symptoms
• Behavioral analysis
• Cognitive behavioral therapy
• Development psychology
• Emotionally-focused therapy
• Trauma intervention

Luis Rodriguez (123) 456-7890 [email protected] New York, NY 12345 LinkedIn | Portfolio

A speech pathology graduate specializing in speech-language therapy, ASD, ASL, and case management. A proven track record of mentoring students within the Speech-Language program and providing ESL tutoring services.

Master of Science (M.S.) Speech-Language-Hearing Science Columbia University, New York, NY | September 2023

Bachelor of Science (B.S.) Speech-Language-Hearing Science Columbia University, New York, NY | June 2021

GPA: 3.85/4.0

• Member, American Sign Language Club, 2018-2021
• Member, National Honors Society, 2017-2021
• Dean’s list, 2017-2021
• Summa cum laude
• Speech Language Pathologist (SLP) Certification, State of New York | 2023

Academic Experience

Speech-Language-Hearing Writing Tutor, Columbia University, New York, NY  | January 2022 – June 2023

• Coordinated with students weekly to identify weaknesses, resolved questions with speech, language, and hearing science course material, and developed strategies for academic success
• Resolved concerns regarding paper structure, prompts, revisions, and Modern Language Association (MLA) and American Psychological Association (APA) citation formatting

Classroom Assistant, Columbia University, New York, NY  | September 2021 – January 2022

Volunteerism

Volunteer Teaching Assistant,  Brooklyn Literacy Center, New York, NY | October 2020 – September 2023

• Supported one instructor in facilitating a three-hour class for ESL students, conducted evaluations to identify academic weaknesses, and assisted with implementing lesson plans and activities
• Autism spectrum disorders (ASD)
• Lesson planning
• Speech-language-hearing therapy

What are common action verbs for hybrid resumes? -

Incorporating a range of strong action verbs can help hiring managers and recruiters visualize your contributions and career achievements. That being said, using the same two or three verbs repeatedly may cause your bullet points to appear stale or repetitive. Below are action verbs you can use to build your professional experience section:

How do you align your resume with a hybrid job description? -

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics , total employment is expected to increase by 4.7 million between 2022 and 2032. Although these projects are positive, growth rates will vary greatly depending on your occupation and industry. To improve your odds of landing the interview, tactically align your resume with the job description.

This is where you can use a hybrid resume format to your advantage. For example, if you’re pursuing an entry-level software engineering role but lack industry experience, you might convey your knowledge of programming languages by citing academic projects and coursework. If you’re attempting to pursue a career in social work, you might emphasize volunteer experience and certifications in lieu of a robust work history.

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Adding a matching cover letter can help strengthen your job application. This tells the hiring manager more about who you are as a professional and why you’re the ideal fit for their organization. In the middle paragraphs, mention something specific about the company’s reputation, mission statement, or culture and why this draws you to apply for the position. For more insights, view our cover letter examples .

Frank Hackett

Certified Professional Resume Writer (CPRW)

Frank Hackett is a professional resume writer and career consultant with over eight years of experience. As the lead editor at a boutique career consulting firm, Frank developed an innovative approach to resume writing that empowers job seekers to tell their professional stories. His approach involves creating accomplishment-driven documents that balance keyword optimization with personal branding. Frank is a Certified Professional Resume Writer (CPRW) with the Professional Association of Resume Writers and Career Coaches (PAWRCC).

Entry-Level Information Technology Resume Examples and Templates

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Ph.D. Resume Examples and Templates for Industry and Non-Academic Jobs

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Selecting the Right Resume Format for Your Job Hunt

14 min read · Updated on June 25, 2024

With six seconds to make the right impression, your resume format matters.

Recruiters spend less than 10 seconds reviewing a resume before deciding if a candidate is a good fit for the job. When you have so little time to make the right impression, how you format the contents of your resume is just as important as what information you choose to include, which means choosing the right resume format is essential. 

What are the most common resume formats?

If you search online, you'll notice that three types of resume formats commonly come up in search results. They are the:

Chronological or reverse-chronological format

Hybrid or combination format

Functional format 

Regardless of the format, the goal of any resume is to grab the attention of hiring managers. Depending on your circumstances, however, not all resume formats are created equal when it comes to meeting this goal, as you'll discover in the following few sections. 

What should you consider when choosing the right resume format?

There are certain factors that are critical when determining the right resume format. These include:

Your work history

The role you're applying to

The industry

Gaps in employment

Current career goals

Where a chronological format might be best for many, a functional or hybrid format might be better for others. In the following sections, we explore when you should use one of the three formats based on various circumstances. 

What is a chronological format?

The chronological resume, also known as a reverse-chronological resume, has been the most common format used for years and is still one of the most popular formats used today. In a chronological resume, your most recent work experience is listed first, with the rest of your work history listed in reverse chronological order. 

This layout puts what matters most to employers – your most recent experience – near the top of your resume. A few other benefits of this format include the following:

Since it's commonly used, recruiters and hiring managers are conditioned to know where to look to find the information they're seeking. As a result, they can quickly scan your resume to determine if you're a potential fit. 

Most applicant tracking systems are programmed to read a reverse-chronological resume format easily. This means that using this format increases your chances of getting into the hands of a human reader compared to a format like the functional resume.

A chronological format makes it easy to know where to place and how to order your information. Your resume begins with your contact information, followed by your resume profile or summary, work history, and education sections. Additional sections can be included, though if you at least include these sections with the right type of content, your resume can indeed capture the attention of an ATS and hiring team. 

When should you use a chronological resume?

The chronological format is the right resume format for individuals with a traditional career trajectory. If you've held jobs with a typical progression within the same field or industry, for example, with little to no gaps in employment, a chronological resume is a great choice.  In other words, the chronological resume is a common choice and works well for those applying for a job in the same field or industry that aligns with most of their professional experience.

Suppose you're someone whose career path hasn't followed a traditional path, or you're looking to change careers, or your employment history has gaps. In those cases, the chronological format might not be the right resume format for you. Instead, you might be better off choosing a hybrid or functional resume. 

What is a hybrid resume format?

The hybrid resume, also known as a combination resume, combines both functional and chronological information into one format. It includes a professional summary and an “Areas of Expertise” or “Career Achievements” section at the top of the resume that outlines your key qualifications, skill sets, and achievements. This section is followed by a reverse-chronological listing of your work history that puts these selling points into perspective by describing how you leveraged your skills with each role you've held and what you were able to accomplish as a result.

Resume writers often prefer the combination resume format for several reasons:

First, writers know that recruiters prefer to see all of your experience lumped together in reverse chronological order. 

Second, most applicant tracking systems (ATS) do a better job at reading and interpreting a hybrid format because they rely on chronological data to parse much of your application. 

Third, this format gives you an opportunity to clearly support your skill sets by tying each qualification back to a specific position within your professional history.

Also, in today's world, it's more common than it used to be for individuals to change careers more than once or hold positions across different fields and industries, making a combination resume the better option over a traditional chronological format. 

A hybrid resume includes the following information:

Contact information

Resume summary or profile

Core competencies or skills list

Career aptitudes or achievements

Professional experience

Since the combination format is flexible in nature, you can opt to emphasize your skills first and then your professional experience or vice versa. If you have highly relevant skills that you feel will make your resume stand out, for example, you might choose to emphasize those before your Work History section. Additional sections can be included, though you might not have room depending on how much space you need to emphasize your skills and professional experience. 

When should you use a hybrid format?

A hybrid resume format works well for those with a diverse career history or who are changing careers, and it might not be immediately apparent how your past experience is relevant to the job you're applying to. In these cases, it's your transferable skills that you want to stand out. 

For example, if you're applying for an accounting role but haven't had the title of “Accountant,” but you've held a Store Manager job or other jobs where you were responsible for several accounting-related duties and responsibilities, a hybrid resume could work well and be the right resume format for you. 

What is a functional resume format?

In rare cases, you may choose to use a functional resume instead of a chronological or combination resume. In this resume format, the focus is placed on your skills and abilities broken down by function rather than a chronological work history. You'll still include a chronological summary of your work history, but it will take a back seat to your skills, so the focus stays on what you bring to the table for your target job.  

When should you use a functional resume format?

This format is typically used when your recent work experience doesn't support your job goals, or you're dealing with a serious gap in employment – like after you've been out of the workforce for several years. In those instances, you want to focus on your transferable skills and abilities that are relevant to the new job or to overshadow your employment gap. 

Also, you're more likely to land your next job by leveraging your network if a functional resume is your best option. In other words, don't expect the functional resume to work well with standard online applications since it's not well suited for applicant tracking systems and can sometimes be confusing for human readers. 

The best way to format your resume

Once you select the right resume format for your circumstances, it's just as important to ensure you're correctly styling the information within your chosen resume format. Regardless of the format you choose, keep the following things in mind:

Work with what you've got

Go back and think about your job goals . If you've recently graduated from college, your new degree is likely to be one of your best selling points and should be placed towards the top of your resume. However, if you've been in the workforce for a while, your years of relevant work experience take precedence, and your education and professional development activities will likely be placed at the bottom of your resume.

Create white space

More often than not, your resume is being quickly scanned for important pieces of information. An organized layout with a clear visual hierarchy is key. Avoid including dense blocks of text that the reader's eyes are sure to glaze over. 

Center contact information and subheadings

Also, center your contact information and subheadings such as "Work Experience," "Education," "Technical Skills," and so forth, since most recruiters focus on the center of the resume when scanning for information. If your resume exceeds one page, include a header on the second page that includes your name and contact information.

Expert tip: Do not place your contact information in the header feature of page one. The ATS cannot read headers and could reject your resume if it doesn't find contact information. 

Avoid endless bullets

Bullet points are an excellent technique for drawing the reader's eye towards important pieces of information. When everything is bulleted, you lose that ability.

Instead, when documenting your work experience, dedicate a few lines to describe your role and responsibilities and then use bullet points to call attention to your noteworthy accomplishments and contributions. This will allow you to more easily highlight your relevant achievements and qualifications. It's best to stick with three to five bullet points for each position listed.

Apply the correct margins

Your resume margins can help add length or create white space. Set your margins between a half-inch and one inch at the top and bottom and three-quarters to one inch on the sides. Anything outside of half-inch margins is often cut off when converted to a PDF and not read by an ATS. 

Use a resume-friendly font type and size

Your font type and size need to be easy to read. There are several resume-friendly font options to choose from, like Arial, Georgia, Calibri, Helvetica, and Cambria. In terms of font size, go with between  14 and 16 point sizing for titles and headers and 10 and 12 points for the text content within each resume section. 

Consider your line spacing

If your lines are spaced too close together, they can blend together and make it difficult for the reader to follow. Go with double line spacing following headings and between 1.15 and 1.5 point spacing between text.

Stick to two pages or less

Your resume should be one to two pages in length at maximum. Though some may suggest sticking to one page if you're an entry-level employee , that's no longer the case. Suppose you have plenty of relevant experience from things like internships, part-time jobs, and extracurricular activities. In that case, having a two-page resume as a college graduate or entry-level employee is fine. That said, if a one-page resume tells a powerful career story, regardless of your career level, use a one-page resume. 

Regarding three pages, in very rare instances, should your resume ever go over two pages. Here are some examples of when you might have a three-page resume:

You've been requested to list all of your work history in great detail

You're applying for a federal job that requires extensive details

You're applying for a job in academia where a longer resume is expected

You're applying to a high-level senior or executive role

You're a contractor or freelancer with a lot of projects to include

You've participated in a lot of extracurriculars, like public speaking or research projects

Apply ATS-friendly standards

Let's say your resume doesn't get past an employer's ATS. In that case, it won't be read by a human reader, meaning you've wasted your time. No one wants that.

To avoid this scenario, writing your resume with an ATS in mind is essential. Here are some tips to help improve your chances of bypassing an employer's ATS:

If you're using acronyms, be sure to spell out the abbreviations the first time they're used in your resume to improve the chances of an ATS understanding them.

Don't include images, tables, or charts, as they can be difficult for an ATS to read and interpret.

Incorporate keywords from the job description to optimize your resume for an ATS.

Avoid creative or fancy designs that might be difficult for an ATS to read – a modern, simple resume format is best.

Submit your resume as an 8.5 x 11 size Word doc vs. a PDF file.

Don't include important information in the header or footer sections of your resume. An ATS cannot read information in these areas of a resume. 

Avoid using a two-column approach to formatting the text of your resume.

Emphasize where appropriate

It can be helpful to emphasize some aspects of your resume to better guide the reader in finding the information they seek more easily. Ways to create emphasis include:

Bolding text

Underlining text

Increasing font size

Section headers, for example, should be highlighted by bolding or underlining the section title and using a slightly larger font size than the text between sections. If you have a very special or significant project that you've completed or worked on, you might choose to emphasize that by bolding it, as well. 

Use consistent formatting 

As you write your resume, use consistent formatting throughout if you don't want to risk looking unprofessional. This includes using the same:

Bullet type

Font and size for text content

Font and size for section headings 

Formatting for dates used in your work experience and education sections

Left align text 

In your work experience section, it's best to left-align the text. Left-aligned text is easier for most to read when there are large blocks of text on a page.

Be succinct

Your resume should only include relevant information written as concisely as possible. This is especially important if you find your resume is spilling onto a third page. Where can you remove filler words or tighten the text so that it's as brief as possible while still telling the story you want it to tell?

Include the right type of contact information

Employers expect to see specific items when it comes to your contact information. This includes your first and last name at the top of your resume, followed by your:

Phone number

Email address

City and state

It's also common to include your LinkedIn URL with your contact information. 

List your education in reverse chronological order

Regardless of the resume format you choose, it's standard practice to list your education in reverse chronological order, with your most recent degree listed first. An exception to this is if an earlier degree is more relevant to the job you're applying to. In that case, you can list the most relevant degree first and the rest in reverse chronological order. 

Remove outdated information

Be sure your resume doesn't include outdated information, like a resume objective statement in most instances and your complete mailing address. Including this information will make it appear you're not up-to-date with current resume standards. 

Avoid including personal information

It's important to note that your resume should not contain any personally identifiable information, such as your date of birth, marital status, or parental status. Avoid including photos, as well. Many countries, like the U.S., have stringent anti-discrimination laws. In those countries, employers are likely to toss your resume in the trash bin if it has this type of information due to the risk of discrimination claims. 

Choose the right resume format for your unique circumstances

Now that you know what some of the best resume formats are to consider and when to use them for specific circumstances, which is the right resume format for you? Regardless of what format you choose, use the above formatting tips to create the best resume possible to get noticed, land interviews, and get that job offer. 

Are you using the best resume format? Is it easily read by an ATS and humans? Not sure? Find out with a free resume critique !

This article was originally written by Amanda Augustine. It's been updated by Ronda Suder.

Recommended Reading:

Career Quiz: Is Your Resume Ready to Beat the Bots?

How to Check If My Resume Is ATS-Friendly?

The Top 10 Resume Mistakes That Could Cost You the Job

Related Articles:

What Kind of Job Candidate Are You?

Great Jobs for Teens: Top Picks for 16-Year-Olds

How do I Show cum laude on my Resume?

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• Chronological, Functional or Combination Resume Format: Pick the Best One (with examples)

 Probably writing a resume is not the best thing you used to do. It takes a lot of forces and strengths to make a really good one that catches the recruiter’s attention and emphasizes all your skills. However, the mission is possible if you’re familiar with the different types of resumes. Resume format may differ due to your working background, proficiency, type of work and skills. Make resume formatting isn’t that hard and we prepared a list of 3 types of resumes, so you may take the one that would present your strongest sides to the hiring manager.

1. Chronological resume

What is a chronological resume.

This is the most common and standard resume format and telling the truth, many employers typically prefer this type to others as it's easy to see what jobs you have held and when you have worked at them. A chronological resume focuses on your work history first as the most relevant point for hiring managers. Obviously, your jobs are listed in reverse chronological order with your current or most recent job with brief explanations of each job. 

When should you use a chronological resume?

A chronological resume format is the most common resume type, which suits those people who have an extensive work history that is in the same line of work as the job for which they are applying. It’s a safe choice for virtually all job seekers. 

When should you avoid using a chronological resume?

The chronological resume does not work well for career changers. You might have a lot of work experience in different industries but a chronological format demands related and smooth working history. As well as career changes, chronological resume doesn’t like gaps in employment and will only emphasize these issues.

Chronological resume structure

A chronological resume often includes an eye-catching career summary at the top. Then you should define chronology of your previous work experience and make it as clear as possible - it’s the main part of such resumes. Education, certifications, and special skills are also included in this type of resume but are listed after your work experience section.

Have a look at a chronological resume example to get a clearer visual understanding. 

A proper reverse chronological resume order should be as follows:

• Contact information
• Resume summary or resume objective
• Work experience
• Additional Sections

2. Functional resume

What is a functional resume.

The functional resume format allows you to take the pressure off your work history and focus more on your skills and abilities. That’s why it’s also called the skills-based resume format. The focus is shifted from job titles and dates to your actual relevant skill set.

When should you use a functional resume?

It is typically used by job seekers who are changing careers, who have gaps in their employment history , students with less working experience or people, whose work history is not directly related to the job. If you are looking for a job in creative industries, where your portfolio matters more than your resume, go ahead and use creative functional resumes. 

When should you avoid using a functional resume?

Through, it’s a great one for teens, students, and graduates, who lack work experience, but have their education, internships, projects, volunteering or campus work on their back, it’s still the most tricky resume type. The functional format might not work as it just throws your job history out. If you’re a fresher looking for a summer or entry-level job – it’s your choice to show up. But if you already have some achievements under your belt, your experience section would be presented only by a tiny list of your past employers at the bottom of the resume, and that’s not what you need.

Functional resume structure

No worry, if you don’t have a perfect work experience with a treasure trove of relevant skills and competencies. You’re not the only one and there are numbers of strategies you can employ to cover up gaps on your resume. To get an idea of how a functional resume can conceal your work gaps, you must understand the structure of current resume format.

Take a look at the functional resume example and let it become clear to you. 

Keep in mind the correct functional resume order:

• Resume objective
• Skills Summary
• Additional Skills
• Work Experience

Remember, even if you don’t have much work experience, you should still link your skills with either your academic achievements or part-time jobs and volunteer experience. The functional resume can be an ideal resume format for freshers as its ultimate goal is to make the hiring manager see your potential and desire to work.

3. Combination resume

What is a combination resume.

The combination resume format (or hybrid resume) is a middle ground between the reverse chronological resume and functional one. As the name suggests, it combines the aspects of the other two resume types. The combination style focuses more on skills but leaves plenty of room to provide details on your past work. Shortly, it focuses on skills without throwing off the work experience section. The more transferable skills you include, the easier it will be to make a successful resume. 

When should you use a combination resume?

Combination resumes were designed for job seekers who already have a relevant work experience or even looking to jump into a new industry. Moreover, if you’re applying for a position that requires a lot of technical skills and expertise, using a combination format is the best way to showcase these abilities to the hiring manager. If you had an impressive set of accomplishments and job duties in previous positions and want to highlight the skills you’ve developed over the years this style is perfect to help you succeed in a career path.

When should you avoid using combination resume?

Combination resumes don’t work well when you don’t have much work experience or your duties weren’t specified. Also, if you didn’t get any promotions, awards or achievements over the course of your career don’t go for the hybrid resume. You should better use a chronological resume structure. However, if you eventually got one, do not forget explain and emphasize each of them.  

Combination resume structure

Formatting a resume demands your skills and qualifications first. Those skills that are most relevant to a particular job opening must be on the top. Underneath each skill, you make a bulleted list of professional achievements that highlight the skill. Your employment history is listed next, in reverse chronological order. It would be perfect to divide the descriptions of your work experience into “Related Work Experience” and “Additional Professional Experience” sections. This allows you to focus recruiter’s attention on your most relevant experience while at the same time providing a complete work history.

Let’s have a look at combination resume sample.

A proper combination resume order should be as follows:

If you are still unsure of your ability to create a good resume format on your own, don’t hesitate to use our professional resume writing help and get your documents done on a higher level! ---

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How to Create a Combination Resume (+6 Unique Hybrid Resume Examples)

In This Guide:

What is a combination resume, why should you use the combination resume format, the key factors of a combination resume, is a combination resume right for you, advantages of a combination resume, disadvantages of a combination resume, how to create a combination resume step-by-step, 6 hybrid example case studies from enhancv, additional tips to perfect your hybrid resume.

Thinking about creating a combination resume that works?

Before you go in guns-blazing, you should understand this:

The combination resume format won’t work well if you have very little work experience to show for.

Seeing what resume formats are available, you’ll either be working with a chronological resume or a functional skills-based resume .

Or, there’s the combination resume – this is also known as the hybrid resume.

These resumes aren’t easy to make, but at the same time, it’s not as hard as you would think.

In this ultimate guide we’ll cover:

• What is a combination resume?
• Why should you use the combination resume format?
• The key factors of a combination resume
• Is a combination resume right for you?
• Advantages of a combination resume
• Disadvantages of a combination resume
• How to create a combination resume step-by-step
• 6 Hybrid Resume Case Studies From Enhancv
• Additional tips to perfect your hybrid resume

Wait, are you feeling a bit overwhelmed?

No worries! You can skip ahead and start by finding a proven resume for your profession in our megalist of 530+ examples here.

“I love it and would recommend it for anyone, it’s so much better than a droll traditional resume.” – Mark Cuban

BUILD MY RESUME NOW

Are you ready to start? Let’s dive straight into it!

As mentioned, combination resumes are also known and referred to as hybrid resumes.

This type of resume combines the key elements from a traditional functional resume and the chronological resume format to highlight both your skills and employment history.

Here’s a quick recap:

The functional skills-based resume focuses on highlighting the candidate’s strongest skills and recent experiences for the new career they’re seeking. Whereas, the chronological resume format focuses on the chronological order of the applicant’s most relevant work history in their career timeline. Employers mainly want to see the roles you take on develop as you handle more responsibilities over time.

When you put both of those core components together from both types of resumes, you get the combination resume. This means it merges the emphasis from both your resume skills and employment history that are most suited for your next job position.

The combination resume is the perfect in-between for hiring managers who are strict on the resume format rules. It also works well for those who need more flexibility on their resumes.

One easy way to think about it is Goldilocks testing the resumes between three bears. And out of all of them, the combination resume would be “just about right”.

Every resume format comes with its own benefits and setbacks. They can either take you one step closer to landing your job or one step further if you do it wrong.

With the hybrid resume, one clear advantage is that you have a well-balanced, all-rounded resume to catch the job recruiter’s eye. Unlike the applicants who use the functional resume, any small gaps you have in employment won’t be as noticeable.

And, it indicates to recruiters that you have a steady, consistent work history – alongside a positive track record.

With this in mind, you can showcase both your employment experiences confidently while emphasizing your strengths. This way, employers can see the amount of value you’ll bring over to their organization. Not just in one particular aspect, but through multiple features throughout your resume sections that are as good as one another.

You may have already noticed, but the combination resume is composed from 2 particular formats merged. These are:

• The functional resume format
• The reverse-chronological resume format

In comparison, the combination resume maintains a balance between both of these resume format objectives and aspects. Therefore, it’s not one-siding or overshadowing one factor over the other.

Check out the grid below to see a comparison of how each of these resume formats differentiates from each other with their criteria:

Although the combination resume creates a solid overall impression, it’s not for everyone. Ideally, it should be used for those who want to prioritize highlighting their skills, qualities and the level of value behind their capabilities they have to offer.

If you want the recruiters to have more recognition in your work experiences, it makes more sense to stick to a chronological resume format.

However, the reason why a combination resume works so effectively is that it gives employers valuable insights. By this, I’m referring to the fact that you have relevant work experience and skills they can quickly identify.

I’ve listed out the 3 reasons for when the hybrid resume is most ideal for you to use. If you don’t fit into any of the categories, it’s worth reconsidering.

You're considering switching careers significantly or applying to head into a different industry

In this situation, you could test between the skills-based resume and combination resume. Try to see which one has a higher response rate and if one performs better than the other.

If you’re someone who has significant gaps in your career, go for the functional resume. It helps with showing you’re more than capable for the job even if you don’t meet all the desired requirements.

On the other hand, if you’re the opposite then the functional skills-based resume isn’t your only option. If you’re confident that your record is positive and there aren’t major openings within your professional background, a combination resume is more recommended.

Using the combination resume is generally better for getting the recruiters attention because they can see you have an impressive employment timeline overall. You’re also able to present the information at hand, so that puts you one step closer for an interview.

You're a new college or university graduate or someone with some relevant work experience.

Have you just graduated from university or college? Or are you someone who has work experience, but still feel that it’s not enough?

Well, I’ve got some news for you…

The combination resume would work for you in any of these scenarios. It just depends on one condition:

Do you have any professional corporate experiences in the workforce for at least one year? And are any of them relevant to the job title you desire?

This also includes internships and volunteering experiences …

And, if the answer is yes to any of the above, the combination resume would be applicable for you!

Ultimately, you’ve done work that’s aligned with the responsibilities you’re soon going to take anyway. Employers will see that as invaluable – it’s not something easily replaced through something like a hobby or skills section.

Compared to the other applicants who may have no relevant experiences at all, you can provide those details that others can’t. It sets you one step ahead of the competition so you can land that new job and get hired!

Job recruiters will know that you have the skills to take on the expected tasks, responsibilities and duties.

Because you’re using a combination resume that implicates both your skills and experiences you have to support those statements.

No matter how minimal it may be, that information is enough to enable employers to conclude that you have a good understanding of what needs to be done. You’re not a complete amateur, but you’re someone who knows what to do.

My recommendation is that, if you have between 1-3 years of work experience, the combination resume should work for you. Anything less than that, you’re probably better off using the functional resume. And in opposition, if you have tons of work experience, you may want to consider sticking to the chronological resume format.

I’ve mentioned it earlier but I’ll say it again: one thing you can do is have more than one resume. See which resume performs better for the industry you’re targeting, and stick to the results or trends you’re seeing.

You have a positive employment record

Combination resumes are most ideal for job seekers who have a positive employment record. If you use a functional resume format when you have a solid career history, you’re technically reducing the value behind those experiences because it’s not built for you to emphasize those details.

By using a hybrid resume, it allows you to highlight the information behind your professional background and skills simultaneously.

There are several benefits gained from using a combination resume. We’ll take a look at what each of these main benefits is so you can maximize and make the most out of this resume format when creating your own.

Some hiring managers don’t accept the functional skills-based resume format, but it’s a different story when it comes to the combination resume.

These templates are sometimes preferred because they don’t try to shift the recruiter’s focus or conceal things the applicant is intentionally concealing.

With the hybrid resume, there’s nothing for the reader to suspect or doubt. All the information to reinforce your statements that they’re looking for will be shown through your experiences.

Changing careers or heading to a new industry

With an equal focus on your career history and skills, the hybrid resume is the perfect choice when changing careers. Using this format, you can showcase the transferable skills you’ve built-up that will be relevant for your new position.

This becomes particularly beneficial if your experience doesn’t appear immediately relevant. For example, discussing all of your sales experience when applying for an operations role. In these circumstances, discussing your skills at the beginning of your resume will be most impactful.

Take a look at the tech resume template Sam used which enabled him to switch from investment banking to working for Spotify:

With the Enhancv resume builder , you can adjust the format to put specific sections in the spotlight. The minimal and clean design also makes it highly readable, and it’s how it even caught the attention of a billionaire.

Since it’s easy to rearrange, Mark used his most recent job titles and experiences and integrated his skills into the description. This puts emphasis on both his career history and corporate skills, which gives a lot of value for the recruiter who’s making the decision of accepting him on board or not.

Conveying a consistent job history

Nothing can leave a worse impression than having three jobs in one or two years…

You don’t want the recruiter to begin questioning all the smallest, and slightest of things.

“What happened in those years? Were you fired? If so, why?”

We only have a limited amount of time that’s given to each individual resume. During this decisive moment, it determines if your resume will be sent to the “yes” or “no” pile.

You can give greater weight to your skills section in a combination resume.

Let the company know how you can apply yourself to the new role and later reinforce this by describing your previous positions. Doing this makes the recruiter less likely to care about the inconsistency in your history as you’ve shown how well you can perform.

versatile and works for multiple roles within one company

Let’s face it, we all perform tasks that don’t fall within our job description. Sometimes you work on long-term projects that may seem out-of-place to even talk about…

However, one advantage of the hybrid resumes is that they’re not fixed and limited to only one specific role. But rather, multiple roles in that same company.

For example, you can discuss all of the skills you’ve managed to develop (IT and software proficiency, data analysis, etc) and discuss how it’ll be useful in other areas for the tech company you’ve applied for.

No matter what your official role was in your previous company, you can describe all those skills. As long as they’re transferable and relevant for the new company, there won’t be a problem.

Re-entering the workforce

Re-entering the workforce can be challenging. It’s more difficult when there’s a considerable gap between your most recent position and now.

Taking the combination resume approach, you can change the recruiter’s perception. Instead of being someone rusty who’s been out of work, you’re going to be seen as a worker with respectable skills.

Despite being out of the working culture, you can show employers you’ve got the ideal expertise that they’re determined to see.

Ahead of the competition by playing a different game

The hybrid resume lets you play by a different set of rules a small percentage of candidates are following.

With resumes that focus on your previous work experience as your selling point, the people who have worked with big names are those that truly make the biggest impact…

When comparing someone that has worked in a major company to someone that has worked in a smaller company – no matter if the skills are the same – you’re going to lose the bargaining power.

But, if you change the focus of your resume, you can avoid this issue. In fact, you don’t have to worry about it at all.

Not many job seekers are capable of using this format because they have important parts of their careers that are missing. While their resumes have a lesser focus on the influence of their experiences, you’ll stand out in that aspect significantly.

One way to think about the combination resume is as a jack of all trades – all aspects of the resume are balanced. Yet, each resume section is compelling enough for employers to realize your potential.

Unlike chronological and functional resumes, the hybrid format tends to be longer in length

When you compare conventional combination resumes to the other resume formats, the readability isn’t quite as good. And, it’s mainly because they tend to have longer length in terms of details.

Employment gaps are still noticeable

As a whole, when we’re not using the chronological resume format, it’s implicitly indicating that we have gaps in our career.

Although we can minimize the noticeability behind it, it’s still something job recruiters can see.

The information could be too similar and may get repetitive

Since the level of description tends to be more lengthy, if we’re not careful our use of words or phrases could be too identical. It’s avoidable, but making this mistake limits your personality because there’s no variation – it’s dull and boring.

Yes, they care about the value you’re bringing over. But, it’s also important to recognize the candidate’s working culture. The workforce is becoming more interpersonal, so it’s important to add flavors of creativity and be different!

(We’ve made an everything you need to know guide for what resume sections . If you haven’t yet, I highly suggest you give it a read!)

Use an appropriate format and design

The combination resume is slightly different than the conventional formats you’re used to. While this is true, it doesn’t mean there are drastic changes when it comes to the layout.

For instance, resume font principles still apply. And, your contact details should be at the top of your resume within your resume header.

Start off by using an optimal resume builder that gives you flexibility with constructing your resume and rearranging its design to tailor for your new job.

If you’re unsure, you can easily put together a resume using Enhancv resume templates. Our builder makes your resume sections drag-and-drop puzzle pieces that can be moved with ease without compromising on the format.

You can also take advantage of our unique resume sections including our exclusive My Time section which allows you to describe your typical work-day. All of our components are customizable too which helps with adding a unique flavor to your resume so that you stand out.

(Side note: luckily, you don’t have to worry too much about the minor technical details because we’ll take care of most of it for you!)

Start off with your resume header

Once you’ve got your resume format ready, it’s time to start off by including your resume header.

For any resume you have, this is always the first thing the recruiters should see. It includes your contact information along with any important pieces of detail you want recruiters to see at the beginning of your resume.

Another optional factor to take into consideration is including useful links. These links could take the recruiters to places such as your LinkedIn profile, portfolio site, or freelance website.

Writing the summary section

The summary should be kept very brief. Here, you want to summarize your entire professional career, or you can make a summary of your skills. In some cases, you can incorporate both together.

More importantly, it needs to give employers insight that you’re a qualified candidate capable of getting the job done.

If you’re fairly new to the workforce and don’t have years of experience, use this section to talk about your long term career goals and objectives.

Just ensure you keep to the fundamental principles. Keep it to no more than 5 sentences long, but preferably 3 sentences max unless you have more details you want to fit in.

Employment history

At this point, you want to start listing out the job titles you’ve held in the past. This should be accompanied by a description that describes your duties, role, responsibilities and the company success you contributed towards.

Don’t start talking about your daily routine at your old job, but rather describe the value you provided. The key thing to remember is that the order of your job listings should start from the most recent experience, then work backward from there.

Top skills and relevant strengths

What skills do you have that directly correlate with what the job recruiters need? How capable are you, and do you understand in full transparency what you’re getting yourself into?

(Side note: we have a full guide to create your resume skills section – you can read it by clicking here )

The answers are all found from doing the background research. But, one hack is to use Enhancv’s resume scanner to see if your resume matches the job description, or if it’s missing something.

In the skills section, pick out one of the skills that are in high demand. Whatever skill you pick, be honest and confident that it’s something you’re exceptional at. If necessary, you can add extra subsections to include more skills or depth of detail within this section.

Don’t just blatantly stuff in as many skills as possible. Otherwise, recruiters can detect those intentions which can lead to getting your resume application rejected.

Additional sections

If there are other useful sections you feel that are worthy enough, and useful to talk about, don’t be afraid to bring them up!

One section I suggest you don’t disregard is your education section. It lets employers know you’ve got the academic knowledge that’s required. But the additional sections you could include are:

• Volunteering experiences
• Awards and certifications
• Hobbies and interests
• Publications

Making a significant career change and getting hired at Spotify

Sam had been working in investment banking for several years. Eventually, she decided it was time to make a significant career change and to steer towards a new path.

When designing her resume, she knew she’d have to show something impactful that would influence recruiters. So, bringing her personality into her resume (such as including her Life Philosophy and Favorite Books) was one of her ideas.

And, it led to real conversations with recruiters.

They related to her more easily and were able to determine her culture fit. Take a look for yourself here:

Soon after, the hiring managers made their decision, and she found herself hired to work for Spotify.

Using a volunteer resume to work on a project with AIESEC

Avery was looking to volunteer with AIESEC in Indonesia for two months. Despite Avery having little work experience, the company knew that it was a perfect fit.

In a volunteering resume, it’s important for organizations to see who you are, and to understand your motivations for free work. To do this, Avery spoke on the achievement of being one of the eight students chosen to study Global Business in Ireland from France (props for being a chosen candidate!).

Then, on her resume, you can see the description of Avery’s strength of adaptability and even included a personal photo. This made it easier for AIESEC to see Avery take on the role as well as building rapport.

Remote working in customer support at Intercom

In this case study, Daniel had been involved in remote work for his entire career. He found an organization that would facilitate his preferred working style, so this opportunity was very important.

Recruiters at Intercom are interested in seeing how well a person is equipped to work together with a team despite the distance. Keeping this in mind, Daniel made it a priority mission to give insight to his personality to show how he would work well with everyone at Intercom.

In order to do this, he included “useful links” that gave more information about his background and who he was. After, he decided to start his resume with a summary section.

With the unique approach that gave recruiters what they wanted, he now works remotely the way he wants to. He does this at one of the biggest customer support organizations in the world!

The Substitute Teacher Resume

In the example above, Mitchel created his resume with Enhancv to highlight both his work experience and skills. We can see this almost immediately on his resume template.

What’s also effective is the “My Time” section at the very beginning. Not only is it a different approach, but it tells recruiters a lot about how he uses his time. It’s another way of combining his career history and skills to show how it’s consistently being developed.

The Entry Level Sales Resume

This time, Sherry emphasizes her work experiences first and included a section dedicated to her strengths at the bottom. From this, we can tell she’s a hard-worker just by seeing all the results she’s contributed to when describing her experiences.

On her resume, she knows how to sell herself. And this means for recruiters that she’ll be skilled working in the sales profession. Sherry reinforces her expertise by listing her strongest skills at the bottom and giving us a brief description to follow up.

The Classic Double Column Resume

In our last handpicked example, we can see she’s using elements from the combination resume by the way she’s highlighting her skills and experiences.

The first thing we see on Isabelle’s resume is a one-line quick and short summary of her skills. She then dives straight into her employment history and gives us a brief, listed description that’s showing she’s a capable candidate. This is clear because we can see the company’s success that she’s contributed towards.

Still with me? Hang in there, we’ve nearly got everything covered!

Now that you’ve created your combination resume from following the steps above, it’s time to perfect it. Use the extra tips below to polish and add the final touches!

• Combine different elements from different sections subtly with each other. There’s no problem with integrating your skills into other sections to further illustrate how you’re going to be a beneficial asset to have in their team and organization. Just don’t be too repetitive!
• Ensure you’re implementing not just keywords, but buzzwords too. Your use of language plays a big part in getting hired. Optimize your resume using the right trigger words – avoid common, generic, and obvious words anyone can use.
• Don’t forget to include soft skills and any useful transferable skills . If you’re making a drastic change in a job vacancy or industry, then you want to show employers what you can do that’s going to help you do your job better.
• Prioritize the main content that’s needed. The conversation on hybrid resumes is focused on what sections you should make as your biggest priority. This concept just limits the idea of the main content required since it’s strictly concentrating on your resume format. With hybrid resumes, their true future is centered around the content you include more than how that content is presented itself.

Want more expert insights, tips, and proven advice when it comes to creating your resume? Have a read on our guide: Top 21 Resume Tips And Advice for 2021 [With Expert Insights]

Work experience is a key section to include on your resume since it’s section recruiters want to track. If you’re a professional who has a good career timeline, using the combination resume makes it easy for job recruiters to recognize you’re a skilled individual.

Fortunately, Enhancv makes the entire resume building process simple and straightforward.

Is there anything else we’ve missed on our combination resume guide? Do you have any questions you want to ask? Comment below and let us know!

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Why are you leaving your current job - interview question (+ answers), how to announce your job search on linkedin, 3 tips to craft the perfect linkedin summary (with examples), how to include your relevant coursework on a resume, how to explain employment gap on resume.

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Functional Resume: A Beginner’s Guide with Examples

In today’s competitive job market, it is essential to make a strong first impression on potential employers. However, traditional chronological resumes may not always be the best option for individuals looking to showcase their unique skills and experiences. This is where functional resumes come into play.

A functional resume focuses on a candidate’s skills and accomplishments rather than their work experience. Rather than listing job titles and specific duties, a functional resume emphasizes the candidate’s abilities and how they can add value to a workplace. It is especially useful for individuals who have gaps in their employment history, are changing careers, or have limited work experience.

Why Choose a Functional Resume

A functional resume can be an excellent option for individuals who want to stand out from other candidates. By highlighting their unique skillset, candidates can show potential employers that they have the necessary qualifications and can be an asset to their organization. Additionally, a functional resume can help applicants who have changed jobs frequently, as it emphasizes their transferable skills rather than their work history.

Benefits of a Functional Resume

There are several benefits to using a functional resume. Firstly, it allows individuals to focus on their strengths, making their application more compelling to potential employers. It can also help reduce concerns about gaps in employment by highlighting the candidate’s skills and experience rather than their work history. Additionally, by presenting their qualifications in a clear and concise manner, candidates may be able to attract the attention of hiring managers more effectively.

A functional resume can be an excellent option for individuals who want to showcase their unique skills and experience. By highlighting their strengths and minimizing perceived weaknesses, candidates can increase their chances of getting hired and landing their dream job.

Anatomy of a Functional Resume

A functional resume is a type of resume that focuses more on skills and achievements, rather than the chronological work history. This style of resume is perfect for job seekers who have significant gaps in their work history or who want to highlight their transferable skills.

Structure of a Functional Resume

The structure of a functional resume typically involves a few key sections, which include:

Header : This section includes your contact information, such as your name, email address, phone number, and address.

Summary/Objective : This section is a brief statement that highlights your top skills and experiences. This is where you can showcase your unique value proposition and communicate what you can bring to the company.

Skills : In this section, you list your relevant skills, such as technical skills, hard skills, soft skills, and language proficiency.

Experience : This section lists your work experiences and accomplishments, but it is organized by relevant skills rather than by job title or date.

Education : This section includes your educational background and any certifications or awards you may have earned.

Sections of a Functional Resume

All the sections included in a functional resume are designed to showcase your transferable skills and achievements. Unlike a chronological resume which is primarily focused on your work history, a functional resume is tailored to highlight your areas of expertise.

The Difference between a Functional Resume and a Chronological Resume

The key difference between a functional resume and a chronological resume is the focus on your work history. A chronological resume is organized by dates and job titles, while a functional resume is organized by skills and achievements.

A chronological resume is best suited for job seekers who have a consistent work history with minimal gaps. Meanwhile, a functional resume is ideal for job seekers with limited experience or those who want to highlight their transferable skills.

A functional resume is a powerful tool for job seekers who want to stand out from the crowd by showcasing their skills and achievements. The structure and sections of a functional resume are strategically designed to highlight your unique value proposition and communicate what you can bring to the company.

When to Use a Functional Resume

A functional resume is a great choice for certain job seekers depending on their work history, experience, and career goals. Here are some factors to consider when deciding whether to use a functional resume:

Who Should Use a Functional Resume

Functional resumes are ideal for job seekers who have gaps in their work history, have changed careers frequently, or have relevant skills from other work or life experiences. These types of resumes highlight those skills and experiences rather than focusing on specific job titles or employers.

Another scenario where a functional resume might be appropriate is for recent graduates who have limited work experience but have developed relevant skills through internships, volunteer work, or extracurricular activities.

It’s important to note that functional resumes may not be the best option for recent graduates who are applying to entry-level positions in their field.

Situations that Call for a Functional Resume

There are several situations in which a functional resume may be a better choice than a traditional chronological resume.

If you are returning to work after a long absence, such as raising children, taking care of a family member, or dealing with a personal health issue, a functional resume can help you emphasize skills and experiences gained during that time.

Job seekers who are changing careers may also benefit from a functional resume as it allows them to highlight transferable skills and show how they are relevant to the new industry or job they are seeking.

Finally, if you have had a lot of short-term jobs or freelance work, a functional resume can help you highlight your skills and achievements across those different roles rather than simply listing each job and its duties.

How to Know When a Functional Resume is Appropriate

If you are unsure whether a functional resume is the right choice for you, consider talking to a career counselor or professional resume writer who can help you assess your skills and experience in relation to the jobs you want.

You should also carefully consider the job listing and the employer’s needs. If the job posting emphasizes specific job titles or required experience, a traditional chronological resume may be a better choice.

A functional resume can be a great option for job seekers who have varied work history or skills gained outside of traditional employment. By emphasizing skills and experiences over job titles and employers, it can help you stand out to potential employers and showcase your strengths.

Preparing to Write a Functional Resume

Before you start writing your functional resume, it’s important to take the necessary steps to ensure that your final document is effective in highlighting your skills and qualifications.

Steps for Preparing a Functional Resume

Research the job description:  Start by reviewing the job posting or job description thoroughly. Highlight and make note of the skills, experiences, and qualifications that the employer is seeking.

Make a list of your own skills and qualifications:  Next, make a list of your own skills and qualifications, taking into account the job requirements that you have identified. This list should include both hard and soft skills, as well as any relevant experience, education or certification.

Evaluate your career history:  Take time to evaluate your career history and consider any significant achievements, projects, and experiences that demonstrate your strengths and key competencies.

Decide on resume sections and order:  Once you have compiled your list of skills and qualifications, you can start organizing your resume sections. Decide on the order of your sections based on what is most relevant and eye-catching to employers.

Identifying Your Skills and Qualifications

Hard skills:  These are specific, measurable technical skills that you have developed through education or experience. Examples include proficiency in a particular computer program or language, hands-on experience with a specific tool or machinery, or certification in a particular discipline.

Soft skills:  These are personal attributes that reflect how you interact with others and contribute to an organization’s culture. Examples include communication skills, time management, problem-solving, and leadership skills.

In a functional resume, you will want to prioritize your skills and qualifications above your experience. This way, any potential employer can quickly see what you bring to the table and how you can benefit their organization.

Choosing the Right Format for Your Functional Resume

There are three main formats to consider when writing a functional resume: chronological, hybrid, and functional.

Chronological:  In a chronological resume, your experience is listed in reverse chronological order, with your most recent job at the top. Skills and qualifications are typically listed in a separate section below the experience section.

Hybrid:  A hybrid resume combines elements of both a chronological and functional resume. The top section of the resume highlights your skills and qualifications, followed by a chronological listing of your work experience.

Functional:  In a functional resume, your skills and qualifications take center stage. This format de-emphasizes your work history, but still includes a brief summary of your career achievements, along with a list of relevant work experiences.

When choosing the right format for your functional resume, consider the job requirements and the employer’s preferences. By using the appropriate format and putting your skills and qualifications front and center, you can create a winning functional resume that effectively markets your talents and experience to employers.

Writing a Successful Functional Resume

A functional resume is a great way for job seekers to showcase their skills and experiences without emphasizing their job history. By highlighting your professional accomplishments and qualifications, you can create a powerful resume that will capture the attention of potential employers.

Here are some writing tips to help you craft a successful functional resume:

Writing Tips:

Start with a strong summary statement that highlights your skills and qualifications.

Use bullet points to organize your achievements and skills.

Use action words to describe your achievements and skills, such as “created”, “managed”, “designed”, etc.

Be concise and clear with your language. Avoid using overly complicated industry jargon or long sentences.

Use a standard, easy-to-read font and format your resume consistently throughout.

Next, it’s important to consider what keywords to include in your functional resume.

Keywords to Include in a Functional Resume:

Using relevant keywords can help your resume get through automated applicant tracking systems (ATS) and improve your chances of getting noticed by human recruiters.

Here are some common keywords to include in a functional resume:

• Industry-specific skills and qualifications
• Software and technical skills
• Professional certifications and licenses
• Project management experience
• Leadership and team management skills

Remember to include any relevant keywords that match the job description, as this can increase your chances of getting selected for an interview.

Lastly, here are some common mistakes to avoid when writing a functional resume:

Common Mistakes to Avoid When Writing a Functional Resume:

Not including specific achievements or accomplishments.

Listing irrelevant work experience.

Using a generic summary statement that doesn’t match the job description.

Using buzzwords or industry jargon that may not be understood by recruiters outside of your field.

Focusing too much on job duties and not enough on accomplishments and skills.

By following these tips and avoiding common mistakes, you can create a functional resume that showcases your unique talents, accomplishments, and qualifications. Remember to highlight your skills and experience and tailor your resume to each job description to increase your chances of landing your dream job.

Examples of Functional Resumes

Functional resumes are an excellent option for job seekers who want to draw attention to their skills and abilities instead of their work history. Here are three examples to help you understand how to structure a functional resume:

Example 1: Functional Resume for a Recent Graduate

[Your Name]

Recent Graduate | Seeking Entry-Level [Industry/Position]

Motivated and enthusiastic recent graduate with a [Degree/Major] from [University/College]. Strong academic foundation in [relevant coursework/skills]. Passionate about [industry/field] and eager to apply knowledge and skills in a professional setting. Excellent communication, problem-solving, and teamwork abilities.

• [Relevant Skill 1]
• [Relevant Skill 2]
• [Relevant Skill 3]
• [Relevant Skill 4]
• [Year of Graduation]
• Relevant coursework: [Coursework 1], [Coursework 2], [Coursework 3]
• [Project 1]: [Brief description and key achievements]
• [Project 2]: [Brief description and key achievements]
• [Project 3]: [Brief description and key achievements]

Intern, [Company/Organization]

• Assisted with [specific tasks/responsibilities].
• Conducted [research/analysis] to support [project/initiative].
• Collaborated with team members to [achieve goals/outcomes].

Volunteer, [Organization]

• Contributed to [specific tasks/responsibilities].
• Assisted in organizing [events/activities].
• Demonstrated strong [skill/ability] in a team environment.

Additional Skills

• Proficient in [Software/Applications]
• Strong written and verbal communication skills
• Detail-oriented with excellent organizational abilities
• Adaptability and willingness to learn

Certifications

• [Certification 1]
• [Certification 2]
• [Certification 3]
• [Language 1]: Native proficiency
• [Language 2]: Intermediate proficiency

Example 2: Functional Resume for Experienced Worker

Experienced Professional | [Industry/Position]

Results-driven and accomplished professional with [number of years] of experience in [industry/field]. Proven track record of success in [specific areas/achievements]. Strong leadership, problem-solving, and communication skills. Committed to driving [goals/objectives] and delivering exceptional outcomes.

Professional Experience

[Current/Previous Position], [Company/Organization]

• [Key Responsibility/Achievement 1]
• [Key Responsibility/Achievement 2]
• [Key Responsibility/Achievement 3]

[Previous Position], [Company/Organization]

Additional Experience

[Related Experience 1], [Company/Organization]

[Related Experience 2], [Company/Organization]

• Strong leadership and team management abilities
• Excellent problem-solving and decision-making skills
• Detail-oriented and highly organized

Formatting Your Functional Resume

When it comes to formatting your functional resume, there are key design and layout decisions you must make to present a well-organized, polished document that will catch an employer’s attention. Below are some important design guidelines, font and layout considerations, and tips for creating a professional look.

Design Guidelines

Make sure to choose a clean, easy-to-read design that is visually appealing. Use a standard paper size and keep margins at 1 inch all around. Avoid too much white space, which can make the resume look sparse, but don’t clutter the page with too much text or graphics. Sticking to a one-page format is ideal, but ensure that all relevant and important information is included.

Fonts and Layout Considerations

Your choice of font is important, as it can impact the readability of your resume. Choose a font for headings that stands out, such as Arial or Times New Roman, and use a slightly smaller font size for body text. Avoid fonts that may be harder to read, such as script or cursive styles.

In terms of layout, use bullet points to make information easy to scan and digest. Avoid long, dense paragraphs. Use headings and subheadings to organize content and lead the reader through the document. Additionally, use bolding, italicizing, or underlining to highlight important information, but use these effects sparingly.

Creating a Professional Look

In addition to adhering to design and font guidelines, there are other steps you can take to create a professional look for your functional resume. First, make sure that you have consistent formatting throughout the document. Use the same font, font size, and spacing throughout the body of the resume. This helps create a cohesive, polished look.

Secondly, don’t forget the importance of proofreading. Spelling errors, inaccuracies, or other mistakes can detract from the overall impression of your resume. After drafting your functional resume, take time to review and proofread it thoroughly to ensure that it is error-free.

Finally, consider tailoring your design and format to the job you are applying for. Review the job posting and consider the industry or company you are applying to. Adjust the layout or design elements to fit the desired “feel” of the position or organization.

By following these guidelines and tips, you can create a professional, well-organized functional resume that effectively showcases your unique skills and experience.

Tailoring Your Functional Resume to a Job Posting

When it comes to job hunting, tailoring your functional resume to a job posting is crucial. A functional resume is designed to highlight your skills and accomplishments, rather than just your work experience, which makes it a great choice for those who have gaps in their job history or who are changing careers. However, to really make your functional resume stand out, you need to tailor it to the specific job you’re applying for.

Job Posting Analysis

Before you start tailoring your functional resume, you need to carefully analyze the job posting to understand what the employer is looking for. Look for keywords and phrases that are repeated throughout the posting. Pay attention to the qualifications and requirements that the employer is looking for. Think about how your skills and experience match up with what they’re looking for.

Targeted Functional Resumes

Once you’ve analyzed the job posting, it’s time to start tailoring your functional resume. Start by creating a master resume that includes all of your skills and work experience. From there, you can create targeted functional resumes for each job you apply for. Use the keywords and phrases you found in the job posting to highlight your skills and accomplishments that match up with what the employer is looking for.

As you’re creating your targeted functional resume, keep the job posting in mind. Customize your objective statement to align with the position you’re applying for. Use the same language and terminology that the employer uses in the posting. Highlight your skills and accomplishments that are most relevant to the position.

The Importance of a Tailored Functional Resume

Tailoring your functional resume to the job you’re applying for is important for a few reasons. First, it shows the employer that you’ve taken the time to research the position and understand what they’re looking for. Second, it highlights your skills and accomplishments that are most relevant to the position, which makes you a stronger candidate. Finally, it helps you stand out from the other applicants who may be using a generic functional resume.

Tailoring your functional resume to a job posting is a crucial step in your job search. By analyzing the job posting, creating targeted functional resumes, and highlighting your most relevant skills and accomplishments, you can increase your chances of standing out from the crowd and landing the job you want.

Cover Letter Writing Tips for a Functional Resume

When it comes to job hunting, a functional resume can be an effective tool to showcase your skills and qualifications. However, it’s important to remember that your cover letter also plays a crucial role in the application process. In this section, we’ll discuss some tips on how to incorporate your functional resume into your cover letter, highlight your skills and qualifications, and address any employment gaps.

Incorporating Your Functional Resume into Your Cover Letter

Your cover letter should complement your functional resume and not simply repeat information. Therefore, it’s important to think about how your skills and qualifications can be integrated into your cover letter. One effective approach is to use specific examples of how your skills and experience match the requirements of the job you’re applying for.

For example, if you’re applying for a marketing position and your functional resume highlights your experience in social media management and content creation, you could mention specific campaigns you’ve managed in your cover letter. This shows the hiring manager that you have the skills they’re looking for and have experience applying them in a professional context.

Highlighting Your Skills and Qualifications in Your Cover Letter

Your cover letter is a chance to really highlight your strengths as a candidate. Rather than simply listing your qualifications, take the opportunity to explain how your skills and experience make you a good fit for the position.

For example, if you’re a recent graduate with limited work experience, you could focus on your academic achievements and any relevant coursework or projects. Alternatively, if you have years of experience in a particular field, you could explain how that experience has given you a unique perspective on the job you’re applying for.

Addressing Employment Gaps in Your Cover Letter

If your functional resume includes employment gaps, it’s important to address these issues in your cover letter. Rather than trying to hide or explain away the gaps, be honest about what you were doing during that time and emphasize any skills or experience you gained.

For example, if you took a break from work to care for a family member, you could explain how that experience taught you valuable communication and organizational skills. Alternatively, if you pursued a personal project during your employment gap, you could highlight how that experience gave you new perspectives or taught you new skills.

Your cover letter offers a chance to expand on the information in your functional resume and showcase your skills and qualifications. By incorporating specific examples and addressing any employment gaps, your cover letter can help you stand out as a strong candidate for any job.

Submitting a Functional Resume

When it comes to submitting a functional resume, there are several tips and strategies that can help increase your chances of landing an interview. Additionally, it’s important to be prepared to follow up on your application and deal with rejection if necessary.

Tips for Submitting Your Functional Resume

Here are some tips for submitting your functional resume:

Customize your resume for each job application. Your functional resume should be tailored to the specific job you’re applying for. Highlight the skills and experiences that are most relevant to the position.

Use keywords from the job description. Many companies use applicant tracking systems (ATS) to scan resumes for relevant keywords. Make sure you include keywords from the job description to increase your chances of passing the ATS screening.

Focus on achievements rather than duties. Instead of listing your job duties, highlight your accomplishments and how you added value to your previous roles. This will help the employer see the impact you can make in their organization.

Keep it concise and easy to read. A functional resume should be no longer than two pages, with clear headings and bullet points to organize the information.

Following up on Your Functional Resume

After submitting your functional resume, it’s important to follow up on your application to demonstrate your interest and enthusiasm for the position. Here are some tips for following up:

Wait a week before following up. Give the employer a chance to review your application before reaching out.

Send a brief email. Keep your follow-up email short and to the point. Thank the employer for their time and express your interest in the position.

Showcase your skills and experience. Use your follow-up email as an opportunity to highlight your relevant skills and experience, and why you’re a good fit for the job.

Be persistent but polite. If you don’t hear back after your initial follow-up, it’s okay to send another email or make a phone call. However, remain polite and professional in your communication.

Dealing with Rejection

Unfortunately, rejection is a part of the job search process. Here are some tips for handling rejection:

Don’t take it personally. Rejection doesn’t mean you’re not a qualified candidate or that you’ll never find a job. It’s simply part of the hiring process.

Ask for feedback. If possible, ask the employer for feedback on why you weren’t selected for the position. This can help you improve your resume and job search strategy moving forward.

Keep a positive attitude. It’s important to maintain a positive attitude and stay motivated during the job search process. Surround yourself with supportive friends and family, and focus on the opportunities that lie ahead.

Submitting a functional resume can be an effective way to showcase your skills and experience to potential employers.

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More from ResumeHead

The Functional Resume: What It Is & When To Use It (Spoiler: Never)

3 key takeaways

• What a functional resume is
• How using this resume format might put you at a disadvantage
• How to use Teal's resume templates (+ functional resume examples)

Considering a functional resume format because your skills outweigh your work experience?

A functional resume focuses on specific skills rather than roles and companies—moving away from a traditional or chronological resume layout. And while it sounds like a good strategy if you're looking to highlight certain abilities, using a functional resume still requires some consideration. 

What is a functional resume?

A functional resume (sometimes called a skills-based resume format) focuses on the skills that qualify you for a role. This resume format prioritizes the tools and aptitudes you've used to do the job over where and when you've done it. 

Teal Note: We can provide guidance for building a functional resume, but this resume template doesn't exist in the Teal platform.

As the workforce evolves, functional resumes have become increasingly popular—but not universally accepted; the trend toward functional resumes is more prevalent among job seekers than hiring professionals. Here's why:

By emphasizing transferable skills and abilities, a functional resume allows anyone with a non-linear career path or limited work experience to present areas of strengths and potential rather than a job history.

But while the core of a functional resume emphasizes skills and competencies, it doesn't focus on:

• Comprehensive work history 

Recruiting expert and Teal Social Media Manager Leah Dillon says:

"Anyone can list a skill, but just listing it doesn’t add value. It’s about showcasing that skill through experience, whether at a company or independently: How do you know it? How did you use it to have an impact alongside other skills?"

The elements above are critical for hiring professionals to assess your qualifications, especially during the initial screening. Direct, relevant experience, reflected through a clear timeline and job titles, is crucial to many job requirements.

Dillon echos this sentiment:

"Companies are looking for people to help drive the business forward, and those who showcase they’ve helped drive initiatives along tend to have higher interview rates."

Disadvantages of a functional resume

• Lack of familiarity:  Recruiters may find a functional resume less intuitive, making it harder to extract critical information quickly.
• Potential for skepticism:  The absence of a chronological work history can look like an attempt to hide gaps in employment or a lack of specific experience.
• Difficulty establishing career progression:  Demonstrating professional growth over time is often key to emphasizing the evolution of roles and responsibilities.
• Limited skills showcase: Functional resumes miss the opportunity to show the breadth of your abilities. A range of skills throughout your resume will help align your experience with a job's requirements. Merely listing skills without showing how they've been applied collectively to have an impact undermines the effectiveness of your entire resume.

Functional resumes vs. other resume formats

Chronological resume.

A chronological resume (or reverse-chronological resume ) is the most widely accepted resume format—presenting your work history in reverse chronological order.

It offers a straightforward view of your career progression, highlighting your work experience and making it easy for hiring managers and recruiters to see your background, achievements, and how you've used your skills to have an impact over time.

View our full selection of free reverse-chronological resume templates to find a style and presentation that suits your career.

Combination resume

The combination resume , or hybrid, blends elements of both functional and chronological resumes while still offering a clear and easy-to-read layout. It typically starts with a professional summary, followed by a section for hard or technical skills, and then a reverse chronological listing of your work history. 

When to use a functional resume

If you've made it this far and still feel the best resume format is a skills-based resume, here are the best use cases.

Career pivoters

Suppose you're transitioning to a new industry or career path. In that case, a functional resume can help highlight transferable skills relevant to your new field—regardless of where you've acquired them.

Those with employment gaps

If you have a gap in your employment, you can use a functional resume to emphasize your skills, highlighting what you bring to the table rather than focusing on your employment history.

Reentering the workforce

If you're returning to work after a significant break, a functional resume can help you highlight your relevant, valuable skills.

First-time job seekers

If you're a job seeker creating a resume with no work experience , a functional resume format focuses on skills rather than a non-existent or thin work history.

For applications that request this format

Some job postings might request a functional resume. In these cases, sticking to this format shows you can follow directions and understand the specific preferences of your prospective employer.

How to write a functional resume

Before you choose a resume format, you need the  right  tool to store your skills, achievements, and more. 

The Teal  AI Resume Builder  is a free platform to house all these details in one central location. 

Now, it's time to write your functional resume.

1. Start with your contact information

You want prospective employers to contact you, so you're going to need to give them those details as clearly as possible.

Your resume contact information should include:

• Phone Number
• Professional email address
• LinkedIn profile URL 
• Portfolio or personal website URL (if applicable)
• Your target title

2. Add a professional summary

Below your contact information, write a 3-5 sentence professional summary. Consider this your highlight reel—zeroing in on top achievements, skills, and qualifications while generating enough interest to keep the hiring manager or recruiter reading the rest of your resume.

Pro Tip: If you want to save time writing your professional summary, try Teal’s AI Resume Summary Generator to write tailored, position-specific summaries in seconds.

3. List relevant skills

Next up, list your skills. Because you're using a functional resume format, this section will change each time you apply for a specific role.

The skills in your resume (regardless of format) should  always  align with the job description of the role you're applying to.

Resume skills example: 

If a job description says,

"3 years of experience in an SEO, Growth Ops, or Marketing Ops role, ideally in a startup environment for a B2C audience with strong knowledge building and owning workflows as it relates to SEO, content production, and publishing."

Then, your resume's "Skill" section should focus on at least three skills listed. 

• Content Production

Not sure which skills matter most? Teal's got you covered. The Teal AI Resume Builder pulls the top skills as keywords from any job description, so you know which ones matter most.

Once you've identified the top three skills in the job description, add three to five bullet points beneath each to showcase  how  you used that skill to have impact.

Using the job description above, here's a functional resume example of how this might look.

• Orchestrated a growth ops strategy, successfully improving SEO workflow efficiency by 25%
• Led a team in implementing growth op practices, increasing web traffic by 35%
• Redesigned growth op workflows, improving content production and publishing by 20% 

4. Add optional sections

Once you have your primary skills and the impact of those skills, add job history, an "Education" section, and certifications to support them.

4 tips for writing a functional resume

Now that you understand how to write a functional resume let's go over some best practices that'll help guide you.

• Only emphasize relevant skills : Identify the skills most relevant to the job you’re applying for and provide specific examples of how you used those skills.
• Quantify your achievements : Wherever possible, use numbers, metrics, and data to show the impact of your work. Think efficiency improvements, revenue growth, etc.
• Use a clear, organized layout : Ensure your resume is easy to read. Use headings, bullet points, and consistent formatting to make your skills and achievements stand out.
• Tailor your resume : Customize your target title, resume summary, skills, and bullet points—ensuring your content aligns with what an employer is looking for.

Functional resume format

The functional resume layout differs significantly from other traditional formats. Here's how to do it:

• Contact details
• Your resume summary
• A clear "Skills" section with achievements relevant to the role

If you include an employment history, place it after the skills section. Education and any other relevant details (certifications or volunteer experience) should come last.

3 tips for formatting a functional resume

• Provide clarity: Use a clean, easy-to-read layout. Opt for bullet points to describe your skills and achievements, making the resume scannable .
• Use consistent formatting : Your resume content should stick to one font style and size, with clear and slightly larger or bolded headings to distinguish each section.
• Balance white space and text: A well-balanced layout avoids clutter, making your resume clear and easy to read.

Functional resume examples

A functional resume example can help guide your process—giving you a clear idea of how to create a compelling functional resume.

Data analyst functional resume example

Software engineer skills-based resume sample

Project manager functional resume example

Functional resume templates

A free functional resume template can be a valuable tool in writing your resume.

Functional resume templates provide a structured layout so you can effectively showcase your skills and their impact.

Websites like Teal, Canva, Google, and Microsoft offer a variety of resume templates . These platforms are user-friendly, and their simple resume templates cater to different career needs and styles.

How to use skills-based resume templates

1. Copy the template into your editing software : Copy and paste (or download the template) in your preferred editing software.

2. Customize each section : Replace any placeholder text with your own details. Focus heavily on the skills section, making sure to highlight only skills that are 100% relevant to the job you're applying for.

3. Adjust the design : While the template provides a basic structure, feel free to make minor adjustments to the design. (This could include changing font sizes or styles, adjusting the layout of sections, or adding a small pop of color. Just be mindful to keep it easy to read.)

4. Proofread and edit : Make sure your resume is free of errors like placeholder text and the information is current and accurate.

Skills-based resume templates

Below are some free skills-based resume templates that provide a solid foundation for you to start from. Use them as a guide for showcasing your unique skills and experiences effectively.

Student skills-based resume template

[Full Name]

[Contact Information]

[Target Title]

Professional Summary

[Highly motivated and detail-oriented student] pursuing a [Bachelor's/Master's] degree in [Field of Study] with a strong foundation in [Key Skills]. Experienced in [mention any relevant internships, part-time jobs, or projects with impact] and passionate about [specific interest within the field].

[Relevant Skill]

• Achievement with impact

[Bachelor's/Master's] in [Field of Study]

[University Name], [Expected Year of Graduation]

Coursework (Optional)

[Course] - [Brief description]

Recent graduate functional resume template

[Energetic and motivated recent graduate] with a [Bachelor's/Master's] degree in [Field of Study] from [University Name]. I have excellent [Key Skills] and am eager to apply academic knowledge and [internship/academic project with results] experience to contribute effectively to [industry/role]. Strong [relevant soft skills] and a quick learner, ready to excel in a [specific field/role].

[University Name], [Year of Graduation]

Projects (Optional)

• [Project Title] - [Brief description and outcome]

Career pivot skills-based resume template

[Experienced professional in [previous career] with a strong foundation in [relevant skills] and a passion for [new career/industry]. Seeking to leverage [transferable skills] to transition into a [target role/industry]. Accomplished in [mention at least one relevant achievement with impact] and committed to achieving success in [new career/industry].

Certifications

[Certification] - [Organization]

Professional Experience

[Previous Job Title] | [Previous Company], [Years of Experience]

• [Any relevant achievements]

Create and manage your resume with Teal

While functional resumes showcase specific skills, they also have limitations.

Their format, which deviates from the traditional chronological layout, is less familiar and more challenging for hiring professionals to navigate. This unfamiliarity may lead to difficulty in quickly assessing what you bring to the table—leaving you at a disadvantage compared to other candidates.

A chronological or hybrid resume might be a better option if you're looking for a more easily recognized approach. These formats are more familiar and provide a clear, linear view of your skills and how you used them over time to have an impact.

If you're ready to grab (and hold!) the attention of hiring managers and recruiters with a holistic view of your skills and experience—one they can easily follow and appreciate—it's time to get started:

Frequently Asked Questions

Do employers like functional resumes.

Employers typically don't prefer functional resumes because they can obscure chronological work history and specific job titles. Unless a functional resume format is specifically requested, try to use a chronological or combination resume format instead.

What is a functional skills resume?

A functional skills resume focuses on skills and experiences rather than chronological work history, highlighting your top competencies.

When should you not use a functional resume?

You should not use a functional resume when applying to roles that require a clear understanding of your work history and progression.

Kayte Grady

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