functional vs chronological resume

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Different Types of Resumes (With Examples)

Chronological Resume

Functional resume, combination resume, infographic resume, resume with profile or summary, targeted resume, nontraditional resume, mini-resume, choosing the right type of resume.

Adrian Mangel / The Balance

There are several basic types of resumes you can use to apply for job openings. You can choose to write a chronological, functional, combination, or targeted resume. Each resume type is used for different purposes. Therefore, when deciding which type of resume to use, you have to think about your current employment circumstances.

For example, a functional resume is particularly useful for individuals changing careers or those with gaps in their employment history because it emphasizes skills and experience over chronological work history. Additionally, a combination resume is ideal for candidates aiming to showcase both their relevant skills and their chronological work history.

Here's an overview of each type of resume, advice on when to use which one, and examples.

A chronological resume starts by listing your  work history , with the most recent position listed first. Below your most recent job, you list your other jobs in reverse chronological order.

Employers typically prefer this type of resume because it's easy to see what jobs you have held and when you have worked at them. This is the most common resume type.

This type of resume works well for job seekers with a strong, solid work history. If you are starting your career, or if you are changing career fields, you might consider a different resume type.​

Example: Chronological Resume

A functional resume focuses on your skills and experience, rather than on your  chronological work history . Instead of having a “work history” section at the top of your resume, you might have a “professional experience” or “accomplishments” section that lists various skills you have developed over the years.

A functional resume also sometimes includes a resume summary or headline at the top, which details a person’s skills and achievements. A functional resume might not include one’s employment history  at all or might have a concise list of work history at the bottom of the resume.

Functional resumes are used most often by people who are  changing careers  or who have gaps in their employment history. It is also useful for people who are new to the workforce, have limited work experience, or have a gap in their employment .

By highlighting skills rather than work history, you can emphasize how you are qualified for the job.​

Example: Functional Resume

A combination, or hybrid, resume is a mix between a chronological resume and a functional resume. At the top of the resume is a list of one’s skills and qualifications. Below this is one’s chronological work history. However, the work history is not the focus of the resume and typically does not take up much space on the resume.

With this type of resume, you can highlight the skills you have that are relevant to the job you are applying for, as well as provide your chronological work history. After all, most employers still want to see your chronological work history—even if that history is not very extensive.

This kind of resume helps you highlight what makes you the best fit for the job, while still giving the employer all the information he or she wants.​

Example: Combination Resume

Infographic resumes include graphic design elements in addition to or instead of text. A traditional resume uses text to list a candidate's work experience, education, and skills, while an infographic resume uses layout, color, design, formatting, icons, and font styling to organize content.​

Example: Infographic Resume

A resume with a profile section  includes a concise summary of an applicant’s skills, experiences, and goals as they relate to a  specific job . This summary (typically no more than a couple of sentences long) helps candidates “sell” themselves to the company to which they are applying.

Adding a profile is helpful for almost any applicant. If you have extensive experience, a profile can concisely explain that experience to the hiring manager right away. If you have limited work experience, a profile can help you highlight the skills that you do have.

Example: Resume With a Profile

You can also add a headline, which is a brief phrase that summarizes why you are an ideal candidate for the job, to your resume.

A targeted resume is a resume that is customized to specifically highlight the experience and skills you have that are relevant to the job you are applying for. It takes more work to write a targeted resume than to apply with your existing resume. However, it's well worth the effort, especially when applying for jobs that are a perfect match for your qualifications and experience.

Example: Targeted Resume

Try to write a targeted resume for every job. Employers can easily see when you submit a generic resume, rather than thinking about why you are qualified for that specific job.

A nontraditional resume is a unique version of your resume that may include photos, graphics, images, graphs, and other visuals. It might be an online resume or a physical resume with infographics, as mentioned above. It could also be a video or resume on a social networking website.

Nontraditional resumes are ideal for people in creative fields who want to demonstrate their ability to create visually engaging designs or web pages. It can be a good way for a job candidate to stand out from the crowd in professions like design, web design, journalism, and more.

A  mini-resume  contains a  brief summary  of your career highlights and qualifications. It only contains the information that relates to the position you are applying for or the industry you would like to work in.

In most cases, your traditional resume will be appropriate. A mini-resume, however, can be useful at job fairs or career networking events when you're meeting with many people and want to leave them with something more than just a business card. You can also use a mini-resume when you're networking and would like your contact to pass on your information to a hiring manager or recruiter. 

Example: Mini-Resume

Understanding the different types of resumes is crucial because it allows you to tailor your application to suit your unique circumstances and the type of job you're applying for. If you're in a creative field, consider a nontraditional or infographic resume. However, if you're in a more traditional field, like finance, you'll probably want to stick with a chronological resume. Additionally, using a targeted resume is always a smart choice, particularly when you're applying for a job that you're well-qualified for.

Key Takeaways

• Choose the type of resume that's the best fit for your skills and the job you are applying for.
• Chronological resumes are the most common; they list work history in reverse chronological order, with the most recent job listed first.
• Functional resumes focus on skills and experience rather than on employment history.
• Combination resumes list skills and qualifications first, followed by work history.

CareerOneStop. " Select the Best Format ."

CareerOneStop. " Headline and Summary Sample ."

Chronological vs Functional Resumes

Posted on 29 jun 2021.

There’s more than one way to write a resume. While you may be used to writing your resume chronologically (aka the reverse chronological resume), it may surprise you to know that there’s a different resume type, called the functional resume. Each type serves a different purpose, and one works better than the other depending on the applicant’s life circumstances. Let’s take a look at the difference between a chronologically and functionally written resume, and when it’s best to use one over the other.

Get to know the difference: chronological vs functional resume

As the name suggests, chronological or reverse chronology resumes follow a timeline. This type of resume prioritizes the applicant’s work experiences and arranges these from the latest to the earliest. It’s the most common type of resume, not to mention it’s also fairly easy to write, as long as you’ve kept track of your work history.

A functional resume on the other hand, highlights the applicant’s skills and achievements, taking the attention away from other elements that may reduce an applicant’s chances of getting hired, such as limited work experience, lengthy unemployment or inconsistent work history.

Ultimately, the difference between a chronological and functional resume all boils down to format. The sections of a chronologically formatted resume generally follows this sequence:

• Heading and personal info

• Summary statement

• Work experience

• Skills and training

• Education

• Awards, citations and certifications

As you can imagine, a functionally written resume is organized differently, with the Skills section preceding Work Experience, which is intentionally kept very brief. Often, the functional format resume only includes the last job held. Aside from this major change, the rest of the sections remain largely identical.

When to use a chronological resume

If you have a strong work history—meaning, you have been regularly employed in a particular industry—a chronologically written resume will work best for you. Here are other considerations when chronological writing will be the ideal type to use when applying for a job.

• You’ve always held the same job or similar.

• You are highly experienced in your field.

• You’re seeking a new job similar to the one you have or had.

• You have worked your way up in your career.

A chronological vs functional resume allows recruiters to track your career easier, so if your work history ticks these boxes, that’s a good indication that a chronological resume format is the one you should use.

Pros and cons of chronological resume

As with any type of resume, even the popular chronological resume has its advantages and disadvantages. Let’s enumerate the chronological resume’s pros and cons.

• Simple and straightforward format

• Easy-to-read layout

• May not be ideal for your career situation

• Can highlight negative career choices such as job hopping and/or lengthy unemployment

When to use a functional resume

Although most employers prefer a chronologically written resume, a functional format resume is still welcome, especially if you can relate to the following:

• You’ve had some spells of job-hopping.

• You’ve changed career paths multiple times.

• You’re looking to change your career track.

Frequently switching from one job to another can be glaringly obvious in a chronological resume, and it gives the impression of a lack of commitment, leaving a negative impression on hiring managers. On the other hand, if you plan on forging a new career track and leave your old one, a functionally written resume will be better for you as well.

Pros and cons of functional resume

The functionally formatted resume is especially helpful in hiding poor career choices, while ensuring that you appear as a highly qualified applicant based on your skills and expertise. That said, it also has its share of pros and cons, as you can see below.

• Allows for better matching of skills to match the job criteria

• De-emphasizes a spotty work history

• Can be difficult to follow

• Provides an incomplete picture of your employment

To ensure that your functionally written resume is as easy to read as a chronological one, you can have a trusted resume writing service like Resumeble write your resume for you. Not only that, a professionally written functional resume will attract the right attention and land you that elusive job interview, as services like Resumeble come with an interview guarantee.

Are there other resume formats I should know about?

A functional format resume is not the only alternative to a chronologically formatted resume. Other resume formats include a CV format and combination resume. Below are their definitions.

CV – short for curriculum vitae, is the application document submitted for jobs in academia, medicine, and scientific laboratories. Unlike traditional resumes that focus on experience and skills, CVs focus on credentials, providing potential employers with a comprehensive list of the applicant’s education, certification, academic experience, and affiliations.

Combination resume – combines a chronologically and functionally written resume, with the skills and qualifications listed first, followed by employment history. This format works best for job seekers who want to emphasize their skills, but have been required to include their work history in their resume by a potential employer. Likewise, this type of resume is also recommended for those who have employment gaps or worked unrelated jobs in the past. A combination resume is also known as a chrono-functional resume.

Choosing the right resume format

Choosing the perfect resume format for your application requires some serious evaluation and preparation on your part. And it all begins with identifying your application goals before you begin the resume writing process. With your goals in mind, use the tips and suggestions in this article to help you decide on the right resume format to use. Check out Resumeble’s sample resumes for ideas and inspiration.

Having trouble choosing the right resume format?

Should you write a chronological vs functional resume? It certainly helps to have a bona fide expert guiding you through the resume writing process. By choosing Resumeble , you will have a professional resume writer working with you one-on-one to build your resume and develop it into an application that showcases your qualifications in the best way possible. Get in touch with us today or send in your resume for a free, no-obligation evaluation.

• 7 seconds: this is how long your resume has either to impress or be ignored by the recruiter
• 300+: average number of applications one corporate job opening posted online receives
• 3%: number of sent resumes that result in interviews

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What Is a Functional Resume? Example and Tips on How to Write Yours

Your resume should be tailored to the role you’re applying for. No sweat, right? The thing is, creating a customized resume for every job you have your eyes on is no easy task, especially if your work history isn’t an exact match for the position you want. Wouldn’t it be easier if you could just list all your skills out without having to worry about making your work experience look cohesive? Like, say, on a functional resume?

Below, we break down everything you need to know about a functional resume: what it is, when to use one, when not to, and, of course, how to write yours in a way that helps the hiring manager see how your unique set of skills matches their needs—and why you’re the ideal person for the job.

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What is a functional resume?

A functional resume, sometimes called a skills-based resume , places the focus on your skills and areas of expertise, rather than on the details of your work history. Instead of simply listing your recent jobs and corresponding duties in reverse chronological order (like you would on a more traditional chronological resume ), you’d select only the most relevant responsibilities from each of your past roles and combine them to paint a broader picture of your skill set.

Functional resume format

Like any other resume, a functional layout features your name and contact information at the top and lists your technical skills , interests, and education toward the bottom (unless you’re a recent graduate—in that case it may be closer to the top).

The difference is that the body of a functional resume highlights your most important skills—such as “administrative experience” or “customer service”—with three to five bullet points that show how you’ve applied those skills in various roles.

Then your work history would appear as a simple list below your skills section , where you’d only include your job title, the name of your employer, the city where you worked, and your dates of employment. (Check out our example functional resume below to get a sense of how that works.)

Because this layout places the primary focus on your relevant skills, functional resumes allow you to better tailor the content to a specific role you’re hoping to land, without having to worry too much about job titles that don’t sound relevant, gaps in employment, or an eclectic work history.

Functional resume vs chronological resume

In a chronological resume, you list your work history in reverse chronological order—from your most recent to oldest experience. This is the most common type of resume and is ideal for professionals with little to no employment gaps and relevant experience related to the job they're currently applying for.

That's exactly what differentiates a reverse chronological resume from a functional resume. While functional resumes focus on skills, reverse chronological resumes highlight employment history and relevant experience​​—where you worked and what you accomplished there.

Combination resume vs functional resume

A combination resume mixes elements of both functional and reverse chronological resumes. In this format, relevant skills are listed first, followed by employment history in chronological order, from newest to oldest experience. This type of resume is recommended for job seekers with diverse backgrounds and transferable skills relevant to the job opening.

Should you use a functional resume in your job search?

If you have other viable choices, probably not. Recruiters often see functional resumes as a red flag and might assume that the applicant behind the resume is trying to hide something, like a lack of qualifications. So although a skills-based resume might be an effective way to highlight your relevant experience, this resume format greatly decreases your chances of landing an interview .

Recruiters want to learn as much as they possibly can about an applicant from their resume, so they’re going to be looking to find out which companies you’ve worked at, your tenure in each role, and what you’ve achieved in each position. When you bury these details at the bottom of your resume (or exclude them completely), a recruiter is likely to assume that your background must not be a very strong fit.

Recruiters are also notoriously short on time, often reviewing hundreds of resumes a day. They don’t want to be forced to scour your resume for relevant details—your resume should, ideally, be very easy to scan. And because functional resumes aren’t terribly common, a recruiter might have a harder time making sense of an alternative format. (Instead, you might consider using a combination resume .)

When can you use a functional resume?

Red flags aside, there are times when a functional resume may still be your best option. For instance:

• When you don’t have recent experience: If it’s been a few years since you last held a traditional job, you may not want your less-than-recent work history to be the first thing a hiring manager notices on your resume. Leading with your skills could be a good way to pique a recruiter’s interest before they review your dates of employment.
• When you’re making a major career pivot: If you’ve collected an array of transferable skills throughout your work experience but have never used them in the context of a single role, a skills-based resume might allow you to demonstrate how your unique abilities will translate into the next act of your career.
• When you don’t have work experience: Functional resumes enable you to be a little creative with your work history and allow for some flexibility in the skills you choose to highlight. For example, you probably developed some great research skills as a student, solid scheduling experience when you headed the PTA committee, or exceptional customer service acumen that time you volunteered for that political campaign.
• When your work history is all over the place: If you’ve held a string of short-term positions or worked in a variety of roles (I’m looking at you, freelancers and temp workers—no judgment, I’m one, too!), using a functional resume may be a great way to organize your experience into a more cohesive story.
• When your relevant experience isn’t rooted in traditional work: Say you've volunteered at a soup kitchen for the past few years and now you want to land a job as a server. You’d probably want to feature the skills you’ve picked up as a volunteer, while also highlighting your other, more traditional experience. A functional resume could be a great way to bring it all together.

When not to use a functional resume?

In certain circumstances, the traditional reverse chronological resume is definitely the best option. For example:

• When you can demonstrate career growth: In most fields, recruiters put a lot of value in experience and achievements. So if you have years of experience in the field and your employment history clearly demonstrates professional evolution, it should have the spotlight.
• When your recent work experience is relevant: Let's say your last job was in the same position you're applying for right now, but other than that, you don't have much experience. In this case, ditch the functional resume and use the reverse chronological format.
• When listing past employment is important: In some industries—think medicine or education, for example—it's crucial to list your past employment. Recruiters often ask for reference or recommendations as well.

How to write a functional resume in 6 steps

Once you decide that the functional resume format is the best choice for your application, you want to make sure you build it correctly.

Writing a functional resume is much like any other resume style; it should still include your contact information , education , work or volunteer experience , and technical skills. The main difference is that your skills and achievements will be featured prominently in the body of the resume.

If it makes sense, you can separate your skills into subcategories to make it easier to read. You may also want to consider including a brief resume summary to tie everything together. Follow these steps:

Step 1: Write your contact information

The first piece of information on your resume should be your full name, followed by your contact information—which includes your email address, phone number, LinkedIn profile , and your address (limited to city, state, and zip code, for your safety).

Step 2: Craft a relevant resume summary

Writing a resume summary is optional, but when used effectively, this section provides recruiters with insights into who you are and what are your career aspirations. For instance, if you have an employment gap or are transitioning into a new field, the summary section can come in handy, so the recruiters don't have to figure it out by themselves.

You can also use this space to incorporate relevant skills and achievements using keywords from the job description, making it easier for the ATS to scan. Two to three sentences are enough to summarize relevant information about your education, skills, achievements, and objectives.

For sake of illustration, here's an example of a summary for a virtual assistant making a career pivot to social media:

Dedicated and detail-oriented virtual assistant with three years of experience working with clients worldwide online. Skilled in social media management, copywriting, image and video editing, data entry, Adobe Photoshop, Adobe Premiere, and Final Cut. Looking for a career pivot to social media management.

Step 3: Group your skills and achievements

The skills section is the most important section of a functional resume. Its goal is to help recruiters quickly understand how your skills match the job requirements. Instead of presenting a gigantic list of skills, it's a good idea to group them and use bullet points for each category.

For example, if you're applying for an entry-level social media position and you're skilled in writing, filming, and editing, your section skills might look like this:

RELEVANT SKILLS

Copywriting

• Wrote over 30+ blog posts for my school's website, driving a 5% increase in readers
• Wrote all posts and captions for the school's social media for two semesters, increasing followers by 10%
• Created the concept and wrote all posts for my personal blog and newsletter (www.greatsite.com) school events and interviews with students and professionals for social media content
• Created scripts, filmed, and directed educational videos for the school's website, increasing students engagement by 12%
• Used Adobe Premiere and Final Cut to edit and add special effects to videos for the school's social media and website
• Used editing tools such as Capcut to make short versions of videos for the school's TikTok page
• Used Adobe Photoshop to edit images for the school's social media and website, as well as for my own blog and newsletter

Step 4: List your education background

Include the name of your institution, degree type, year of graduation, and any relevant coursework or achievements, if applicable. If you have an impressive GPA, add that too. For example:

B.S. Computer Science, Carleton College

September 2007 – May 2011, Northfield, MN

Graduated magna cum laude; GPA: 3.6

Step 5: List your work experience

In a skill-based resume, work experience typically comes last, although you may also find functional resume examples where the education section is placed at the end. There's no right or wrong here—choose based on what information is most relevant to the position you're applying for.

You don't have to include all the details about your employment history—remember, that's not your main focus on functional resumes. Just mention your job title, employer, and the dates you worked there. For example:

WORK EXPERIENCE

Virtual Assistant

Assisting Inc. | June 2021—Present

Sales Manager

Great Store | May 2018 — March 2020

Step 6: Add your certifications or awards

If you have certificates relevant to your field or the one you're trying to enter, consider including a dedicated section for them. However, if your certifications aren't related to the job you're seeking, you can skip this section. Same goes for awards—only add them if they're relevant.

What’s a good functional resume example?

When putting all the steps above together, here’s what your functional resume could look like:

Download a Free Example Functional Resume

Bonus tips to write a functional resume

If you’re going to give drafting a functional layout a shot, keep in mind that the tried and true best practices of resume writing still apply. Here are a few pointers to keep in mind:

• Keep your resume to a single page (this is true for basically everyone except those decades into their careers—in which case a two-page resume isn’t out of the question).
• Include clear, concise headlines (like “Areas of Expertise” and “Work Experience”) to break up each section, thus making your resume easier to scan.
• Use compelling verbs to describe your skills and accomplishments (words like achieved, led, directed, streamlined, or solved).
• Attribute a tangible, measurable outcome to each job duty whenever possible.
• Tailor the content of your resume to the job you’re applying for, including relevant keywords where appropriate (this is for the hiring manager to skim and for the ATS to give you the thumbs up).

Functional resume FAQs

What does a functional resume highlight.

A functional resume highlights your skills. Unlike the reverse chronological resume format, where work experience comes first, in this format, the skills and achievements section stays right at the top of the page. This way, you make sure it's the first thing recruiters see when reviewing your resume.

When should you write a functional skills resume?

You should consider writing a functional resume if you lack work experience, have a diverse employment history, are making a career pivot, or have a significant employment gap.

Do employers like functional resumes?

Truth to be told, employers generally prefer the traditional resume format with reverse chronological order, and a simple, clean layout. However, this doesn't mean they'll discard a functional resume outright. For entry-level positions , for example, a resume that focuses more on skills, achievements, and education rather than work experience is often expected.

What best describes a functional resume?

A functional resume can be described as a skill-based resume because it prioritizes your skills as the most important information. This contrasts with the traditional reverse chronological resume, where employment history is considered more relevant.

In conclusion

Whenever possible, you should stick to a traditional resume to keep recruiters from making unfavorable assumptions about your experience. But if you know that a chronological layout won’t properly tell your story in a compelling way, a functional resume may help.

Just remember that you might be starting off at a disadvantage when it comes to your resume, so you’ll also need to have a strong networking plan, a consistent application strategy, and an exceptional cover letter . Amanda Cardoso contributed to the latest version of this article.

Functional VS. Chronological Resume

Resumes come in various formats, and the job you're applying for will dictate which resume format you use. In fact, the wrong format could mean an instant ‘pass’ from a hiring manager because it doesn’t communicate your experience in a way that’s right for the job posting. 

As you grow your career and accumulate experience and skills, your resume will become more advanced. With more experience to sift through, veteran job seekers need to be intentional with how they present their resume. 

When drafting your resume, there are a few formats to consider: a functional resume, chronological resume and combination resume. In this article, we will primarily focus on a functional resume vs a chronological resume and when to use the two. 

Read on to learn how to utilize both resumes in your job search. 

What is a chronological resume?

You’re probably familiar with the chronological resume (also called reverse-chronological resume ) format. A chronological resume lists your most recent job first, followed by the rest of your past jobs, going in reverse chronological order. It’s the resume format that young professionals are introduced to and most used among job seekers. 

If you have a strong work history, multiple promotions to highlight or have worked for a high-profile company (or multiple high-profile companies), the chronological resume format is best for what you want to display to a hiring manager. They get a clear picture of your career and your professional drive. 

The chronological resume is the most popular resume format, however, popular doesn’t always mean the best, as there are both pros and cons to writing a chronological resume.   

Chronological resume pros

There are many reasons why people choose to use a chronological resume template for their standard resume. The biggest reason is that it is compatible with applicant-tracking systems (ATS), which filter through candidates that best match the job. 

Here are some other reasons to use a chronological resume:

• This format shows your work history clearly and quickly.
• Hiring managers see work promotions right away. 
• Preferred format for applicant tracking systems. 

Chronological resume cons

If you have desirable skills or gaps in your job history, a chronological resume may bury those skills and make your work gaps more noticeable. You want your resume to show all the positive traits you bring to a role and minimize any potential negatives. 

Here are some other reasons to pass on a chronological resume:

• A chronological resume prioritizes the when and where over your skills. 
• Any gaps in your work history are obvious to the hiring manager.
• If you are changing industries, this format does not show how your skills transfer.

What is a functional resume?

A functional resume focuses on skills and experience only. Where and when you did the work is not important for this resume format. Instead, a functional resume’s goal is to show hiring managers you have the skills and experience to execute the job. 

Instead of centering your job history, think about what you’ve done over the course of your career. Highlight the skills, certifications and accomplishments that show you are the best candidate for the job, as opposed to companies, job titles and time spent in a particular role.

A functional resume is the best choice for candidates that are switching industries, work across industries and/or have skills and accomplishments that align with the job position. For example, contract workers that rely on specialized skills to complete a job will most likely utilize this resume format. A functional resume puts a spotlight on these unique traits, which helps hiring managers envision how you will handle the potential opportunity. 

Functional resume pros

If your career is skills-heavy, a functional resume highlights those skills and focuses on your career experience and accomplishments. A functional resume also minimizes obvious career gaps, instead prioritizing what you know over when and where. 

Here are some other reasons to use a functional resume:

• A functional resume highlights only your skills and experience, making it easier to transition into industries. 
• This format helps hide large gaps in your work history. 
• You get to show what you can do, instead of what you did and where you did it.

Functional resume cons 

If your career isn’t skills and accomplishment driven, a functional resume may not be the right fit. This resume format is only recommended for candidates that have impressive skill sets or are transitioning into a new industry and want to highlight transferable skills. 

Here are some other reasons to pass on a functional resume:

• Recruiters are sometimes suspicious of functional resumes because they easily hide work gaps. (Make sure your skills are stronger than your gaps.)
• Promotions are difficult to see on a functional resume. 
• A functional resume is more personalized, which means you will need to adjust it for each job application. 

In more cases than not, you will utilize the chronological resume format. But if you have impressive skills and data to back up those skills, a functional resume is your best bet. 

How to decide which resume to use 

If you have a strong promotion history or recent experience with high-profile companies, a chronological resume will best highlight those career features. In a chronological resume, your job titles and company history stand out the most. Additionally, chronological resumes are preferred by recruiters and hiring managers, and can help you get past an ATS. 

For highly specialized workers, however, chronological resumes gloss over the most important information: What you can do. If a job requires a certain skill set or certification, your resume should put those front and center. 

If you have an impressive and sought-after skill set, a functional resume could be more your style. Hiring managers are always looking for the best person to execute the work, however, not everyone is equipped with the knowledge that skilled workers have to complete certain tasks. Remember, dates and companies are not the most important details. They take a backseat to the skills, experience and knowledge you carry. 

Need a visual? Check out our collection of example resumes to get a better feel for different resume formats and styles to see figure out the best presentation for you.

Combination format

If you’ve gone back and forth and can’t decide between a functional resume and a chronological resume, consider using the combination format, which is the best of both worlds. Like the functional resume, it puts your skills and qualifications first, and lists them separate from your job history. And, similar to both formats, only include your most relevant skills and job experience. Create a combination resume by splitting your resume in two. The top half is devoted to your skills, accomplishments and certifications, while the bottom half lays out your work history. 

There’s an easier way to build your resume 

Starting a resume from scratch is a daunting task. Who hasn’t sat staring at a blank screen for minutes on end? Luckily, you don’t have to go it alone anymore. Teal's AI Resume Builder makes it easy to create multiple resume templates, including function, chronological and combination resumes. 

The free tool is installed as a Chrome extension and stores all your key work details in one place. No more going back to previous resumes, all you have to do is drop the information in and build your resume based on your dream opportunity.

Frequently Asked Questions

Who should opt for a functional resume over a chronological one, can a functional resume be disadvantageous in certain job applications, how can i effectively combine elements of both functional and chronological resumes.

Lindsay Patton

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• Writing Tips

Types of Resume: Chronological, Functional and Combination

• 3-minute read
• 16th March 2020

When writing a resume or CV , you need to pick a format. And the most common types are chronological, functional, and combination resumes:

• Chronological resumes and CVs , where you set out your work experience in reverse chronological order (i.e., starting with your most recent job).
• Functional resumes and CVs , which foreground your skills and expertise.
• Combination resumes and CVs , which combine elements of both formats.

The key is deciding which will work best for you! Let’s look at your options.

What Is a Chronological Resume or CV?

A chronological resume or CV is one in which you list your work experience in reverse chronological order, starting with the most recent role and working backwards. This type of resume would usually include the following:

• Your name and contact details.
• A short personal statement or profile .
• A breakdown of your career so far, including dates of employment, responsibilities, and achievements for each role.
• Your educational achievements and other qualifications.
• Interests, skills, and any other relevant information.

Alternatively, if you are a student or a recent graduate without a long employment history, you can put your educational experience first, followed by any relevant experience from work, volunteering, or other activities.

A chronological resume is great for showing off your career progress. It is thus ideal if you have a consistent career history in one area, especially if you’re applying for a new role in the same industry as you currently work in.

What Is a Functional Resume or CV?

A functional resume or CV – otherwise known as a skills-based resume – places most emphasis on your skills and expertise. This type of resume would typically include the following information:

• Your name and contact details .
• A short personal statement or profile.
• A list of key skills in decreasing order of importance for the role. Make sure to include examples of how you’ve used these skills in your career.
• Your previous roles and employers, but without going into details of duties.
• Interests, hobbies, and any other relevant information.

This resume format is excellent if you want to focus on transferable skills. This might be because you have a gap in your career history or because you’re applying for a role in a new industry where you do not have much experience.

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The Combination Resume (i.e., A Little Bit of Both)

Finally, if neither of the above seem right, you could try combining both!

A combination resume or CV is one that uses elements of both chronological and functional formats. This usually means having a list of skills or core competencies, followed by a detailed career breakdown.

Alternatively, you can provide a reverse chronological list of roles plus an expanded list of the skills involved. The best approach to use depends on what you want to emphasize most in your resume.

A combination resume is ideal if you want to show off your career progress while also providing an in-depth list of your skills, qualifications, and achievements. But these resumes can become very long, so try to be concise .

Resume and CV Proofreading

Whichever format you choose, don’t forget to have your resumes and CVs proofread ! This will make sure your writing is error free, giving you a better chance of impressing prospective employers.

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Chronological vs. Functional Resume: Which Is Right for You (Guest Post)

Finding a great job starts with building a great resume . Depending on your work experience, there are two distinct types of resumes chronological & functional, you must choose between before moving forward with your job search. The chronological resume is considered industry standard, but when used properly, the functional resume can also be a powerful option.

Chronological Resume

What is a chronological resume.

By and large, chronological resumes are considered the norm in the application process. Starting with your current or most recent position, these resumes function as a list of your work and education experience.

You should consider using this format if:

• You have a lot of experience in the industry you’re applying in. There is no better way to communicate your value to a potential employer than to show them a relevant history of success.
• You have progressed into positions of leadership. Businesses love interviewing candidates who have leadership experience. This is especially true if your work history indicates that you started in a lower position, and earned promotions through hard work and dedication to your field.
• You have no major gaps in employment. A history of consistent work shows potential employers that you take your professional life seriously. Having no gaps in your work history shows employers that you make careful decisions, and that you are serious about applying to their company specifically.

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Chronological resumes have some decided strengths, but they can backfire if used in the wrong situation . This format makes it difficult to draw attention away from the details employers might not like to see. If any of the three points above are not part of your strengths, using this format risks putting a spotlight on your weaknesses.

Click here to download chronological resume format in Microsoft Word for free.

Functional Resume

What is a functional resume.

This type of resume is one that prioritizes your skills over your experience. You have much more room on a functional resume to create stories about how you developed your skills. Though there are some people who argue functional resumes are never the best choice , they do have some distinct strengths.

• You are moving into a different career. If this is the case, you will not have any relevant work experience to impress a potential employer. Instead, you will emphasize your skills through personal projects and achievements. Functional resumes are great for creative career fields that prioritize impressive portfolios.
• You don’t have any Without any work history, you simply wouldn’t be able to create a chronological resume. This is a great opportunity to show potential employers the skills that you can bring to the table. In this situation, it is important to use language that shows your enthusiasm to learn and gain experience. Employers sometimes favor the most eager candidates over the most experienced. In general, functional resumes will perform best among these employers.
• You have significant gaps in your employment history. In some ways, a functional resume is part resume and part cover letter. You have much more space to communicate the narrative that surrounds your situation as a candidate. This format allows more space to describe any gaps in your work history. Alternatively, you can emphasize your strengths and pull attention away from the employment gaps entirely.

The functional resume is a legitimate contender if you don’t have the experience for a chronological resume. Keep in mind, however, that some employers are concerned only with a candidate’s experience. Additionally, some employers just don’t like the format .

Click here to download functional resume format in Microsoft Word for free.

Which format should you use.

If compared side by side, a top quality chronological resume will almost always beat an equivalent functional resume. If you have the experience, use a chronological resume. But if you’re passionate about starting a career in a field in which you have no experience, a functional resume can be a great option to emphasize your enthusiasm.

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About Helen Cartwright

Helen Cartwright is a passionate blogger, who excels in the Digital Marketing and Technology niche. When not wired in marketing strategies she ghost-writer for a variety of authors who have their work published on leading online media channels such as The Huffington Post and Entrepreneur.com

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This entry was posted in Guest Posts , Resume Tips .

True functional resumes have one major drawback that almost always works against those who use them. Because the skills mentioned are usually separated out from the jobs in which those skills were developed, hiring managers tend to suspect that the candidate is using this format to hide something (since many people have used this format to minimize gaps in their work history). One can gain all the advantages of a functional resume without this disadvantage by using the “Hybrid” resume in which a candidate will list a number of key achievements demonstrating key skills in a “Career Highlights” section immediately after the opening summary.

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Functional vs. Chronological Resume: Differences & Similarities

December 21, 2019

First job, next job, summer job, temp job. It doesn’t matter what kind of job you’re applying for. You’re going to need a resume .

While most people do not relish writing one (professional resume writers excluded), as a rule of thumb, resumes are relatively easy to create. Simply sum up your work history, right?

Well, that’s not exactly the case . A resume is more than an accounting of your jobs.

And, for those who have a gap in their employment history , you may not want to advertise that gap during the application stage. After all, you’re more than a series of jobs, and you want to demonstrate that to the employer. At the same time, you don’t want to be dishonest about your work history.

What are job seekers supposed to do?

Functional vs. Chronological Resume

At its core, a resume is a summary of your employment history, professional skills, and relevant experience.

But a resume is more than a summary of you. A resume helps recruiters size you up. It’s an easy and concise way for them to see at a glance if you’ve got what they want in a candidate. An interview will help determine if you’re the right fit for a job, but a well-written resume helps get you an interview .

Here’s a quick description of a standard, chronological resume and a functional resume. Learn what each entails, and then we’ll discuss how to determine which type of resume you should use.

Chronological Resumes

When you use a chronological resume, you start at the top, then work your way down and backward . After your name, contact information, and optional summary, you list your work history, starting with your current or most recent job. For each job, you list where you worked, the dates you worked, your title, and all of your job duties. Working your way backward, you cover your employment history until you’re out of jobs (or space).

Functional Resumes

The key highlight of a functional resume vs chronological resume is that functional resumes are skills-based . Instead of starting with your current job and moving backward, a functional resume focuses on your skills and abilities , instead of your job history.

Generally, a functional resume starts with your name and then a summary of your achievements and accomplishments, similar to the summary statement on any resume.

After the general summary is the “skills” section. You create broad skills categories , then list specific examples of those skills. For example, you might have a “Sales” skill category with bullet points like, “Achieved salesperson of the month for nine straight months; Increased new sales to new clients by 15% year over year,” and so on.

At the bottom is your work history. However, unlike the chronological resume, on a functional resume, you only list the name of the company, your title, and your dates of employment. You do not list your job duties.

Note: A functional resume is not a CV. A CV (curriculum vitae) is similar to a functional resume in that the emphasis is on your achievements rather than your work history. However, a CV is more about awards you’ve won and papers you’ve published than your job history, though job history is often listed on a CV.

Pros and Cons of Different Resume Formats

Those are the basics of each resume style. However, you can’t just point to one and say, “I like it!” and start writing. Each resume format has pros and cons you should consider before committing.

Chronological Resume Pros and Cons

Chronological resume pros.

There are several pros to using a chronological resume. For starters, it’s the most common and widely used resume. Recruiters are used to seeing it and this format makes it easy for them to scan your resume and see at a glance if you’re a good fit for the position.

Recruiters also feel that a chronological resume does a better job explaining your background and skills . Paring what you learned with where you learned it helps give your work history context . And, that context is what can help land you in the “interview” pile.

They are also the preferred format for applicant tracking systems (ATSs). While you should have a keyword-rich resume no matter what resume format you use, ATSs are usually programmed to look for certain headers and other criteria to scan your resume. This programming is generally based on a chronological resume. If you use something other than a chronological resume, an ATS may not see your keywords because it doesn’t know where to look.

Lastly, using a chronological resume may make it easier for you to update your resume or even write a resume from scratch. Much like a recruiter can see your skills in context on a chronological resume, you too may have an easier time remembering what you did at each job when you’re focusing on what you accomplished and where.

Chronological Resume Cons

The chronological resume does have disadvantages. The first is that a chronological resume makes employment gaps obvious . And, there’s no way to hide it. No matter what your reason is for dropping out of the workforce, some employers will see the gap and pass you over.

The chronological resume is also not the best resume template for people who are changing careers . Sure, you may have a lot of experience in accounting, but how does that help you as an aspiring supply chain director? It can be difficult to express why you’re changing careers and how you can transfer your skills on a chronological resume.

Functional Resume Pros and Cons

Functional resume pros.

In some cases, a functional resume may be a better choice for you. The first advantage of this format is that if you have a large gap in your work history, a functional resume de-emphasizes that by putting the focus on your skills.

Functional resumes are also good for career changers because, again, this format de-emphasizes your work history . In a functional resume, you can talk about the relevant skills you’ve gained from an unrelated position. Or emphasize the new skills you’ve learned through volunteering, taking classes, or even just trying things out on your own.

Functional Resume Cons

However, before you craft a functional resume, you should know that they, too, have their disadvantages. Perhaps the most important con of a functional resume is that recruiters do not like them . Fair or not, when a recruiter sees a functional resume, they worry that you’re hiding something. While that may not be the case, that’s still a problem.

Also, when you’ve seen (or scanned) 20 chronological resumes in a row and number 21 is functional, it slows things down, and that can frustrate the recruiter.

And, as mentioned above, your skills are out of context to a recruiter. Instead of looking at your skills first, most recruiters are likely to drop down to your employment history first, to try to gain some context about who you are and why you’re applying for the job. If they can’t connect the dots from employment history to skills easily, they’re likely to put you in the reject pile.

A Better Option: Hybrid Resume

Consider using a hybrid resume in place of a functional resume (or even a chronological resume).

According to Betsy Andrews, Career Coach at FlexJobs, a hybrid resume “includes an achievements section, but also provides a bit of information under each position,” which helps gives context to your resume .

The top of a hybrid resume is a summary of your skills. However, instead of using broad categories, you pick a key skill and highlight it quickly with a brief sentence or two. For example, you might say, “Sales skills: Top salesperson for three straight quarters while increasing new business to new clients by 15% each year.”

After highlighting your top three or four skills, move on to your employment history using a chronological format. However, don’t list every bullet point from your job description. Instead, list the most relevant duties to help highlight your selected skills.

So, you might write, “XYZ company, New Business Sales, dates you were employed: Responsible for prospecting new leads through various methods. Streamlined client communications to help build and maintain relationships, thus increasing retention.” Repeat this until you’ve reached the beginning of your work history.

In this hybrid format, you are emphasizing your skills without de-emphasizing your work history . Yes, an employment gap will be visible, but it won’t be as important because you’ve front-loaded the resume with your relevant skills.

An Employment Story Worth Telling

Ultimately, a resume is the story of your work history, achievements, and skills. While it’s not a riveting beach read, a well-written resume can help you get an interview, which can lead to a job. Of course, like any story, a poorly written one will end up lost or forgotten about.

While you don’t want your story to read like everyone else’s, using a familiar format is important when you’re job searching. It may not be your first choice, but it can be your best choice. Don’t let flaws in your story scare you. There are plenty of resume templates that help you tell the best story possible to recruiters and can help highlight why you’re the best person for the job.

We’ve got more advice on how to improve your resume . And advice on how to craft an amazing cover letter so you can tell even more of your story. And, if you’re looking for a little bit of guidance along the way, consider working with our career coaches who can give you tons of personal resume writing advice.

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What Is a Functional Resume and Is It Right for You?

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A resume is mandatory to apply for almost every job you’ll ever want. And while you know a resume is a summary of your skills and work history , how you format your resume can play a crucial role in whether or not you’re selected for an interview.

A functional resume is a type of resume that emphasizes your skills over your work history. It’s the right kind of resume for some jobs seekers but not for most. Here’s what you need to know about functional resumes:

What Is a Functional Resume?

• What Recruiters Think of Functional Resumes

When to Use a Functional Resume

What to use instead of a functional resume, functional resume template and examples.

A functional resume, also known as a skills or skills-based resume, “emphasizes skills over experience,” says Katherine Kelley, CPRW. Unlike a chronological resume, which lists your jobs in reverse chronological order, a functional resume lists your skills, grouping them by category. 

For example, on a chronological resume, the first thing under your contact information is Job X. That would include the dates you held the job, your title, and several bullet points highlighting your accomplishments.

But on a functional resume, the first thing under your contact information is a category of skills, such as “Interpersonal Skills.” Under that header, you’ll include several bullet points about your various interpersonal skills and how you applied them in either one job or several.

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The main difference is that a chronological resume emphasizes your work history. It’s clear where you worked, what you did, and how long you held the role. A functional resume, however, places the emphasis on your skills and deemphasizes where and when you worked.

What Recruiters Think of Functional Resumes 

As a general rule, recruiters only spend six to seven seconds scanning your resume. You want to make it as easy as possible for them to understand why you’re a good fit for the role in those few seconds. Functional resumes make it difficult for a recruiter to do that for three reasons.

1. Can Be a Red Flag

The problem with chronological resumes is they highlight how long you held a job and how long you may have gone between jobs. While attitudes around long-term unemployment are changing, people worry that a gap in their employment history makes them a less desirable candidate — and with good reason.

Though there are many valid explanations for stepping away from paid work, studies show that candidates with resume gaps are less likely to get the job. As far back as 2011, researchers found that people who were unemployed, no matter the reason, were seen as less competent than their employed counterparts.

A 2018 analysis of applications found that people who weren’t currently employed were less hireable than those who were working. And finally, in 2021, even though many people were unemployed for a long stretch due to the pandemic, 77% of job seekers and an astounding 83% of employers agreed that it’s easier to get a job when you already have one . What’s more, the same survey found that 41% of employers say employment gaps affect hireability.

Many candidates are aware of the challenges they face when they have a gap in their employment history, so they turn to a functional resume to highlight their skills and abilities over chronological work history. But this can also cause problems. Recruiters will instantly recognize you’re using a functional resume. “Depending on the recruiter, this format could be seen as a red flag or that the candidate is trying to hide something,” says Kelley.

2. Hard to Connect the Dots

Even if functional resumes weren’t a red flag, most recruiters don’t like them. “It can be more difficult for a recruiter to see where candidates gained the experience in a functional resume format. I have heard that a bunch of times from recruiters!” says Kelley.

Though a functional resume highlights your skills, the formatting doesn’t give you an easy way to connect your skills and experience to a specific job. That makes it hard for the recruiter to figure out where you picked up the skill or when you used it.

So, if “ conflict resolution ” is one of your categories, the recruiter has no way of knowing if you learned those skills at job A, B, or C. More importantly, they have no idea if you actually used those skills at job A, B, or C. It’s far easier for you to claim you possess a skill when you don’t have to use it in relation to a specific role.

3. Doesn’t Trace Your Path

Recruiters like to see your job history in a chronological format first because it gives them an idea of what your career path has been. Have you moved up the ladder? Taken on additional duties and responsibilities? Did you pivot or change careers? It’s hard to deduce this on a functional resume, and that can be frustrating to the reader.

>>MORE: What Is Career Planning?

So, is there any time you should use a functional resume? Kelley says that functional resumes can have their place when “you have been in the same field or similar field of work and are showcasing this to the recruiter.”

Another time could include when you’re making a significant career change and want to highlight your transferable skills over where you worked (think: an account manager who wants to bake cakes). In that case, you may need to highlight skills you picked up as a hobby or volunteering instead of in a paid position.

Most people, though, shouldn’t use a functional resume. They tend to stick out, are harder to read, and will frustrate the recruiter. But, if you think a chronological resume isn’t right for you, consider using a hybrid (or combination) resume instead of a functional resume.

A hybrid resume combines the best of a chronological resume with the best of a functional resume. It allows you to place more focus on your skills while still including a chronological work history that gives the recruiter a sense of what you learned and where you used your skills. It also helps show increasing responsibility or how your career path makes sense.

If you decide a functional resume is the right way to go, here’s how to format it.

The very top of the page is your contact information. At a minimum, that’s your name, email, and phone number. You can also include your LinkedIn profile , any social media handles you think are professional and relevant to the role, and a link to your digital portfolio (if you have one).

Under that is a summary of qualification. This is two to five sentences that explains who you are as a professional and why you’re qualified for the role.

The next section is the skills section, where you group your skills by categories. It looks like this:

Customer Service

• Handled inbound calls at a rate of 7 per hour
• Assisted multiple users via email
• Educated customers about products and successfully upsold warranties
• Worked with customers to find an agreeable solution to their concern
• Published three 1500+ word articles on site each week
• Self-edited articles to ensure copy was error-free and met style guidelines
• Conducted interviews to ensure each piece had a unique perspective

Under that is your work history. But instead of including details about the job, you simply list the name of the company, your title, and the dates you worked there.

Below that, you can include other sections, like volunteer work, awards, or education.

Here’s a downloadable functional resume example you can use as a template:

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Should Resumes be Functional or Chronological? Here Are Some Templates Either Way

Resumes, like people, come in different shapes and sizes. the right format can help you better showcase your marketable traits — here are some examples..

Many people see resumes as a standard document that details all their qualifications and work experience. However, resumes, like people, come in different shapes and sizes. Picking the right resume format can help you better showcase your marketable traits and increase your application success rate. This piece will help you understand more on :

• The 2 different kinds of resume formats
• How you can choose the format that best highlights your strengths

What is in a Chronological Resume?

• A listing of your employment history, starting with the most recent position
• Fact-based content such as work experience and qualifications
• Includes past work achievements, accomplishments, awards and competencies

You should choose a Chronological Resume if…

• You have strong and relevant work experiences that highlight your career progression
• You are applying for a job in a similar field
• You have worked for well-established companies

What is in a Functional Resume?

• Your transferrable skills and attributes to showcase you are a good fit
• Relevant projects and accomplishments
• Your employment history which is highlighted nearer to the bottom

You should use a Functional Resume if…

• You have gaps in your employment history or are re-entering the workforce
• Your work history is unrelated to the job or you are looking to switch industries
• You have been in the same company for a long period of time

Picking the right resume format that emphasises your strengths can help you gain a competitive advantage over other candidates in job applications.

Looking for more resume tips? Get a free resume and interview guide today: Download our interview guide here!

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Two-Column Resume: Maximizing Space & Impact

8 min read · Updated on August 13, 2024

Writing an interview-winning resume starts with picking the right layout

Today's job market is the most competitive it's ever been and that doesn't look like it'll change any time soon. It's this very competitiveness that may lead you to try to find a layout for your resume that will help you stand out from the crowd of hundreds of other job seekers. 

Performing a simple online search for the best resume layout will produce more than 53 million results. That's just not very helpful, is it? As you jump into that rabbit hole, you'll find that the two-column resume format has become very popular lately. 

It's a great layout for maximizing space and creating impact through design. But just because it's visually appealing doesn't mean it's the right one to use. 

As with anything in life, there are pros and cons to consider when deciding whether to use a one-column or two-column resume layout. In this article, we'll explore the ins and outs of each style, including advantages, disadvantages, and when to use which. You'll learn about

ATS compatibility

Readability

Relevance of information

Target audience

Formatting consistency

What do we mean by a two-column resume?

There are three readily acceptable resume formats that will always work to get you past an applicant tracking system, or ATS, and impress a hiring manager. Each of those formats – the reverse-chronological, the hybrid, and the functional – is written using a one-column layout. This means that the text on the page goes from the left margin to the right margin with no break.

A two-column resume is different in that the text of each section of your resume is broken up – it does not go from left to right all the way across. Often, you'll see that things like contact information, skills , and education are in one column, while professional experience and achievements are in a separate column. 

The idea behind using a two-column format is that the space on the page can be maximized and structured in a way that's visually appealing. It offers a great opportunity to highlight key information and skills, which makes it easier for hiring managers to scan the details quickly. 

Which is better, a single-column or double-column resume?

The reality is that there are scenarios where each layout will serve you well, so our suggestion is that you have both, as each one has unique advantages and disadvantages. By keeping one of each on hand, you can tailor your conversations and applications for jobs to different situations and audiences. 

When to use a one-column resume layout

For the most part, you'll use a one-column layout more often than you would a two-column resume because of the ATS. When you apply for a job online, there is a high (extremely high) likelihood that the resume will be passed through a computer scanning system before it ever makes it into the hands of a hiring manager. The fact is, resume scanning systems can't properly parse information from two-column layouts. 

If the ATS can't read your resume, it may assume the file is corrupt or something and wholly rejects your application. ATS rejection is among the number one reasons job seekers are ghosted by companies – the computer boots your resume out of the system so the humans at the company don't even know you exist, much less that you applied for their job. 

Since the ATS has become a true thorn in the side for most job seekers, it is the chief reason you'll want to use a one-column layout for your resume – yes, even if it goes to two pages. There are some other reasons that it's a good idea to use a one-column layout, including: 

Professionalism and simplicity: Most hiring managers expect to see a reverse-chronological resume format . It's considered a professional layout, and they know exactly where to look on the page to find the information about your past that they want to see. 

Focused content: When you're using a one-column resume layout, you're not trying to squish everything onto one page. This allows you to more effectively highlight skills, experiences, and career achievements – the things that hiring managers value. 

Format consistency: One thing that you don't have to worry about when using a one-column layout is whether the hiring manager will see it the way you see it. Sometimes, the formatting can get messed up on the hiring manager's side when you use a two-column resume layout. 

When to use a two-column resume layout

Applying for jobs online isn't the only thing you'll be doing to land a new role – at least it shouldn't be the only thing you're doing. There are networking events and career fairs to attend that can help you get your foot in the door of a new job. Also, you may have the email address of a recruiter or hiring manager, and sending them your resume directly can be a powerful way to make a connection. In these situations, a two-column resume layout can be highly effective.

When you have the opportunity to interact directly with a human being, using a two-column resume can help you stand out from the crowd by allowing you to provide a glimpse of your skills and achievements in a way that's quick to digest. This is great when you want to immediately draw attention to specific accomplishments that closely align with the requirements of the job you seek. 

Providing something that quickly gives details about your background is the main reason to use a two-column resume layout. Here are a few other things to consider:

Maximizing space: When you craft a two-column resume, you make the most of the space available on the page. Dividing your content into two columns allows you to include more information without making the resume look cluttered. 

Visual appeal: There are so many options for formatting a two-column layout that you can easily make something that is striking and visually appealing. This will help you be more memorable. 

Modern look: By using a two-column resume layout, you give the impression of being someone who keeps up with trends. Not only that, but you showcase that you're willing to go the extra mile to present yourself and your background effectively. 

One-column resume vs two-column resume – the disadvantages

Now that you have the pros of each layout, let's talk about the cons so that you can make a completely informed decision about which to use. 

Disadvantages of a one-column resume

The main drawback of a one-column resume is the potential for information overload. Many job seekers fall into the trap of trying to include everything they've ever done during their career in an attempt to land a job. Even though you have the space to type out more details in a one-column resume, you have to balance that with the fact that your resume should be tailored to the job you want, using the right keywords. 

Other disadvantages to consider when using a one-column resume layout include:

Less visual impact: Because you need to get past the ATS, your one-column resume will likely look identical to everyone else's. This makes it less visually appealing and could lead to your application getting lost in the sea of sameness. 

Less skimmable: There isn't a hiring manager alive who is going to read straight through your resume. Most spend less than ten seconds scanning the document, trying to find something that jumps out at them. 

Disadvantages of a two-column resume

You already know that two-column resumes aren't usually ATS-friendly. This, in and of itself, is the number one reason to avoid using them. Additionally, some industries view the two-column layout as less-than-professional – like industrial, finance, and law. The companies hiring people for those types of roles expect something more conservative. 

Other disadvantages to consider when using a two-column resume layout include:

• Limited space : A two-column resume is designed to fit all of your content on one page. If you have a lot of experience, that may not be feasible. 
• Complexity in formatting : If you're not very tech-savvy, you may have difficulty making a two-column resume look right, especially since the crux of using a two-column layout is achieving a balanced and visually appealing design. 

A decision not to be made lightly

The decision to use a one-column or two-column resume can have a profound impact on your success in landing an interview. Even though it may seem like a minor detail, the layout of your resume is crucial to your ability to adequately relay your qualifications to prospective employers. 

Remember, there's no one-size-fits-all answer to whether you should have a one-column or two-column resume because specific circumstances demand a particular layout. If you properly consider things like ATS compatibility, your target audience, and the specific requirements, you'll be sure to pick the right layout and increase your chances of landing your dream job. 

TopResume can check that your resume is properly selling your qualifications to new jobs. Upload it HERE to get expert feedback from our resume-writing experts. 

Recommended reading:

How to Make a Resume: Beginner's Writing Guide with Examples

How to Write a Modern Resume in 2024

17 Resume Tips to Get Seen and Hired Faster

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How to Prepare Resume for Freshers: Tips and Templates

Quick Summary

• The process of learning how to prepare resumes for freshers can start by writing a professional summary highlighting your education and skills. Then, you can list your education, internships, and projects. Finally, you can add relevant tools, languages, and achievements to complete your resume tailored to your dream job.
• Highlight your achievements and showcase your interests by mentioning relevant hobbies or activities that demonstrate your skills.
• By tailoring the job description and quantifying achievements to showcase impact, we can create resume for freshers. Integrate relevant keywords to pass ATS screenings and start with a compelling summary that highlights credentials and career goals.

Table of Contents

How to prepare resumes for freshers:  aiming for success.

As a fresher, crafting a standout resume for freshers is vital to landing your dream job. If you are wondering “How to prepare resume for freshers”, then be assured that you have come to the right place. Writing a resume with no formal work experience means emphasising other aspects of your life that’ll showcase your skills and passions, like your education and involvement in activities like extracurriculars or volunteering.

A professional summary, education, skills, work experience, and extracurricular activities are included in the resume for freshers. Tailor each section to the job you’re applying for to make a strong impression.

If you follow the tips, you’ll increase your chances of moving on to the interview stage of the hiring process and landing the job of your dreams. The resume is a very subjective thing and it can be changed according to the user’s needs.

But one thing you need to keep in mind is the ATS (Applicant Tracking System) system. Most companies or industries pass your resume through the ATS scanner, where most resumes get rejected. In this article, we’ll guide you through the essential steps to create a resume for freshers that grabs the attention of recruiters and hiring managers.

How to prepare resumes for freshers

Making your fresher resume stand out is essential when you’re just starting your career and may not have much work experience. Here are the steps for how to write resume for fresher:

Steps to create a resume from scratch

Here are some steps to help you create an impressive fresher resume, including contact information, Objective, Education, Experience, Skills, Achievements, Interests, and Declaration.

• Choose the Right Resume Format: Consider using a combination or functional resume format instead of a traditional chronological one. This allows you to highlight your skills, education, and relevant coursework at the forefront. Use a simple, professional font (e.g., Arial, Calibri) and a consistent formatting style throughout.
• Contact Information: Include your full name, phone number, email address, and LinkedIn profile to ensure recruiters can easily reach you.
• Strong Resume Objective: Begin your resume with a well-crafted objective or summary statement. Mention your career goals, key skills, and what you bring to the table.
• Highlight Education: Emphasize your educational qualifications, including your degree, university, GPA (if it’s strong), and any relevant coursework or academic achievements.
• Include Relevant Projects and Internships: If you have completed internships, projects, or part-time jobs related to your field, highlight them in a separate section. Describe your responsibilities, accomplishments, and the skills you gained.
• Showcase Relevant Skills: List skills that are directly related to the job you’re applying for. This could include technical skills, language proficiency, or soft skills like communication and teamwork.
• Quantify Your Achievements: Whenever possible, use quantifiable data to showcase your accomplishments. For example, “Increased website traffic by 30% through social media marketing.
• Include Relevant Certifications: If you have earned any relevant certifications or completed online courses, list them in a dedicated section.
• Proofread Thoroughly: Eliminate typos, grammar errors, and formatting issues. Consider asking a friend or mentor to review your resume as well.
• Declaration: A statement declaring the authenticity of the information provided, followed by your signature and date, to reinforce your credibility and honesty.

Tips for organizing and formatting the resume

• Add a Personal Touch: Mention any hobbies or interests that are relevant to the job or reflect your personality positively. This can help humanise your resume.
• Keep it Concise: A one-page resume is typically sufficient for most entry-level positions. Be concise and focus on the most relevant information.
• Use Action Verbs: Start bullet points with strong action verbs to make your accomplishments more dynamic. Words like “achieved,” “implemented,” “managed,” and “designed” can be effective.
• Tailor Your Resume: Customize your resume for each job application. Carefully read the job description and align your skills and experiences with the requirements of the position.

Fresher Resume Format for Job Interview

• Best formats for fresher resumes

The ideal fresher resume format for job interview is a chronological resume. This format gives hiring managers a clear overview of their educational background and relevant experience by listing each position, starting with their most recently held positions at the top.

Follow this simple format when you create a resume for freshers:

• Contact information
• Resume Introduction
• Relevant experience
• Additional resume sections (projects, hobbies, interests, extracurricular activities, etc.)
• Chronological vs. Functional vs. Hybrid Formats

Here are the popular resume formatting styles – chronological, functional, and hybrid – and discover when each is the most appropriate choice.

• The Chronological Resume: The chronological resume is your go-to format if you have a consistent work history with clear career progression. It’s ideal for those who want to highlight their stability and steady climb up the career ladder. Your work history is listed in reverse chronological order, starting with your most recent job and working backwards. T
• The Functional Resume: Opt for the functional format when you want to emphasize your skills and qualifications over your work history. This format is perfect if you have employment gaps, are changing careers, or have diverse skills.
• The Hybrid Resume: When to Use: The hybrid (or combination) resume combines elements of both chronological and functional formats. It’s an excellent choice if you want to showcase your skills while providing a clear work history (ex, a recent graduate whose coursework and extracurriculars are related to your desired career path but not work history).
• Tips for choosing the right format for specific job types.

Consider your unique circumstances, career goals, and the job you’re applying for when choosing the format that best suits your needs. Whether you opt for the clarity of the chronological format, the skill-focused functional format, or the balanced approach of the hybrid format, remember that your resume is your professional story choose the format that tells it best.

Resume Heading and Summary for Fresher

Examples of effective resume headings.

A good resume heading and summary for fresher, helps to build a positive impression of the candidate and increases your chances of getting your resume profile noticed by the recruiter. Here are some examples that may help one write a resume title for freshers.

• Dynamic and Motivated Graduate in Electrical Engineering Seeking Entry-Level Job Position
• Results-Driven Recent Civil Engineering Graduate Seeking to Make a Career in the Construction Industry.
• Eager and Enthusiastic Fresher Seeking to Kickstart Career in Customer Service.
• Passionate and Detail-Oriented Entry-Level Professional with BTech in Chemical Engineering
• Ambitious and Dedicated Fresh Graduate with Strong Communication and Analytical Skills
• Self-motivated and Fast-Learning Graduate Seeking a Challenging Position
• Creative and Innovative Graduate Ready to Make an Impact in Digital Marketing
• How to Write a Compelling Summary Statement

A summary statement is your first chance to tell the recruiter why you’re the best fit for the job. It summarises your top achievements and skills relevant to the target job.

• Use resume summary examples for inspiration and guidance when crafting your own.
• Keep your professional summary for a resume short. It should never be longer than five sentences.
• Tailor each resume summary statement to your target job by using keywords and phrases from the job description.
• A professional summary should follow this formula: [Descriptive word] [your job title] [Experience level] [Work experience] [Skills] [Achievement].

Example : Recent computer science graduate with a solid foundation in software development and a passion for problem-solving. Experienced in Python, Java, and web technologies. Seeking an entry-level software engineering position to leverage technical skills and contribute to innovative projects. Highly motivated, quick learner, and eager to work in a collaborative environment to develop cutting-edge solutions.

Professional Summary In Resume for Freshers

Importance of a professional summary.

You want to grab the recruiter’s attention from the get-go. You’ll make their life a bit easier by immediately telling them who you are. The thing is, recruiters are busy people. They go through dozens, sometimes hundreds, of resumes before they can find a few qualified candidates. At first, recruiters will skim resumes in search of specific keywords and phrases that align with what the company is searching for.

That’s why you want to include the best resume summary you can come up with because a good summary section consists of nothing but these juicy bite-size phrases and keywords that a recruiter can spot at a glance. In short, a professional summary in resume for freshersallows you to turn a recruiter’s time limitation into an advantage.

• How to write an effective summary

A good professional summary should compel an employer to read the next section of your resume.  If it manages to do that, then it has accomplished its purpose. There are a few tips and tricks you can use to craft an impressive resume summary.

• In the first bullet point, write your professional title.
• Pick the 3-4 most impressive parts of your resume and reword them into snappy bullet points.
• Translate each achievement into numbers. Each bullet point should contain at least one piece of quantifiable data. Use percentages, numbers, or impressive sales figures.
• Sum up what you have to offer. Instead of saying what you want, keep in mind what they want. Make clear what values you can bring to the company. Look for common threads in your work history and skills that most apply to the job.

Example summaries for different fields.

• Profile summary for Marketing freshers: Seeking an entry-level position in Marketing where I can utilize my superior understanding of the domain gained during the Master’s.
• Profile Summary for Data Analyst Resume Fresher:  A highly skilled, competent, and diligent individual is seeking an opportunity to establish a career as a Data Analyst. Certified with a Diploma in Data Analytics from ABC University.
• Profile summary for Banking freshers: Looking to secure an entry-level position in a progressive financial organization providing ample opportunities to freshers.
• Resume Summary Example for Sales Freshers: A dedicated and reliable individual seeking an opportunity for a Sales Executive.

Achievements in Resume for Fresher

What to include in the achievements section..

Crafting a compelling resume involves more than just listing achievements; it requires effective communication skills and presentation. Follow these steps to write achievements in resume for fresherthat stand out:

• Academic Excellence
• Internship Contributions
• Extracurricular Achievements
• Skill Development
• Volunteer Experience
• Coding Competitions

Examples of Achievements for Freshers

For freshers entering the job market, showcasing achievements can be challenging but not impossible. While you may lack extensive work experience, there are still numerous ways to highlight your skills and accomplishments.

Consider including achievements such as:

Tips for quantifying achievements

• Use Action Verbs: Begin each Achievement in resume for fresher with a strong action verb to convey a sense of accomplishment. For example, “Implemented,” “Led,” “Achieved,” or “Improved.”
• Quantify Results: Whenever possible, quantify your achievements with specific numbers or percentages. This adds credibility and provides a clear understanding of your impact.
• Be Specific and Concise: Clearly articulate what you accomplished concisely. Avoid vague statements and focus on the key details that highlight your contribution.
• Use the STAR Method: Structure your achievements using the STAR method to provide context and showcase your problem-solving and decision-making skills.

Interests in Resume for Freshers

How to list interests related to the job:.

When listinginterest in resume for freshers, choose ones that exhibit talents or attributes relevant to the job you’re looking for. Tailor your hobbies to demonstrate affinity with the company’s culture or the job’s needs.

Examples of Interests That Can Increase Value

• Tech Jobs: Tech jobs include coding personal projects, participating in hackathons, and contributing to open-source software.
• Marketing Roles: Marketing roles include blogging about industry trends, graphic design, and social media management.
• Finance Positions: Finance positions include stock market analysis, financial modelling, and reading financial news.

Tips to Make the Interests Section Stand Out

• Be specific: Instead of using broad terms like “reading,” use “reading financial blogs” or “reading technology journals.
• Show Involvement: Highlight any active participation, such as “organizing community tech meetups” or “volunteering as a financial literacy coach.
• Connect to Skills: Choose interests that reinforce skills mentioned in your resume, showing a well-rounded and passionate candidate.

Skills in Resume for Freshers

When crafting your skills section as a fresher, focus on highlighting key abilities that align with the job description and demonstrate your readiness for the role. Carefully review the job posting and identify the skills and qualifications the employer is seeking. Tailor your skills section to reflect these requirements, emphasising your strongest capabilities. Incorporate industry-specific keywords and buzzwords from the job description. For example, if the role requires proficiency in Python programming or customer relationship management (CRM), make sure these keywords are prominently featured. 

Include Measurable Achievements to Showcase Skill Proficiency. Where possible, quantify your skills with measurable achievements. For instance, mention completing a project that improved efficiency by a certain percentage or receiving recognition for outstanding teamwork. Organize your skills in a clear and structured manner. Consider categorizing them into technical skills (e.g., programming languages, software proficiency) and soft skills (e.g., communication, teamwork). This makes it easier for recruiters to assess your qualifications quickly.

• Technical Skills: Proficient in Python, Java, and SQL. Familiar with HTML/CSS for web development.
• Soft Skills: Strong communication skills demonstrated through leadership roles in student organizations. Proven ability to work effectively in teams, as evidenced by successful group projects.

Declaration for Resume for Freshers

Purpose of the declaration section.

The declaration section serves the purpose of confirming the veracity of the data you submitted on your resume. It supports your candidacy’s honesty and integrity.

Examples of Standard Declarations

Here are the examples of declaration for resume for freshers :

• “I hereby declare that all of the information furnished above is true to the best of my knowledge and belief.”
• “I certify that the details provided in this resume are accurate and complete.”

When and How to Include a Declaration on a Resume

Place the declaration just before your signature at the very end of your resume. It should be succinct and direct, highlighting your dedication to integrity and openness.

Mastering Your First Resume: A Fresh Graduate’s Guide to Standing Out

Students who want to stand out in the job market must learn how to prepare resumes for freshers . By creating a resume for freshers, you can significantly improve your chances of standing out from the competition by tailoring your resume to the job description, showcasing pertinent skills and experiences, highlighting academic successes and extracurricular activities, optimising for keywords and ATS, and using an eye-catching design. With these tactics, you’ll have no trouble being hired as a fresher for your ideal career.

This blog post has provided you with valuable tips and strategies for creating a winning resume that sets you apart from other candidates. From crafting a compelling summary to showcasing relevant skills and experiences, we have covered everything you need to know about preparing a resume for freshers to create an impressive resume that increases your chances of landing your dream job.

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Frequently Asked Questions:

What should a fresher include in their resume.

The resume of a fresher should include contact details, a career objective or summary statement, education details, pertinent courses or projects, skills, internships or part-time work, achievements (such as academic awards or certifications), and optional extracurricular activities that highlight relevant skills or personal traits.

How can I make my fresher resume stand out?

Display your education prominently to emphasis your readiness for the job. On resumes with no experience, especially student resumes with no experience, highlight relevant coursework, academic awards, honors, scholarships, or participation in study abroad programs in this section.

Are there any free resume templates available for freshers?

Yes, there are plenty of resume designs to choose from, like simple resume templates and modern resume templates. Each resume template is fully customizable in Microsoft Word, so you can personalize each design element and add your text.

What is the best format for a fresher resume?

The chronological CV format is the most common and widely accepted. It lists your work experiences in reverse chronological order, starting with your most recent job or internship. This format is suitable for freshers who have relevant work experience to showcase.

How important is a declaration in a fresher’s resume?

Declaration in the Resume is necessary to confirm that the provided information given by the candidate is correct and accurate. Here are the reasons why a declaration is required in a resume: It works as a catalyst to prove and verify the authenticity of the information given in a resume, thus preventing misconception, confusion, and fraud in the recruitment process. This is important for your referral as it gives your reference a chance to prove that all the details mentioned on your resume are entirely true.

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