If you want to make a strong impression with your job applications, you’ll need to select the right resume format for you. The best structure for your resume will depend on your experience, and both the type and level of job you’re applying for. In this article, we discuss how to select a resume format that best showcases your skills and experience while creating a positive impression with employers.

What are the main resume formats?

A resume is a career summary document that shows whether you have the right skills and experience for the job. There are various resume templates that emphasize your experience in different ways, and present your achievements and skills in different orders. The format you choose will depend on how you want to present yourself, and the skills and experience you feel are your greatest assets.

Take a look at the main resume formats below:

Reverse-chronological

The reverse-chronological resume layout is also known as the ‘traditional’ format. This is the most commonly used resume structure because it emphasizes your work experience. Your job history is likely to be the single most crucial element in your chances of success. It shows hiring managers your past achievements, giving them the best indication of your future performance.

The reverse-chronological resume format places your work experience as the first section below your header and resume summary. It’s also typically the most detailed section of the document. It presents your work history in reverse-chronological order, starting with your current or most recent role and working back from there.

Chronological

Perhaps confusingly, the chronological resume format is usually the same as the reverse-chronological structure. Some people use the name ‘chronological resume’, even when the document lists your experience in reverse-chronological order.

This format could alternatively refer to a resume listing your complete work history in chronological order, starting with your most historic employment and progressing to your most recent. This type of structure isn’t common, but it can be a way of emphasizing your depth of experience.

Functional

The functional resume is the second-most popular type of resume format. This format prioritizes your skills and education above your work experience. This structure gives you the chance to present a more complete summary of your skills and how you’ve used them in your career. The functional resume still presents any relevant work experience in reverse-chronological order, but it’s usually less prominent and detailed.

Hybrid

The hybrid resume format allows you to select the best elements of both the reverse-chronological and functional structures, according to what best showcases your qualities. The structure provides more balance between your skills and your work experience. This means employers can get an idea of both when making their hiring decisions.

Creative

The creative resume format gives you the freedom to showcase your skills and experience visually. This might mean introducing graphics and imagery into your document, using visualizations in place of text. If the role requires a creative outlook or technical design skills, this type of resume is your chance to demonstrate them.

Resume format pros and cons

Take a look at some pros and cons of each resume structure below:

Reverse-chronological resume pros

Emphasize your work history, which is often the most important element of your resume
Gives prominence to your most recent (and typically your most relevant) employment
Provides the opportunity to show how your work achievements make you suitable for the role

Reverse-chronological resume cons

Can leave little space for other details in your resume
May highlight gaps in your career history
Not necessarily suitable for people lacking work experience

Functional resume pros

Ideal for entry-level or graduate roles where work experience is less important
Gives you the chance to pick the skills you most want to showcase
Useful if you have career gaps or are changing industries

Functional resume cons

Recruiters and hiring managers might prefer a traditional format
May prove harder for ATS software to scan and rank against other resumes
The non-linear structure can make it difficult to demonstrate career growth and development

Hybrid resume pros

Allows you to choose the best elements of both the reverse-chronological and functional resume formats
Helps to address weaknesses in your work history or gaps in your skill set
Gives you a greater opportunity to include keywords, helping you to pass the ATS recruitment stage

Hybrid resume cons

Creating a resume that balances your skills and work history can be time-consuming
The combined approach can result in a longer resume that might put off recruiters
The hybrid format risks repeating information throughout your resume

Creative resume pros

Provides a platform to showcase your creative and design skills
Can help your resume stand out from other applicants
Provides a greater opportunity to reflect your personality

Creative resume cons

Only suitable for certain types of jobs and industries, with traditional industries preferring standard resume templates
Submitting a creative resume comes with an element of risk, if the reader doesn’t connect with your personal style
Creative resumes may fare worse with automated resume-scanning software

Tips for choosing the best resume format for you

Follow these tips to make sure you choose the best resume format for you:

Review the job description: the job description is likely to give you a strong indication of the type of resume the employer expects you to submit. Job adverts that place a strong emphasis on work experience might prefer a reverse-chronological resume, while listings that focus more on skills can favor functional resume applications.

Consider your experience: your experience levels will play a key role in the resume format you pick. If you have several years of work experience and plenty of career achievements to mention, a reverse-chronological format might suit you best.

Weigh up your skills: if you lack work experience, but you’ve managed to obtain various relevant skills either through your education, volunteer work, hobbies, or other activities, a functional resume might be your best choice.

Tailor your resume for every application: the most valuable thing you can do for your chances of success is tailoring your resume for every application. This might mean drafting a longer, hybrid-style resume to use as a basis for every application, and adapting it to match the right template for each job opportunity.