A great resume serves two purposes. It helps you stand out from other applicants while allowing the recruiter to see why you’re better equipped for the job. So, What Is The Best Resume Format For 2021? There are various ways to format your resume to appeal to a hiring manager. However, the most common formats out there are functional, chronological, and combination formats.
Each of the stated resume formats serves different purposes depending on what your objectives are and your background. In this article, we look at the three main types of resume formats and which one is the best.
Best Resume Formats
Chronological Resumes
A chronological resume details your knowledge and work experience in reverse order starting with your current or most recent position to your first or earliest job at the bottom. This type of resume format is the most traditional one and has been in use for many years.
A chronological resume is ideal if you have a consistent employment history and career path. For instance, you can use this type of resume format to highlight the years you’ve spent in the same industry detailing every role.
A chronological resume typically includes the following details in this order:
- Your contact information
- Career objective
- Relevant skills
- Work experience
- Education
- Any other relevant information such as special interests or volunteer work. Note that this part is optional.
A chronological resume format is ideal for applicants who’ve been in the same industry for the better part of their careers.
Functional Resumes
These types of resumes emphasize more on the applicant’s skills than their work history. Although the chronological format details your work experience while providing in-depth summaries of your achievements, the functional resume focuses on the skills that make you ideal for the job.
This type of resume contains the information listed below in the following order:
- Contact information
- Objective
- A quick summary of relevant skills
- Your work experience
- Education
- Any additional information such as special interests
If you’ve been out of work for a long time, joining the workforce for the first time, or have taken a different career path, then the functional resume is the best resume option for you. Listing the skills that apply to various industries alongside your significant accomplishments helps you stand out to the employer. It also allows you to tell the hiring manager in a few words why you’re the perfect candidate.
Combination Resume Formats
From its name, a combination resume is a mix between the functional and chronological resume formats. This type of resume allows you to prioritize your work experience information and your relevant skills.
The combination resume contains the following information:
- Contact information
- Objective
- A quick summary of relevant skills’
- Work experience
- Education
The combination resume offers you some form of flexibility, meaning you can list your work experience first or highlight your skills depending on the category you find essential. This type of resume is best for anyone who’s slightly transitioning between careers or one with a diverse employment history.
Why they are the best
Hiring managers get numerous job applications for one open role. They, therefore, prefer a resume in standard format since it’s easy to read and the necessary information is easily accessible. If they take too long trying to find your work experience or skills, they may skip your resume and assume you’re unqualified. Additionally, an ATS can successfully review the highlighted resume formats without critical errors.
So, What Is The Best Resume Format For 2021?
Every resume format is unique for specific occasions. Nonetheless, chronological, functional, and combination resume formats allow you to highlight what’s essential in your career history by getting to the point, thus appealing to recruiting managers.