It's important to choose the right format for your resume because it should fit your unique career path. Choose the best format to show what you've done and what you can do. Here, we talk about the different types of resume formats and how to choose the best one for you.

Format is half the battle when it comes to writing a resume. If you choose the wrong format, a hiring manager may only give your resume a quick look.

Writing a resume is hard because you have to condense your whole work history into a document that is easy to read. If you want to stand out in the job search, it's important to choose the format that best shows off your strengths.

Krista Morris, founder, recruiter, and resume writer for Virtuoso Resumes, said, "If this is your first meeting with the recruiting team, HR, or talent acquisition, you only get one chance to make a good first impression." "So the format is really important because it can make them want to call you or put you off to the side."

I spoke with Morris and Shoni Bell, a career coach, and resume writer, to discuss resume formatting options and how to find the best one for your needs.

Most Common Resume Formats

Many career sites, such as LiveCareer, say that reverse chronological, functional, and combination resumes are the most common types.

The reverse-chronological format is the most widely used among job seekers. It starts with a header and a professional summary. Next comes the section on work experience, which is written in backwards chronological order. Then you can list your skills and education.

Zety says that the reverse-chronological format is best for people who are looking for jobs similar to the ones they already have or who are just starting out.

The skills and work experience sections are switched in the functional format, which is also sometimes called the skills-based format. This shows that skills matter more than experience. This format could be used by people who are leaving the military or who want to put the focus on their portfolios.

The combination format combines the reverse-chronological and functional formats, giving skills and work experience sections the same amount of weight. This section could be helpful for people who want to change careers, are looking for work after a break, or are looking for a specific job.

What's Really Going on With the Big Three Formats

Bell and Morris both said that it's not always right to look at resume formats in terms of reverse chronological, functional, and combination. Why? Because the reverse-chronological format is recommended more than any other.

"If you're not sure which format to choose, just go with chronological," said Bell. "It's what most of us write and read every day."

Morris also said that recruiters don't trust the functional format because they think you're trying to hide something.

"With the backwards chronological format, there's nowhere to hide," Morris said. "The recruiter is trying to make a good choice with the information they have. When there is a question mark, they usually move on to the next applicant."

When applying for a job, the worst thing you can do is try to hide information. Bell said that if you use a functional format, you might stand out in a bad way.

Morris said, "I usually go against common advice and shine a light on whatever the applicant is trying to hide so that it doesn't become a mystery." "I think people are much more willing to forgive and understand each other than they used to be. We just went through a terrible pandemic that caused a lot of people to miss work. So there aren't many people who have what I'd call a "perfect job history."

"There have been a lot of talks about gaps in employment over the past couple of years," Bell said. "A chronological format will work for you as long as you explain why you weren't working during that time."

But Bell said that there were a few times when she would recommend the combination format. For example, it could help someone who has had a lot of jobs in the same field but only stayed at each one for a year or two. This way, you can show off both the skills you've learned and the different jobs you've had.

Also, the combination can help people leaving the military translate military jargon into skills that can be used in everyday life.

"Just putting how they did things in the military, like project management, team leadership, or professional development, at the top and in civilian language is helpful," Bell said. "After that, the title and dates of service can be written in order."

How to Choose a Format

"You need a plan before you write a single word," Bell said. "You have to know who you're writing for, think about the jobs you're applying for, and then set up your format in a way that makes sense for that audience."

Often, the reverse-chronological format is a good place to start, and you can add your own touches from there. Even if you haven't worked for a while or are switching careers, you can still put your best foot forward on your resume.

First, Morris says to make sure your goal is reachable based on what you already know and what skills you have. Then, figure out what your past experiences have to do with the job you want.

Morris said, "It's fine if you don't have experience in the job you want." "But you do need some volunteer, school, or other outside experience that you can bring to the new job."

For example, Morris had a client who was a mortician but wanted to become a golf course superintendent. He had never worked on a golf course before, so he got certifications in pesticides, plumbing, and irrigation.

His work to improve his skills showed that he was trying to make a career change, so they put that on his resume. This got him a job as a beginner in the field.

"We talked about it in the summary, and we really drove it home," said Morris. "And I think that a lot of employers are willing to work with people who are changing careers, especially people who have been successful in other jobs because they know how to show up on time. They know how to act in a businesslike way."

There are more options than just the three main ones. For instance, college students who have done research or had other academic experiences would put more emphasis on their education section.

Morris says that no matter what format you use, the first thing on your resume should be your most impressive career achievement. This will get the reader's attention.

"It all comes down to strategy and thinking about who your audience is, writing to your audience, and really highlighting the best things you have to offer, whether it's the kind of work you've done, how long you've been doing it, or your education," Bell said.

In addition to making a plan for how to put the sections in order, it is important to make the resume look good. Bell says that you can draw the eye where you want it to go by using colour and bolded parts.

"When you're thinking about how to write your headline, skill set, and professional summary, you want to grab the reader's attention to get them interested," Bell said. "Remember to think about how the eye works... Make sure the top third of your page is really powerful."

Morris also said that charts and other visuals can be a good way to grab a reader's attention and show your successes. Also, applicant tracking systems (ATS) tend to skip visuals, so that won't hurt you. But stay away from tables and text boxes because most ATS software can't read them.

Morris said, "As long as the words of the content are straight on the page, you can add all the bells and whistles you want around the content."

Overall, Morris tells you to choose what feels right for you, not what everyone else is doing.

Morris told her, "Stop trying to fit yourself into a box based on what you think everyone else is doing." "Now is the time to stop caring about what everyone else is doing and just do what you want to do."

Bell also said that you shouldn't feel bad about getting help from a professional resume writer if you can't figure out how to format your resume on your own.

"My business wouldn't be around if it were easy to write resumes," Bell said. "It's very difficult. So, if someone is having trouble and knows they could look better on paper, it's OK to ask for help.

Top Takeaways

Choosing the right format for your resume

  • The most common resume format is backwards chronological, and there's a reason for that. It is the easiest to understand, so you should choose it most of the time.
  • If you use a functional or skills-based resume format, it could look like you're trying to hide the fact that you don't have much experience.
  • Be honest about your job search. Don't try to hide your flaws, but do show off your best qualities. In a world where there has been a pandemic, recruiters are more lenient.
  • The combination resume format can be used in certain situations, such as when a person is leaving the military.
  • Plan the format based on what you know, and make sure the colours, sections, and images are always easy on the eyes.