Resume Formats Explained

A resume outlines your professional background, including achievements, employment history, and skills.

It is essential to choose the right format to present your information effectively.

This guide will detail the various resume formats to help you select the most appropriate one for your career needs.

The Most Popular Resume Formats?

The most popular resume formats are chronological, functional, and combination. Each format serves a specific purpose based on professional background and the target role.

• Chronological: Highlights a consistent work history, listing jobs in reverse order. Best for candidates with steady experience relevant to the role.
• Functional: Focuses on skills and achievements instead of job history. Ideal for those with limited work experience, career gaps, or a career change.
• Combination: Merges elements of both, showcasing skills while also including a job history summary. Suitable for individuals with diverse experiences or a strong mix of skills and roles.

1. Chronological Resume: An Overview

A chronological resume arranges work experience in reverse-chronological order, starting with the most recent job. This format is traditional and widely used. It typically includes the following sections:

• Contact Information
• Objective or Summary Statement
• Relevant Skills
• Professional Experience
• Education
• Additional Details (e.g., volunteer work or interests – optional)

When to Choose a Chronological Resume

This format is ideal for individuals with a consistent and progressive career path. It works well for professionals who have remained in the same industry, especially if previous roles show increasing responsibility or seniority.

It is also suited for candidates applying to roles similar to their existing work experience.

However, it may not be the best choice for those with employment gaps, a desire to switch careers, or highly varied work histories. For these scenarios, a functional or combination resume might be more effective.

2. Functional Resume Format

A functional resume emphasizes skills over work history.

Unlike the chronological format, which highlights job experience and achievements under specific roles, the functional format organizes the resume based on skills that match the job requirements.

Functional Resume Structure:

1. Contact Information
2. Objective or Summary Statement
3. Summary of Relevant Skills
4. Work Experience
5. Education
6. Additional Details (e.g., volunteer work or special interests)

Best Use Cases for a Functional Resume:

• Addressing one or more employment gaps in the past five years.
• Entering the workforce for the first time.
• Changing careers significantly.

By emphasizing transferable skills and key accomplishments, this format highlights qualifications that align with the desired role.

However, if work experience is consistent and relevant, a combination resume may better showcase both skills and experience.

3. Combination Resume

A combination resume merges elements of chronological and functional formats, highlighting both work experience and relevant skills. This format is useful for showcasing qualifications comprehensively while remaining flexible in structure.

Structure of a Combination Resume:

1. Contact Information
2. Objective or Summary Statement
3. Summary of Relevant Skills
4. Work Experience
5. Education

Key Details:

• Arrange skills or work experience based on their importance to the role.
• Prioritize sections that match the job requirements. For instance, list unique and industry-specific skills before work experience if they are more relevant.

When to Use this Format?

A combination resume suits situations like:

• Slight career changes where prior experience indirectly applies.
• Applications requiring transferable skills, such as leadership, even without specific job titles reflecting those skills.
  This format ensures accomplishments and qualifications stand out effectively.

Why are These the Best Formats for Your Resume?

The best resume formats are effective because they are easy to read and compatible with Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS).

Formats like chronological, functional, and combination layouts minimize critical errors when processed through these systems. Recruiters, who often review numerous resumes for a single role, prefer standardized layouts because they allow quick identification of key information.

For example, if a role emphasizes a specific skill, recruiters expect to find it in the skills section, usually positioned near the work experience. A clear and organized format ensures recruiters can quickly assess qualifications, increasing the chances of consideration.

How to Format a Resume

Key steps to format a resume effectively:

1. Set Appropriate Margins

Use proper margins to ensure the resume content fits neatly within the page. Standard margins are one inch on all sides, suitable for most resumes.

If the resume has minimal content and appears sparse, one-inch margins help create a balanced layout. To include more details about skills and experience, margins can be reduced to 0.75 inches but should not go below 0.5 inches.

Margins smaller than 0.5 inches may cause issues in PDF conversions or when processed by Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS).

• Tip: Align all text to the left for easy readability. Center-alignment should only be used for the name, contact information, and headline, if desired. Avoid centering other sections.

2. Choose a Professional, Readable Font

Select a font that is easy to read and presents a professional appearance. The primary goal is to ensure hiring managers can quickly process the content.

Additionally, a clear font improves compatibility with Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS), which may struggle with decorative or intricate designs. Avoid using “light” or “thin” fonts, as they can be hard to read on screens or in print.

Recommended Fonts for Resumes:

• Avenir
• Calibri
• Cambria
• Constantia
• Corbel
• Franklin Gothic
• Garamond
• Georgia
• Gill Sans
• Helvetica

3. Set Font Size Between 10 and 12 Points

Font size is key to maintaining readability. For concise resumes, a 12-point font helps fill the space effectively.

For resumes with extensive details, a 10-point font can be used to fit the content while staying legible. Avoid using sizes larger than 12 points, as they may appear unprofessional. Adjust as needed to balance readability and content presentation.

4. Keep Content Concise

If your resume exceeds one page using a 10-point font, avoid reducing the font size further. Focus on making your content more concise by removing irrelevant details and shortening sentences. Combine similar points and eliminate filler words.

Example of simplification:

• Original:
  “Performed inventory audits every month and discovered issues with over-ordering — executed an organization solution across all teams which resulted in a 10% increase in revenue over the next two quarters.”
• Improved:
  “Performed regular inventory audits, solving over-ordering issues to achieve 10% revenue growth.”

Tips for brevity:

• Eliminate unnecessary words like “like,” “with,” “a,” and “that.”
• Highlight 2-3 key achievements per role instead of listing every task.
• Merge similar points into one impactful statement.
• Adjust spacing between sections if needed.

5. Use Clear Section Headers

Make section headers stand out to help employers locate key information quickly. Differentiate headers professionally using these methods:

• Apply bold formatting.
• Use a font size of 12 or 14 points.
• Underline headers for clarity.

This approach can also be applied to your name and contact details at the top of your resume. Ensure this information is prominent and easy to read.

Note: Avoid horizontal lines spanning the page for headers. Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS) may misinterpret these elements, causing errors that can make your resume unreadable.

6. Use Bullet Points Effectively

Bullet points help employers quickly identify your achievements in sections like experience, skills, or education. Use them to highlight accomplishments, ensuring each point adds value. Avoid using fewer than three bullet points in a section—if you have less information, use sentences or punctuation to separate ideas.

Example for an experience section:

• Operated cranes, hoists, and tools safely during projects.
• Supported 11 on-site workers and 23 field technicians by delivering necessary parts.
• Managed service reports, time cards, and equipment paperwork weekly.

For sections with limited content, like education, avoid unnecessary bullet points:

• Juris Doctor, Florida Bar Board Certified
• Coral Springs University
• Graduated: May 2020

7. Seek Constructive Feedback

After completing your resume, ask trusted individuals to review it. They should focus on grammar, spelling, formatting, and overall professionalism. Feedback can ensure your resume is polished, consistent, and easy to read.

Conclusion

A well-structured resume is a key tool in showcasing your professional qualifications effectively. Choosing the right format ensures your skills, experience, and accomplishments are presented clearly and impactfully.

By using appropriate formatting techniques, focusing on conciseness, and seeking constructive feedback, you can create a resume that captures the attention of employers and enhances your career prospects.