When you prepare a job application, your resume isn’t just a list of past jobs—it’s a carefully curated document designed to tell your professional story in the clearest, most compelling way. The format you choose can have a significant impact on how your qualifications are perceived. Below is a comprehensive guide to the most common types of resume and how to decide which one works for your unique situation.
What “type of resume” really means
A “type” or “format” of resume refers to how you organise and emphasise different parts of your professional background—such as work history, skills, education—and in what order you present them. The right choice will ensure the reader (and any automated systems) can immediately see your strongest credentials.
Key Questions to Ask Before Choosing a Format
- Do you have a steady work history in one field, with few gaps?
- Are you shifting careers or industries and need to emphasise transferable skills?
- Are you applying to a role that values specific skills more than specific job titles?
- Are you sending your resume through an Applicant Tracking System (ATS) which may favour certain formats?
Your answers to these questions will point toward one format over another.
What it is: The chronological resume lists your work experience in reverse chronological order (most recent job first). It emphasises your career progression over time.
When to use it:
- You have a consistent employment history in one field.
- Your most recent roles are the most relevant to the job you’re applying for.
- You want to highlight upward mobility, promotions, or growing responsibilities. Pros:
- Familiar format for recruiters; easy to follow and scan.
- Clear career trajectory. Cons:
- Gaps in employment, frequent job changes, or a shift in career focus can be more obvious.
- Less emphasis on specific skills if they’re buried within job descriptions.
2. Functional (Skills‑Based) Resume
What it is: This format emphasises skills and professional competencies first, with job history either condensed or placed later. It is sometimes called a skills‑based resume.
When to use it:
- You’re changing industries or roles and want to highlight transferable skills.
- You have large gaps in employment.
- Your most relevant qualifications aren’t tied to a specific job title or employer. Pros:
- Focuses attention on what you can do rather than where you did it. Cons:
- Many recruiters are less accustomed to this format. Some ATS might struggle with it.
- Less traditional; may raise more questions if used without care.
3. Combination (Hybrid) Resume
What it is: The combination resume blends aspects of the chronological and functional formats: you highlight skills/achievements early in the document, then follow with a more standard reverse‑chronological work history.
When to use it:
- You have solid work experience and also strong skills you want to showcase.
- You are switching roles or fields but also want to demonstrate a track record. Pros:
- Gives a balanced view of both “what you can do” and “what you have done”. Cons:
- Can be longer or more complex to write; may exceed single page more easily.
- Must ensure neither section overshadows the other.
4. Targeted Resume
What it is: A targeted resume is not so much a distinct layout as a customised version of any format above—crafted specifically for a particular job. It emphasises only the skills, experiences, and accomplishments that align with a given job listing.
When to use it:
- You’re applying for a specific role and want to maximise relevance.
- You want to demonstrate explicitly that you meet the job’s requirements. Pros:
- High relevance often leads to better positioning for interviews.
- Shows clear focus and effort by the applicant. Cons:
- Time‑intensive: requires tailoring for each application.
- Must still be formatted clearly and succinctly.
5. Other (Specialised) Resume Types
Beyond the major formats above, several specialised resume types exist:
- Infographic resume: Visual‑first design, often used in creative fields.
- Video resume: A short video presentation of your skills and persona.
- Federal resume: A very detailed format required for U.S. federal government applications, often 2‑6 pages and including specific information (GS grade, clearance, etc).
- Mini resume: A one‑page summary or business‑card style version used for networking events. These formats should be used only when the job or industry context makes them appropriate.
How to Choose the Right Type
- Map your situation: If your work history is consistent and linear → chronological. If you’re pivoting or have gaps → functional or combination.
- Consider the role and employer: For mainstream roles and large companies (especially where ATS is used), chronological or combination + targeted version tends to have the strongest acceptance.
- Tailor your content: Regardless of format, align with the job description—mirror key terms, highlight relevant achievements, and remove unnecessary detail.
- Keep readability high: Even the best format matters little if the resume is hard to scan, overly cluttered, or lacks focus.
- Maintain flexibility: Consider keeping a master version of your resume (longer, comprehensive) and then tailoring targeted versions for specific applications.
Practical Steps to Implement
- Start with a clean, logical layout.
- Choose one of the formats above based on your career path.
- Build a “professional summary” or “headline” at the top that aligns with your target.
- Arrange major sections (Skills, Experience, Education) in an order appropriate for your format.
- Use consistent formatting (fonts, bullet styles, dates).
- Quantify achievements where possible (“led team of 8”, “increased sales by 25%”).
- Save a version of your “master resume” that includes your full work history and accomplishments for referral or networking.
- Then create tailored, concise resumes (one page if possible) for each major application.
If you’d like help generating a version of your resume or a cover letter customised for your next application, consider using LetterLab, an AI‑powered cover letter generator that works alongside your resume to present a cohesive, compelling candidacy.