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Choosing the right resume format 

Addison Group
Resume formats aren’t one-size-fits-all. The structure of your resume can highlight your strengths or draw attention to your gaps.

Resume formats aren’t one-size-fits-all. The structure of your resume can highlight your strengths or unintentionally draw attention to your gaps. In a competitive job market – especially in industries such as finance, IT, and healthcare – a well formatted resume can help hiring managers quickly understand why you’re the right fit.  

Whether you’re entering the job market for the first time, making a career pivot, or climbing the leadership ladder, the way you present your experience can be just as important as the experience itself.  

Here we walk through three main types of resume formats and who they’re best suited for.  

Chronological Resume (most common) 

Best for: professionals with a steady work history in the same industry.   

This format lists your work experience in reverse chronological order, beginning with your most recent role. It’s the go-to for most job seekers and is favored by recruiters and applicant tracking systems (ATS) alike.  

 Pros: 

  • Clear career progression 
  • Familiar to hiring managers 
  • Easy to scan 

Watch out for: if you’ve had frequent job changes or career gaps, those will be more noticeable.  

Functional Resume (skills based) 

Best for: career changers or those with gaps in employment.  

Rather than focusing on where you’ve worked, this format emphasizes your skills and qualifications. It’s ideal if you’re shifting industries or have strong transferable skills.  

Pros: 

  • Highlights relevant skills first and foremost 
  • De-emphasizes gaps or unrelated roles 

Watch out for: some recruiters are less familiar with this format, and it may not fare well under some ATS software.  

Combination (Hybrid)  

Best for: mid-level to senior professionals or those with diverse experience.  

This format blends elements of both chronological and functional resumes. It starts with a summary of skills and achievements, followed by a chronological listing of relevant roles.  

Pros:  

  • Flexibility to tailor your story 
  • Great for showcasing both skills and career trajectory 

Watch out for: this format can get lengthy if not well-edited. Keep it refined and focused. 

A resume is more than a document; it’s a strategic tool. The format you choose should help tell the right story about your experience and potential. Choosing the right resume format isn’t about following trends — it’s about positioning yourself effectively in front of decision-makers. With the right structure, you can showcase your strengths, minimize red flags, and land more interviews. 

Need a second pair of eyes on your resume? Addison Group can help. We partner with you to help build a career that works for your specific needs. Let’s talk about how our team of experts can help land your next opportunity.