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You have options when it comes to résumé formats. Each format has unique features as well as advantages and disadvantages. Understanding the differences between resume formats can help you choose the one that positions you best — keeping in mind industry-preferred formats.

Below is a list of the three main résumé types with pros and cons for each one.

Chronological or reverse chronological

Consider using this format when:

  • You want to emphasize how you’ve progressed in your field over time (e.g., increased responsibility, seniority)

  • Your most recent experience is relevant to your target role

Description

Pros

Cons

  • Lists your experience starting with your oldest first (chronological) or most recent first (reverse chronological) and working backward indicating dates, location, and employers associated with each

  • Most common format

 

  • Easy to read by giving a clear summary of each individual experience

  • Many employers prefer this format as your experiences are clearly listed chronologically, with job titles and dates 

  • Easiest format for ATS to scan

  • Requires you to present information chronologically rather than highlighting your most relevant experience first

  • Calls attention to employment gaps or lack of relevant work experience

Functional or skills-based

Consider using this format when:

  • You’re changing careers

  • Applying directly through a recruiter or hiring manager

  • You have little or no related experience, but do have relevant qualifications for the job

  • There are gaps in your work history

  • You have relevant experience, but these positions would be lost among the other jobs in a chronological or hybrid format

  • You’ve had many similar work experiences, which would require repeating the same points under several job listings in the chronological or hybrid résumé format

Description

Pros

Cons

  • Emphasizes your skills, abilities and accomplishments rather than chronological work history

  • Skills and experience relevant to the target role are organized into skill areas (e.g. Communication Skills, Research Skills)

  • Experience bullet points included underneath each skill refer to the work context but are not connected to a specific employer or dates of employment

  • Emphasizes your relevant skills rather than job titles, helping to connect the dots between your experience and what the employer is looking for 

  • Can be time-consuming to customize if targeting to a variety of different roles

  • Not ATS-friendly

  • Not typically preferred by employers as layout can be confusing (e.g., may be difficult to connect which skills you developed in which jobs or experiences)

Hybrid

Consider using this format when:

  • It’s important to show skill development for a role as well as career progression

Description

Pros

Cons

  •  A combination of the chronological and functional résumé format

  • Emphasizes both your career path and the skills you’ve developed

  • Experiences of a similar type can be grouped under customized headings of your choosing

  • Under each heading, experiences are listed in reverse chronological format

  • Flexible format allows you to organize and group relevant experiences under customized headings

  

  • Can be lengthy (e.g., more headings)

  • Can be repetitive particularly if you’ve had multiple experiences that are similar in nature, unless care is taken to differentiate between roles and experiences

References

Chiu, G (2013, January 14) Resume 101/Part Two/Resume Formats. Simon Fraser University. https://olc.sfu.ca/blog/resume-101-part-two-resume-formats 

University of Victora (n.d.) Build your résumé. University of Victoria https://www.uvic.ca/career-services/find-work/apply-for-jobs/resume-examples/index.php  

 

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