2023 chronological resume template

Chronological Resume Templates

Classic chronological templates are popular for a reason - they do their job. Use one of the tried-and-tested resume formats below to secure your interview.

Double Column

Chronological resume template. Education position is reversed to focus more on the experience.

Single Column

Reverse chronological resume template. Classic one-column style for chronological resumes.

Chronological timeline template. Additional line between job titles makes up for a clean and presentable resume.

Professional resume template. A sleek and straightforward design that conveys a sense of professionalism and competence.

Modern resume template. A stylish two-column design with a pop of color to stand out from the crowd.

Creative resume template. Showcase your unique personality with a custom design that speaks to your creativity.

In This Guide:

What is a chronological resume template, who should use a chronological resume, tips for building the best chronological resume template, chronological resume templates pros and cons.

Chronological resume template is the most commonly used format in resumes, and recruiters prefer them to others. A reverse chronological order resume template lists your jobs, starting with the current or most recent one at the top. It provides comprehension opportunities for hiring managers to see your experience.

Have it in mind that chronological and reverse chronological resume templates are essentially the same thing. Because they list your experience chronologically, but in a reverse way, starting with your most recent job. You can use Enhancv builder to build your chronological resume in the best way possible.

People who can get all the advantages that chronological resume templates offer are jobseekers at any professional level with a consistent work history without gaps between roles.

However, reverse chronological order can work for just about anyone looking for a job. This resume formatting is simple and professional, and you can effortlessly apply it to any resume design.

Resumes in chronological order are very convenient for students because this formatting is the easiest way to organize their limited experience.

Choosing this format is easily understood by recruiters because chronological resume templates are the most popular layout hiring managers see.

A chronological resume is arranged in a way to emphasize your professional experience - your education and certifications, skills, other relevant activities, or volunteer experiences. A summary statement is optional in chronological resume formatting. Excluding the cases in which you are higher-level management or changing your current professional field.

If you think a chronological resume template is not a good fit for your case, you can try a functional or combination resume template. A functional resume is focused on your skills and abilities and lists your roles and education at the bottom.

A combination resume blends a functional resume and a chronological resume and emphasizes both your skills and experience in equal measure.

Let’s create your perfect chronological resume by following the best practices.

The reverse-chronological format resume template can be applied to any design – modern or traditional. It only depends on your professional field and the type of company you are applying to. Modern design is appropriate when you are in more creative and innovative industries and want to make your resume pop up from the rest of the applicants. Use the traditional design without icons, graphics, and flashy colors for applying for positions in more traditional companies.

The best font to use for resumes is a classic, easy-to-read font, like Times New Roman or Calibri. You can use modern fonts, which are also appropriate, like Helvetica, Verdana, Ariel, or Lato. Keep in mind that ATS systems don't mind the font as long as it's readible serif or sans-serif. The regular font size for resumes is 12 points. Larger fonts are acceptable for headings, your name, or titles of sections. If you're having trouble fitting your content on one page, you might try making your font 10.5 points, but don't go lower.

Your resume should be easy for the hiring manager to digest all your best work. Using the right font in combination with colors can help that. Use white as the background, black for the text, and the remaining color as an accent. It is advisable to use for the third color some shades of blue, green, or dark red. Avoid too flashy colors.

Select the best layout

Your resume should always begin with your full, searchable name. Your name should be the biggest thing on the page. Recruiters are spending a few seconds on your resume, they should know whose it is. Show your location, there is no need to put your full home address, but recruiters expect to see your city and state. Add your contact information like your phone number and professional and easy-to-read e-mail address.

As we mentioned before, for the Chronological resume template, you can skip the summary statement section . It can be a plus to add one or two sentences about who you are as a professional and what is your experience.

Your work experience section on the Chronological resume template is the most important one. You should include responsibilities and accomplishments for each job you’ve held. If you want your resume to stand out more, you can organize your experience in two separate sections. The first one, under the header “Relevant work experience” to a specific job you are applying for, and the second section is Work Experience.

Right after your work experience section, you should list your education in reverse chronological order first on the list you should add your academic degrees, following your training and certifications . Do not list your high school diploma once you have attended college unless relevant to your professional field.

You can list your achievements on a chronological resume template in your work experience section. If you can additionally emphasize your achievements, you can lay them out in a separate section. People who don’t have much work experience can use achievements in education, volunteering, or project sections. When you list achievements, make sure they include the time frame, scale, and results.

You can design your Chronological resume template in two columns to fit all information on one page. Recurred prefer one-page resumes because they are easy to scan for the key points they are looking for in a candidate.

• The chronological format is the most commonly used, and most recruiters prefer them. This resume format draws attention to your work experience and career advancements.
• A chronological resume template is the easiest format to read for ATSs because emphasizes your work experience by putting it on top of the page.
• This resume layout works for anyone looking for any kind of job, and it is student-friendly.
• Chronological format is not recommended for people with gaps in their work history.
• This format is not a good choice if you are applying for a position in a field in which you don’t have previews experience.
• If you are just starting your career, chronological resume formatting will emphasize your lack of experience.

Frequently asked questions about chronological resume templates

Is the chronological resume best, what is the difference between a chronological and functional resume, why do most employers prefer chronological resumes to functional resumes, how far back should a resume go.

• Resume Examples

How to Write an Initial Message to a Hiring Manager (With Examples)

How to create a first year elementary school teacher resume, good resume characteristics: what to put on yours, a guide to types of resumes: best formats, tips & examples, how to do your references on resume: is it important, how to write a cover letter for a job with no experience in that field.

• Create Resume
• Terms of Service
• Privacy Policy
• Cookie Preferences
• Resume Templates
• AI Resume Builder
• Resume Summary Generator
• Resume Formats
• Resume Checker
• Resume Skills
• How to Write a Resume
• Modern Resume Templates
• Simple Resume Templates
• Cover Letter Builder
• Cover Letter Examples
• Cover Letter Templates
• Cover Letter Formats
• How to Write a Cover Letter
• Resume Guides
• Cover Letter Guides
• Job Interview Guides
• Job Interview Questions
• Career Resources
• Meet our customers
• Career resources
• English (UK)
• French (FR)
• German (DE)
• Spanish (ES)
• Swedish (SE)

© 2024 . All rights reserved.

Made with love by people who care.

• Career Blog

Chronological Resume Example and Writing Tips for 2024

If you’re a job seeker, you’ve likely come across the term “chronological resume” at some point in your job search. But what exactly does it mean? A chronological resume is a document that lists your work experience in reverse chronological order – starting with your most recent job and working backwards.

But why is this format important? A chronological resume is one of the most common types of resumes – and for good reason. It allows employers to quickly see your career progression and easily identify any gaps in employment. It’s especially useful for job seekers who have a solid work history and are looking to advance in their careers.

The purpose of this article is to provide you with examples and tips on how to create an effective chronological resume. Whether you’re a recent college graduate or a seasoned professional, having a well-crafted resume is key to landing your dream job. We’ll cover everything from the basic structure of a chronological resume to how to highlight your skills and accomplishments. By the end of this article, you’ll have a better understanding of how to create a resume that stands out from the rest.

Characteristics of a Chronological Resume

Overview of the chronological resume.

A chronological resume is a type of resume that highlights the applicant’s work experience in reverse chronological order, starting with the most recent employment. This type of resume is widely used by job seekers as it’s easy to follow and understand.

Advantages of the Chronological Resume

There are several advantages of using a chronological resume. Firstly, it highlights the job seeker’s work experience, which is an essential factor for employers when considering a potential candidate. It also helps to demonstrate career progression, showing how the applicant has grown their skills over time.

Moreover, recruiters and hiring managers are often familiar with the chronological format, making it easier for them to navigate through it quickly. This type of resume also helps the job seeker present their work experience in a concise and orderly fashion, making it easier for the employer to assess their qualifications.

Disadvantages of the Chronological Resume

While there are several advantages to using a chronological resume, there are also some disadvantages. The chronological resume format may not be ideal for job seekers who are starting their careers or have gaps in their employment history. It also doesn’t allow for much creativity, as it follows a strict format that can be limiting for those seeking to showcase their diverse skillsets.

Another disadvantage is that it tends to focus solely on the applicant’s work experience, often neglecting other aspects of their professional profile, such as their education or volunteer work. Additionally, this type of resume may put more emphasis on the applicant’s most recent work experience, which may not necessarily showcase their best work or accomplishments.

Despite the disadvantages, a chronological resume remains one of the most popular types of resumes used by job seekers. Its straightforward format and ability to showcase work experience in a clear and concise manner make it an attractive option for both job seekers and employers alike.

Chronological Resume Writing Tips

As a job seeker, your resume serves as your first impression to potential employers. It is important to create a resume that effectively showcases your work experience and key skills. A chronological resume is one of the most common resume formats used by job seekers, as it highlights a candidate’s work experience in a reverse-chronological order.

When writing a chronological resume, there are several key tips to keep in mind:

Emphasize your Work Experience

Start your resume with your most recent work experience and list your previous jobs in reverse-chronological order. Be sure to clearly state your job title, the name of the company, the dates of employment, and a brief description of your responsibilities and accomplishments.

Highlight your Key Skills

In addition to work experience, employers want to see what skills you bring to the table. Highlight your key skills, such as communication, leadership, and problem-solving abilities, by incorporating them throughout your resume. Use bullet points to showcase your skills in a clear and concise manner.

Use Relevant Keywords

To increase your chances of getting noticed by employers, use keywords that are relevant to the job you are applying for. Carefully review the job posting and incorporate keywords throughout your resume. This will help your resume pass through applicant tracking systems (ATS), which are used by many companies today to screen resumes.

Include Metrics and Achievements

Quantify your accomplishments by including metrics, such as percentages or dollar amounts, to showcase your impact on the company. This can include things like increasing sales revenue or reducing expenses. Including metrics and achievements will help demonstrate your value as a candidate.

Keep it Concise and Organized

Aim to keep your resume at one to two pages in length. Use clear and concise language and avoid unnecessary information that does not relate to the job you are applying for. Also, ensure that your resume is well-organized, with clear headings and bullet points that are easy to read.

By emphasizing your work experience, highlighting your key skills, using relevant keywords, including metrics and achievements, and keeping your resume concise and organized, you will be well on your way to creating an effective chronological resume.

Chronological Resume Template

A chronological resume is the most commonly used resume format, and it is preferred by many employers because it presents a clear, concise history of an individual’s employment and educational background. This section will discuss the basic structure of a chronological resume, the sections typically included, and some formatting and design tips that can make your resume stand out.

Basic Structure of a Chronological Resume

The basic structure of a chronological resume follows a timeline format, starting with your most recent job and working backwards. This format highlights your work experience and career progression in a clear and logical manner. Your education should be included at the end of the resume, after your work experience.

Sections of a Chronological Resume

The following sections are typically included in a chronological resume:

Contact Information

Your name, address, phone number, and email address should all be included in the top section of your resume. It is important to ensure that your contact information is up-to-date and professional.

Objective or Summary Statement

An objective or summary statement is a brief statement that summarizes your career goals and experience. This section is optional, but it can be helpful in highlighting your skills and experience.

• Work Experience

Your work experience should be listed in reverse chronological order, starting with your most recent job. Each job should include the following information:

• Company name and location
• Dates of employment
• Key responsibilities and achievements

Your education should be included at the end of your resume, after your work experience. It should list your degrees or certifications, the name of the institution, and the dates attended.

If you have skills that are relevant to the job you are applying for, you may want to include a skills section. This section can highlight your technical, language, or interpersonal skills.

Formatting and Design Tips

Here are some tips on formatting and design that can help make your chronological resume stand out:

• Use a clean and simple format that is easy to read.
• Use bullet points to help break up large blocks of text.
• Use bold, italic, or underlined text to highlight important information.
• Be consistent in your font choices and formatting throughout your resume.
• Tailor your resume to the job you are applying for by including keywords and phrases from the job description.

By following these tips and including the appropriate sections in your chronological resume, you can create a clear and concise document that highlights your skills and experience to potential employers.

Chronological Resume Example 1 – Entry-Level

Included in this section is a sample entry-level chronological resume, along with an explanation and analysis of the example. The overall theme of the article is about chronological resume examples and writing tips.

Sample Entry-Level Chronological Resume

[Full Name] [Address] [Phone Number] [Email]

Objective: To obtain a position in [industry or job title] where I can utilize my [skills or experiences] to contribute to the success of the company.

Education: [Bachelor’s/Master’s] Degree in [Major], [University], [Graduation Date] [Related coursework or Certifications]

Experience: [Job Title], [Company], [Employment Dates]

• List accomplishments and responsibilities in bullet points
• Start with most recent or relevant experience

[Job Title], [Company], [Employment Dates]

Explanation and Analysis of the Example

This entry-level chronological resume example showcases a clean format that is easy to read and highlights the most important information. The resume starts with an objective statement that briefly summarizes the candidate’s career and what they are looking for in their next role.

In the education section, the candidate includes relevant coursework or certifications to further demonstrate their qualifications. This is particularly important for entry-level candidates who may not have much work experience yet.

The experience section is the focus of the resume and includes two job titles with accomplishments and responsibilities listed in bullet points. The bullet points use strong action words and quantifiable achievements to showcase the candidate’s skills and achievements.

Finally, the skills section provides a concise summary of the candidate’s most important skills. It is crucial to tailor skills to the job description in order to highlight relevant skills that match the requirements of the job.

This entry-level chronological resume example demonstrates the importance of succinctly highlighting relevant education, experience, and skills. Employers want to see how a candidate’s skills and experiences can contribute to their company’s success, and this resume does just that.

Chronological Resume Example 2 – Experienced Professional

Sample experienced professional chronological resume.

Name:  John Smith

Contact Information:

• Email:  [email protected]
• Phone: 555-555-5555
• LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/johnsmith

Summary:  Motivated and experienced sales professional with 10+ years of experience in the retail industry. Excels at building strong relationships with customers and delivering outstanding customer service. Proven track record of exceeding sales targets and implementing effective sales strategies.

Work Experience:

Sales Manager  – ABC Company (2015-Present)

• Oversees all aspects of the sales department, including hiring, training, and managing a team of 10 sales representatives.
• Develops and implements sales strategies to meet and exceed company targets.
• Builds and maintains relationships with key clients to ensure customer satisfaction and retention.
• Consistently exceeds sales targets, delivering a 25% increase in sales revenue over the past year.

Sales Representative  – XYZ Inc. (2010-2015)

• Developed and maintained relationships with clients to increase sales revenue by 20% in the final year.
• Consistently achieved and exceeded individual sales targets.
• Collaborated with the marketing department to design and implement effective marketing strategies.

Store Manager  – DEF Retail (2005-2010)

• Managed all aspects of a busy retail store, including inventory management, staff scheduling, and customer service.
• Developed and implemented effective sales strategies which resulted in a 15% increase in sales revenue over a period of 3 years.
• Successfully led a team of 7 sales representatives and support staff.
• Bachelor of Commerce, University of XYZ, 2004

This sample chronological resume showcases an experienced professional with 10+ years of experience in the retail industry. The resume begins with the candidate’s name and contact information, followed by a summary that highlights his experience and skills, complementing his career objective of securing a sales position.

The work experience section showcases the candidate’s career growth, beginning with his current role as a Sales Manager, where he is currently overseeing all aspects of the sales department. The section also highlights his accomplishments across the different roles he has previously held, including exceeding individual and company-wide sales targets, collaborating with other departments, managing a team of sales representatives, and developing and implementing effective sales strategies.

The education section briefly highlights the candidate’s educational background, complementing his vast experience in the retail industry, which makes him a well-rounded candidate for sales positions.

The example showcases an excellent chronological resume, highlighting the candidate’s relevant experience and skills clearly and concisely. It demonstrates the importance of tailoring one’s resume to the job description, including relevant skills and experience, and highlighting one’s accomplishments through quantifiable metrics.

How to Customize Your Chronological Resume

When it comes to writing a chronological resume, customization is key. Employers want to see how your past experiences and skills align with the requirements of the job they are offering. Here are some tips on how to tailor your resume to the job description to make it stand out:

Tailoring Your Resume to the Job Description

The first step in customizing your resume is to carefully analyze the job description. Look for keywords and try to incorporate them into your resume. This will increase the chances of your resume passing through an Applicant Tracking System (ATS) and reaching the hands of the hiring manager. You should also add any relevant job titles, responsibilities, and requirements to your resume, to show that you understand what the employer is looking for.

Focusing on Relevant Skills and Experience

Highlight your most relevant skills and experiences in the resume. The more closely they align with the requirements of the job, the more likely you are to get shortlisted for an interview. The key is to focus on the skills and experiences that demonstrate your ability to excel in the position you are applying for. Be specific and provide examples of how your skills and experience make you an ideal candidate for the job.

Avoiding Common Mistakes

One of the common mistakes people make when writing resumes is listing irrelevant experiences and skills. Be sure to weed out any information that does not relate to the position you are applying for. It is also important to avoid subjective or misleading language, such as exaggerations or half-truths. In addition, be mindful of formatting, grammar, and spelling errors. A polished, error-free resume helps make a lasting and professional impression.

Customizing your chronological resume is crucial for making it stand out and increasing your chances of getting an interview. Analyze the job description to include relevant keywords and show your understanding of the position. Highlight your most relevant skills and experiences that show your ability to excel in the role. Avoid common mistakes such as listing irrelevant experiences and skills and be mindful of formatting, grammar and spelling errors.

Common Questions About Chronological Resumes

As a job seeker, it’s important to be familiar with the most common questions about chronological resumes. Here are the top three queries that job seekers have about these resumes:

Should I Include References on my Chronological Resume?

No, it’s not necessary to include references on your chronological resume. Most hiring managers will ask for references during the final stages of the hiring process, so there is no need to clutter your resume with this information. Instead, reserve your resume for your job history, skills, and achievements.

How Far Back Should I List my Work Experience?

The general rule for chronological resumes is to list your work experience in reverse chronological order, starting with your most recent job first. However, it’s important to decide how far back in time you want to go. For most job seekers, it’s sufficient to include their last 10-15 years of work experience. This not only keeps your resume concise but ensures that you’re showcasing your most recent and relevant work history.

Can I Use a Chronological Resume if I’m a Recent Graduate?

Yes, even if you’re a recent graduate, you can still use a chronological resume. In fact, it’s the most common type of resume format used by job seekers. As a recent graduate, you may not have much job experience, but you can highlight your education, skills, extracurricular activities, and any relevant internships or volunteer work. As you gain more work experience, you can continue to update and refine your chronological resume.

By understanding the top questions about chronological resumes, you can create a well-crafted resume that is tailored to your skills and experience. Remember to keep your resume concise, highlight your most recent and relevant work history, and showcase your education and skills. With these tips, you’ll be on your way to landing your dream job.

Chronological Resume vs Functional Resume

Overview of the functional resume.

A functional resume focuses on highlighting an individual’s skills and abilities rather than their work history. This format is ideal for those who are changing careers, have gaps in their employment history or are applying for a position that requires specific skills that they possess but don’t necessarily have experience in.

The functional resume typically includes the following sections:

• Summary or Objective Statement
• Skills or Qualifications Summary
• Professional Experience

The skills or qualifications summary is the most important section of the functional resume. It should list the specific skills and abilities that the individual possesses and provide examples of how they have demonstrated these skills in their past experiences.

Comparison of the Chronological and Functional Resume

A chronological resume, on the other hand, focuses on an individual’s work history and job responsibilities. This format is ideal for those who have a steady work history with no gaps in employment and are looking to advance in their current career path.

The chronological resume typically includes the following sections:

• Skills or Certifications

In the work experience section, the individual should list their previous positions in reverse chronological order, starting with the most recent. They should also list their job responsibilities and achievements in each position.

When comparing the two formats, it’s important to note that the functional resume emphasizes an individual’s skills and abilities, while the chronological resume emphasizes their work history and job responsibilities.

Choosing the Right Resume Format

When deciding which format to use, the individual should consider their current situation and the position they are applying for. If they have relevant skills and abilities but little work history, or gaps in their employment, the functional resume may be the better option. If they have a steady work history with no gaps and are looking to advance in their current career path, the chronological resume may be a better choice.

It’s also important to tailor the resume to the specific job the individual is applying for. They should review the job description and highlight the skills and experiences they possess that are relevant to the position. This will help them stand out as a qualified candidate.

Choosing the right resume format depends on an individual’s specific situation and the position they are applying for. While the chronological resume is more traditional, the functional resume can be a great option for those with transferable skills or who are changing careers. Regardless of the format chosen, tailoring the resume to the job description is key to standing out in the job market.

Related Articles

• Proven Enterprise Architect Resume Samples and Writing Guide
• The Complete Guide to Nailing Your Next Video Interview
• Timeline for Hearing Back After an Interview in 2023
• Operations Controller: Job Description, Salary, and Skills
• Airport Customer Service Agent Interview Questions

Rate this article

0 / 5. Reviews: 0

More from ResumeHead

40 Best Free Resume Templates to Use and Customize in 2023

It’s easier to create a stand-out resume when you have a starter template instead of a blank page. The best resume templates are designed to pass through an application tracking system (ATS) and catch the attention of recruiters. This way, all you have to do is plug the right information into the right places. From there, the goal is to land beaucoup job interviews so that you can get that dream offer ASAP.

Ahead, you’ll find 41 professional, free resume templates to consider.

You may notice that many of our favorite resume templates are minimalistic, with fewer graphics, charts, and sections than you might find elsewhere. A simple, software-friendly design is what you want for an ATS, because these tracking systems don’t always “read” as well as a human and can’t handle a lot of formatting. Certain design elements—like columns, text boxes, headers, footers, images, graphs, and graphics—can cause an ATS to read out of order or drop things entirely.

Keep these limitations in mind when choosing your fighter, because not all online templates follow best practices. Even the best ones (including some on this list!) slip up here and there. A few common changes you’ll have to make to templates are:

• Moving all text out of text boxes, headers, and footers and into the body of a document
• Changing any creative section headings to traditional ones
• Removing any graphic elements or replacing them with text

Not all embellishments are out of bounds, however. You can give your resume some character (without compromising your chances of getting hired) by using:

• Bold and italicized text
• Underlined words (in headings and hyperlinks)
• Color (dark blues, greens, and reds are popular since people can also read them easily)
• Different text alignments (e.g., right, left, center)

Now that you know what goes into choosing an effective resume template, check out our favorites:

• Free B&W resume templates

Free colorful resume templates

Free minimalist resume templates, free eye-catching resume templates, free skill-emphasizing resume templates, free resume templates for experienced job seekers, free resume templates for entry-level job seekers, free adobe resume templates, free b&w resume templates.

Here are a few traditional templates with straightforward, chronological formatting and classic section headings. They’re tried-and-true templates that won’t run into any trouble with an ATS.

1. The Muse’s resume template

File format: Google Doc

Our downloadable template uses blue for the section headers, adding a slight pop to an otherwise simple sample, and is totally customizable.

2. HLooms proficient resume template

File format: DOCX

HLoom offers templates that are ideal for ATSs. Some incorporate color and bullet points, but they do away with other bad-for-ATS elements. The “Proficient” resume template is a straightforward, chronological resume with space for experience, education, and skills.

3. Rezi’s standard resume template

File format: PDF, DOCX

Rezi guides you through filling out their standard template step-by-step, asking you what level of career and industry you’re in to make sure you’re using the right sections for you. For example, one option is for students who may want to put projects, activities, and coursework front and center (until they gain more experience). Make sure you delete the contact info icons and stay away from any template Rezi doesn’t explicitly mark as ATS-friendly. .

4. Resume Companion’s targeted resume template

This template is geared toward job seekers who want to call out the specific job they’re looking for by putting the title front and center. It can be downloaded with headers that come in five different color options, including forest green and aquatic blue.

5. Jobscan’s classic format resume template - chronological

Jobscan’s focus is on helping people get past an ATS and, as a result, their templates stick closely to ATS-friendly formatting. The “classic format resume - chronological” is exactly what it sounds like: a basic, classic resume with a focus on your experience in reverse chronological order. The template also comes in a functional format as well as a hybrid format .

6. Career Reload’s Carrie resume template

This template is a solid, traditional choice. Just delete the objective section or make it a summary instead, and change the “Expertise” label to “Skills.” (To download this one, scroll to the green hyperlink that reads, “Download This Template).”)

7. Microsoft Word’s resume template

This simple resume from Microsoft Word is straightforward but adds a few more design elements in the form of horizontal bars to break up the text (though they can also be removed if you prefer).

These resume templates are still pretty basic, but they use color to make key elements stand out and liven up your resume a bit. Pro tip: You can almost always change the color to suit your preferences (or even add a pop of color to any of the other templates in this list).

8. HLoom’s out of the box resume template

This chronological template has plenty of space to include a strong resume summary at the top and reiterate your most relevant skills at the bottom.

9. Career Reload’s Mandy resume template

This simple ATS-friendly template downloads as a Microsoft Word file and has space for a title and summary. Its use of color gives it a bit more zing than some of the more bare-bones options.

10. Career Reload’s Emily resume template

Here’s another Career Reload template that takes advantage of ATS-friendly design elements to give you something a little more unique. But make sure to swap out the “Career Objective” for a “ Summary ” section (or just get rid of it entirely).

11. HLoom’s leading-edge resume template

This ATS-friendly resume template adds some color to help your name, headings, and the places you’ve worked and studied stand out. You can find this resume under the “Simple Resume Templates” heading at the link above.

12. Resume Companion’s elegant resume template

The “elegant” template from Resume Companion injects colored bars to highlight sections but maintains the traditional bulleted format. Note that you can (and should) delete the footer of the document since that information is already at the top.

If you want a sleek, distraction-free resume that lets your skills and experience speak for themselves, check out these basic, no-frills templates.

13. Resume Companion’s minimalist resume template

This entirely unembellished template keeps things as simple as possible but still has room for all of your most relevant details.

14. Resume-Template’s resume template

File format: PDF, Microsoft Word

This is another option with a step-by-step walkthrough that’s good for someone who wants a completely utilitarian resume. Once completed, the resume can be downloaded as a PDF or Word file.Note: You should definitely delete the date of birth section.

15. Instant Resume Templates’ ATS resume template

This site’s template for applicant tracking systems is the lowest of low-frills—but that may be perfectly fine if you’re seeking a no-risk option that still includes everything you need.

16. Microsoft Word’s chronological resume template

This template is another simple option that places section headers on the left and details on the right, creating a good amount of white space. (Note that these columns can be read from left to right, so they’re perfectly ATS friendly.) Just be sure to delete the “References” section—these don’t belong on your resume in 2023.

These templates are perfect for people who want their resumes to stand out from the pack—but still get read by a computer.

17. Cultivated Culture’s Austin Belcak resume template

File format: PDF, Google Doc, TXT

Every Cultivated Culture template is fully customizable—so you can eliminate any elements that aren’t ATS-friendly. We recommend the Austin Belcak template as a starting point. Just be sure to replace the graph-based skills section with a traditional bulleted list.

18. Cultivated Culture’s Melinda Gates resume template

This is another Cultivated Culture template that will get through the ATS with just one change: Delete the “Interests” section to eliminate the columns (you don’t really need it anyway).

19. Super Resume’s template 11

File format: PDF, DOCX, DOC, HTML

If you want columns, this template includes them in a way that can still be read by an ATS. Just be sure to move your name and contact info out of the text box it’s currently in (where it might get missed or garbled by the ATS) and into the body of the resume. You can customize your resume directly in your web browser and download it as a PDF, Word, or HTML file. Not all of Super Resume’s templates are ATS-friendly (some include graphics and columns), but you can also check out “Resume Template 5” and “Resume Template 6” for more options.

20. Gumroad’s chef resume template

File format: PSD, PDF, Word

This template places the most emphasis on the personal summary at the top and keeps the job experience straightforward in the body. It’s ideal for specialized fields in which getting to know the applicant as a person is key (in this case, chefs and restaurant employees who may interact closely with customers and clients, but it can be adapted to any field). Just be sure to tweak the section headings to common ones for your industry.

21. ResumeWay’s free resume template 1100010

This template keeps things short, elegant, and easy to read. The colored graphic at the top adds a nice design element to stand out, especially against a straightforward layout that places your most recent job experience at the top and education and skills below. Just be sure to delete the icons next to the contact information and move it to the body of the resume.

22. Resume Kraft’s simple word resume template

File format: DOCX, PSD, AI

Don’t be fooled by the erasable icons—this template may have a modern look but it keeps things simple and compact. Keep in mind that some ATSs will read your resume from left to right, ignoring columns, so we recommend including either the job title or timeframe in the left column (not both!) and moving the other piece of information to the right.

If you’re early in your career, switching career paths, or in a highly technical field, you may want to spotlight your relevant skills over your past work experience. These templates do just that.

23. HLoom’s functional career change resume template

This template puts less emphasis on your formal work experience, and plays up your accomplishments, skills, and strengths—ideal for someone who is trying to switch careers. It can also be a smart choice for freelancers, or folks who've taken a career gap to focus on family or travels. 

24. Resume Companion’s stand-out resume template

This option prioritizes job seekers’ skills, placing that section at the top of the resume. If you’re making a big career change, you can keep the objective section ; otherwise delete it or replace it with a summary statement.

25. HLoom’s substantial functional resume template

File format:  DOCX

This template gives plenty of space to both list and expand on your most important skills right up top. Plus the columns are fully ATS friendly and the pop of color will catch the eyes of your reader.

26. Microsoft Word’s functional resume template

This template highlights applicants’ academic histories as well as skills and abilities, making it a good match for a graduate student or anyone in academia. This could also be expanded into a full CV by adding your publications, presentations, conferences, and awards. As always, ditch the resume objective or replace it with a summary!

27. Microsoft Word’s computer programmer resume template

Word’s computer programmer resume maximizes space for computer skills (which you may want to rename “Technical Skills”), education, and experience, which are key for software engineering applicants to include. But you could easily tweak this template to work well in other fields.

28. Find My Profession’s combination resume template

This template emphasizes both skills and experiences, but places key skills most prominently at the top—with room further down to put them in context and expand on your related accomplishments.

29. Microsoft Word’s internal company transfer resume template

If you’re applying for a new job within your current company, the resume you create may emphasize different things than if you were applying to a new employer. Word’s internal transfer resume highlights accomplishments and skills while placing general information (like education) at the bottom. There is some formatting that might trip up an ATS—but if you remove the main resume text from the text box and place it in the body with “match destination format” selected, you should be good to go. Then you can restore the colors if you’d like.

These templates are ideal for people with longer work histories.

30. Jobscan’s mid-level resume template 5

Jobscan created this resume for people who aren’t ready for management just yet but are well past entry-level. This hybrid template places an emphasis on hard skills, but still has room to put those skills in context—perfect for applicant tracking systems.

31. Jobscan’s new executive resume template 3

Rising to the top of the ranks? Jobscan’s “New executive resume template 3” puts an emphasis on results while allowing more space up top to quickly highlight your biggest achievements. This template is more than one page to account for a more extensive work history.

32. Find My Profession’s chronological resume template

This chronological template is good for people with more work experience and it gives space for job seekers to fill in both a position summary and bullet points. You can use this if you want to emphasize key achievements or special projects from your past jobs. Just make sure to delete the “Find My Profession” image from the template.

33. Jobscan’s management resume template 2

This ATS resume template highlights industry knowledge, interpersonal skills, the ability to delegate, and leadership qualities. The summary and skills at the top let you put the most important pieces of a longer work history front and center—for when it’s time for a human to look at your resume.

If you’re just starting out in your career, you might want a template that showcases your education and relevant skills over your past work experience.

34. Jobscan’s recent grad resume template 2

Like many recent grad resume templates, this option places collegiate experience at the top. But it also gives you two sections for work experience (relevant and additional) so that you can place that internship from junior year ahead of your pizza-delivering gig. Jobscan’s other recent grad templates are strong choices as well.

35. Microsoft Word’s recent college graduate resume template

This template is a very simple starter resume that highlights recent grads’ education, skills, abilities, and experience. Just remember to swap out that objective for a resume summary (or delete it).

36. WallStreetOasis.com’s investment banking resume template

This template is geared toward undergraduate students seeking investment banking job opportunities (but it can easily be tweaked for other industries). In just one page, it includes space to list your education, study abroad and/or internship experiences, undergraduate leadership positions, and skills and interests (both personal and professional).

These more stylized templates require the Adobe suite to edit, so they’re not for everyone. Just make sure you save your final resume as a PDF so the ATS can still read it.

37. Smash Resume’s simple two-page resume template

File format: AI

Need a little more space? This two-page template injects more personality with golden accent colors but is still professional. You can make this option even better (for both humans and robots) by nixing the line graphs in the “Skills” and “Language” sections, and sticking to text instead. Since the ATS might read your resume straight across (from left to right, ignoring columns) you should adjust what text you put in the left column so that the text still makes sense if read this way.

38. Graphicsfuel’s clean modern resume template

File format: PSD

Despite a two-column format in the education section (which you can turn into one), the graphs on page two (which you can replace with text), and a photo (which you should remove), this template is a strong choice if you want to stand out without being too flashy. The blue font adds an extra design element but everything else is straightforward and modern.

39. Adobe’s Amanda Danvers resume template

This option requires you to have an Adobe account—but it’s free if you’re already set up. The bold color pattern ensures that you’ll stand out, even with very traditional formatting that places a brief personal summary at the top, experience and education in the middle rows, and skills at the bottom. The Adobe Spark logo in the bottom right corner can be removed.

40. Graphic Pear’s minimal resume template

As always, delete the photo box and stick to text. This option comes with a second resume page and cover letter template you can use if needed. The numbers to the left of the job titles can be removed and the line graphs on the second page can be replaced with text.

Regina Borsellino contributed to the latest version of this article. 

• Resume Format
• Resume Examples
• Resume Templates
• How to Write a Resume
• Best Resume Writers in the USA

Resume 2023

A resume is a comprehensive, up-to-date summary of an individual’s background and accomplishments, typically used to demonstrate their qualifications when applying for jobs. This document contains an organized overview of relevant facts related to the job seeker’s education, soft and hard skills, experience, and other qualified attributes.

• All Templates
• Classic Templates
• Creative Templates
• Infographic Templates
• Modern Templates
• Newest Templates
• One Page Templates
• Professional Templates
• Quick Templates
• Simple Templates
• Unique Templates
• All Resume Formats
• Chronological Format
• Reverse-Chronological Formats
• Functional Formats
• Hybrid (Combination) Formats
• All Resume Examples
• Administrator Examples
• Construction Examples
• Customer Service Examples
• Engineering Examples
• Legal Examples
• Nurse Examples
• Sales Examples
• Security Examples
• Teacher Examples

About Resume2023.com

• Resume 2023 FAQ

Free Resume Templates 2023

Provide a standardized format and layout for organizing and presenting the content. They can be created using various software programs and are intended to help create curriculum vitae with minimal effort.

Classic Resume Templates

Traditional or basic formats that are easy to read. They tend to use a clean and minimal design, with headings and sections that are easy to follow.

Creative Resume Templates

Traditional or basic formats that are eye-catching. They tend to use a clean and minimal design, with headings and sections that are easy to follow. A must-have for a CV in the creative industry includes a portfolio.

Infographic Resume Templates

Use visual elements and graphics to present information more visually appealingly. They often highlight specific experiences more interactively and engagingly.

Modern Resume Templates

Newest Resume Templates

Often incorporate the latest trends and may include features such as clean lines, minimalistic design, and a focus on showcasing an essential facts about the candidate.

One Page Resume Templates

Fit all the necessary information onto a single page. They are helpful for those with limited work experience or when they can be summarized on a single page.

Professional Resume Templates

Typically, a more formal and traditional design may include sections for an objective, work history, education, and other appropriate details. They are used by professionals in more conservative industries or individuals with a lot of work experience who want to present themselves polishedly.

Quick Resume Templates

Typically have a simple layout. They often include pre-written content, making it easy to insert information.

Simple Resume Templates

Prioritize content over aesthetics and use a minimalistic approach to layout. They provide a concise overview of a candidate’s abilities, competence, and education without any distractions or elaborate design elements.

Unique Resume Templates

Help to stand out and be memorable to potential employers. They may have unusual or eye-catching layouts. They may incorporate graphics, images, or other visual elements in a method that is not typical in more traditional ones.

Resume Format 2023

There are three current resume formats in 2023 –  reverse- chronological, functional, and combination (hybrid). We recommend using a the first one in almost all cases. This is because job experience is the top hiring factor for 92% of recruiters, according to a recent study by Jobvite. The main benefits of a reverse-chronological format:

• It is the most popular and helpful format among recruiters;
• Applicant tracking systems, familiar to recruiters, easily process it;
• All job seekers can use it.

Also, saving files in .pdf or .docx formats is highly recommended.

Chronological Resume Format

A chronological CV format is considered an excellent decision because it is easy to read, understand, and follow. It presents a clear and concise overview of your work experience, and qualifications. It lists your experiences in reverse chronological order, starting with your most recent position and working backwards. This format is especially useful if you have a solid and consistent work history in the same field or if you are looking to move up in the same field.

Many recruiters prefer it because it gives them a comprehensive understanding of your career progression and the expertise you’ve acquired throughout your experience.

Overall, the Chronological CV template is a well-organized method to present your qualifications and experience, making it an excellent choice for many job applicants.

Reverse-Chronological Resume Format

The reverse-chronological is a CV format which is widely used format among recruiters.

It’s one of the latest CV format for 2023 because:

• Emphasizes your recent competence.
• Allows recruiters to see your progression and track your career growth quickly.
• It is easy to understand, presenting information logically and chronologically.
• It show any promotions, responsibilities, or achievements you have earned in your recent roles.
• It is commonly used and expected by most companies, meaning it is more likely to be understood and appreciated.

It is crucial to note that, depending on the job or the industry you are applying to, other formats, like Functional, Combination, or Targeted formats, may be more appropriate. It’s always nice to tailor your CV to the job you are applying forI

Functional Resume Format

Functional CVs are organized by abilities and competences rather than by job titles and dates of employment. This format allows the candidate to focus on how to benefit the employer.

The functional curriculum vitae format typically includes several sections, such as:

• A section on expertise can include both technical and soft skills.
• A section on  competences that  can include paid and unpaid work, volunteer experiences, and coursework.

One of the main benefits is that it can hide gaps in employment history. Because the resume is organized by abilities rather than job titles and dates of employment, it can be more difficult to discern when the candidate is unemployed.

It could also be helpful for job seekers transitioning to a career. By focusing on the  competences  appropriate to the new field, rather than titles and duties in a previous field, the candidate can demonstrate how their abilities are transferable to the new position.

Combination Resume Format

There are several reasons why to use a combination CV format:

A combination format is versatile and can be used for different occupations, such as entry-level, mid-career.

A combination format typically includes a section dedicated to showcasing your achievements, which can help you stand out from other candidates.

A combination curriculum vitae is easy to read and navigate, making it more likely that hiring managers will take the time to review your application.

It can be easily tailored to show the most suitable expertise to the title you are applying for, making it more likely that you will be considered.

Resume Examples 2023

Here you could find resume examples demonstrating how to effectively present data to pay the recruiter’s attention. Our mission is to provide inspiration and guidance for creating an effective resume, so applicants will learn on how to edit and structure their documents.

Administrator CV Examples

Highlight candidates’ ability to manage and organize resources, communicate effectively, and lead teams. Perfect for a project manager and executives. Below are some amazing resume examples for administrators:

Here is some statistics from the  Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS)  on administrative and office support professions in the United States as of May 2022:

Average Salary : The average hourly wage for administrative and office support was $20.43, which translates to an average annual salary of $42,490.

Number of Vacancies : There were approximately 4 million administrative and office support vacancies in the United States as of May 2020.

State with Highest Salary for Administrators : The state with the highest average administrative and office support wage was the District of Columbia, with an average wage of $26.68 per hour, or $55,540 per year. Other states with high average wages for administrative and office support occupations include Massachusetts, California, New Jersey, and Washington.

Construction CV Examples

Specifically tailored to the construction industry. They highlight experience of individuals seeking employment in construction-related fields, such as building and construction, carpentry, and engineering.

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) on construction industry in the United States as of May 2022:

Average Salary : The average hourly wage for construction workers was $23.39, which translates to an average annual salary of $48,680.

Number of  Vacancies : There were approximately 7.4 million construction propositions in the United States as of May 2020.

State with Highest Salary for Construction Workers : The state with the highest average wage for construction workers was the District of Columbia, with an average wage of $33.24 per hour, or $69,180 per year. Other states with high average wages for construction workers include Alaska, New York, Hawaii, and Massachusetts.

Customer Service CV Examples

Showcase the mastery required to successfully perform tasks such as communicating with customers, resolving issues, and maintaining a positive and demeanor. They may include duties such as answering phone calls, responding to emails and online inquiries, handling customer complaints, and processing orders and returns.

Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) reports on customer service positions that in the United States as of May 2022:

Average Salary : The average hourly wage for customer service representatives was $16.78, which translates to an average annual salary of $34,840.

Number of  Vacancies : There were approximately 2.6 million customer service representative positions in the United States as of May 2020.

State with Highest Salary for Customer Service Representatives : The state with the highest average wage for customer service representatives was the District of Columbia, with an average wage of $20.80 per hour, or $43,320 per year. Other states with high average wages for customer service representatives include Alaska, Massachusetts, New Jersey, and Washington.

Engineering CV Examples

Showcase the candidate’s technical expertise and competences in electrical, mechanical, and civil engineering. They may include details about the candidate’s enlightenment  and training in engineering.

Engineering is also one of the high-paying industries. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) reports that:

Average Salary : The average annual salary for engineers was $92,830.

Number of  Vacancies : There were approximately 2.7 million engineering vacancies in the United States as of May 2020.

State with Highest Salary for Engineers : The state with the highest average wage for engineers was the District of Columbia, with an average wage of $122,820 per year. Other states with high average wages for engineers include California, Alaska, Massachusetts, and New Hampshire.

Legal CV Examples

Tailored for applicants seeking employment in the legal field. They typically highlight the mastery, and expertise to the legal profession. They may also include the applicant’s membership in niche organizations, any awards or accolades they have received, and coursework or certifications.

BLS report on May 2022 states that for legal professions:

Average Salary : The average annual salary for lawyers was $144,230.

Number of  Vacancies : There were approximately 778,000 lawyer propositions in the United States as of May 2020.

State with Highest Salary for Lawyers : The state with the highest average wage for lawyers was the District of Columbia, with an average wage of $189,560 per year. Other states with high average wages for lawyers include California, New York, Massachusetts, and Connecticut.

Nurse CV Examples

Include the nurse’s academic background, licensure, and proficiency in similar positions. They also highlight specific areas of expertise, such as critical care, pediatrics, or surgical nursing.

Fresh statistics from the Bureau of Labor Statistics for nursing professions:

Average Salary : The average annual salary for registered nurses was $75,330.

Number of  Vacancies : There were approximately 3.5 million registered nurse vacancies in the United States as of May 2020.

State with Highest Salary for Registered Nurses : The state with the highest average wage for registered nurses was California, with an average wage of $102,700 per year. Other states with high average wages for registered nurses include Hawaii, Massachusetts, Oregon, and Alaska.

Sales CV Examples

Demonstrate the proficiency of individuals who have worked in sales. They often have achievements such as a meeting or exceeding sales quotas, building and maintaining customer relationships, and using various sales techniques to close deals.

Facts about sales sector provided by the Bureau of Labor Statistics:

Average Salary : The average annual salary for sales workers was $44,180.

Number of  Vacancies : There were approximately 15 million sales worker positions in the United States as of May 2020.

State with Highest Salary for Sales Workers : The state with the highest average wage for sales workers was the District of Columbia, with an average wage of $61,810 per year. Other states with high average wages for sales workers include Connecticut, Massachusetts, New Jersey, and Colorado.

Security CV Examples

Show the proficiency of individuals who work in the security field. These resumes typically include the candidate’s background, training, and work history in security-related roles, as well as any  certifications or licenses.

Additional statistics about security employment in the US market:

Average Salary : The average hourly wage for security guards was $15.24, which translates to an average annual salary of $31,620.

Number of  Vacancies : There were approximately 1.2 million security guard propositions in the United States as of May 2020.

State with Highest Salary for Security Guards : The state with the highest average wage for security guards was the District of Columbia, with an average wage of $23.53 per hour, or $49,000 per year. Other states with high average wages for security guards include Alaska, New York, Massachusetts, and Hawaii.

Teacher CV Examples

Demonstrate a teacher’s proficiency and qualifications. These patterns can serve as a guide for individuals who are seeking employment as a teacher. They may include data about the teacher’s background, areas of expertise, and any suitable certifications or licenses.

Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) shares that in 2022, for teaching jobs:

Average Salary : The average annual salary for preschool and kindergarten teachers was $54,530, while the average salary for elementary, middle, and high school teachers was $61,660.

Number of  Vacancies : There were approximately 4.6 million elementary, middle, and high school teachers in the United States as of May 2020, while there were approximately 220,000 preschool and kindergarten teachers.

State with Highest Salary for Teachers : The state with the highest average wage for elementary, middle, and high school teachers was New York, with an average wage of $79,620 per year. Other states with high average teacher wages include California, Massachusetts, Connecticut, and Alaska.

Why a Good Resume 2023 is a Must-Have

CV 2023 is a comprehensive history of individual’s background typically used to demonstrate their qualifications when applying for jobs. This document contains an organized overview of suitable data related to the job seeker’s education, expetrtise, and other qualified attributes.

Most likely, we’re trying to create the best resumes during a transition or when people ask us about a CV. You are not even thinking about it until the hiring manager asks you to send it via e-mail. And after all, you understand how essential is to have updated resume. A professional resume must be written following two main rules. 

First, it should tell about an expertise throughout your career. The second one – should let you to stand out from the crowd. Why is the second rule also important? If you undesrtand how to catch the attention and how to sell your candidacy in the most favorable light, you have a key to the desired job offer in your mailbox.

Resume Trends 2023

Your resume 2023 is often highly underrated, but first impressions count, and humans are very visual. So while content is king, and what you say and the words you use within your CV will always be the most meaningful.

Proper formatting allows you to come across as exceptionally well put together, helps to elevate your brand, and gets decision-makers and recruiters to sit up and pay attention straight away. It’s a taster of the level of excellence that you can include into presenting your work and communicating something.

Also, whether you send it out to your network or apply online, you must be confident about this document. You need to feel amazing when you’re sending in. So if the content’s impressive and looks sharp and sleek, that’s the result you’ll get.

These are the features you need to assess when looking for the proper CV format:

• Layout: What layout helps you create a fabulous resume that delivers all the data you need for a competitive application?
• Presentation: What sort of look and presentation is the best in your case?
• Success rate: Which format of CV would you say is more likely to be successful and give you more confidence?

How Good Resume 2023 Should Look Like

There’s so much fear-mongering about the applicant tracking system, and it’s often used by frustrated job seekers as potentially a reason or a scapegoat for why things aren’t going their way. That might sound harsh, but “career coaches” are giving outdated advice, saying that the applicant tracking systems are the reason your document is not getting through. 

An applicant tracking system, 90% of the time, is just a project management software for recruiters that walk your application through the different stages of the process.

Most people don’t realize that data is essential for the applicant tracking system. Scanning documents and your CV are a part of the game. Still, if you’re saying that you don’t have the right to work or put in your salary expectation, that’s way out of the salary expectation of this role, which automatically rejects you.

Resume Fonts

The ATS doesn’t have a font preference as long as it’s readable. It’s fine as long as it’s not like script font. And it’s not reading and rejecting your resume alone automatically. When job hunting, it’s always crucial to design a resume that a human will read, but remember that the ATS isn’t as big a deal as you think. And if it’s going to read or pass your CV and spit it out, usually it does that.

Resume Length

If it’s a two-page document, but it’s full of fluff and cliches and information that’s nice to know about you, but it’s not targeted or strategic in line with the job post, then there’s a waste of space. If you have a one-page resume, like one of those pretty Etsy templates with just a few headings, main points, and light on the content, or so crammed sample with size eight font because you’ve tried to fit everything onto one page, that’s going to hurt your chances as well. So you don’t want to do that either.

It depends on what you must add to this document to convince recruiters. It’s a teaser trailer, not the feature film, the feature film is you in the interview, but it’s what you need to have in there to convince them to give you an interview.

You want to have a decent amount of information, but every line that recruiters skim should make them think, that’s great for this. Remember, this is a pitch document, and it’s highly tailored. You should keep it relatively concise while still being robust and impactful.

With Photo or Without

In many Anglo-Saxon countries, the UK, the US, and New Zealand, people wouldn’t go with a photo because they go a substantial cultural and institutionally focus on anti-biased, anti-discrimination. It can even be illegal in some states to review a resume with a photo because of anti-discrimination laws. And if you reject the person or if the person gets the position, you can’t win, so sometimes, if they see a photo, and either get removed by software or they don’t consider it. 

So if the norm is not to put a photo. In some countries like France, for example, you must place a shot, whether you’re going for a job, you put a picture because that’s the norm of the country, and it would be very sort of bizarre if you didn’t. 

Photo in Social Media

A recruiter can Google you, and they can find out what you look like on LinkedIn. Ensure yourself that you’ve got an excellent LinkedIn profile photo. But still, no image if the norm in your country is no photo. You could use a photo if it feels more industry appropriate. If you’re going for a creative marketing agency or if you’re going for a digital marketing role in social media for a cool startup, then a photo is acceptable, more appropriate, and could add some possession to your document. 

You should always use a standard chronological CV design layout. You probably have heard about the functional resume and competency-based CVs and stuff like that. But you should keep it easy for the recruiter to get the necessary parts quickly. So what are must-have components?

You definitely must have a profile or a summary section. This is about three sentences or bullet points about you. It’s your brand. It’s who you are, what you do, and how you do it differently, backed up with an accomplishment point wherever possible and your vision for your career, where you are going, and how this role fits into that. This area is one of the most strategic areas on your document, allowing recruiters to connect the dots very quickly.

Trending Resume Design

Here are some critical points about design elements for a 2023 resume:

Color: Use a color scheme, such as black and white or neutral tones, to keep your resume looking clean. Avoid using bright or distracting colors.

Pictures: It’s generally not recommended to include a picture on your resume, as it can detract from the content and may not be suitable to the profession you’re applying for.

Fonts: Choose a font such as Times New Roman, Arial, or Calibri. Avoid using overly decorative or fancy fonts, as they can be difficult to read. Stick to one or two fonts styles to maintain consistency throughout your resume.

Layout: Use white space, bullet points, and headings to make your resume visually appealing and easy to scan. Avoid cluttering the page with too much text or graphics.

Consistency: the design elements you use, such as CV style and size, are consistent throughout your resume.

By keeping these design elements in mind, you can create a well-designed resume that showcases your abilities in the best possible light.

You can put strategic keywords that sum up your zones of genius underneath the profile area. What would your tags be if you were tagged as a person? These are your top skills, and they also help with the ATS, the applicant tracking side of things, and they very quickly let the recruiter understand who you are and what you have to offer. You can also add a compelling tagline underneath your name at the top of your CV. It’s like a signature; your unique selling proposition into a sentence.

The following central area you want to be front and center on your document is your experience section. This is what comes next if you’re doing a one-column layout. You give it the most real estate if you’re doing a two-column. It’s usually all down the right-hand side, while the other details are on the left-hand column. It’s very much front and center. But there are two exceptions to this. 

Firstly, if you’re a fresh graduate with no work experience, just so you’ve only done internships and bits and pieces, you would your academic background first. If you are a working professional, have already graduated, and have already been in the workforce for at least a year, you would have the experience come first. 

Career Changes

The other exception to this rule is career changes. With career changes, you would start with the profile section. Then you would go into an area with your core strengths or your critical skills, the transferable  abilities  that you can bring with you as a person from one industry to the next that is going to enable your success within your next role, your next profession, your next sector, even if you’ve never done it before. 

So that upper third might be longer. You might end up taking almost half the page to explain your profile and just to include some of competencies that you are bringing to the table before you get to your experience section because what’s going to be essential is who you are, not exactly what you’ve done because you’ve never actually done the role that you’re applying for. 

Frequently Asked Questions

What do you put on a cover letter.

• Your contact information and the date
• The contact information of the employer or hiring manager
• A greeting, such as “Dear [Hiring Manager’s Name]”
• An introduction which include your qualifications and the reason for your interest in the position.
• A few bullet points to summarize your relevant abilities.
• A closing statement that thanks the employer for considering your application and includes your contact information again
• A professional closing, such as “Sincerely” followed by your name and signature (if sending a hard copy)

What are the main resume formatting rules?

The main formatting rules:

• Use an easy-to-read font like Arial or Times New Roman.
• Please keep it one or two pages in length.
• Use headings and subheadings to organize your content and make it easy for the reader to find what they need.
• Use bullet points to make your CV easy to read, and avoid long paragraphs of text.
• Use action words and phrases, such as “managed,” “created,” “improved,” and so on, to describe your responsibilities.

Is it worth paying a resume writer?

Whether or not it is worth paying writers depends on your circumstances and needs. They have expertise about what should be included in a CV, but they can’t speed up your job search process. 

Should I save my resume as PDF, Word, or Google Docs?

It is generally recommended to save a PDF (Portable Document Format) file. PDFs are a universal format that can be opened on any computer or device, and they maintain the formatting and layout of the document, regardless of the software or operating system used to view it.

What should a CV look like in 2023?

In 2023, it should have an updated, modern design sigh your best features and strategically-placed white space and tight copy. It should also include a bold pop of color and be formatted with a clear, easy-to-read font.

What is the 30-second rule?

The 30-second rule refers to the idea that a hiring manager or recruiter should be able to quickly scan your resume and determine whether you are a good fit in 30 seconds or less. Your document should be well-organized, clearly written, and visually appealing, with essential data prominently displayed.

Is it OK to have a 2, 3, or 5 pages resume?

It is generally acceptable to have a two, or even five-page, depending on your mastery level and the specific occupation requirements you are applying for. Typically, a two-page is appropriate for most job seekers, especially those with around ten years or more of relevant mastery.

What should you not do on a resume?

•  Using an unprofessional email address: Instead of standard email address, create a professional one specifically for job applications.
• Using an unprofessional font or layout: Choose a clean, professional font and use a clear, organized layout to make it easy to read.
• Including personal information: Your CV should focus on your professional qualifications, so leave out personal information such as your age, marital status, or religion.

What are the 3 F’s of resumes?

The 3 F’s refer to three key elements:

• Function: This refers to the purpose of your CV, which is to showcase your skills and comptences in a way that is relevant to the job you are applying for.
• Form: This refers to the formatting and layout, which should be clean, organized, and easy to read.
• Effectiveness: This refers to the overall point, which should effectively communicate your qualifications and persuade the reader to consider you for the position.

By ensuring that your curriculum vitae adheres to all of these elements, you can create a resume tailored to the specific role you are applying for that effectively showcases your skills and proficiency.

Can you show a gap in your CV?

Gaps in your work history can be a common concern for job seekers, but it is generally acceptable to include them as long as you can explain them effectively. According to a survey by Monster, 49% of U.S. employers said that gaps are becoming less of a red flag due to current market conditions.

What is the best font?

Several fonts are commonly recommended for use.

• Arial: This sans-serif font is often used for branding and website or mobile design, making it a good option for those in the creative field or applying for marketing jobs.
• Georgia: This serif font is easy to read.
• Helvetica: This sans-serif font is popular in branding and design and is considered easy to read on screens.
• Tahoma: This sans-serif font is similar to Verdana and is known for its screen-readability.
• Times New Roman: This classic serif font is still popular for resumes, but it is essential to use it in moderation as it can appear outdated.
• Trebuchet: This sans-serif font is known for its readability and is an excellent alternative to Arial or Helvetica.

How many jobs should you mention?

As a general rule, you should include as many jobs on your CV relevant to the position you are applying for as long as you are within the typical 10-15 year limit for work experience. The exact number of jobs you should include on your resume may vary depending on your experience level, but it is generally recommended to have between 3 and 7 positions.

What are the top 5 mistakes?

Here are some mistakes to avoid:

• Grammar and punctuation errors: These errors can make you unprofessional and give the impression that you need to be more detail-oriented.
• Failure to communicate knowledge and skills: Make sure to highlight your relevant skills and experience clearly and concisely.
• Vague job descriptions: Be specific and include concrete illustrations of your accomplishments.
• Using pronouns and articles: Avoid using personal pronouns (such as “I” or “my”) and articles (such as “a” or “the”) in your resume. Instead, focus on using action verbs to describe your responsibilities and achievements.

What are items that should be avoided?

Some personal details are unnecessary to include and may even send the wrong message to a prospective employer. These include:

• Marital status: Your marital status is not relevant to your qualifications or ability to do the job.
• Sexual orientation: This information is irrelevant and could discriminate against you.
• Religious or political affiliations: These details are irrelevant and could discriminate against you.
• Social security number: This information is unnecessary to include on your resume and could potentially lead to identity theft.

What are the four golden rules of CV writing?

Here are the 5 Golden Rules:

• Think Before You Type: Before you start writing your CV, take some time to carefully consider your career goals and the type of job you are applying for. This will help you tailor your CV to the employer’s specific needs.
• Summarize Your Responsibilities: When describing your previous job roles, focus on summarizing your responsibilities rather than listing every task you were responsible for.
• Make Achievements Your Key Area of Focus: Instead of just listing your responsibilities, highlight your achievements and your impact in previous roles.
• Write For Your Reader: Keep in mind that a recruiter will read your CV.

What is the 6-second rule?

According to studies, the average recruiter will scan a document for six seconds before deciding whether the applicant is a good fit for the role. This means that your resume has a concise window of time to make a strong impression and persuade the reader to consider you for the position.

What are the 4 C’s?

To be attractive, you should possess the 4 C’s: creativity, communication, collaboration, and critical thinking. These qualities are essential for success in today’s job market.

How can I spice it up?

To spice up your resume:

• Include experience from the past 10-15 years.
• Remove elements that could make your resume outdated, such as addresses, graduation dates, and obsolete software.
• Please keep it to under two pages.
• Ensure consistency in language.

How many bullets should it have?

On a functional template, use bullet points to highlight skills and accomplishments in the professional experience and education sections. Aim for 3-6 bullets per role, focusing on functions pertinent to the job.

What are the red flags?

Unexplained gaps in employment can raise red flags for. These gaps may make them assume you have struggled to secure jobs, indicating potential performance issues or other shortcomings.

What are some tips for writing an outstanding resume?

• Keep it short and to the point.
• Use an original template to make your resume visually appealing.
• Use numbers and metrics to demonstrate the results you achieved in previous roles.
• Optimize your text for clarity.
• Use specific, action-oriented, and results-focused language to stand out from other candidates.

What are the seven necessary parts of a resume?

Here are the eight essential sections to include on your resume:

• Header and contact information
• Work experience
• Certifications and licenses
• Awards and honors
• Outside projects

Is it OK to send a CV multiple times?

Avoid submitting the same document and cover letter multiple times for the same position. Doing so may decrease your chances of getting an interview, as it may give the impression that you are desperate or disorganized.

How to check if my CV is ATS-friendly?

You should ensure that it is formatted straightforwardly and uses standard, industry-standard keywords relevant to the profession you are applying for. Avoid using non-standard formatting or graphics, as these can confuse the Applicant Tracking Software (ATS) and make it difficult for the system to parse correctly.

What are the seven parts of a resume in order?

• Contacts: address, phone number, and email address.
• Education: Your degree(s) or certification(s) and the institution(s) you attended.
• Work History: Your previous employment, including job titles, job descriptions, dates of employment, and mainresponsibilities and achievements.
• Skills: A list of hard and soft skills, such as language proficiency, computer skills, and other transferable skills.
• Certifications, publications, and Awards: You have earned any additional qualifications or recognitions.
• References: The contacts of at least two professional references will help your resume stand out.

What are the most common resume mistakes?

• Typos and grammatical errors can make your CV appear unprofessional and indicate a lack of attention to detail.
• Using a generic template can make it look like everyone else’s and make it harder for hiring managers to see what sets you apart from other candidates.
• Lying or exaggerating: Misrepresenting your qualifications can get you into trouble and will likely be discovered during the hiring process.
• Not including keywords: If it doesn’t include the keywords and action verbs relevant to the job, it may not get past the initial screening process by the ATS.

What should I do before applying?

Here are ten steps to take before submitting:

• Read and follow the application instructions carefully.
• Tailor your resume to the job and company.
• Explain your past roles and companies.
• Include technical skills and experience.
• List relevant certifications or training.
• Use action verbs to describe responsibilities and achievements.
• Use industry-specific language.
• Proofread for errors.

How common are resume lies?

A survey found that 78% of job seekers admitted to or would consider misrepresenting themselves on their applications. Another study by CareerBuilder showed that 75% of employers had caught a lie. It’s important to be honest, and transparent during the applying process.

Should you list hobbies?

Including your hobbies can help demonstrate how you’ll fit in with the company culture. Any extracurricular activities that align with the company’s values and culture should be highlighted, as they can be relevant to the role.

What words should never be used?

• Demonstrated success in…
• Proven results…
• Successful/success
• Results-driven/results-oriented
• Excellent communication skills
• Responsible for…
• Duties included
• Seasoned (experienced)

It’s important to be mindful of using buzzwords too frequently or without context, as they can lose their impact if overused. It’s always best to focus on highlighting your specific skills clearly and concisely.

Can employers check your degree?

Including your hobbies can help show how you’ll fit in with the company culture. Any extracurricular activities that align with the company’s values and culture should be included, as they can be relevant to the role.

What three things does a quality resume have?

• Select the best format for your skills: chronological, functional, or combination.
• Use a clean, easy-to-read design.
• Highlight your accomplishments.
• Include your contacts.
• Carefully proofread for errors.

What makes a resume impressive?

• Include current, relevant facts in all sections.
• Attach a well-written cover letter.
• Proofread carefully.
• Be truthful.

Which skill is most attractive to an employer?

The top 5 skills to include:

• Critical thinking and problem-solving.
• Teamwork and collaboration.
• Professionalism and strong work ethic.
• Oral and written communications skills.
• Leadership.

What text color should I use?

Use a high-contrast color scheme for easy reading: black and white is a classic choice. You can also use a pale background with darker lettering for a visually appealing and readable design. Follow color theory principles to be more professional and appealing.

Should I put my address?

Including your address  is optional. However, it can be helpful in certain situations. If you’re worried about being rejected by an applicant tracking system (ATS), you can include the city and zip code of the employer in your professional summary. Leaving your address off your resume will not disqualify you from consideration.

Should I put my GPA?

Include your GPA in the education section, close to your degree. It’s important to be accurate and truthful about your GPA, rather than adjusting it to attract more attention. Your resume should be honest and transparent.

How to end a resume?

To close out your resume, you can consider adding a line stating that professional references are available upon request. This gives the impression that you have a list of references ready to provide more information about your skills and experiences, and it can be a subtle way to wrap up your resume.

How do I sell myself?

Highlight your most relevant skills, experience, and achievements. This includes focusing on the specific requirements of the job you’re applying for and tailoring your resume to showcase how you meet those requirements. It’s also important to be honest, and not exaggerate your skills or accomplishments. Finally, keep your resume brief and easy to read, using layout that is clear and visually appealing.

What words should I remove?

Avoid using cliches or overly generic language. Instead, focus on specific achievements and skills that make you stand out as a candidate. Use action verbs and quantify your accomplishments whenever possible. Be honest and avoid exaggerating or embellishing your experience.

What makes a terrible CV?

Include specific, measurable achievements to show your impact on your previous employers. This will help you stand out from other candidates and demonstrate your value to potential employers.

Can it be too cluttered?

To avoid cluttered and messy resumes, it’s important to only include relevant information and eliminate repetitive or unnecessary details. This ensure that your true worth and value are effectively communicated to the reader.

How do I make it ageless?

Focus on highlighting your accomplishments and skills rather than simply listing your job duties. Use metrics to quantify your successes and action verbs to describe your achievements. Avoid cluttering your CV with unnecessary or repetitive information, and use a clear, easy-to-read layout. Be sure to proofread your resume carefully to avoid errors.

How does a 50-year-old+ craft a resume?

A hybrid CV template combines elements of a chronological and functional resume, focusing on your relevant skills while still including your work history in chronological order. This format is useful for older job seekers who want to highlight their skills without drawing attention to their employment dates.

Why do I keep getting rejected?

Typos and errors can quickly disqualify a job applicant. It’s must-have to double-check your resume before submitting it to ensure it is error-free and professional.

Should I put a job I was fired from?

It’s generally best to omit mention of being fired. Instead, focus on your start and end dates for previous jobs without going into detail about why you left. This helps to keep the focus on your skills and qualifications rather than any negative experiences.

Should I put references?

References are not typically included, but if an employer requests, you should be prepared to provide a professional references. This list should include title, company, and contacts of at least two people who can speak to your skills and experience.

What words stand out?

Useful adjectives to describe yourself:

• Resourceful.
• Innovative.
• Passionate.

What is the best time to submit a resume?

To increase your chances of getting noticed by the recipient, send it as soon as possible after finding a job listing. This will help ensure that your application is reviewed before other candidates. If you come across the listing early in the morning or early in the week, consider sending your resume immediately to get a head start on the competition.

Should I mention a 2-week job on my resume?

Don’t do it if you have only been at your current job for a few months. Short stints at jobs can raise red flags for employers and may make them question your commitment or work ethic. Instead, focus on your work proficiency.

What Are The Best Resume Ideas for 2023?

There are six resume standarts that still work even now:

• Reverse-chronological format: This is the most used format and is suitable for most applicants.
• Functional format: This format will suit individual who have gaps in their work history or are changing careers.
• Infographic resume: This type of resume uses graphics, charts, and other visual elements to present information as an eye-catching and creative.
• Online resume: Consider creating an online resume, either as a standalone website or as a profile on a networking site like LinkedIn.
• Career advice 2023 (2)
• CV Format 2023 (18)
• CV Templates 2023 (22)
• CV tips 2023 (16)
• How to Get Employed in 2023 (1)
• How to write resume 2023 (16)
• Job search tips (3)
• LinkedIn Resume (2)
• PDF Resume Templates (200)
• Resume examples 2023 (280)
• Resume How-To (16)
• 🇪🇸 Curriculum Vitae Español 2023
• 🇫🇷 Curriculum Vitae Francais 2023
• Terms and Conditions of Use
• Privacy Policy
• Write for Us
• Resume 2023 Sitemap
• Career Blog

© 2023 Resume 2023

Privacy Overview

• Pricing Job Posting Plans Talent Search Plans Resume Builder Plans
• Build your Network My Network Access your personal network connections and manage your contacts. CakeResume Meet Expand your professional network by meeting and connecting with other users. Community Engage with other users through discussions, forums, and networking events.

Reverse Chronological Resume Writing Guide with Examples

A chronological resume, also known as a reverse chronological resume, is one of the standard resume formats adopted by job seekers. A chronological resume format highlights your professional experience from the most to least recent. It is best for candidates with a consistent work history in a specific industry or profession and an increase in job seniority over time.

Other resume formats like functional resume or combination (hybrid) resume are best suited for candidates with significant time gaps in between jobs or frequent changes in career paths. Most employers prefer a combination resume format because it could show both the work history in reverse chronological order and the relevant skills of a candidate.

In this article, you will learn what is a chronological resume, when is a chronological resume not advantageous, and how to write a chronological resume. You can also read this blog to learn all things resume !

In this article, you will learn about:

What Is a Chronological Resume?

Chronological resume template, how to write a chronological resume, tips on how to write a chronological resume, chronological resume example.

A chronological resume lists your work history with the most recent or current one first, followed by the previous ones in reverse chronological order. There are many advantages to using a chronological-order resume. Most recruiters regard work experience as the most vital indicator to hire a candidate. If a candidate has the experience of working in a similar position, the employer will save both time and money to train the candidate after hiring. 

The chronological order of employment history is also the easiest to scan for the Applicant Tracking System, or ATS, in the recruiting process of most Fortune 500 companies. Job seekers with a consistent work history – without significant employment gaps or industry changes – would benefit most from having a reverse chronological resume format.

When Is a Chronological Resume NOT Advantageous?

In some circumstances, you might not benefit from a chronological template.

Consider using other types of resume structures when:

• You are a frequent job-hopper.
• You have gaps in employment history.
• You are targeting a different industry other than the ones you’ve worked in.

Other Types of Resume Formats

There are three main methods to structure a resume. Besides writing a resume in chronological format, you could choose different resume templates, like functional or combination, that best suit your purpose.

The functional resume format puts more focus on skills and abilities and less on chronological work experience, which works best for hiding gaps in employment history.

Meanwhile, the combination or hybrid resume format includes both the advantages of a chronological and functional resume by emphasizing both the skills and experience sections while keeping the work history in reverse chronological order. Here are some benefits and disadvantages of each resume format:

1. Functional (Skill-Based) Resume Format

• Focus on relevant skills that could bring value to the company.
• Hide gaps in employment history.
• Good for creative (portfolio-based) resumes.
• Difficult to scan by ATS.
• Conceals your work experience, which might raise some red flags.
• Unsuccessful in highlighting career growth.

2. Chronological (Reverse-Chronological) Resume Format

• Highlights professional experience and accomplishments.
• Easier to scan by ATS.
• Shows work history that is preferred and often required by employers.
• Requires strict and consistent formatting.
• Reveals employment gaps or frequent job-hopping.
• Less focus on relevant skills and work capability.

3. Combination (Hybrid) Resume Format

• Showcase the relevant skills.
• Include relevant work history in chronological resume format.
• Complement employment gaps with skills acquired.
• Harder to organize and format for entry-level job seekers.
• Highlights employment gaps or job-hopping.
• Could be hard to digest for traditional employers.

Wondering how to organize a resume in reverse chronological order?

Here is a reverse chronological resume template for you to copy and edit in your own information:

First and Last Name  Job Title

Email : [email protected] |  Phone : (608) 555-5555 |  LinkedIn : yourprofile

[adjective] and [adjective] [job title] with [# of years] years of experience in [relevant skills] and/or [industry] . Looking to leverage my expertise in [relevant skills] to achieve [potential goals ] as a [position name] at [Company’s Name] .

WORK EXPERIENCE

Employer Name, Location  Most Recent Job Title  Start Date – End Date

• Include 3-4 bulleted points to list your responsibilities and achievements.
• Avoid adding more than five bullet points unless you lack other relevant experience.
• Quantify your accomplishments to make them more convincing.

Employer Name, Location  Earlier Job Title ( in reverse chronological order )  Start Date – End Date

• Include relevant achievements.
• Use past tense verbs if you no longer hold the job.

University, Location Degree Name, End Month and Year Major(s) Other relevant details

SKILLS & CERTIFICATIONS

• List your relevant skills and certifications.
• Include both hard and soft skills.
• Indicate the exact software or tools you are familiar with.

ADDITIONAL RESUME SECTIONS

• Include any other relevant information if necessary.
• For instance, you can include: language skills, volunteer experience, publications, or even hobbies and interests.

Still not sure how to write a chronological resume? Follow the detailed guidelines below to better construct each section of your chronological resume.

• Resume Header
• Resume Introduction
• Work Experience
• Skills and Certifications
• Additional Resume Sections

🖋 Resume Header

In the resume header, put your name in the biggest font for employers to quickly identify your resume. Also Include the job title you are pursuing, which is likely similar to your previous job title considering you have a consistent career path (which is what a chronological resume is best for).

Aside from that, include professional and up-to-date contact information for employers to reach out to you. Make sure to use hyperlinks for an electronic resume, or type out the link if you are handing in a paper resume.

Adding a mailing address is no longer standard practice since most employers will contact you through email.

⚠️  Reminder: Don’t include a profile photo in your resume header unless it’s common practice in your job country or industry.

🖋 Resume Introduction

A convincing resume summary or objective is important as it sets the tone for the rest of your resume. An effective resume summary is written tailored to the job description, which reaches out and grabs the readers’ attention. 

Keep your summary within three to five sentences. Mention your job title or field of specialization, and the years of experience you have. If you are an entry-level applicant, there is no need to mention that you have no work experience in your resume summary. Instead, highlight your relevant skills, best accomplishments, and career goals.

🖋 Work Experience

This is the core section of your chronological resume. Put it in reverse chronological order to demonstrate upward growth in skills and knowledge.

To create a good work experience in a reverse-chronological resume, provide three to five bullet points for each experience and try to keep each line full (don’t begin another line with only one word). Start each bullet point with different action verbs to describe your accomplishments, and remember to change to past tense for previous roles.

Rather than listing out your responsibilities directly, quantify the results of your achievements to show how well you’ve performed in each role to present yourself as a good fit for the position.

🖋 Education

If you are currently a student or a recent graduate, your education section would come before your experience section. Otherwise, list your experiences first, and keep your education section brief.

If you possess more than one degrees and want to include them in your resume, remember to write them also in reverse-chronological order.

The most relevant information includes school name, location, degree, major, and graduation date. Other information to add for a recent graduate could be GPA, minor, relevant courses, honors, Dean’s List, study abroad, student organization, etc. 

🖋 Skills and Certifications

A dedicated skills section helps showcase all the relevant hard, soft, and technical skills you have that aren't specified in your experience or resume summary sections.

Check out the job description to see what skills or tools are required for the role. Then pick up to 10 most relevant skills you have and list them in your skills section to tailor your resume to the recruiter's interest. It doesn’t have to be in chronological format, listing them alphabetically would work just fine.

🖋 Additional Resume Sections

If you still have space for more sections, include any other relevant information that would showcase your working capabilities or highlight your personality characteristics. For instance, if you are applying for a multinational company in which speaking different languages would help with your career, add your language skills and proficiency levels to your resume. 

💡 Keep the resume short and concise.

Concise wording and relevancy are two key characteristics of a good resume. Recruiters usually spend about 6 seconds looking over each resume (considering you passed the ATS scan first), and most of them prefer one-page resumes. 

So, keep each section short by highlighting the most important information. Ask 2 to 3 people to proofread your chronological resume and fix any unclear or redundant wording.

💡 List experiences from the latest to the oldest.

Again, the main difference of a chronological resume is that the experience section is listed in reverse chronological order, meaning that you start from the most recent to the oldest. Listing in chronological format would help employers quickly grasp the value of your most recent experience and see your improvement through your work history.

💡 Tailor resume contents to the job description.

The key to targeting your resume to the employer’s interest is by including information that is mentioned in the job description. For example, you could prioritize your skills or certification section with ones that are specified in the job description as qualifications.

💡 Use chronological resume templates.

If you want to quickly generate a chronological resume without needing to spend a lot of time formatting it, try out resume builders like CakeResume for a plethora of free chronological resume templates. There are also some reverse chronological resume templates in Word, just search for “chronological resume” in Templates .

💡 Use the correct file format.

Save your resume in the correct file format before sending it out. The most common format is a PDF file or a Word document. However, it depends on how the employers want you to send in your resume, so follow their instructions carefully.

Key Takeaway

A chronological logical resume format can help you to highlight your most recent work experience and catch the recruiter's eye. It can help job seekers to emphasize relevant skills that could bring value to the company they're applying for. By following our advice, you can create a compelling and convincing resume.

CakeResume is an online resume builder that allows anyone to create professional resumes and portfolios that can serve as personal web pages. With its user-friendly interface, the solution enables users to easily customize their resumes using a drag-and-drop editor and various prebuilt design templates. The platform is suitable for people of different backgrounds and levels of experience, from fresh graduates to experienced professionals.

Follow us for more helpful advice on how to land your dream job!

With CakeResume’s resume builder tool, resume templates and resume examples, you could showcase your best qualifications to land your dream job. Try making a resume online (free download) now!

Create Resume

--- Originally written by Sandy Tuo ---

More Career and Recruitment Resources

With the intention of helping job seekers to fully display their value, CakeResume creates an accessible free resume/CV/biodata builder, for users to build highly-customized resumes. Having a compelling resume is just like a piece of cake!

Resume Builder

More Articles you might be interested in

What to write in an email when sending a resume [+ examples & tips], a comprehensive cv format guideline for freshers [+examples], list of 50+ best extracurricular activities for resume (guide & examples), resume format guideline: 10+ resume formats and free templates to download, job application letter: examples, what to include & writing tips, motivation letter examples, template & writing tips, writing a thank you letter for a job offer: template, samples, guide, and tips, how to write about me section in resume (resume examples and tips).

Resume Templates

/ 0 - 5 years of experience

Choose a [Free] Resume Template

Pick one of our professional resume templates to get started on your job application. Just fill out your favorite resume template to create a flawless, ATS-friendly resume in under 5 minutes. Try out one of our 8+ free resume templates to make an impressive resume and land your dream job in no time!

Skill-Based

Traditional

Professional

Why Novorésumé?

Free AND Premium

We offer both free and premium resume templates, so whatever your budget might be, you can still take advantage of our resume builder.

Creative & Professional Resume Templates

Whether you’re a creative advertiser looking for an outside-the-box creative resume template, or a banker seeking a more professional resume template, we’ve got a template for you!

NO Hidden Fees

If you’ve tried other resume builders, you’ve probably experienced this: You spend hours creating a resume, and when you click “download,” you get hit with a paywall asking you to subscribe.

At Novorésumé, we don’t do that . We have NO hidden fees - upgrade to Premium ONLY if you LOVE our resumes!

ATS Friendly

All Novorésumé resume templates are built with the most popular Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS) in mind. What this means for YOU is that whichever job you apply for, the CV filtering software they use will be able to read your resume (and NOT automatically discard it).

Expert Reviews

Oana Vintila

Career Counselor

For over 10 years now, I've been on both sides of the fence, career counseling, and recruitment, and let me tell you, the writer's block hits hard when it comes to drafting your resume.

Novorésumé not only offers you a smart and modern template for you to fill in, but their team has also crafted a winning combo of aesthetics and functionality that will inspire you to apply for the job you thought was out of your league. Give it a try!

Biron Clark

Former Executive Recruiter

Novorésumé is one of the few resume builders that I recommend online. Their resume templates are modern and eye-catching, and will grab an employer's attention. As a former Recruiter, if a candidate sent me a resume built with one of these templates, I would take notice and be impressed.

The software also makes it easy to enter your info and handles all of the formatting for you, so you can get your resume ready to send out as quickly as possible. I recommend these templates whether you're a recent graduate or experienced candidate.

Gabriela Tardea

Career Strategist, Coach & Trainer

When I consult people on resume writing, the most common question that I am asked it is about the content and what components to add or avoid, when they have less than 5 years of work experience.

On this platform, you not only have access to many options, but you get guidance on what to choose and why. When the work experience is less than 5 years, the other components such as languages, projects, volunteering experiences, hobbies etc, make a huge difference.

Resume Resources

What is a resume.

A resume is a brief summary of personal and professional experiences, skills, and education history. Its main purpose is to show off your best self to potential employers.

When applying for a job, you’re (in most cases) going to be asked for a resume accompanied by a cover letter.

If you manage to create a “good” resume, you’re going to 2x your chances of getting hired . Want to learn how? Check out our complete guide on how to make a resume .

How to Write a Resume With No Experience?

The process of writing a resume might seem super scary to you. After all, most resume examples you see on the web are 80% about work experience. So, what the heck can you include in your resume if you have none?

Well, here’s some good news. If you’re applying for an entry-level job or an internship, no one expects you to have ANY work experience.

Instead, you should focus on what you DO have: education, projects, volunteering experience, hobbies & interests.

For a complete guide on how to make a resume with no work experience stand out, check out our article.

What to Put on a Resume?

The most common sections on a resume are:

Contact information

Resume summary or objective

Work experience

If you want to personalize your resume a bit more, you can also include the following sections:

Volunteering experience

Hobbies & interests

For more information on how to place these sections on your resume, check out our article on what to put on a resume .

How to Format a Resume?

Here are the three most popular resume formats:

Reverse-Chronological Resume

Functional Resume

Combination Resume

In 99% of the cases, you’ll want to go with the reverse chronological resume format . That’s the format most resumes you’ve seen follow - its main focus is your work experience, written down in reverse-chronological order.

So, unless you’re a student with no professional experience or a career changer, we’d recommend sticking with this format.

If you want to learn more about three resume formats , check out our comparison guide.

How to Write a Resume For a Student?

A good student resume takes advantage of the education section to highlight the candidate’s skills and qualifications.

So, the first thing you should do is talk about all your academic achievements, including any classes you’ve taken that are relevant to the position.

As a student, hiring managers don’t expect you to have extensive professional experience, so you don’t have to worry about the work experience section missing from your resume. Instead, you can focus on highlighting your extracurricular activities , any volunteering you’ve done, and your awards or certifications.

This student resume guide has all the information you need to perfect your resume and land your first real job.

How to Write a Resume For My First Job?

If you’re applying for your first job, chances are you don’t have substantial work experience. That’s fine - hiring managers expect that from entry-level positions.

First things first, go for the reverse-chronological format. Instead of writing a resume summary, use a resume objective to highlight your skills and career aspirations. If you have any work experience, do include it on your resume.

If not, you should put more focus on the following sections:

Internships , where you should focus on what you learned and achieved

Extracurricular activities , where you should highlight your role, responsibilities, and achievements.

Volunteering experiences , where you should mention the organization name, and relevant tasks and achievements.

Projects , where you talk about any personal projects you’ve worked on (that are also somehow relevant to the job you’re applying for).

Check out this guide on writing a resume with no experience to learn more about the topic and get inspired by real-life examples.

How Long Should a Resume Be?

Short answer: one page. If you're a seasoned professional with a lot of work experience that's relevant to the position, you can create a 2-page long resume MAX.

Long answer: check out our guide on how long should a resume be .

P.S. all of our templates are one page long , so you shouldn’t have a lot of trouble sticking to the one-page limit!

How to Write a Resume Summary?

Your resume summary is a “hook” that goes on top of your resume. Think of it as an introduction to the rest of your resume. It should, in 2-4 sentences, explain what your background is, and why it’s relevant for the position you’re applying for.

To learn more about how to create a resume summary that stands out, check out our guide.

How to List Work Experience on a Resume?

Work experience on a resume is one of those things that’s easy to learn but hard to master.

Each work experience entry should contain the following information:

Company name/description/location

Achievements or responsibilities

Dates employed

Now, if you want to create a work experience section that stands out, you want to make your achievements quantifiable. What this means is, instead of creating a responsibility-focused entry, like:

“Carried out sales operations.”

You list your achievements:

“Hit and exceeded monthly sales KPIs for 5 months in a row.”

This shows the employer that you’re not just a random candidate, you’re an A-player! To learn more about how to list achievements in your work experience (and land the job), check out our article.

How to List Skills on a Resume?

Simply create a ”skills” section on your Novorésumé resume template, and list your top skills. We usually recommend going for a mix of hard and soft skills .

Not sure what skills to include in your resume? Check out these 101 essential skills for any resume .

How to Make a Cover Letter for a Resume?

You should always submit a cover letter along with your resume for any job you apply to. Here are some of our top cover letter tips on how to do this right:

Tailor your cover letter to the employer. The more personalized it is, the more likely it is for the recruiter to like you.

Outline your general background (work experience, profession, etc.) and mention your top 2-3 achievements to show off your skills.

If you really want to stand out, create a cover letter that matches your resume template. To do this, you can use one of our cover letter templates here .

If you want to learn more about how to write a convincing cover letter, check out our comprehensive guide.

What Is the Best Resume Template?

There’s no such thing as “the best resume template” - every recruiter/employer has their own personal preference. Our general recommendation is to do your research on the company and its values.

For example, if you’re applying for a position at a bank, you’d want a more traditional resume template. Or, if you want a job in a startup where they value innovation more, you could opt for a creative resume template .

Alternatively, if you want your experience and skills to do all the talking, you can pick one of these minimalist resume templates .

Finally, if you’re still not sure which type of template is right for the job you’re applying for, you can just use a simple resume template just to be safe.

Do I Need to Include a Photo on my Resume?

No, you don’t need to include your photo together with your other contact details. Companies hire based on merit, which means your physical appearance shouldn’t matter to the hiring manager.

Instead, in your contact information section, make sure to include the following:

Professional title

Valid phone number

Email address

Location/where you’re based

Link to website/ LinkedIn /online portfolio, etc.

What’s the Difference Between a Resume and a CV?

In most cases, when people are talking about a CV or a resume, they are referring to the same thing! The only difference is that it's called a resume in the US and a CV in Europe (and most other countries around the world).

Now, in the US, a CV is a very in-depth document that describes your career journey step-by-step, including all sorts of personal information . Depending on your amount of experience, a CV can range between 2 to 8 pages and it’s typically used when you’re applying for jobs in academia.

Check out our guide for a more comprehensive run-down of the differences between a CV and a resume .

6 Tips for Creating a US Resume (That’ll Land You the Job)

Looking to get hired in the US? Check out our tips for creating a US resume below!

Keep your resume between 1-3 pages . A one-page resume is preferable unless you’re a seasoned professional. In such a case, you can go for two or even three, if your experience is really relevant.

Use Standard American English . So, for example, write “color” instead of the UK version, which is “colour.”

Leave out personal information , such as marital status, birthday, gender, photo, number of children, age, religion, personal identification numbers, and ethnicity/country of origin. They can be grounds for discrimination.

Don’t include references , unless the employer specifically asks you to.

Don’t list English as a foreign language.

Don’t list your GPA, SAT, TOEFL, or ACT scores on your US resume unless otherwise stated. Hiring managers usually don’t care.

Check out this guide for the full list of resume tips and tricks !

Get Inspired with Our Resume Examples

Resume templates faq, how to make a resume with novorésumé.

Follow these simple steps:

Choose one of our top resume templates above

Follow the tips & tricks built-in our resume builder

Fill in your work history and other experiences

Hit download and start applying to jobs!

What If I Am a Student?

All of our resume samples are student-friendly! If you’re looking for something a bit more tailored, we’d recommend picking the “college resume template”

Or, if you want to learn how to create a convincing student resume , check out our guide.

Do I Really Need a Resume?

Yes, you definitely need a resume!

Practically every job out there requires that candidates submit a resume and a cover letter, so if you want your application to be considered by the hiring manager, you definitely need a resume .

Are These Resume Templates Free?

Yep, all of the templates listed above are free resume templates.

However, our resume builder comes with a ton of premium features. So if you want to personalize your resume and make it truly yours, you can upgrade!

Who Created These Resume Samples?

At Novorésumé, we put extensive care in creating each resume template.

We interviewed recruiters and analyzed applicant tracking systems to create resume samples that will maximize your chances of getting hired.

Then, our professional graphic designer worked his magic to make the resume samples compelling, well-designed, and easy to read!

Which Template Do Most Employers Prefer for Resumes?

Typically, employers prefer simple, professional-looking resume templates that follow the reverse-chronological format and don’t surpass two pages MAX in length.

All the Novoresume templates above meet these requirements, so rest assured hiring managers will dig whichever one you choose.

Are These Resume Templates ATS-Friendly?

Yes! All Novorésumé templates are ATS-friendly .

Keep in mind, though, that using the right template is step #1. You should also optimize your resume content for applicant tracking systems. For more on that, check out our guide to creating an ATS-friendly resume .

Do You Offer One-Page Resume Templates?

Yep. All the templates you see above are one-page resume templates. They are, however, pretty flexible, so if you decide to go for 2 pages, our templates will get the job done!

Should I Download My New Resume In PDF or Word?

You should always download and save your resume as a PDF .

Here’s why:

PDF formatting never gets messed up.

It’s compatible with practically any system or device.

PDF documents look cleaner and are overall more professional.

To provide a safer experience, the best content and great communication, we use cookies. Learn how we use them for non-authenticated users.

Reverse Chronological Resume Templates

The most commonly used resume format is a reverse-chronological one as it shows hiring managers how you progressed throughout your career.

Browse templates by resume style

Mix & match unlimited theme, font and color combination..

Use our suggestions to complete your resume 5x faster.

Get a head start with one of our resume examples.

Facebook • Twitter • Linkedin • Pinterest • Crunchbase

• Build my resume

• Build a better resume in minutes
• Resume examples
• 2,000+ examples that work in 2024
• Resume templates
• Free templates for all levels
• Cover letters
• Cover letter generator
• It's like magic, we promise
• Cover letter examples
• Free downloads in Word & Docs

Free Resume Templates to Customize, Download, & Print

Customize your resume like you’d customize your favorite coffee order. Step into the limelight with a professional and simple resume template designed to capture and keep the attention of recruiters and hiring managers.

• Create free custom resume template
• Resume templates by experience level
• Resume templates by role
• Frequently asked questions (FAQ)

Create a Custom Resume Template for Free

Create free resume template

Management Resume Templates

A management resume is a great choice if you are more experienced in your career. Whether you have plenty of experience in people management or you’re trying to get your first managerial role, these professional resume templates will help you stand out.

Senior-Level Resume Templates

When you start getting more experience under your belt, you need to have a resume that allows for you to showcase your career highlights. These senior level resume templates are designed to help you do exactly that.

Mid-Career Resume Templates

A mid-career resume should demonstrate an increase in the level of responsibility you’ve taken on throughout your career. These resume templates will help you draw focus to these responsibilities.

Entry-Level Resume Templates

As a new grad you need to convince the hiring manager you’re capable of performing the role you’re applying to without having past experience to draw on. These new grad resume templates will help you accomplish that.

Resume Templates by Role

Different career types have different resume requirements. A nurse applying to a large, old-school hospital is going to need a different resume template than a programmer applying to a tech company. These resume templates are meant to make that selection process easier for you.

A job resume is a short, sweet, and to-the-point document that spotlights your professional experience. It’s basically a summary.

Whether you’ve been in the workforce for 15+ years, have no job experience, or are somewhere in between, resumes have been sparking fear and dread in job seekers since approximately 1482 when Leonardo De Vinci drafted what became known as the first resume .

Resumes are what just about any place of employment requests when you apply for a job. Companies—big and small—wanna know:

◉ What skills do you bring to the job? ◉ Do you have relevant work experience for the role? ◉ Do you want to work for them?

A good resume answers those questions—and isn’t so unlike De Vinci’s resume that honed in on how he could meet the specific needs and challenges of the Duke of Milan.

Happy dance! Yes, our BeamJobs templates are absolutely free.

You can download our eight resume templates at no cost in Word and Google Docs formats. Edit BeamJobs-created resume templates for free in our builder. Only pay for premium features if you like what you see (hey, we gotta make a living, too!).

We also update our site from time to time with fresh Google Docs resume templates and Word resume templates , which will always remain free for you.

The best resume template is the one that complements your personality and allows the space you need to highlight your finest work, top achievements, and job skills.

Every resume template you see on this page has been thoroughly vetted by hiring experts to ensure they include everything you need to help you land your next job. Whether you’re applying to a funky tech startup or looking to join the ranks of a reputable law firm, you’ll find a professional resume template that speaks to you.

Hunting for a new job is incredibly stressful as there’s a lot of uncertainty in the process. And while these resume templates won’t alleviate all stress, they’ll ensure your resume has everything you need to sail through an applicant tracking system (ATS) and impress hiring managers.

Try saying “applicant tracking system” 10 times fast, and you’ll know why it got shortened to ATS.

At its core, an applicant tracking system puts the gas on hiring. Typically, when folks think about ATS software, they think about it weeding out resumes that don’t include the right skills or qualifications.

That’s certainly true enough, but the ATS also helps HR and recruiters organize and sort job candidates, keeps track of communication with job seekers, sets up interviews, and does a host of other not-so-fascinating things.

Basically, when you choose an ATS-friendly resume template from BeamJobs, you can rest easy knowing that the document itself will make it through the software

When it comes to your resume, it will house these staple sections:

◉ Contact info (Triple-check the spelling of your name; see the question about “how to make a resume” for a cringe-worthy BeamJobs blunder.) ◉ Work experience ◉ Skills ◉ Education

Depending on your occupation and years of experience, you could add these optional resume sections:

◉ Resume summary or resume objective ◉ Hobbies and interests ◉ Projects (an umbrella term for things like volunteer experience, academic or personal projects, etc.)

The more relevant job experience you have, the longer the “work experience” section of your resume should be since that’s what employers care about most. On the other hand, when you’ve recently graduated and don’t have much (or any) experience, things like education and projects can take up more real estate on your resume.

Whatever your professional background, our resume maker lets you re-arrange, remove, and add sections as needed to your resume template.

Not to blast our own horns, but we’ve reviewed tens of thousands of resumes in the last few years. Would you believe we’ve actually seen resumes without a name ?! Besides discovering disheartening news like that, we’ve figured out  how to make a good resume .

There are plenty of resume tips we could give you, but here are three that, when followed, will most increase your chances of snagging an interview:

Use numbers to showcase your impact in past roles. Your work experience should focus on your measurable accomplishments, not on job responsibilities.

Tailor your resume for each job you apply to, which means reading each job description carefully. As you read, see if any prior work projects come to mind. Include those projects on your resume.

Avoid grammar and spelling errors. We know, you’ve heard it before. But you’d be aghast (fun word) at the number of folks rejected for a job because of this. (C ough cough We won’t say his real name, but one of our team members whose title rhymes with re-bounder once sent out 20 resumes with his name spelled ‘Stepen.’)

One page—plain and simple.

While you might get away with a two-page resume if you’ve got 10-plus years of experience under your hat, keep in mind that recruiters and hiring managers aren’t giving your resume the time of day it deserves anyway.

The most painful part of building a resume is editing yourself. How can your entire career fit into four or five bullet points for each job you’ve had? Here’s some good news: if you’re a senior engineer, it’s totally cool to drop from your resume the server job you had in college.

Even if you whittled the jobs you’d include down to three or four, try starting with a basic  resume outline . Fill it to your heart’s content; then, review every job experience bullet point individually and ask, “Does this point show my expertise and say something new?” If the answer’s no, exclude it. Before you know it, you’ll have a polished one-page resume.

Jobscan > Resume Formats

Resume Formats That Help Get You Job Interviews

Find out how to choose the best resume format to showcase your skills, experience, and achievements.

Trusted by:

A good resume format organizes your skills, experience, and achievements. It tells hiring managers what they need to know.

Having a good resume format is important for another reason. It helps applicant tracking systems (ATS) read and understand your resume.

ATS is a computer software that most companies use today to help them hire employees. One of the main jobs of ATS is to screen the hundreds of resumes that come in for every job opening.

If your resume isn’t formatted the right way, the ATS will have trouble reading it. This makes it far less likely that a hiring manager will see your resume.

Don’t worry! Choosing a resume format isn’t as hard as it sounds. This article will guide you through the process.

By the end of it, you’ll know which resume format is best for your situation.

The 3 basic resume formats

There are three basic resume formats to choose from. They are:

• Chronological – Lists your work history in order, starting with your most recent job first.
• Functional – Focuses on your skills and accomplishments instead of your work history.
• Hybrid – Places your skills and accomplishments at the top, before your work history.

It’s important to understand the pros and cons of each format. This allows you to choose the one that best suits your specific situation and career goals.

After choosing a format, consider using a resume template to help create your resume. A template is a pre-designed layout that provides a structured framework for presenting your skills and experience. All you have to do is fill in your information.

Jobscan has a variety of free resume templates you can use. Our templates come in all three resume formats and each one is ATS-friendly.

Chronological

The chronological resume format

Also known as the “reverse chronological” resume, this is the most common type of format. You’re most likely already familiar with it.

As the name suggests, this format lists your most recent job first. Then your second-most recent job, your third-most recent job, etc…

Why do hiring managers like the chronological resume?

Hiring managers often prefer the chronological resume format for several reasons:

• It’s easy to follow – Recruiters can scan through your resume. It’s easy for them to find the companies you’ve worked for and the positions you’ve held.
• It’s the most traditional – Hiring managers are very familiar with this format. It won’t confuse them.
• It shows your career growth – Your work history makes it easy for recruiters to see how your career is going.

Who should use the chronological resume format?

Because this resume format focuses on work experience, it’s often used by job seekers who:

Have a strong work history

This format is ideal for job seekers who have lots of relevant work experience. It allows recruiters to see your career trajectory at a glance. They can get a good sense of the breadth and depth of your expertise.

Work in traditional industries

Many traditional industries prefer the chronological format. These industries include finance, engineering, healthcare, and legal professions. These sectors generally place a strong emphasis on a candidate’s work history.

Have a stable career path

The chronological resume is good at showing steady career growth within an industry. Hiring managers like to see this because it shows commitment.

How to set up a chronological resume

The reverse chronological resume contains the following sections, from top to bottom:

• Contact Information : Begin your resume with your name, phone number, and email address. You can also include a professional website or LinkedIn profile (if applicable).
• Resume Summary : This is a short statement about your goals, qualifications, and experience. It should provide a snapshot of your professional profile.
• Work Experience : This is the heart of the chronological resume. List your jobs in reverse chronological order, starting with your most recent position. Include the company name, job title, and dates of employment. Add a brief description of your responsibilities and accomplishments for each role.
• Education : This section should also be in reverse chronological order. List degrees earned, school names, and graduation dates. You may also want to list academic honors or certifications relevant to your field.
• Skills : This section allows you to highlight relevant skills. Include both hard and soft skills.
• Additional Sections : Depending on your background, you may choose to include more sections. These could include volunteer work, hobbies, publications, or foreign languages.

You don’t have to create your resume from scratch. You can use a resume template. This is a pre-designed layout that includes all the sections listed above. All you have to do is fill in your information.

Jobscan has free resume templates . Each one is ATS-friendly and can be easily customized to suit your needs.

Pros and cons of the chronological resume format

• Draws attention to employment gaps – Shows if you’ve had periods of unemployment or job breaks.
• Not ideal for career changers – Does not highlight your transferable skills. These are important if you are making a significant career change.
• Less focus on skills – Does not immediately highlight your specific skills. These are listed later in a separate skills section.
• Emphasizes career progression – Highlights promotions, increased responsibilities, and relevant experience.
• Preferred by recruiters – This makes it easy for them to assess your work history.
• Shows career stability – A stable career shows commitment to a job or industry.
• ATS-friendly – Applicant tracking systems are familiar with this format. They should have no problem reading and understanding your information.

Functional resume format

This is also known as the skills-based resume format. It’s quite different from the chronological resume format.

The chronological format focuses on your work history. The functional format focuses on your skills and achievements. It minimizes your work experience.

This has several advantages:

• Focusing on your skills helps recruiters see if you can do the job.
• This format downplays negatives like employment gaps, career changes, and limited work experience. Instead, it focuses on positives, such as your transferable skills.
• This format also focuses on achievements that are relevant to the job you’re applying to. This makes it easier for recruiters to assess your capabilities.

Why do hiring managers like the functional format?

Actually, hiring managers don’t like the functional resume format!

This is because the lack of work experience makes it hard for them to understand your career. The functional format can also hide periods of unemployment. Hiring managers prefer transparency.

Another big reason why you shouldn’t use the functional resume format is that it’s not ATS-friendly.

ATS scan resumes for specific keywords, job titles, and dates. They use this information to assess an applicant’s qualifications for a specific job.

But functional resumes don’t focus on job titles and dates. So the ATS might have trouble reading and understanding them. As a result, functional resumes may not receive high rankings from an ATS.

Who should use the functional resume format?

While we don’t recommend using a functional resume, it can help certain job seekers. Especially those who:

Have transferable skills

Are you considering a career change? The functional format might be for you. It emphasizes your transferable skills that are relevant to the desired role.

Transferable skills are abilities that you can use in any job in any field or industry. They include things like communication, problem-solving, leadership, time management, organization, and adaptability.

Have limited work experience

The functional resume is for recent graduates or people with limited work experience. This is because it highlights things like your school achievements, hobbies, and volunteering.

Have employment gaps

The functional format downplays gaps in your work history. It redirects the focus of hiring managers toward your skills.

How to set up a functional resume

When creating a functional resume, follow this structure:

• Contact Information: This is the same regardless of which resume format you choose. Include your name, phone number, email address, and location.
• Resume Summary: The resume summary provides a concise snapshot of your qualifications. It should touch upon your unique skills, expertise, and accomplishments. The goal is to attract the reader’s interest.
• Skills Section : This is the heart of your functional (or skills-based) resume. This section should include a combination of hard skills (technical abilities specific to the job) and soft skills (transferable skills like communication , leadership , problem-solving , etc.).
• Use bullet points when creating your skills section. List your most relevant skills first. Whenever possible, try to include achievements that display relevant skills.
• Work Experience: Whatever work experience you have should come after your skills section. Don’t list detailed job descriptions. Instead, focus on the accomplishments, projects, and experiences that show your skills.
• Education : Include information about your educational background. This includes degrees earned, institution names, and graduation dates. Also include relevant coursework, certifications , or academic achievements.

If you don’t want to build your functional resume from scratch, try Jobscan’s free resume templates . They’re easy to customize and each one is ATS-friendly.

Pros and cons of the functional resume format

• Lack of detailed work history – Employers often want to see your work experience to see if you can do the job.
• No career timeline – Recruiters may find it hard to grasp the chronology of your work experience. This is because the focus is on your skills.
• Less suitable for established industries – Some industries focus more on work history.
• Highlights skills and achievements – This shows employers that you have what it takes to do the job.
• Good for career changers – This format focuses on your transferable skills. These give recruiters a good idea of your potential.
• Hides employment gaps – This format can lessen concerns about gaps in your work history.

Hybrid resume format

The hybrid resume format is becoming more popular. It combines the best aspects of the chronological and functional resume formats.

That’s why it’s called a hybrid .

The hybrid resume emphasizes both skills and work history. It features a dedicated skills section at the top of the resume. Below that is a chronological work experience section.

This format is especially helpful when you have lots of work experience but also want to show off your skills and accomplishments.

Why do hiring managers like the hybrid format?

Hiring managers appreciate the hybrid resume format for several reasons:

• It strikes a balance – Recruiters can see your skills and your work experience.
• It focuses on key skills – Sometimes recruiters want to make sure you have the skills to do the job. This resume format tells them immediately.
• It shows career progression – The hybrid resume provides a clear overview of your career path.

Who should use the hybrid resume format?

Anyone can use the hybrid resume format to great advantage. It’s especially suited to job seekers who:

Have a diverse skill set

You might have the perfect skills for the job. But your work experience is a little weak. This format allows you to feature your skills while downplaying your work experience.

Want to emphasize achievements

The hybrid format allows you to showcase achievements as well as skills at the top of your resume.

Are changing careers

The hybrid is good if you are transitioning to a new field. It focuses more on your transferable skills and slightly less on your work history.

How to set up a hybrid resume

When creating a hybrid resume, follow this structure:

• Contact Information : Begin with your name, contact details, phone number, and email address. You can also include your professional website or LinkedIn profile (if applicable).
• Resume Summary: Try to distill your entire resume into a short, easy-to-read blurb. Summaries can help career changers who need a place to explain a shift in career trajectory.
• Skills Section : Use bullet points to list your skills and achievements. Include both hard skills and soft skills.
• Work Experience: List your jobs in reverse chronological order. Start with your most recent or current position. Include the company name, job title, and dates of employment. Also, include a brief description of your responsibilities and accomplishments for each role.
• Education : List your education as you would on a chronological resume. Include degrees earned, school names, and graduation dates. You may also want to list academic honors or certifications relevant to your field.

If you don’t want to build your hybrid resume from scratch, try Jobscan’s free resume templates . They’re easy to customize and each one is ATS-friendly.

Pros and cons of the hybrid resume format

• Can result in a longer resume – The hybrid format may result in a longer resume. This is due to the inclusion of both a skills section and a detailed work history. But this shouldn’t be a problem as long as your resume isn’t more than two pages.
• Requires more thought – It can be hard to achieve the right balance between skills and work history. It requires thoughtful consideration and planning.
• Highlights your skills – By showing your skills first, this format captures the attention of hiring managers who are looking for them.
• Showcases your career progression – This format includes a chronological work experience section. This gives employers a good sense of your professional background and experience.
• Adaptable – The hybrid resume is flexible and easy to customize for specific jobs.
• ATS-friendly – ATS should have no problem reading this type of resume format.

If you’re still not sure which format to use for your resume, follow this flowchart to help you decide based on your situation.

How to format your resume so an ATS can read it

It’s important to choose the right resume format. But it’s also important to optimize your resume layout and content for an ATS.

If your resume is not optimized for an ATS, it’s less likely to make it into the hands of a hiring manager. Even if you have relevant skills and experience.

Here are some tips for creating a resume that will get past the initial screening of an ATS.

• Use standard fonts – Stick to common fonts like Arial, Calibri, or Times New Roman. Avoid fancy or decorative fonts. The ATS may not recognize them.
• Keep it simple – Avoid excessive formattings, such as tables, images, or graphics, as they may confuse the ATS.
• Use simple headings – Use headings like “Work Experience,” “Education,” and “Skills”. The ATS can read these without a problem.
• Use plain text – Stick to basic formatting like bullet points and simple indentation. Avoid using headers or footers, text boxes, columns, or special characters.
• Use a font size that is easy to read – The recommended font size is 11-12 pt for regular text and 14-16 pt for section titles.
• Use the right margin – Make sure that the margins on all sides of your resume are 1 inch so that it doesn’t look too crowded.
• Include relevant keywords – Read the job description and pick out prominent keywords. Incorporate these keywords throughout your resume. This helps the ATS recognize your qualifications. It will then rank your resume higher in the search results.
• Use standard file formats – Save your resume as a .docx or .pdf file. These formats are widely compatible with most ATS systems.
• Avoid abbreviations and acronyms – Spell out acronyms and avoid excessive abbreviations. The ATS may not recognize uncommon abbreviations.
• Keep the file name simple – When saving your resume, use a simple file name. You could use the word “resume” for example. This makes it easier for the ATS and hiring managers to identify and organize your file.

Pro Tip : Use Jobscan’s free resume templates to start building your resume. All our templates are ATS-friendly and easy to customize.

5 tips for writing a resume that will get you interviews

Here are some additional tips that will help you create an effective resume:

Tailor each resume to the job you are applying for

Don’t make the mistake of sending out the exact same resume with every application. Yes, it’s easy. It’s also ineffective.

Instead, read the job description to find out which skills and qualifications are most important. Then try to include those skills on your resume.

When you use the same language on your resume that’s found in the job description, you increase your chances of getting an interview.

Highlight achievements as well as responsibilities

While it’s important to list your job responsibilities on your resume, you also want to highlight accomplishments .

Responsibilities are what you did. Accomplishments are how well you did it.

For example, if you increased sales or reduced costs, be sure to mention these accomplishments.

Use action verbs

Action verbs paint a clearer picture of your qualifications. They increase the overall impact of your resume.

Instead of simply stating that you were “responsible for” a certain task or project, explain how you took charge and made it happen.

For example, you could say that you “spearheaded a new initiative” or “coordinated a complex team effort.”

Use numbers

Try to use numbers whenever possible. Numbers show the true scope of your accomplishments to hiring managers.

Instead of saying that you “Created marketing campaigns” you could say that you “Created 10 successful marketing campaigns that generated a 20% increase in leads.”

Use active voice, not passive

Always try to use active voice instead of passive voice when writing your resume. Active voice is more direct, concise, and easier to read.

In active voice, the subject of the sentence is doing the verb. In passive voice, the subject is being acted upon by the verb.

If you’re not sure whether your resume is using active or passive voice, try running it through the Hemingway editor . It’s free and will tell you if you’re using passive voice.

Additional resume resources

Selecting the right resume format is the first step to creating an impactful resume. To learn more about how to create a resume that will stand out, check out these additional resources:

• How to Write a Resume That Recruiters Will Really Love – This step-by-step resume guide will teach you how to write a resume that stands out.
• How to Add Work Experience to Your Resume – Learn how to create a work experience section that will grab the attention of hiring managers.
• 8 Things You Need to Know About Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS) – Here’s everything you need to know about ATS. What they are, how they work, and especially how you can “beat” them!
• How to Write a Strong Resume Skills Section – Here are the top resume skills employers are looking for. Learn how to list them on your resume.
• Hard Skills vs. Soft Skills – Learn the difference between hard and soft skills and why you need both on your resume.
• Free Professional Resume Templates – These ATS-friendly resume templates feature sleek, minimalist designs.

FAQs about resume formats

What does ats-friendly resume format mean.

An ATS-friendly resume format is one that can be read by Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS). Employers use these systems to manage and filter large volumes of resumes.

When you use an ATS-friendly format , it increases the chances that a hiring manager will find your resume.

Is a resume format the same as a resume template?

No, they are two different things.

Resume format refers to the structure and organization of the content in a resume. A resume template refers to a pre-designed layout you can use to create a resume.

Is there a separate student resume format?

There isn’t a specific “student resume format” per se. Students generally use the same resume formats as other job seekers. But they may emphasize different sections or information.

A student’s resume highlights coursework, internships, part-time jobs, extracurricular activities, and academic achievements.

What is the best resume format for 2023?

The best resume format for you depends on your specific circumstances. This includes your work experience, career goals, and the industry you’re targeting.

Having said that, we like the hybrid resume format .

Employers are looking for job candidates who have the right skills. And the hybrid resume features skills right at the top of the resume. Employers also want to see a work experience section on a resume. The hybrid has that as well.

This powerful combination of skills and experiences makes the hybrid resume our top choice for 2023 and beyond.

Free Professional Resume Templates

Jobscan’s free Microsoft Word compatible resume templates feature sleek, minimalist designs and are formatted for the applicant tracking systems that virtually all major companies use.

Explore more resume resources

How to write a resume

Resume Templates

Resume Examples

Resume Builder