types of resume formats

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7 Different Types of Resume Formats [+ Samples]

Learn about different resume formats and when to use each one. Chronological, functional, combination resume samples & more.

There are seven different types of resume formats you can use when creating your resume.

Different formats work better for different situations, depending on your experience and career goals.

In this article, you will learn about these various resume layouts and see which will work best for you.

You need a professional resume format that will show off your best assets (and downplay the rest).

Different Types of Resumes

The seven different types of resumes that we will discuss in this article include:

• Chronological Resume
• Functional Resume
• Combination Resume
• Infographic Resume
• Mini Resume
• Profile Resume
• Tailored Resume

Read on for a summary of each type of resume along with samples or click on a shortcut above.

1. Chronological Resume

A chronological, or reverse chronological, resume lists your work history starting with the most recent experience first.

This is the most common resume format. When you think of a basic resume, this is it.

Recruiters and employers like to see a chronological resume because it clearly lays out a thorough description of your work history. It is also easy to find information since this is the layout decision-makers see most often.

A chronological resume works best for:

• Professionals with a solid work history related to the job being applied for
• Job seekers without employment gaps
• Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS)

Chronological resume sample:

Click on the sample above to see the full resume.

2. Functional Resume

The functional, or skills-based, resume focuses on your skills and experience more than your job history.

Instead of having a detailed “work history” section, you will include expanded sections on your resume that list your skills and relevant achievements.

You can also add a summary and headline at the top of your resume that highlights your skills and achievements.

Instead of focusing on your employment history (that may be lacking), you are highlighting the skills you have that align with the job you are applying for.

A functional resume works best for:

• Job candidates with gaps in their employment history
• Professionals changing careers

This format is losing some popularity as it is not ideal for applicant tracking systems.

Functional resume example:

3. Combination Resume

As the name suggests, a combination, or hybrid, resume combines chronological and functional resume formats.

The top of the resume includes your skills and qualifications relevant to the job you are applying for. Below that is your chronological work history.

Your work history is not the main focus so it doesn’t take up a lot of space.

This format offers the best of both worlds. You can accentuate your skills and show off your related work history.

A combination resume works best for:

• Professionals with relevant skills and experience and employment gaps

Combination resume sample:

4. Infographic Resume

An infographic, or networking, resumes are resumes with graphic design elements instead of just text. It uses various design elements with a focus on the aesthetics of the resume.

These resumes achieved higher popularity several years ago when infographics first came out, but since then have seen a decrease in usage.

If you are skilled with graphics and competing for a role that will use these skills, this may not be a bad choice for your resume format.

Infographic resumes use layout, color, design, formatting, icons, charts, and font styling to present your information.

An infographic resume works best for:

• Design-related professionals
• Networking and emailing directly to decision-makers

The biggest con for infographic resumes is that many ATS cannot properly read the content on your resume accurately, rendering them virtually useless for screening purposes.

Infographic Resume sample by  Venngage :

5. Mini Resume

A mini resume is a brief summary of your career highlights and qualifications.

It only contains the information most specific to the job and industry.

They are straightforward networking tools that easily answer the question, “So what type of work are you looking for?”

Mini resumes have been known to fit on a business card or postcard. They are easier to read than a full-length resume and provide more information than a business card.

A mini resume works best for:

• In-person networking events

Mini resume sample by  The Balance Careers :

6. Profile Resume

A profile resume describes a resume that uses a resume profile, more commonly known as a resume summary or professional summary, instead of an objective statement.

A resume profile is a professional summary of your skills, experiences, and goals related to a specific job at the top of your resume. The summary includes a couple of skill and accomplishment-packed sentences with a sales pitch.

The term profile resume isn’t really used anymore as objectives have gone by the wayside and including a professional summary on your resume is common practice.

Resume profiles are helpful for most job applicants and can be included in any resume layout.

A resume with a profile or summary works best for:

• Professionals with extensive experience to sum up your experience to the hiring manager quickly
• Professionals with limited work experience to help you highlight relevant skills for the position

7. Tailored Resume

A tailored, or targeted, resume is customized to specifically highlight your experience and skills related to the job for which you are applying. It also uses keywords from the job posting throughout the resume.

Any of the other resume formats can, and should be , tailored to the job you are applying for.

This resume format says, “This is exactly what I can do for you,” instead of, “Look at all the stuff I have ever done.”

Tailored resumes are becoming more popular with the increase in the number of resumes companies receive.

Because of the increasing numbers of resumes companies receive, more and more are relying on an ATS, which searches your resume for keywords.

When your resume gets to a human, they only want to see the information relevant to the role they are filling so they can make a quick decision.

While it takes more time and effort to write a tailored resume than a generic resume, it’s definitely worth the effort.

A tailored resume works best for:

• Eliminating information that only somewhat applies to the job you want
• Being honest with yourself about the job you should be applying for
• Getting practice in presenting yourself to employers and recruiters

Key Takeaways

There are several formats you can use for your resume.

Choose the best one for your background and career goals:

• A chronological (or reverse chronological) resume focuses on your work history.
• A functional (or skills-based) resume focuses on your skills.
• A combination (or hybrid) resume combines your skills and work history.
• An infographic (or networking) resume is great for in-person or digital networking.
• A mini resume fits your key information on a business card-sized document.
• A profile resume includes a resume summary (or professional summary).
• A tailored (or targeted) resume is customized to a specific job.

Were you able to find the best resume format for your situation?

If not, we provide more details about selecting the best resume for you here . If you’d rather have a professional take care of it for you, we’d be happy to help! Contact us to see what we can do for you!

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The Different Types Of Resume Formats And When To Use Them

Table Of Contents

The different types of resumes and when to use them, chronological resume, functional resume , combination resume, mini resume, targeted resume, how to know what type of resume you should use, where to get help with your resume, frequently asked questions , what are the most common types of resumes , what is the best type of resume , what are the three most common resume styles, how far back should a resume go, bottom line.

Written By: Michael Gardon | Edited By: Mike Jelinek

Writing a solid resume is the first step in finding a job, whether you’re looking for your dream job or just the next stop on your way up the corporate ladder. You have several resume formats to choose from, and the right one to use depends on the job you're applying for, your work experience, and other factors. This guide will help you learn about all the different types of resumes and when to use them.

If you need help writing your resume, we also reviewed the best resume writing services to help you out.

Are you ready to start applying for jobs? We recommend starting your job search on ZipRecruiter. ZipRecruiter is free for job seekers and you can apply for jobs with a single click! You can also upload your resume to ZipRecruiter’s resume database so that recruiters and employers can find you!

get started with ziprecruiter

Below are the five most common types of resume formats you can use when crafting the perfect resume. Each one has its benefits and drawbacks. Use the information below to help you determine the right type of resume for your next job search.

A chronological resume is a resume format that lists work and education experiences in chronological order from the most recent to the oldest. In the education section of your resume, you would list any degrees earned from the highest honor and work backward.

Elements to include in a chronological resume include your personal and contact information, a brief summary, employment and education history, and a skills section, including soft skills and hard skills .

Not every work experience needs to make it on your chronological resume. Only list experiences in the last 10-15 years. Hiring managers aren’t interested in your part-time job in high school. Also, only include skills on your resume that are relevant to the open position.

Pros and Cons of Using a Chronological Resume

• Highlights a linear career path
• Is a familiar format
• May be preferred by some hiring managers and employers
• Makes it hard to hide resume gaps or career path detours
• Emphasizes experience, which is a problem for entry-level workers

Who Should Use a Chronological Resume

Chronological resumes are perfect for individuals who have a consistent, extensive work history without any employment gaps. If your previous jobs show a steady, linear progression through your field, a chronological resume will help highlight that. Some employers will also ask for a work history as part of your job application.

Chronological Resume Sample

Source: topresume

A functional resume is a resume format focused more on highlighting your skills and expertise over work experience. This resume format is preferable for individuals who have little work experience, an unfocused work history, lapses in employment, or are in the middle of a career change. New graduates would also benefit from using a functional resume.

In a functional resume, your experience is grouped by skill categories instead of specific employment history listings. You can also list your employment history in a functional resume, but there’s no need to expand on past jobs beyond your job title, your employer, and work dates. A functional resume should include elements like personal and contact information, a resume summary, relevant skills grouped into skill categories, and work and education history.

Pros and Cons of Using a Functional Resume

• Highlights skills as well as experience
• May elevate your most relevant qualifications by featuring them higher on the page
• Disguises any employment gaps
• May give the impression that you lack a steady work history
• Depending on your formatting choices, these resumes can be hard for applicant tracking systems to read
• May not be as effective as combination resumes, which provide some work history in addition to skills

Who Should Use a Functional Resume

Workers who have gaps in their resumes, relatively little work experience, and those who want to change jobs might find a functional resume format useful. However, be aware that recruiters and hiring managers will still look for your work history. Write a carefully crafted cover letter to highlight transferable skills and other qualifications that might make up for a lack of experience.

Related: How To Create A Resume With No Work Experience

Functional Resume Sample

source: canva

As the name suggests, a combination resume combines other resume formats to highlight both your chronological work history and your skills and expertise.

A combination resume is a good choice if you have transferable skills across a varied range of work experiences or if you have relevant technical skills you’ve used over your entire career. This resume format would include elements like personal and contact information, a brief summary, a detailed technical skills section, and work and education history.

Pros and Cons of Using a Combination Resume

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• Offers many of the best features of chronological and functional resume formats
• Highlights both skills and work history
• May be repetitive if you have similar skills that apply to different positions
• Combination resumes can be longer than chronological and functional formats

Who Should Use a Combination Resume

Mid-career professionals and workers with lots of related experience and skills might consider this format. Just be prepared to be ruthless about what you include in your combination resume. Don’t go back more than 10 or 15 years in your work history and be sure to emphasize skills that are most relevant to the job.

Combination Resume Sample

Source: Topresume

A mini resume isn’t as common as the other formats but has its place. Mini resumes are truncated versions of your full resume, highlighting your work experience in the form of a short bio. Mini resumes don’t even need to be on a full-size piece of paper. It could be printed on a handout the size of a business card or notecard.

Mini resumes are to have on hand if there’s a chance encounter and you need something to pass out. This is a good format to use if you attend networking events or conferences where people exchange business cards. A mini resume gives you something to pass out that’s more than just your name and phone number. Include elements like your name, contact information, and a bite-sized bio, including any relevant experience or certifications.

Pros and Cons of Using a Mini Resume

• A great networking tool for trade shows, conferences, and professional groups
• If you include a link to your website or LinkedIn profile , can act as a lead generator
• Not a replacement for a full-length resume
• An old-fashioned business card may be sufficient

Who Should Use a Mini Resume

Anyone who’s planning to attend a professional event or conference can benefit from bringing their short-form resume along. Just be aware that it isn’t a substitute for your full-length CV.

A targeted resume is a resume format that is customized specifically to the open position you are pursuing. Every element of your resume, from your work and education history to your skills, align with the requirements listed in the job description. A targeted resume is the format to use if you’re seeking a specific position within a company. It’s not the type of resume you send out to several companies hoping to land a job.

If you’re thinking of using a targeted resume, take time to study the job posting, paying attention to the skills required (and desired), duties, and any other information that you can use when crafting your resume. Include any keywords mentioned in the job listing in your resume. Research the company, too, for insight into its values.

Targeted resumes are great if your skill set and work history match up well with the job description.

Pros and Cons of Using a Targeted Resume

• Shows the hiring manager that you’re interested in this specific job, not just any open position
• Appeals to applicant tracking systems, which typically look for keywords associated with the position
• None, unless you forget to customize your resume for the next job opening

Who Should Use a Targeted Resume

Short answer: everyone. Targeted resumes are the best way to demonstrate that your skills, training, and experience make you an ideal candidate.

The best resume format for you depends on your career level, work history, skill set, and qualifications. The job you're targeting will also play a role.

To determine which resume type to use, ask yourself the following questions:

How much related work experience do I have? If you have several years of steady employment in the industry and your career path shows regular promotions and several years at each employer, a chronological resume or combination resume may be a good choice.

What are my most relevant skills and qualifications? Read the job description in the listing and figure out which skills, certifications, and abilities are most desirable for this job. If you can check off most of those qualifications, consider a functional resume format (or a combination resume with a skills section).

What are the employer's specifications? Sometimes, employers will share their application requirements. When they do, you should follow instructions. For example, they might say that they want someone with experience in the industry, which would indicate a chronological or combination resume.

What are the expectations for my industry? Different industries have different rules for job seekers. For example, Georgetown Law's Office of Career Strategy notes that law students should list their education first and keep their resume to one page.

How will I be submitting my resume? If you're applying via email or online system, remember to format your resume so that it's readable by the resume bots. Skip the fancy formatting, images, and other visual elements.

Whether you're writing your first resume or buffing up a mid-career CV, you don't need to go it alone. We've reviewed the best paid experts, free tools, and online resources to help you make a good impression on the hiring manager.

The Best Resume Writing Services : Sometimes, it pays to call in the professionals. If you're not getting interviews and you're not sure why, resume writing services can help. Many come with a free trial or money-back guarantee.

The Best Resume Builders : These online tools can help you optimize your resume for applicant tracking systems, customize them for a specific job, or start an entirely new document from a template. Most have free versions.

The Best Resume Templates: To make a positive impression, your resume needs to be professionally (and consistently) formatted. These free and low-cost resume templates can help.

After your resume is polished and ready to go, you may be looking for new job opportunities. To help you out, our team has reviewed the top job posting sites .

The three most common resume formats are the chronological resume, the functional resume, and the combination resume. You may also see references to the mini resume, which is a short summary of your skills and experience intended to be passed out at conferences and tradeshows. And, a targeted resume is any type of resume that is customized for a specific job.

The best resume type depends on your career goals and work experience. Chronological resumes are the most common format and are perfect if you have a long work history with no gaps. If you don't have much work experience, a functional or combination resume may be a better option. Choose a resume format that matches your experience, the job, and the employer's requirements.

The three most common resume styles are chronological, functional, and combination. Each resume type has pros and cons. For example, a chronological resume format may be a poor choice for an entry-level worker or a career changer but an excellent choice for someone with extensive work experience in their field.

The work history listed on your resume should only go back 10-15 years unless it's relevant to the job position. Be aware that including more work history may reveal your age and expose you to bias.

There is no one best resume type or format. You can choose different resume styles for different jobs, employers, or phases of your career. The most important thing is to look for opportunities to show the hiring manager why you're the best candidate for the job.

Now that you know what type of resume to use, you can polish your resume and start applying for jobs! We recommend starting your job search on ZipRecruiter !

Michael Gardon

Mike is our Founder, career coach, and resident expert on all things resume, hiring and work-life. He is author of The Break newsletter and host of The Break Podcast on Careercloud. He has seen everything from being hired (and fired) to hiring and managing hundreds of people over his career. Mike has also successfully navigated many career pivots. He is a former derivatives trader turned corporate consultant turned entrepreneur who also holds a Bachelors' Degree from the University of Wisconsin-Madison and an MBA from DePaul University in Chicago. Mike is often interviewed and quoted on career topics in major publications such as Business Insider, Forbes, USA Today, Yahoo Finance and Fox News. Mike resides in the beautiful midwest where he built a life around his family. Connect with Mike to talk purpose, career change, entrepreneurship and side hustles like Quotebook , which he built with his kids!

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Types of Resumes: Choosing the Right Format For Your Needs

Learn about the common types of resumes—such as chronological, functional, and combination—and decide which resume type is right for your job search.

Your resume is your opportunity to tell your career story. Regardless of the type of resume you choose, you’ll be sharing a narrative that details your many professional accomplishments and skills and demonstrates how you hope to continue growing.

Just as there are many ways to tell a story, there are many ways to format your resume . As you consider which type of resume is right for you, think about your audience and how they’ll be able to best understand the story you’re trying to tell.

In this article, we’ll go through the three most common types of resumes: chronological , functional , and combination . We’ll also detail some specialized resume types that you may prefer depending on your needs.

Common resume types

The three most common resume types are chronological, functional, and combination. Before we detail each format, here’s a quick introduction:

Certain jobs or graduate schools will request a curriculum vitae (CV) instead of a resume. Learn more about the differences between a CV and a resume .

Chronological resume

When to use it: When you’re applying for jobs via an applicant tracking systems (ATS) or showing career growth

What to include: Objective or summary (optional), work experience, education , skills, and certifications

Pros: Easy to read and straightforward outline of your accomplishments

Cons: Doesn’t highlight skills as explicitly as other formats

With a chronological resume (sometimes also called a reverse chronological resume), you’ll list out your experience starting with your most recent role. With this format, you’ll show how each of your professional experiences built upon the last.

This format is generally the most common, as it makes it easy for prospective employers to visualize your career trajectory. It’s also the format that an ATS is best equipped to scan, so if you’re applying for jobs online, you’ll probably want to submit a chronological resume first.

Free resume templates

If you’re starting with a blank page, use these free customizable templates for  chronological ,  functional , or combination resumes to make your resume in a Google Doc. Simply log into your Google account and select the ‘Make a copy’ prompt.

Functional resume

When to use it: When you’re changing careers and applying directly through a recruiter or hiring manager

What to include: Objective or summary, key skills, brief work history, education, certifications

Pros: Emphasizes your transferable skills

Cons: De-emphasizes your work experience

With a functional resume, you’ll highlight your journey of acquiring specific skills. You’ll still list your work history, but typically, this format doesn’t include dates of employment, accomplishments, or job tasks for each role. Instead, your functional resume names your dominant skills, and you’ll include a few bullets underneath each skill that show how you acquired, strengthened, and used it throughout your career.

Although you’ll be able to incorporate several resume keywords in your functional resume, this format isn’t super ATS-friendly, as the software is typically programmed to scan the chronological resume format. Still, if you are applying for a position where it makes more sense to highlight your skills than your previous roles—for example, if you are changing your career —you may decide to have a functional resume on hand to send directly to recruiters and hiring managers.

Learn more about how to feature and format key skills on your resume .

Combination resume

When to use it: When it’s important to show skill development for a role as well as career progression

What to include: Objective or summary, key skills, work experience, education, certifications

Pros: Benefits of both chronological and functional resumes, flexible formatting

Cons: Can be lengthy and repetitive

A combination resume is a more flexible option that incorporates aspects of both chronological and functional resumes—and you get to decide which sections to include and how to utilize them. You’ll include a section that explicitly outlines your work history (dates and description included) and a section that highlights your skills.

With this format, you can present your career path in a traditional way while still emphasizing your skills. It can be helpful if it’s important to demonstrate your skills development in order to qualify for a role, for example, if you are changing careers or trying to level up. However, this format can get quite lengthy, and you’ll want to be mindful not to repeat bullet points across various sections.

Specialized resume types

If you don’t want to go the traditional route and aren’t submitting your resume through an online job board that uses an ATS to filter applicants, you may want to show off a different set of skills with a specialized resume. Here are some specialized resumes you may want to consider:

Targeted resume: With a targeted resume, you’ll create a highly tailored resume to demonstrate your fit for a specific role, and often, at a specific company.

Infographic resume : Infographic resumes are more visual than the common resume types, incorporating graphics and colors for a visually appealing presentation.

Video resume: A nontraditional resume format, video resumes are reels that demonstrate your accomplishments and goals in just a few minutes.

Mini resume: A mini resume is both a business card and a condensed version of your resume that notes your job title and a few accomplishment bullets, which you can give to prospective employers you may meet at job fairs, for example.

Navigating applicant tracking systems (ATS)

Most companies use ATS software to screen submitted resumes before a person reviews your qualifications. The ATS is programmed to filter resumes that have specific keywords deemed a match for open positions. Some ways to help your resume stand out in an ATS are:

1. Align your resume keywords with the job description.

2. Include the dates of your employment.

3. Avoid over-formatting and choose standard colors and fonts.

4. Spell out acronyms.

Learn more about how to navigate applicant tracking systems .

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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.

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