
Modern Resume Template & Format (18+ Examples for 2021)
Modern resume design for the modern day resume. See creative samples and follow our guide to make the best modern resume that will land you the job.
Going through a career change or having employment gaps can make writing a resume tough. Find out if the skills-based resume format could be your golden ticket.
Frustrated with standard resume formats that put all the emphasis on work experience?
If you have spotty work experience, sometimes the main accomplishment of a conventional resume format is to highlight your lack of relevant experience or gaps in employment. Just what you needed, right?
But wait—why does having a spotless work experience resume section matter so much to recruiters?
You have all the right skills to thrive at the positions you’re applying for. You just need to communicate that to the hiring manager.
Here comes the skills-based resume to the rescue. It expands your skills section and shifts the spotlight away from your work experience. Whew.
This guide will show you:
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Troy Flores
Marketing Coordinator
1266 Arlington Avenue
Maryville, TN 37801
865-983-7928
troy.louis.flores@gmail.com
linkedin.com/in/troylouis89
Goal-oriented UC Davis graduate in Marketing Communication seeking to leverage two years of internship and entrepreneurial experience on the team at PwC as a Marketing Coordinator. Experience in working on marketing campaigns with 2M+ impressions to exceed client’s sales goals. Portfolio of campaigns can be found at www.FloresDigitalMarketing.com. Thrilled to implement new content marketing approaches at PwC to increase user retention and ensure press materials accurately achieve business goals.
COMMUNICATIONS
DIGITAL MARKETING
SOCIAL MEDIA
CREATIVITY
Marketing Intern
May 2019–August 2019
Nike, Beaverton, OR
Entrepreneur
March 2017–Present
Flores Digital Marketing, Los Angeles, CA
BA in Marketing Communications
UC Davis, 2016-2020
Want to skip ahead in this article? Use the table of contents:
A skills-based resume, also known as a functional resume, is a resume that focuses more on your most relevant job skills than on your professional experience. Skills-based resumes are recommended for unique career situations, such as changing careers, having significant gaps in employment, and targeting jobs unrelated to your work experience.
They’re a simple way to gloss over the fact you don’t have much experience in the field you’re applying in. Sounds bulletproof, right?
Well—not quite. The catch is that you’re hiding exactly what the hiring manager is most interested in. According to hiring statistics, recruiters spend an average of 7 seconds scanning resumes. In those few seconds, they’re mainly looking for your relevant job experience and job titles—not a list of your skills.
And let’s be realistic—the HR manager isn’t going to be so distracted by your skills summary that they forget to check your experience.
But that doesn’t make skills-based resumes pointless. If you don’t have relevant job experience, using the standard resume format (the reverse-chronological resume) only emphasizes your lack of experience.
Skills-based resumes aren’t about hiding your experience, they’re about highlighting your skills. And research shows that employment gaps aren’t a big deal to recruiters if your skills match the job’s requirements.
Here’s what distinguishes a skills-based resume template from your traditional resume:
And if your resume skill set is in high demand, the skills-based resume can be just what you need to land that interview.
But how do you know if a skills-based resume is the resume format for you?
This resume format isn’t a one-size-fits-all. The chronological resume is better for the average worker. But that doesn’t mean a skills-based resume can’t be perfect for your circumstances.
The skills-based resume is best if you’re in one of the following situations:
Let’s provide some examples to get more specific.
A skills-based resume the best resume type for:
Important caveat: A skills-based resume shouldn’t be used if you don’t have any professional work experience. If that sounds like you, check out our guide here: How to Write a Resume to Get Your First Job
The benefit of a skills-based resume is that it emphasizes your skills—and skills matter to employers.
But that’s not to say it’s the type of resume for every job seeker.
Here are the other two resume types when you’re trying to figure out the best resume style for you:
Here’s a handy table with the pros and cons of each resume format to help you decide:
Chronological Resume | Skills-Based Resume | Combination/Hybrid Resume | |
Advantages |
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|
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Disadvantages |
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|
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Still can’t decide which resume format is best for you? Find out in our complete guide: How to Choose the Best Resume Format [2021 Guide]
So you know when to use a skill-based resume format, but—
What does a good skill-based resume look like?
Let’s take at a look at another skills-based resume example suited for a creative professional.
Tai Kato
Graphic Designer
847 Ocala Street
Providence, RI, 32801
407-423-2482
tai.z.kaito@gmail.com
www.taikaito.com
linkedin.com/in/taikaito423
Imaginative graphic designer with a BA in Graphic Design from RISD seeking to leverage my experience with NED Design Studio. Experienced in creating data-driven infographics (link to my portfolio) and designing novel typography to suit a client’s needs. Interested in developing and creating new conceptual art forms for both digital and print designs to increase brand awareness for large companies and organizations in the tech and robotics industry.
WEB DESIGN
TYPOGRAPHY
GRAPHIC DESIGN
Freelance Graphic Designer
October 2015—Present
The Studio of Tai Kaito, Brooklyn, NY
Graphic Designer
May 2012—September 2015
Time Magazine, New York, NY
BA in Graphic Design
Rhode Island School of Design (RISD), 2012
Holy cow—
Is there anything related to graphic design Tai can’t do?
Her skills became examples of her experience when combined with her portfolio.
The skills-based resume lets recruiters know where her competencies lie and what she can bring to the table. And the bullet points in the skills section make sure it gets to the HR manager can quickly scan her resume.
Ready to get started on your own?
Use the following template as a starting point for your own skill-based resume:
[Your Name]
[Position]
[Address]
[Phone Number]
[Email Address]
[Website]
[LinkedIn]
[Social Media]
[Resume Objective]
Skills Summary
[Skill]
Experience
[Dates]
[Job Title]
[Company Name]
[City]
[Dates]
[Job Title]
[Company Name]
[City]
Education
[Graduation Date]
[School Name]
[Degree]
Additional Skills
Additional Sections (Languages, Awards, etc.)
See more professional resume examples: Job Resume Samples for Every Profession
Now you know what the layout of a skills-based resume looks like—it’s time to put some meat on those bones.
Let’s breakdown each section in a skills-based resume and give you expert tips to follow when you’re writing your own.
Here are the main sections to put on a skills-based resume:
Let’s go into more detail on how to write each section of skills-based resume:
Sounds like something you can do in two seconds, right?
Not always. What if you’re in a creative field and you’ve been working freelance for some time.
Should you list your last professional job title? Or should you put down the job title of the position you’re gunning for?
If your duties and responsibilities match the role you’re applying for, go with that job title.
But if you’re switching careers, don’t add a job title as you’re more likely to make the recruiter scratch their head in confusion.
Looking for some additional help with figuring out your job title? Check out our guide: Job Titles on a Resume [Job Title Meaning for Different Job Positions]
Contact information also seems simple—and it is—but you don’t want to make any mistakes. The last thing you need is the recruiter’s email asking for an interview to bounce because of a typo or old email address.
List your phone number, email and an optimized LinkedIn profile on your resume.
Note: Avoid using unprofessional email. HR managers will think twice about emailing Number1KanyeFan@gmail.com.
Read more: Contact Information: How to List a Phone Number and Address on a Resume
Put our best foot forward and use a resume objective to gloss over gaps in your work history or a lack of relevant experience.
Instead, you can use your professional profile to show off your skills and talents to impress the hiring manager.
To write a compelling resume introduction, include 2-3 examples of your biggest work-related achievements that have been tailored to the job you’re applying for.
This short blurb will be the elevator speech you use to win over the hiring manager.
Need help writing your resume profile? Check out our in-depth guides: 20 Resume Objective Examples: Career Objectives for Any Jobs
Now here comes the main course of your skills-based resume.
It’s time to knock the HR manager’s socks off with impressive skills perfect to get the job done.
The best way to do that? By tailoring your resume to the job.
Use these tips to craft the perfect skills summary section:
Could you use some more advice on which skills look best on a resume? Check out:Wondering Which Skills to Put on a Resume? Here's 99 Key Skills for Any Skill Set
It’s now time for the session that might be the most stressful if you have gaps in employment.
But don’t worry, the skill-based resume has your back. Using this format, you can put years of employment rather than months to cover up gaps.
And even if you have long gaps in employment, you can create a job on your resume as a freelancer or consultant with a bullet point along the lines of “Personal matters arose that required the flexibility of consulting/part-time work”.
As big of a deal as hiring managers make of employment gaps, they’ll understand life happens and generally won’t press you on explaining personal matters.
When you do add work experience on a resume, remember to include the time of employment, job title, and the name and location of the company for each job.
Your education section can either be a check mark on the recruiters list of requirements, or it can truly impress them and set you apart from the other applicants. Let’s aim for the latter.
If you’ve been out of school for some time, add your degree, graduation date, and school name.
If you’re fresh out of college or lacking professional experience, you can beef it up with the following:
Got any additional questions related to putting a high school or college degree on a skills-based resume? Read up here: How to Write a Resume Education Section [With Examples]
Depending on the job, many job descriptions will include special software skills or other skills that will be required. Use this section to show the hiring manager you will need minimal on-the-job training.
Just add skills that could be relevant to the position you’re applying for, such as:
Good work! You’re ready to write your own skills-based resume.
Having employment gaps can be tough when it seems like a big red flag for recruiters.
Now you know how to use a skills-based resume to flip the table by presenting your skills in the best light possible.
Here’s a recap of things to keep in mind for skills-based resumes:
Do you have any questions about writing a skills-based resume? Have you had any luck with one already? Comment below! We’d be happy to help with any questions!
Modern resume design for the modern day resume. See creative samples and follow our guide to make the best modern resume that will land you the job.
Struggling to fit your resume on one page? Check out our list of the best 1-page resume templates that’ll let you put all your important information on a single page. Stop worrying that recruiters will skip your resume because it’s too long! Pick from 15 modern, creative, or basic templates and start getting more offers!
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