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Resume Format: Full Guide with Examples & Templates
As a Certified Professional Resume Writer, who has worked on multiple resumes, I know that choosing the right resume format is a critical part of resume writing. Even though recruiters will tell you that one of the three main resume formats is better than the rest, I strongly agree with our Senior Talent Acquisition Specialist, Milena, that you need to understand your career to make the right choice.
Read on to find my resume formatting tips, see the differences between resume formats, and find the best one for you!
Top Article Insights:
- What is the best resume format for you
- How to format a resume step-by-step
- What are the resume templates for each format
Want to create a resume in the most common resume format? Our resume builder can do that in just minutes. Just pick a resume template you like best and follow the tips.
Sample resume made with our builder—See more resume examples here.
Watch the video below to let our career expert, Caio, our Certified Professional Resume Writer with years of experience, guide you through all main resume formats:
What Are the 3 Top Resume Formats?
Before you start writing your resume, it’s important to understand that there are three main resume formats. In this section, I’ll teach you what they are, how they differ, and explore their pros and cons. Then, let’s decide which one is the best fit for you!
Here are the three most popular resume format types you can choose from:
1. Chronological Resume Format
A chronological resume format, also called a reverse-chronological resume format, is perfect for candidates who remain in the same area of work and seek employment similar to their previous jobs.
That being said, whether you’re writing an accounting resume, an IT manager resume, a nurse resume, a law student resume, or any other resume, this format might work out. It’s the most versatile one, which makes it suitable for most professions.
This format focuses on your work experience. It’s the ideal resume format for experienced candidates with a solid, continuous employment track record. It's my personal choice influenced by my career journey—I've consistently been involved in roles centered around content creation.
When choosing this resume format, you list your relevant work experience, starting with the most recent one. You then continue to list your positions and relevant achievements going backwards, placing them in reverse chronological order.
Keep in mind that this format isn’t just for candidates with clear career paths and relevant experience. By crafting a strong education section that highlights relevant coursework, academic achievements like graduating cum laude, making the Dean’s List, earning a high GPA, or being part of Phi Beta Kappa, even those with minimal professional experience can make it work effectively. That’s what makes this format so versatile!
Let’s dive deeper into this resume format and see its pros and cons:
I especially like this resume format because I know how stressful searching for a new job and everything that comes with it can be. You want to save time spent on making a resume and focus your energy on seeking new openings. A reverse chronological resume is the easiest and fastest resume format to make. Plus, if you choose the right resume keywords, this format helps you pass the ATS scans quickly.
That being said, there are some disadvantages associated with it. Because it’s the easiest to make, it’s also the most common choice. Since your recruiter will only spend around 7 seconds looking at your resume, you want to catch their attention. I never recommend this format for candidates with significant gaps in their employment history. Using it is like inviting the recruiter to focus on those gaps. Plus, it’s not great for career changers for obvious reasons: your experience history alone will look highly irrelevant.
2. Functional Resume Format
I always recommend choosing a functional resume, or skill-based resume, if you’re one of these three types of candidates:
- Creative workers. The functional resume will give you creative space to highlight your skills. Just remember to add a portfolio to confirm your abilities.
- Veterans. Highlighting a detailed military work experience in any other resume format is tricky. Recruiters are usually not familiar with these types of qualifications. Sowing your abilities might be a better idea.
- Overqualified candidates. Having tons of relevant experience is valuable but often difficult to show on your resume. Sometimes it’s easier to show your skills instead. Especially considering what’s easier for your recruiter to wrap their heads around.
To be more specific, if you’re a graphic designer, military transitioner, or Chief Executive Officer, your resume should be formatted skill-based.
This format focuses on, you guessed it, your key skills. Your abilities are more important than when and where you’ve gained them. It’s a really good resume format for people who are targeting entry-level jobs, veterans, and non-traditional industries.
What I always recommend for people from these industries is to highlight their transferable skills the most. These are both the hard skills and the soft skills you’ve gained in previous roles that can easily be applied to your next position, strengthening your candidacy. List them well, and you’ll help recruiters better understand why, despite perhaps little relevant experience, you’re great for the job you’re after.
Let’s take a closer look at some pros and cons of choosing this resume format:
Once again, if you’re a creative worker, a military transitioner, or a candidate who may seem overqualified, this format is great for you. You highlight your hard and soft skills, which align with what the recruiter is looking for, and you show many qualifications they might find useful.
However, the biggest disadvantage of this resume is that it is very difficult to scan. As I’ve mentioned in Zety’s HR statistics report, an average corporate opening attracts 250 resumes, so you want to create the one that stands out. It’s also more likely that this format might fail the ATS resume scan even before reaching the recruiter’s desk.
Plus, choosing this resume format when the opening requires years of experience won’t work in your favor. But again, you don’t have that required experience, so it’s still better to choose it over the reverse-chronological one. Or to lie on your resume—absolutely not!
3. Combination Resume Format
A combination resume format, also called a hybrid resume format, is a great choice for three different types of candidates:
- Seasoned professionals. A combination resume is ideal for showcasing your key achievements if you have a long career.
- Career-changers. If you haven’t worked in your new industry yet, but have gained relevant skills in other roles, this is also a great resume format for you to choose.
- Job-seekers with employment gaps and valuable experience. It’s easy to show your achievements with this resume format. If you can show them clearly, your recruiters will overlook the gaps.
A combination resume is perfect for you if you’re an experienced marketing director, senior software engineer, or a stay-at-home mom who’s either returning to the job market or following a new career path.
This format balances your experience and skills, making it ideal if you’re torn between a reverse-chronological or skills-based resume. The combination format integrates both styles, emphasizing your abilities in the skills summary and validating them with concrete examples in the work experience section.
You might've spotted that one resume section is missing in the combination format—it’s a resume profile. No need to write a resume summary or a career objective. Describing your skills and experience will give your recruiter enough information while keeping your document readable and brief.
Let’s see some cons and pros of choosing this resume format:
This resume format effectively ties your skills and experience together, highlighting a strong connection between your abilities and accomplishments. I highly recommend it because it not only showcases your skills but also reinforces them with concrete achievements. The result is a clear, easy-to-read resume that grabs the recruiter’s attention and leaves a lasting impression.
However, failing to highlight this connection will make your resume feel irrelevant. Another disadvantage is that it’s difficult to create an ATS-friendly combination resume. Plus, it’s long. Some less experienced recruiters want to see resumes that are one page long, two pages resume max. But how can you create a compelling story on a page?
Time to figure out which one is the best. But I bet you already know the answer to this tricky question.
If you’re writing a resume that will be read in the USA, you should follow these additional rules: US Resume Format (American Style Resume Template).
What Is the Best Resume Format?
The best resume format in 2025 is a reverse-chronological resume format. It’s also the most common resume format, working perfectly for most candidates. Plus, it’s recruiters’ all-time favorite, so it’s hard to go wrong choosing a chronological resume as your current resume format.
However, a lot depends on your professional history. And that’s because you choose a resume format that works best for you as a job seeker. I must warn you, though: Writing a resume that is not reverse chronological might be tricky. If you fail, try writing an easier one: a reverse-chronological. But if you succeed, you’ll have a great resume tailored to your needs.
Look at this resume format comparison and decide which format fits you best. Then try to write a resume in that format.
It’s important to tailor your resume to the job offer, but better to stick to one resume format for all applications. Here’s what Milena Makowska, Senior Talent Acquisition Specialist, has to say about best resume formats:
Think about it: an average job opening attracts hundreds of resumes. If you follow a specific resume format, you will make HR’s job much more manageable. Many of us consider chronological resumes as our go-to resume format. We know it best; it’s easy to scan, and we can see what you’ve been up to most recently. Usually, this information is the most relevant, and it helps us base our decision on what to do with your resume next. However, you should always choose your resume format according to your work history. It should serve you as a candidate, not me as an HR specialist or the company you’re applying for.
Before we move on to our next chapter, let’s do a final test:
- Are you applying for a job where your portfolio is more important than your resume? Are you transitioning from military to civilian life? Are you worried about being overqualified? If so, go for a functional resume.
- Are you an experienced professional with a lot to showcase? Are you changing careers or exploring a new field? Do you have gaps in your employment history? If any of these apply to you, use a combination resume.
- None of these apply? Stick with the traditional reverse-chronological resume format.
Pretty simple, right? But there’s one more thing we need to discuss when talking about a resume format. It’s the resume formatting.
There is another one. It's not really a format but an exciting way to show your skills and experience. Read more: Infographic Resume Templates.
How to Format a Resume
While doomscrolling through Reddit—perfectly embodying the 2024 Word of the Year, 'brainrot'—I came across a thread that caught my interest. The original poster (OP, if you will) seeks help with their resume after facing over 500 rejections. And honestly, the resume showcases incredible experience—outstanding achievements, impressive projects, and remarkable skills. It even includes relevant publications, which is one of the most impactful extra resume sections you can add! So, why haven’t recruiters responded to their applications?
The answer: poor resume formatting.
When discussing resume formats, we can’t ignore another important aspect: the visual presentation of your resume. The way your document looks is crucial. To grab a recruiter’s attention, your resume must have a clear, eye-catching, and readable layout. Remember those 7 seconds and 250 applications I mentioned earlier? That’s why proper resume formatting is so important.
Regardless of the format you choose—or whether you’re writing a CV or a resume—it’s essential to ensure it appears professional, consistent, and easy to read.
Here are a few simple resume tips to help you format your resume effectively. These tips apply to all three resume formats and help you create a polished, job-winning resume.
Resume Formatting Tips:
- Set one-inch margins on all four sides and a 1.15-line spacing. Adding white space between your impressive achievements and outstanding skills enhances your document’s readability. For an even greater impact, include extra space before and after each section heading to make your resume easier to navigate.
- Pick an 11 or 12-point resume font and stick to it. Choose something professional, like Arial, Calibri, or Times New Roman (my personal choice) and avoid flashy fonts unless you’re applying for a funky startup as a creative designer.
- Create a proper resume header for your contact information. If there’s one thing you don’t want your recruiter to miss, it’s who you are and how they can contact you to offer you a job interview. Make your header bigger, and include your name, job title, and contact details. Add a link to your LinkedIn profile to ease the recruiter’s job too, but do it only after checking your online presence.
- Organize your resume into clearly defined sections. While this might seem obvious, I’ve seen many resumes that lack this essential structure. Let the recruiter know how to navigate through your resume with ease or don’t expect a call.
- Use bullet points for each entry. This is another way to make your document more readable. Bullet points are much easier to scan than large blocks of text. Imagine if this part of my article were written as one massive paragraph—it wouldn’t work, would it?
- Be consistent with your date format. If there’s an easy way to show attention to detail, it’s by being consistent every step. That includes making sure every date, whether it’s the college attendance or your employment, sticks to one understandable format.
- Don’t use photos on your resume. Including a photo on your resume is generally discouraged, as it can lead to unconscious bias and may violate anti-discrimination laws. A resume with a photo can be immediately rejected only because of that photo. Add it only if the job description specifically asks for it.
- Decide on a good name for your resume file. That part is not tricky. Your name, job title, and the word “resume” should do the trick. After all, that’s everything your recruiter needs to track that file down.
- Send a PDF resume file. Save your resume as a PDF unless stated otherwise in the job description. This format helps your document to remain intact, no matter the device it is browsed on.
Now, you know which resume format to choose and how to format a resume. It's time for my final piece of advice.
The resume from the Reddit thread I mentioned earlier is not readable. It doesn’t follow the tips I outlined above and is missing one crucial element: an eye-catching design. Always use a well-designed resume template to make your resume stand out on a recruiter’s screen.
Now, let me show you some of my favorite resume templates.
Learn all there is to know about creating a good-looking resume. Visit our guide: What a Resume Should Look Like in 2025
Making a resume with our builder is incredibly simple. Follow our step-by-step guide, use ready-made content tailored to your job and have a resume ready in minutes.
When you’re done, Zety’s resume builder will score your resume and our resume checker will tell you exactly how to make it better.
Resume Format Templates
Whatever job you’re after, you can’t get wrong with professional resume templates. Here, you’ll find some examples from our builder that are ready to make in just a few clicks. All these templates are great for all 3 resume formats. They are also ATS-friendly, and you can freely adjust them to your needs.
1. Top Performing Chronological Resume Template
Cascade was always my personal weapon of choice when it came to conquering recruiters' hearts. I even used it to land my job at Zety! Needless to say, #NailedIt. It has a very universal design with lots of white space. It is a highly recommended modern resume template for job applications in conservative fields: law, finance, and general business.
2. Elegant Chronological Resume Template
Our template Diamonds highlights the key areas: section headings, skill levels, and bullets in the work history section. Full-width from top to bottom (no side column featured) makes it easy to go through your work history chronologically. This eye-catching resume template is excellent for candidates with many years of experience. I can definitely see myself using it if I ever consider a career switch.
3. Simple Chronological Resume Template
Our Simple resume template includes one of my favorite features that I always recommend adding: resume icons. When used effectively, they make it easier for recruiters to navigate your resume without even reading the headings, giving them more time to focus on your qualifications. For me it’s a bit too simple, but I still think it can be very impactful.
4. Modern Functional Resume Template
If a corporate pro asks me what template I would recommend, I always go with Modern. It’s a simple, elegant, yet unique resume template with two blocks of content to separate your skills section and work experience from other personal details. A sidebar for your personal info and extra sections lets you save space and fit more information onto a single page.
5. Professional Combination Resume Template
I'd say Cubic is the prettiest resume format available in our builder. It’s a perfect combination of classical elegance and modern creativity. Subtle shading helps guide the reader's eyes across different sections. The side column for contact details and skills adds a dynamic twist to the design. This visual resume template is an excellent choice for applicants hunting jobs in IT, marketing, or sales.
That’s it! You now know everything about resume formats, including the three main types, how to create a perfectly formatted resume, and—most importantly—how to choose the right format for you. Let’s quickly recap and dive into the FAQ section below!
Now that you know all there is to know about a resume format, it’s time to learn how to format a cover letter. It’s a document you can’t skip to get invited for a job interview. Find out how to ace it: Cover Letter Format
Plus, a great cover letter that matches your resume will give you an advantage over other candidates. You can write it in our cover letter builder here. Here's what it may look like:
See more cover letter templates and start writing.
Key Takeaway
There are certain things I need to remind you of before you create your job-winning document with a perfect resume format:
- There are three main resume formats: chronological (reverse-chronological), functional, and combination. Each has pros and cons and is created for a specific type of job seeker.
- The chronological resume format is the best resume format for 2025. It’s the most commonly used among job seekers today and the easiest for recruiters to scan.
- Apply the standard resume formatting rules: one-inch margins, elegant font, 11–12pt font size, single line spacing, and additional space before and after headings.
- Divide your resume into sections, such as resume header, summary, work experience, education, skills, and extra sections.
- Save space using bullet points in your work experience and education sections.
- Write an ATS-friendly resume to boost its chances of landing in your recruiter’s hands. Choosing the correct resume template from a professional resume builder will help you achieve this.
- Pick the proper resume format for your individual situation.
Have you checked all the boxes? Then start working with the selected resume format, which will impress entire HR departments and get you hired ASAP! Good luck! You got this!
Do you have any questions about choosing the best resume format for your position? Is there anything else you’d like to know about formatting a resume? Give me a shout in the comments. Let’s chat!
About Zety’s Editorial Process
This article has been reviewed by our editorial team to make sure it follows Zety's editorial guidelines. We’re committed to sharing our expertise and giving you trustworthy career advice tailored to your needs. High-quality content is what brings over 40 million readers to our site every year. But we don't stop there. Our team conducts original research to understand the job market better, and we pride ourselves on being quoted by top universities and prime media outlets from around the world.
Sources
- Kristi DePaul, "How to Get Your Resume Noticed (And Out of the Trash Bin)"
- Glassdoor: “50 HR & Recruiting Stats That Make You Think”
- Stanford University, "Resumes/cover letters"
- Oxford Word of the Year
- Reddit Thread
Frequently Asked Questions about Resume Format
What is the best resume format for 2025?
The chronological resume format is the best resume format. Listing your work experience and education in reverse-chronological order, i.e., starting with the most recent position and working backward through previous jobs or degrees, works for both candidates and recruiters. There are several reasons why it’s the best job resume format to use:
- Recruiters are familiar with it and find it easy to skim;
- It enables you to place your best, most relevant experience and professional accomplishments near the top of the page, where the reader is likely to look first;
- It’s the most ATS-friendly resume format, meaning that recruitment software has no trouble processing it.
All of Zety’s resume templates are available in reverse-chronological format: you just need to fill in the blanks, and you could be ready to apply for your dream job in minutes!
What are the three resume formats?
There are three types of resume formats to choose from:
- Chronological resume format: considered the standard resume format, it focuses on work experience and/or education, highlighting your accomplishments.
- Functional resume format: also known as a skills-based resume, this professional resume format focuses on your skills and how you acquired them, providing only basic information about your work history. Although it can help to conceal gaps in employment, most recruiters aren’t very familiar with it, so it carries a risk of rejection. Plus, it’s not always ATS-friendly.
- Combination resume format: a hybrid of the other two formats, it gives equal attention to your key skills and work history. However, it suffers from the same issues as the functional format: both recruiters and ATS software may have a problem with it.
The reverse-chronological format is the best choice for most candidates: go with a functional or combination resume only if you’re sure a non-standard format will give you an advantage.
Is there a separate student resume format?
No. A student resume is similar to a traditional resume. They are not very different from entry-level resumes and resumes with no work experience.
Most student resumes follow the standard reverse-chronological format, assuming you’re applying for a job. However, you do need to use a different format if you’re applying for a job in academia or writing a graduate school resume. In those cases, go with an academic CV rather than a resume.
Is the resume format the same as the resume template?
No. The term resume format usually refers to the layout of a resume. It’s, for example, the type and order of information featured on the resume and the way it’s organized on the page, including document settings such as margins and line spacing.
Meanwhile, a resume template is a blank document you can fill with your information—it’s much quicker than building your resume from scratch. If you’re interested, check out our list of professional resume templates.
Is a simple resume format always better?
Regarding resume formatting, it’s usually best not to get too creative and keep it simple. You want your document to be readable both to recruiters and to ATS software, so sticking to basic resume templates is advisable for most candidates.
However, you may want to opt for a more complex resume design if you’re writing an artist resume or otherwise applying for a job in a creative field. Creative resume templates typically follow the standard format but feature bolder colors and graphic elements.
What does an ATS-friendly resume format mean?
ATS-friendly resume format organizes information into clear sections and features key information as plain text—most ATS software can’t read text within images, for example.
ATS stands for Applicant Tracking System(s), which is software used by recruiters to sort incoming resumes. ATS software scans applications for specific resume keywords, such as key skills required for the role, rejecting irrelevant applications.
To check whether ATS can read your resume, copy its contents into Notepad. If your information is still there and looks more or less organized, ATS should be able to make sense of your document.
Which format do most employers prefer for resumes?
Most employers prefer the chronological resume format. This resume format focuses on your professional experience and is the best choice for most candidates. However, in some cases, such as switching careers or having significant employment gaps, it’s better to pick a functional or chronological resume format, even though they’re less popular than the reverse-chronological resume format.
