Choices. Choices. Choices. We have so many choices—from how to pay for goods and services to which format to use for a resume. Like online purchasing options, there are many common resume formats, and we’ve also seen some truly creative designs. However, the style you choose should present your best professional profile as the ideal candidate. You want it to show your most relevant skills, experience, and character to future employers and hiring managers.

Resume Formats to Consider

So, what’s the perfect format for your resume? It depends. The type of resume format you use should be determined by your circumstances, job history, and career path. The point is that you do have options, and you should be aware of those options rather than force yourself into using a format that does not fit your needs. 

That said, we’ll focus on the three most popular resume styles: the chronological format, the functional format, and the combination resume format, also known as a hybrid style. 

Chronological Resume Format

If you move to the next level of your career within the same industry, a chronological format will make sense. Organizing your work experience in chronological order will give employers and recruiters a thorough overview of your steady work history, experience, and career progression. It is also easy to read and quickly capture the essence of what you could contribute to their organization.

Functional Resume Format

A functional format fills gaps in your employment history. This type of skills-based resume focuses on your experience and talents. It is also frequently used by job seekers who are changing industries or have worked in many unrelated fields. It shows future employers what you can do and where your skills are transferrable.

Hybrid Resume Format

A hybrid format is a combination resume that features your work history and emphasizes your relevant skills. With the hybrid style, you can highlight your work experience while showcasing your abilities as they relate to the open position. 

Clarity Counts

Whichever format you choose, the resume should be easy to skim through and should highlight valuable information with clarity. Hiring managers have a lot of resumes to get through before selecting those that deserve further attention. You want to make it easy on them. Make it concise. You’ll get a chance to expand on topics important to them during the interview.

At ResumePro.us, we have designed a format that works beautifully for our clients. With our years of experience writing future-focused resumes, we consistently create customized resumes with effective keywords. Be sure to set aside distraction-free time to think carefully and strategically about your past accomplishments and how they relate to your future goals.

Contacting a Professional

If you are unsure about the best resume format for your job search, or if your resumes haven’t successfully landed you an interview, it’s time to contact a professional. A professional resume writer will help you choose the right format for your best profile. 

Your job search is unique. Your resume should be too. If you’d like to talk about your resume, give us a call at 651-400-0405. We will be delighted to learn more about your career path.