combination resume format examples

Combination Resume Guide [w/ Templates & Examples]

Are you in the middle of a career change?

Or maybe you’re a senior professional with a diverse set of skills?

Whichever the case may be, the combination resume might be the right one for you!

This hybrid resume allows you to highlight both your work experience AND skills in a single resume, making your professional background shine!

So, want to learn more?

• What a combination resume is & when to use it
• How to create a hybrid resume that really stands out
• How to write must-have sections for any combination resume

Let’s get started!

What’s a Combination Resume

So, what is a combination resume exactly and what does it combine?

Essentially, a combination resume , aka a hybrid resume , combines 2 traditional resume formats .

It’s a mix of the reverse-chronological resume and the functional resume format.

As in, it places equal emphasis both on your skills and work experience.

The format offers 2 main advantages:

• It allows you to present a quick overview of your actual employment history and the areas that are transferable.
• While at the same time, showing the HR manager your top skills and qualifications.

Keep in mind, though, unless you’re in a very specific situation, the combination resume might not be the right resume format for you. What do we mean? 

Read on to find out.

When to Use a Combination Resume

The combination resume is pretty rare.

Most job-seekers worldwide tend to use a reverse-chronological format (and for a good reason). It’s pretty much the standard: HR managers are used to it, it’s straightforward and easy to make.

The combination resume format is very situational. You shouldn’t use it unless you:

• Are going through a career change.
• Have some employment gaps in your work history.
• Are a senior-level candidate, with a diverse range of skills and experiences.

In case you fit the bill for one of these 3 cases, though, here’s how to create a combination resume.

What to Put on a Combination Resume

When creating a combination resume, a proper layout is your best friend.

Typically, you’ll want to cover the following resume sections :

• Contact Information
• Resume Summary
• Work Experience or Areas of Strengths
• Skills Summary
• Additional Skills

Now, we’ll walk you through each of these sections, and teach you how to write them.

Starting with -

Add Contact Information the Right Way

Let’s start with the basics.

If the HR manager is interested in interviewing you, they’ll want to know how to reach you.

In the contact information section you include:

• First name, last name.
• Phone number - Make sure you include your country code if you’re applying outside your country.
• Email address - Your email should be professional. Ideally, something like [FirstName][LastName]@gmail.com
• Location - Are you located in the area? Open to relocation? Or maybe you’re looking for a relocation sponsor? Make sure it’s clear.
• Title - Your professional title goes here. Either your current job or the one you’re applying for word-for-word. If you’re switching careers, you could also do something like “Aspiring [Desired Job Title]”

Once done, make sure you double-check everything, slowly and carefully, for any typos. 

We’d recommend reading everything out loud just in case. You’re not going to go far if the recruiter can’t get in touch with you because of a typo in your email.

Got the basics down? Good!

Now, let’s move onto the resume summary .

Grab the Recruiter’s Attention With a Resume Summary

A resume summary is a 2 - 5 sentence summary of your professional background.

You should look at the resume summary as an introduction to your resume.

It’s the first thing the recruiter sees on your resume, and if you fail to catch their attention, they’re not going to read the rest of it.

So, how do you write a good resume summary?

You mention things like:

• Career highlights
• Qualifications
• Top achievements
• Relevant skills

Here’s an example to better understand what that might look like.

• “IT project manager with a proven track record of working with agile and waterfall methodologies. Managed teams of 5+ people on software development projects over the last 4 years. Decent understanding of JavaScript, React, and Python.”

PS - Need more inspiration for writing a strong resume summary? Check out our how-to guide with 40+ resume summary examples .

Use Your Work Experience to Show Off Relevant Skills

The next section in your combination resume is the work experience.

The work experience section is where you get to really sell yourself and brag about your past achievements.

List out your work history in a reverse-chronological order (starting from the most recent and ending with the oldest), and mention the standard things like:

• Job title and position
• Company name, location - If the company isn’t famous, you can describe what they do in 1-2 sentences. And you should always mention the location too.
• Period of employment - The standard format is mm/yyyy - mm/yyyy.
• Achievements or responsibilities - With achievements, you should list any specific changes you made happen (think in terms of numbers and data). Though, if that’s not possible because of the nature of the job (e.g. cashier), you can just stick to responsibilities.

Sounds simple enough, right?

A couple of other things you should keep in mind when writing a work experience entry:

• When possible, focus on achievements instead of responsibilities. 
• Back up your experiences with numbers and data.
• Tailor your experience to the job you’re applying for.

Now, here’s what a work experience entry looks like in practice:

Web Developer

Company X, Denmark, Copenhagen, 05/2018 - Present

• Full-stack developer, responsible for web applications and creative cloud engineering. Led a team of 5+ junior developers, using different methodologies.
• Optimized old check-out page, based on core UX principles, which increased customer purchases by 20%.
• On average, prototyped up to 20+ different product features per year.

Here’s what’s done right:

• Information is relevant, and straight to the point.
• It’s backed up by data and numbers.
• It lists achievements over daily responsibilities.

Now, compare that to -

Company X, Denmark, Copenhagen, 05/2016 - 07/2019

• Collaborated with project managers and provided updates.
• Designed website and mobile apps, while providing exceptional user experience.
• Worked with other developers in a team.

That’s extremely vague, right?

It doesn’t really say anything, or HOW the person actually did their job.

Now, imagine you’re the HR manager and you get to pick between these 2 candidates.

Which one would you pick?

• Going through a career change? You might want to use your work experience section to highlight your transferable skills.
• This way, you’re showing how your seemingly irrelevant work experience gave you the skills you need to do the new job right.

Show You’re the Right Person With the Skills Summary Section

The skills summary section is what differentiates the combination resume from the reverse-chronological one.

This is where you show your know-how for the job and that you have the right skills for it.

This section is especially useful for career changers, as it allows you to focus more on your skills (as opposed to work experience).

So, how do you write a skills summary section?

You start by listing all the required skills for the job you’re applying for.

For example:

• SEO, Content Writing, Growth Hacking
• Graphic Design

Then, underneath each skill listing, you describe how you’ve used this skill in the past.

Combination Resume Skills Summary Example

• Started personal blog for reviewing electronics and latest tech gadgets. Grew email list from 0 to 500+. Ranked in top 5 Google searches for “best dash cameras for Uber”, and “best front and rear dash cams”.
• Gained over 1,500+ visits from Quora from answering questions daily.
• Reached out to fellow bloggers in the field and got 30+ backlinks to my blog for answering frequently asked questions.
• Used WordPress theme to design website, know basic HTML/CSS.
• Designed infographic using Adobe Illustrator which gained over 500+ tweets / retweets.
• Used Ahrefs to perform site audit, and fix underperforming blog posts by doing a better keyword search.
• Familiar with the basics of Google Analytics and Google Search Console.

Not bad, right?

But what if you’re not switching careers, do you still include the skills summary section?

In that case, you’re using a skills summary section to show your vast range of skills and know-how (that your experience section can’t cover).

If you’re an experienced candidate, your main skills probably don’t stop there.

And that brings us to the next section of your combination resume.

Additional Skills for a Combination Resume

Remember how in the previous section (skills summary), we mentioned the must-have skills?

Well, this is where you list everything you left out.

Now, all you have to do is scan a job ad you want to apply for, look for all the essential skills that you didn’t mention in the skills summary section, and mention them in this section.

Let’s take a look at an example...

Combination Resume Skills Example

Let’s assume that the job is looking for a designer who has:

• Proficiency in UX software (Sketch, InVision, Photoshop XD, etc.).
• Basic understanding of HTML, CSS.
• Strong problem-solving, project management and organizational skills.
• Good communication skills and is a team player.

Now, all you’d have to do is mention those requirements in your skills section, like so:

• HTML and CSS.
• UX / UI software (Sketch, InVision, Photoshop XD, Figma).
• Verbal and written communication.
• Teamwork and time management.

Wondering what other skills are essential for your job? Check out our full guide of 150+ must-have skills for any resume .

Now that you know how to get the skill section right, let’s move on to the next section - education .

Write an Education Section That Stands Out

Your education section comes last on a combination resume, but luckily, it’s fairly straightforward.

The section is pretty much a requirement for any resume.

Here’s what you include in your education section:

• Type of degree - e.g. MSc in Economics and Business Administration
• Educational institution name - The University of Chicago
• Years attended - 09/2017 - 06/2019 
• Program location (optional) - Chicago, Illinois
• GPA (optional, only if noteworthy) - 3.87
• Relevant courses (optional) - Project Management Principles and Practices
• Exchange program (or any other noteworthy achievements) - Exchange program in Washington, D.C.

Here’s what the full listing might look like for a combination resume :

Now, what if your degree isn’t relevant to the job you’re applying for, as it might be if you’re switching careers?

Do you still list it?

As long as you have an actual degree, it still says a lot about your passion and commitment to education.

In some cases, you can even show off some transferable skills with your degree.

Let’s take a look at another example and say you’re applying for a graphic design job , with a B.A. in Communication :

B.A. in Communications

University X, 10/2013 - 06/2017

• Excelled in visual communication and digital media classes.
• Designed posters for university events and social media content.

Key Takeaways

To recap, a combination resume is a type of resume format that places equal emphasis on your skills and work experience.

To make sure your hybrid resume is exceptional, here’s what you should keep in mind:

• Make sure you cover all the necessary sections for a combo resume: contact information , resume summary , skills summary , additional skills , and education .
• When listing your qualifications, focus on only what’s relevant .
• Finally, end with your education . Even if your degree isn't relevant to the job, you should still include it to show your passion for learning.

Done with your resume and looking for extra career advice? Be sure to check out our career blog for more actionable advice and insights.

Discover More Resume Templates

• Chronological Resume Templates
• Minimalistic Resume Templates
• Creative Resume Templates
• One Page Resume Templates
• 2 Page Resume Templates
• Word Resume Templates
• Google Docs Resume Templates
• High School Resume Templates

Recommended reading:

• 43+ Resume Tips and Tricks to Land Your Next Job in 2024
• 35+ Common Interview Questions and Answers [Complete List]
• What Are The Most Common Mistakes In A Resume In 2024? [Examples]

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Combination Resumes: How (and When) to Use Them + Examples

3 key takeaways

• A clear understanding of this resume format and how it differs from other resume types
• What scenarios a combination resume is most beneficial in (and how it can improve your job application)
• Tips and guidance for creating your combination resume with Teal's AI Resume Builder

When you're job searching, you need to present your skills and experiences in a way that stands out to potential employers. 

For many, especially those with employment gaps or diverse professional backgrounds, the solution is learning how to use a combination resume.

This unique resume format blends the best of chronological and functional resumes, offering a versatile approach to showcasing your career journey.

Combination resumes are especially useful for those looking to transition between industries, re-enter the workforce, or highlight a broad skill set. And with the right combination resume templates or examples, you can effectively bridge the gap between your past experiences and future ambitions.

What is a combination resume?

A combination resume incorporates elements of both functional resumes and reverse-chronological resumes . It allows you to showcase your relevant skills and your work history in a balanced way. 

This format typically starts with a clear professional summary, then highlights your hard skills, followed by a reverse-chronological listing of your work experience.

Combination resumes are particularly useful if you have diverse skills or varied work experiences and want to showcase these elements effectively. It's ideal for those making a career change, re-entering the workforce, or who have gaps in their employment history. 

By emphasizing your skills upfront, you can draw attention to what you can do rather than when you did it. For job seekers looking to emphasize both their skills and experience, the combination resume template is an excellent choice.

How does a combination resume compare with other formats

While the chronological resume focuses primarily on work history and the functional resume emphasizes skills, the combination resume strikes a balance between the two. This hybrid resume approach offers the flexibility to highlight the aspects of your professional profile that are most relevant to the job title you're applying for.

That’s what makes it a strong option compared to other resume formats . 

It's important to remember that a combination resume still maintains a chronological order in its work history section. It's not just about listing skills but also about demonstrating how these skills have been applied throughout your career.

For recent graduates, this format can highlight educational experiences, while for those pivoting careers, it can focus on relevant projects or volunteer work that aligns with the new role.

How to format a combination resume

A combination resume, as its name implies, combines elements of both chronological and functional resumes. This format allows you to highlight your most relevant skills and experiences while providing a clear timeline of your work history.

Key sections of a combination resume

• Header : This includes your name, contact information, and, optionally, links to your professional online presence (like LinkedIn).
• Professional Summary : A brief, impactful section encapsulating your career highlights and key skills.
• "Skills" section : A list or bullet points showcasing your most relevant skills. Remember, this section should be tailored to the specific job you're applying for.
• Professional experience : Focus on accomplishments, impact, and how you used your skills for each role rather than just duties. Keep in mind every job should be relevant to the role you're applying for.
• Education : Your educational background, often listed in reverse chronological order.
• Additional sections : Depending on your experience, this can include certifications, awards, volunteer work, or personal projects.

The beauty of a combination resume lies in its flexibility. 

Typically, after the header and professional summary, the skills summary comes next, immediately showcasing your most relevant abilities. The professional experience follows, providing context and proof of your skills. 

Education and additional sections come at the end, supporting the overall narrative of your resume.

That said, there’s a slight difference in format depending on the context. 

Combination resumes for recent graduates

The combination resume format particularly benefits recent graduates lacking extensive work experience.

Instead, they can substitute their educational experience, including relevant projects and courses, in a prominent position.

This approach allows them to highlight their potential and the skills they've acquired through their education, which are relevant to the job they're applying for. The format would still maintain a reverse chronological order, ensuring it is easy to read and professionally structured.

Combination resumes for a career pivot 

For individuals making a career pivot, the combination resume format provided above allows them to emphasize transferable skills and relevant projects or volunteer work. These elements can replace or complement the traditional work experience section. 

This approach helps in showcasing how their skills and experiences, even from different fields, are applicable to the new role they are targeting. Again, maintaining a chronological format ensures clarity and structure, which is essential for any professional resume.

In both cases—for recent graduates and career changers—a combination resume serves its purpose well, balancing the skills and experiences relevant to the new role while maintaining a clear, chronological format.

How to write a combination resume

Here’s a detailed guide to writing each section of your combination resume.

As the first impression, your header should clearly display your name, contact information, and any professional links like LinkedIn. 

Make sure it’s easily visible at the top of your resume. A professional-looking header sets the tone for the rest of the document.

2. Professional summary

This is where you craft your elevator pitch. The goal is to summarize your career journey and highlight skills that transfer well to the new role. 

Make it engaging, concise, and focused on why you’re a great fit for this career shift.

Here’s an example of a professional summary for Sarah, a junior marketer looking to enter a mid-level role:

Dynamic junior marketer with 3+ years of experience specializing in digital campaigns, SEO, and social media strategies. Proven ability to boost web traffic and conversion rates through innovative and data-driven approaches. Seeking to leverage creative problem-solving and market analysis skills in a challenging mid-level marketing role.

Pro-tip: Try Teal's Resume Summary Generator to write tailored, position-specific summaries in a matter of seconds.

3. Skills summary

List hard skills like tools or programs that are directly relevant to your new career.

In a combination resume, this part immediately showcases your most relevant capabilities and will ideally be a balance of hard and soft skills relevant to the job description. 

4. Professional experience

Start with your most relevant job roles, even if they aren't in the new career field. Focus on achievements and demonstrate how you used transferable skills to have an impact.

If you’re feeling stuck on how to write your professional experiences, use the Problem-Action-Result (PAR) method to articulate your past contributions.

You can also rely on Teal’s built-in AI to help you draft your resume’s content: 

Just be sure to manually check that the information is accurate when you review your resume. 

5. Education

Include all relevant degrees, certifications, and coursework. 

If you’re a recent graduate or have less professional experience in the new field, this section would be used in place of “Professional Experience.” It can also be expanded to showcase academic achievements, projects, or relevant courses that align with your new career path.

6. Additional sections

This is your space to include anything else that strengthens your application. Consider adding sections for volunteer work, projects, languages, or other certifications. Tailor this part of the resume to showcase experiences and achievements that further demonstrate your suitability for the career change.

Remember, the key to a successful combination resume for a career change lies in how well you customize these sections to showcase your transition into a new career effectively. 

Writing a combination resume with Teal

If you’re just getting started, crafting the perfect combination resume can feel overwhelming, especially when balancing so many elements of your professional journey. 

But Teal’s Drag-and-Drop Editor transforms this challenge into a seamless and intuitive process. You can effortlessly rearrange sections to suit your unique story, ensuring that your skills, experience, and accomplishments are presented in the most impactful way. 

Whether you're a career changer, a seasoned professional with diverse experiences, or someone bridging employment gaps, Teal allows you to create a resume that highlights your strongest assets. Then, you can modify your resume layout to your liking. 

Plus, Teal recognizes the importance of a resume that can be scanned by applicant tracking systems (ATS). 

Teal helps you craft resumes and cover letters that incorporate keywords directly from job descriptions. You can write them from scratch, use the Achievement Assistant, or generate them with the help of Teal’s built-in AI. 

From there, you can polish everything to ensure your combination resume is as strong as it is genuine. 

Tips for writing compelling resume content

An impactful combination resume not only showcases your qualifications but also tells a compelling story of your professional journey. With the right approach, your resume can capture the essence of your career and present you as an ideal candidate for the job. 

Here are some essential tips to help you create content that stands out, aligns with the job requirements, and effectively communicates your value.

1. Start with action verbs: Begin each bullet point in your experience section with dynamic action verbs. 

For instance, instead of saying, "Responsible for managing a team," say, "Led a team of 10 professionals to surpass quarterly sales targets by 13%."

2. Quantify achievements: Whenever possible, include concrete numbers and metrics to quantify the work you’ve done. 

For example, rather than saying "Improved sales," specify with, "Increased sales by 25% over six months through strategic marketing campaigns."

3. Tailor content to the job: Align your resume's content with the job description by incorporating relevant keywords.

 If the job listing emphasizes "project management" and "team leadership," ensure these terms are reflected in your resume, like "Spearheaded a project team to deliver on-time solutions in a fast-paced tech environment."

4. Write clearly and concisely: Avoid industry jargon and complex sentences. 

For example, instead of saying, "Utilized cutting-edge methodologies to engender an increase in consumer engagement," you could say, "Applied innovative strategies to boost customer engagement by 30%."

At the end of the day, the key to an effective combination resume is to present a clear, engaging narrative of your career that aligns with the job you're applying for. 

Writing a combination resume for career change

Changing careers can be challenging. You’ve already climbed the ladder in one field, and now you’re starting all over at the bottom wrung. 

Plus, you need to quickly and concisely explain the transition to hiring managers so they don’t assume you’re a flight risk. 

Here are a few tips for writing a combination resume specifically for a career change. 

1. Highlight transferable skills

When transitioning to a new career field, it's essential to showcase skills from your previous roles that are relevant to your new path. Focus on transferable skills that can be applied in various contexts. 

For instance, if you’re moving from a teaching role to a corporate training position, skills like public speaking, curriculum development, and audience engagement are highly relevant. 

List these skills in a dedicated section and use specific examples in your work history to demonstrate how you've applied them effectively. 

2. Emphasize relevant experience

Your past roles may have more in common with your new field than you think. Scrutinize your work history to identify projects, tasks, or responsibilities that have a direct correlation with the role you’re targeting.

For each job you list, focus on aspects that align with your new career. For example, if you’re moving into project management, highlight your experience coordinating tasks, managing teams, or overseeing project timelines.

Even roles in different industries can provide relevant experience, such as managing a project or leading a team.

3. Use the professional summary wisely

Your professional summary is the first thing employers will read, so it's your chance to make a strong impression. This is where you can express your career change intention and why you are a suitable candidate. 

Write a compelling summary that combines your passion for the new field with your proven skills. 

For example, “Passionate about transitioning into digital marketing, leveraging extensive experience in content creation and audience engagement gained from a successful journalism career.”

4. Include your education and continued learning efforts

Highlighting your education and any ongoing learning efforts is crucial, especially if they are relevant to your new career path. This shows employers your commitment to the field. 

List any recent courses, workshops, or certifications at the top of your education section. For instance, if you’re moving into IT, including certifications like CompTIA or Cisco CCNA can be highly beneficial.

5. Include projects or volunteer work

Non-professional experiences can be just as valuable as paid roles, particularly when they're relevant to the field you're entering. 

Include any freelance projects, internships, or volunteer work that’s related to your new career. 

For example, if you’re aiming for a career in graphic design, include freelance design projects or volunteer work where you created promotional materials for events. Detail these experiences just like you would a job, focusing on what you achieved and learned.

Using Teal’s AI Resume Builder

Teal’s AI Resume Builder simplifies the process of writing a combination resume. It provides guidance and suggestions for each section, ensuring your content is optimized and impactful. With Teal, you can:

• Use AI-driven suggestions to enhance your professional summary and skills summary.
• Tailor your resume to each job application, with Teal highlighting the skills and experiences most relevant to the role.
• Format your resume with ease, thanks to Teal’s user-friendly interface.

Writing a combination resume with Teal is not only easier but also more effective.

Combination resume examples

A good combination resume example can be a great reference to understand how to create your own resume more efficiently. Here are a few examples you can learn from.

Frontend Developer

This combination resume example is perfect for a junior-level employee looking to transition into a new role. The relevant skills are placed after the professional summary, followed by her work experience. 

However, because her professional experience is limited, this example provides more information about internships and volunteer projects.

Marketing Manager

Here we have Max, a marketing manager with a more extensive work history. The skills section is still prioritized, but his working history takes on a reverse chronological format. 

Crafting your combination resume 

Navigating the creation of a combination resume isn't just about assembling parts of your professional history; it's about strategically highlighting your diverse skills and experiences to capture the heart of your career journey. 

A combination resume is your chance to paint a compelling picture of your professional landscape—from your multifaceted skills to the chronological narrative of your work history. It elegantly bridges the gap between showcasing a rich skill set and a robust employment history. 

Whether you're navigating employment gaps, embarking on a career change, or a recent graduate, this format adapts to your unique story, ensuring that your application resonates with potential employers.

Teal’s Drag-and-Drop Editor simplifies this process, allowing you to effortlessly blend sections, customize layouts, and build the combination resume that best represents you. 

I you're ready to elevate your job application, bring your unique professional story to life with Teal. Sign up today , explore the power of the combination resume with Teal’s innovative tools, and step into your next career chapter with confidence. 

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the primary advantage of using a combination resume over other resume formats, how can i decide if a combination resume is the right choice for my job application, can a combination resume be used for entry-level positions, or is it only suitable for experienced professionals.

Nathan Thompson

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How to Write a Combination Resume (With Examples)

What Is a Combination Resume?

What to include in a combination resume, how to write a combination resume, combination resume example, more resume examples.

Soren Hald / Getty Images

Your resume is an important sales tool. Used the right way, a resume can show a prospective employer your most relevant skills, experience, and qualifications. The first step is to choose the best resume format for the situation.

For many people, a chronological resume will not be the best choice. Perhaps your career path has taken a few zigs and zags. Maybe your most impressive skills would wind up buried toward the bottom of the page where busy hiring managers might not see them. A functional resume format would be a better choice in this case—unless employers request a work history as well.

A combination resume lets you highlight the qualifications that will make the best impression on recruiters and employers, while still including your work history.

Here’s how.

A  combination resume  lists your skills and experience first and your chronological work history next. A combination resume is ideal for people who want to emphasize their skills, but also include their work history, which many employers want to see.

This resume format also gives you some flexibility. You can include an objective or  resume summary , which will give you an opportunity to make your pitch, as well as a list of skills and qualifications that will show you’re qualified for the job.

Combination resumes are particularly useful for candidates who are hoping to  change careers  or those who have  gaps in their work history .

A combination resume typically has two sections:

• A list of skills, qualifications, certifications, etc.
• A work history, most often in reverse chronological format with the most recent experience first.

To use this resume format to best advantage, keep the following in mind:

Match your qualifications to the job posting.  Pay special attention to resume  keywords  that the  employer uses in the job description . You should include as many of these skills and qualifications as possible in your resume and cover letter. This will help ensure that your resume makes it past the  applicant tracking system , which will filter out resumes that appear to be from unqualified candidates.

Highlight transferable skills.  If you’re changing careers, it’s especially important to call attention to any  transferable skills  that will help you succeed in this new role. Keep in mind that employers seek  soft skills  such as creative thinking and time management, as well as hard skills related to the requirements of the job.

Begin with sample resumes. Resume examples and templates  can help you organize your experience and ensure that your document is formatted professionally. Just remember to customize your resume for each role. Hiring managers want to see that you’re a good fit for this specific job, not just for any job in your field.

Proofread your resume and other documents before sending.  Edit, proofread, and review your resume and other application materials. Make sure everything is perfect before sending your application to the hiring manager.

This is an example of a combination resume. Download the combination resume template (compatible with Google Docs and Word Online) or see below for more examples.

Combination Resume Example (Text Version)

Jose Applicant 5555 Jackson Street Oakland, CA 94603 (555) 123-4567 jose.applicant@email.com

CAREER OBJECTIVE

Results-oriented, high-energy, hands-on professional, with a successful record of accomplishments in the blood banking, training, and communication transmission industries. Seeks position in phlebotomy related to training, quality assurance, or customer service.

PROFESSIONAL ACCOMPLISHMENTS

• NCTI and ABM certifications.
• Facilitated educational projects over the past two years for Northern California blood centers, an FDA-regulated manufacturing environment, as pertaining to cGMP, CFR's, CA state and American Association of Blood Bank (AABB) regulations.
• Provided daily operational review/quality control of education accountability as it relates to imposed government regulatory requirements in a medical environment.
• Assisted other team members in venipunctures, donor reaction care, and providing licensed staffing an extension in their duties by managing the blood services regulations documentation (BSDs) while assigned to the self-contained bloodmobile unit (SCU).
• Successfully supervised contract support for six AT&T Broadband systems located in the Bay Area. Provided customer intervention/resolution, training in telephony and customer care, manpower scheduling, quality control, payroll, and special projects/plant extensions and evaluations to ensure proper end-of-line and demarcation signal.

PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE

• Acting Education Manager , American Red Cross, Oakland, CA: 2020-present
• Education Coordinator , American Red Cross, Oakland, CA: 2017-2020
• Phlebotomist , American Red Cross, Oakland, CA: 2014-2017
• Cable Television CATV Supervisor , Core Communication Inc, Sunnyvale, CA: 2010-2014
• CATV System Technician , TCI Cablevision Inc, Fremont, CA: 2008-2010

Associate of Arts in Administration of Justice San Jose State University, San Jose, CA

Review another combination resume sample and more professionally written resume examples with templates you can download.

CareerOneStop. “ Different Formats Can Highlight Either Your Work History or Your Skills .” Accessed Sept. 8, 2021.

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Combination Resume Writing Guide

Create a resume using the best of both worlds: skills and experience

Certified Professional Resume Writer

If you find that the  chronological resume format  is not working for you, it could be for any number of reasons and you may be better suited to a  combination resume layout  to present your profile to potential employers.

What is the combination resume , you ask? Sometimes referred to as the  hybrid resume or targeted resume , the combination resume employs information from all areas of a candidate’s personal and professional profile to create a  well-rounded, inclusive and original resume .

A more in-depth  combination resume definition  follows to help you understand how to make a resume using this format, how to structure a resume and tailor it to suit your needs and especially to fit the position that you’re applying to.

For more information on  what to include in a combination resume,  try using resume samples or a resume builder to help you create a resume that will  stand out in the job application process  to help you earn the interview you’ve been waiting for.

What is a Combination Resume?

The Combination Resume is pretty much exactly what it says on the tin!  A resume combined of the two standard resume formats : Chronological and Functional. The best of both worlds.

But what does that really mean? For example,  what does a Combination Resume look like?

The  emphasis of a combination resume is divided between the skills  and abilities of the candidate and the  work experience  they can bring to the role.

This means that the combination resume format includes a first half dedicated to the skills and qualifications of the candidate and a second half with a recent  work history section  detailing the responsibilities and achievements from those roles.

The  combination resume is an excellent choice for professional jobseekers who are looking to change careers, industries or positions  or for candidates who have a specific, well-developed skill set that they wish to present along with their career trajectory.

Similar to the  professional resume  style, this can be beneficial for executives or  applicants who are experts in their fields .

Also, if the position offered  requires a lot of technical skills, a combination resume format is ideal  to underline the abilities of the candidate and give evidence as to how the applicant has obtained the skills in question, applied them and the results achieved through their personal implementation.

The Combination Resume Layout

Find out  how to create a combination resume using a resume template or from scratch  or with a resume maker with the following information about the combination resume layout.

As the  combination resume employs a mix of the two more classic styles of resumes , it’s very important that you carefully consider the combination resume format which generally begins with a  summary of the qualifications , includes an education and skills section and also a work history list, only citing the most relevant positions but also detailing achievements and responsibilities from those roles.

The  main parts of a Combination Resume  include the following in this order:

• Contact details
• Qualifications summary with descriptions
• General skills section
• Work experience with descriptions

Each of these areas is considered vital to a combination resume format. Learning  how to write a qualifications summary for a combination resume  is not easy but with the tips below, your resume should come together nicely to represent your professional profile as a whole incorporating as many suitable aspects as possible.

• The  combination resume structure includes an introduction to the resume , also known as the ‘Qualifications Summary’ or sometimes ‘Professional Profile,’ similar to the  functional resume format , which  describes 4-5 bullet-pointed abilities or achievements  that are key to the role or character of the candidate. These details should have  quantifiable results  where possible.
• It’s also essential to  add examples  of how you specifically have used your skills to improve or increase productivity or another aspect of the company. You should ensure that this information is relevant to the position and unique to your abilities as well as quantifiable (lack of quantifiable results is a resume dealbreaker for 35% of employers, according to  CareerBuilder ).
• The next  element to include in your combination resume layout  is the more general  list of skills  that apply both to you and to the vacancy. Followed by the longer and more in-depth  work experience section  which should consist of 2-3 previous positions held in a sector, role or industry similar to if not the same as the current vacancy.
• Similar to the chronological resume layout, the  combination resume structure  includes a paragraph or bullet points under each job title to explain the responsibilities and objectives accomplished in each.
• Finally, the  combination resume format  includes the education section at the end with a brief list of courses, diplomas and degrees awarded to the candidate.

To simplify the need to learn  how to make a resume with a combination layout  without resume help, you could also try out an  online resume builder  or download a resume example.

Tips for Writing your Combination Resume

• To understand  how to write a combination resume,  you will need to begin by taking a step back and  looking at your professional trajectory, achievements, skills and even your personal hobbies . This way you will gain an idea of how to fit your profile within the combination resume structure.
• After your review you’ll need to cut out all the irrelevant information and  make a list of what achievements, skills, job placements  and other information to include in the combination resume that will  stand out to a potential employer  for the specific vacancy that interests you.
• With these details you can begin to  fill out your combination resume template  or complete your own using the general  resume format  described above or use this information to  make your resume with an online resume builder .
• Both the  combination resume qualifications summary  and the work experience sections should include a short  explanation of quantifiable examples  of how you as an individual have implemented your abilities or proven to be an asset in a previous role.
• You can  mention awards, scholarships, internships,  publications , projects, courses, conferences, etc. in your qualifications summary  as long as it is apt for the position and demonstrates your strengths. Make sure to present any additional information in a convincing manner by  using action words and keywords  taken from the job description.

Come up with the perfect way to express your skills and experience on your resume with AI-generated suggestions in our resume builder.

The combination resume layout is ideal for candidates looking to make a change in their career , who already have work experience but wish to make use of their current knowledge and skills in a new role, industry or sector.

The idea of the combination resume for career changers is that they’re able to identify their transferable skills and organize them in a suitable manner to provide the potential employer with a guide to the type of worker they are so they can assess how they will perform in the new role.

However, the combination resume format relies heavily on being able to provide a brief work history, skills and different examples of hands-on experience therefore it is not the preferred resume for students or entry-level candidates as they require a heavier focus on education, awards and often more social skills than technical abilities.

Combination Resume Templates

Resume templates with a combination resume format are a practical tool for jobseekers  who wish to create a combination resume but do not know where to start.

Using a  combination resume example allows suitable candidates to create a winning resume from the template,  which emphasizes both the skills and work experience. Saving both time and effort, jobseekers can complete the  resume template  with their personalized information to build a combination resume which will earn them their next interview.

A  combination resume sample gives examples of what to put in each section  which the candidate can use as a guide to ensure they make the most of the practical combination resume format.

Even if you choose to  use a combination resume template , it does not mean that you must stick to a rigid structure.

Candidates are encouraged to  customize their resume by removing and adding resume sections  which are more relevant to their professional profile or the vacancy on offer.

ResumeCoach  also advises using an  online resume maker for extra help building your ideal resume . An online resume creator offers a step-by-step guide to making a resume which gives tips and examples to follow to ensure your  resume is optimized  regarding formatting and information.

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• What is a combination resume?

Before we dive into that, we have to understand what is a resume format.

The resume format is the backbone of the resume, around which you outline your sections.

Before writing your resume, ensure that you choose the resume template according to your target profile & industry requisite. There is a different template for modern and basic resume writing.

There are 3 standard ways of writing a resume. The following shall give you an effective idea of what these formats are and how and why to choose the combination resume. By the end of the article, you will know how to write a professional combination resume for your work profile.

Here's what you will learn from this blog:

• Who should use a combination resume?
• When to use a combination resume
• How do you write a combination resume?
• Structure of combination resume

Also, check out Hiration's online resume builder to make your resume in under 5 minutes. You'll find pre-filled templates and infinite designs on our resume builder - making a resume has never been this easy!

Types of Resume Format

There are three different types of resumes that are accepted within the industry. These resume formats are:

Reverse Chronological Resume Format

In the Reverse Chronological Resume Layout , you begin with information from the most recent work or education profile and trace back to the beginning of your education. You must enlist your major achievements and responsibilities along with the timeline.

The resume template follows the following order:

• Contact information
• Resume summary or resume objective
• Work experience
• Additional Sections

Also Read: How to compose a professional resume objective?

Functional Resume Format

In the Functional Resume Layout , a separate section is created in which all significant points are grouped under relevant skills. The professional experiences are listed without many details of the responsibilities or achievements. This format is recommended for people with gaps in their employment history or for ones who have often changed their jobs or industries.

• Resume objective
• Skills Summary
• Additional Skills
• Work Experience

You may find examples of functional resume templates for a better understanding of how you can proceed with writing your resume.

Combination Resume Format

The Combination Resume Layout is a combination of the reverse chronological resume format and the functional resume format. It showcases the skills and achievements of any candidate with detailed evidence from their professional experience. Alongside it highlights their work profile from the most recent to the initial stages in the industry. The points on this format of the resume are grouped based on the skills highlighted.

There are two ways of making a combination resume:

Grouping Inside Professional Experience

This format is similar to the reverse chronological resume format. The point of difference is in the professional experience section, where the points are grouped by the skills that they represent.

Here is an example of this type of combination resume format:

By Grouping in the Summary of Skills Section

This format lists all your achievements and significant career highlights to create a separate section of the "Summary of Skills". These points are grouped under several key skills, like in a functional resume format. This type of combination resume format replaces the summary to create a powerful snapshot of your career which is highly targeted for the job you are going to apply for.

Here are some combination resume examples:

Also Read: The best resume format in 2022

The following table will discuss the differences between the three templates

Combination Resume: What is it?

The combination resume is one of the three types of resume formats commonly used.

A combination resume is usually organized into two parts or pages.

The first part of the combination resume is in the functional format, which highlights skills and accomplishments.

The second part of the combination resume is in reverse chronological order that highlights work history.

Both the parts of the resume can be used interchangeably depending on the type of combination resume you are making. This format uses the best aspects of both the chronological resume and functional resume. While the chronological part focuses on the candidate's work experience, the functional part focuses on the skills. A combination resume, therefore, focuses on both the work history and skills to capture the recruiter’s attention.

• Combination resume formats appeal to recruiters for senior executive positions that require highly-specialized skills. These skills can be easily identified. This format also confirms that the candidate has the required work experience.
• Combination resumes are useful for job seekers with a significant amount of work experience and commendable skills and accomplishments.
• Combination resumes are suitable for job seekers who want to change careers. Since they highlight both your skills and any reputed companies you may have worked with, they can showcase transferable skills and emphasize outstanding employment history.
• In case a candidate has worked for the same company or has held the same position for a long time too, a combination resume is useful in highlighting the candidate’s skills and achievements for other job posts.

Disadvantages

• Combination resumes can be longer than other resume formats and can exceed the ideal length of 1 or 2 pages depending on your experience.
• Repetition of values may be predominant in the combination resume template.
• Career changes or employment gaps are visible in a combination resume template under the work history section.

Combination resumes: Who Should Use It?

As the combination resume templates highlights skills over experiences, it is particularly useful for people who are attempting to enter a new industry. It is also preferable when changing careers since many skills can be transferred between industries. Therefore, highlighting these skills is important for people looking to switch fields or industries.

The combination format is the best option for candidates with many experiences. The hybrid resume template represents your skills instantly. Therefore, in case you are applying for a job that requires technical skills or relevant certifications, a combination resume is your best option.

Since the style of a combination resume focuses on both the skills and the abilities of the applicant, it is best for those applying for positions that require a good possession of technical skills and expertise. Using a combination format is the best way to showcase all your abilities to the recruiter without giving the impression of hiding any information.

Combination resumes are ideal for applicants who already have a lot of experience in the same field or even in different fields.

Since a combination resume template can prioritize relevant skills over prior work experience, depending on the type of combination you choose, they are also suitable for candidates who are looking to try an industry to which they had previously not catered. Your transferable skills play a major role in your career change.

Some important transferable skills include:

• Personal Motivation
• Organizational and Time Management
• Adaptability
• Multitasking
• Decision-making
• Time management
• Prioritizing
• Problem Solving
• Written and Verbal Communication

Many candidates benefit from using a combination resume due to the career summary. This section pinpoints the candidate's top credentials so employers can seek their best abilities.

Despite the combination resume samples focusing more on skills, it leaves space to provide details of your work experience. Add impressive sets of accomplishments and job duties to make the combination resume your perfect choice.

To categorize the people for whom the combination resumes best benefits, read the list below:

• Students, new graduates, and entry-level candidates to emphasize their skills rather than their short employment history.
• Candidates with a steady, consistent employment history to add a qualifications summary that pinpoints the top credentials for the job.
• Candidates shifting careers to showcase required transferable skill sets. However, in case you are making a radical career change, use a functional resume template.
• Candidates reentering the industry after a significant gap in employment history. Here, the combination resume format takes the emphasis off the fact that you have not worked for a while.
• Older workers with extensive employment history need who need to showcase their strongest credentials. The summary section best highlights this.

Also Read: What skills to put on a resume?

Combination Resume: When to Use it?

The Combination resume format prioritizes skills over work experience. Therefore, this resume is useful for candidates who are trying to change industry or careers because many skills can be transferred between industries. The combination resume template highlights these skill sets to benefit the candidates.

Despite the combination template highlighting relevant skills, it allows the incorporation of strong features from your specific work history. So, if your past job history is impressive and you are looking to change your career, the combo resume format is just what you need.

So is a combination resume good?

The combination resume format is considered an ideal marketing layout because it first highlights skills and accomplishments, then gives the hiring company, or recruiter, a sense of security by providing an account of work history.

Combination resumes highlight recent job experiences which might be relevant to the position being pursued. They also allow easy perusal through the applicant's career progression.

Another aspect of the combination resume format is its flexibility. Since you have different options to create it, feel free to move the elements around. But try to make sure the recruiter can focus on the most relevant information.

For example, in case you have relevant experiences in a field even though it is old, you can include it in the skills section at the beginning of the resume. This can even describe your experiences and the corresponding responsibilities you have performed. You can include your dates of employment later in the resume, with a chronological list of positions held.

However, if the writer has a gap in their career history or an impeding career progression, then it is highlighted in the combination resumes.

When Should You Avoid Using a Combinational Resume?

Unless you are looking for a change in career or industry, avoid using the combination format resume.

Professionals at the senior level should also refrain from using the hybrid resume format.

Combination Resume: How to Write it

Although the combination resume templates highlight skills, it features heavy specifics of your work history. If your past responsibilities are impressive and you are only looking for a change in the industry, the combination resume style might serve you best.

While a chronological resume format emphasizes the work experience and duties of each position, the combination resume format underlines your skills while doing the same. However, to avoid unnecessary repetition, do not list your skills separately and then list them again in the employment history section.

In the combination resume, the flexibility of the structure of the document works to the advantage of the applicant. You should ideally lead with a career summary or a qualifications summary or a skills summary. This section emphasizes your strongest credentials. Your key qualifications at the beginning of your resume appeal to the recruiters to read the rest of your resume.

Incorporate your job objective, key skills, areas of expertise, accomplishment highlights, and related training into the summary section. Quantify your statements with relevant examples, if possible.

They follow with a reverse chronological employment history. Keeping your resume in the chronological format appeals to most recruiters, as it is the standard mode of presentation.

However, by including a career summary, you will essentially have lesser room for your work history. Therefore, you must be concise and straight with your experience section.

Maintain the focus on the accomplishments more than on the responsibilities. Avoid adding unnecessary information which is unrelated to your career goal.

Additional sections on your combination resume can include an education section, training and certification section, references, languages, and additional information.

Also Read: How to write a resume that can help you land a job?

Tips for Writing a Combination Resume

• First, look at your professional achievements and skills, and hobbies to get an idea of how it fits your profile within the combination resume structure.
• Reduce all the irrelevant information and make a list of your achievements, skills, job profiles, and other performance data to include in the combination resume. They should stand out to a recruiter for the specific vacancy that interests you.
• Fill out your combination resume template with these details. You can also use the online resume builder for professional resume-building experience.
• Both the summary and the work experience sections in your combination resume should include short quantifiable examples of how you have implemented your skills to prove yourself as an asset to your previous organization.
• Mention relevant awards and scholarships, internships, projects, courses, etc. in your qualifications summary to demonstrate your strengths. Use action words and keywords from the job description to present additional information.

Consider reviewing the following questions to help write a combination resume:

• Have you written a combination resume before?
• Have you ever come across challenges when writing a hybrid resume?
• When do you think a combination resume can be more effective than a reverse chronological resume?

Combination Resume: The Structure

Use the flexibility of the combination resume to your advantage. You can try moving sections around to see what best appeals to the recruiter. You can integrate your experiences into the chronological list of past employment. This makes your resume more traditional, while the emphasis provided in the skills section keeps the focus on function. The combination resume template works best in tweaking results.

The combination resume employs a mix of the two styles of resumes. Therefore, it is very important to consider the combination resume format.

It begins with a summary of the qualifications, includes education and skills section, and also a work history list. Not only does the work history focus on citing the most relevant positions, but also on detailing achievements and responsibilities from those roles.

You may try experimenting with the different layouts that can emphasize your strongest qualities on Hiration's online resume builder .

Combination Resume Key Sections

• Personal Information

Any application needs your basic information. Include your name and contact information - available phone number and professional email address, followed by your home address (city and state).

You may even include your LinkedIn URL, but do not redirect the recruiter to an empty profile.

Your name should ideally be the largest text on the page between 20-24 pt font size. The rest of your font may correspond to the font style and size of the rest of the page.

• Professional Profile or Qualifications Summary

Begin with a professional profile or qualifications summary to emphasize your skills. Both introductions introduce your necessary skill set. However, they do it in slightly different ways.

Your qualifications summary displays your achievements that correspond to your skills. Therefore, they testify and validate your skills as opposed to the professional profile where you address the skills you gained in your previous work.

A combination resume should begin by emphasizing the transferable skills of an applicant. The best way to do this is to start with a professional profile or qualifications summary.

A professional profile showcases your skills in your previous positions or projects. A qualifications summary emphasizes your achievements corresponding to those skills.

While both introductions have the same mission, the qualifications summary might be more effective in highlighting both skills and accomplishments in a combination resume.

In a combination resume template format, your skills section is placed above your professional experience. Since a combination resume is usually used by applicants in mid/senior-level job profiles, your skills section holds equivalent weight to your work history section.

Group similar skills together for clarity and try to quantify them (e.g., Heightened sales by 10% in two months by using enhanced communication skills).

Although the skills section part of your combination resume is the trickiest, it is also very important. If you have a master list of skills but do not know how to list the relevant ones, reach out to us or read our article on the resume skills section in a 2022 resume template.

In a combination format, the skills section may come before the professional experience section. Keep this section organized by grouping similar skills together. Also, quantify your skills where relevant.

• Work History and Experience

Your professional experience section looks the same in every format. Many combination resumes contain the error of listing the most basic responsibilities of a job under each position. Your points should be accomplishment oriented and communicate your responsibilities.

For example, if you were a computer programmer, avoid writing "used to program computer software". Instead, discuss the software you designed and to what degree of quality. If you have been acknowledged for your work, mention that too.

The main objective of the work experience section in your combination resumes, or in any resume, is to provide detailed and relevant points to describe your professional experience.

Avoid unconnected job duties and focus on accomplishments. Again, quantify your case and prove your qualification to the recruiter. If you are looking to maximize your professional experience, you may use our online resume builder .

The combination resume format does not especially highlight the education section. While education achievements are necessary for freshers, the combination resume is most effective for senior candidates with a long work history.

However, it is still necessary that you mention your degree or educational certificate. If you have achieved any prominent academic success, include that too.

In a combination resume, the education section can be quite brief. Since the combination resume template is mostly used by senior professionals, it is considered that you are already well into your career and that your resume should focus on your work experience.

Also Read: What details to add to your resume sections?

Key Takeaways

A combination resume is a great way for an experienced professional to make sure the recruiters pay attention to your relevant skills.

Quantify your skills and link them to relevant examples of professional achievements, awards, or certifications.

Try to tailor your summary and your skills according to the job description. However, do not show off your skillset. Your resume should not only show off your career achievements but also meet your job requisites.

While you are listing your work experience, briefly explain your responsibilities and highlight your achievements. You may repeat some of the information from the skills summary to make your resume consistent and convincing.

The Combination Resume layout is ideal for candidates who have work experience yet wish to make use of their current knowledge and skills in a new role, industry, or sector.

In a combination resume for career changers, they can identify their transferable skills and suitably organize them to provide the potential employer with a guide to the type of worker they are so they can assess how they will perform in the new role.

The combination resume format essentially employs the following pattern:

The combination resume format provides a brief work history, skills, and examples of relevant experiences. Since students or freshers in the industry require a heavier focus on education, awards, and often soft skills than technical abilities, it is not the most preferred resume format for them.

The combination resume structure includes a Qualifications Summary which is similar to the functional resume format. It describes your abilities or achievements in under 5 points in a key skill category. Quantify your examples wherever possible.

Exemplify and quantify specific use of your skills to improve the credibility and relevance of your key abilities.

The combination resume structure employs bullet points under each job title similar to the reverse chronological resume layout. These points depict the responsibilities and objectives accomplished in each profile.

Visit Hiration's career platform , which has 24/7 chat support to get professional assistance with all your job & career-related queries.

You can also write to us at [email protected] for any queries.

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Combination Resume Templates

Use a combination resume template in case you’re switching career fields and you want to focus on your transferable skills. To start, simply select your favorite-looking resume design below, and replace the info with your own.

Combination resume template. The right column has a color accent for maximum contrast and focus. Perfect for experienced candidates changing career fields.

Double-Column

Hybrid resume template. Our most-used template with a hybrid take. Great fit for an early start after a career switch.

Combo resume template. A more compact design allows for adding extra content to make it a truly personalized resume.

We love our Modern resume template, so here's a second iteration of it. We combine the best of both chronological and functional resumes, making it suitable for a wide range of careers and experience levels.

Innovative resume template. A hybrid design that incorporates innovative features and visually appealing elements, making it suitable for creative professionals in industries such as design, tech, and advertising. Fitting for mid- to senior-level professionals.

Comprehensive resume template. A hybrid design that provides a comprehensive overview of your skills, experience, and career history, making it a great choice for a wide range of professionals.

In This Guide:

What is a combination resume, when to use a combination resume format, tips for building the best combination resume, combination resume template pros and cons.

A combination resume format or hybrid resume template is a combination between the reverse-chronological resume and the functional resume format. It is designed for highly-trained jobseekers with previous work experience because it places equal emphasis on both your skills and work experience.

This format presents your job history overview in reverse chronological order and gives detailed information about your transferable skills and qualifications.

The combination resume is not for everyone. Most hiring managers are expecting candidates to present chronological resumes.

You can use a combination resume format in specific situations.

In case you are a senior-level candidate with various skills and experiences , or you are going through a career change.

If you want to create the best resume for your dream job, you can always count on Enhancv resume builder .

A combination resume formatting contains a detailed skill section that groups all your skills into categories to emphasize your abilities and achievements, in addition to this section, this resume formatting includes your work history experience.

People who seek a career change use the combination resume format. It is allowing them to emphasize certain skills from their past jobs to make their application more attractive to recruiters. And at the same time, they can give more detailed examples of those skills in the work experience section.

Most recruiters are looking to see a highlight of your top career achievements and relevant job experience in your resume’s work experience section. That's why hybrid resume formatting is more used than functional resumes.

It is a preferable resume format for those who have developed a strong set of skills and have experience utilizing those skills and want to show them on their resume. Most likely, these candidates are applying for seniority-level jobs and have a long work history for presenting on their resumes.

You can use the hybrid resume format to apply to all kinds of companies and jobs. However, keep in mind to adjust the design depending on your position and the type of company. You can take advantage of using the modern design when you are applying to more creative and innovative companies, and keep your resume with a clear and more traditional look when the job is for a more conservative field or company.

Now that you have an idea of the definition of what is and when to use combination resume format , here is a structure of how to write it:

A well-written and designed combination resume can be a powerful tool for promoting a professional image and getting a job interview. The design of your resume can make it easy to read and highlight the two main sections – your skills and work experience.

If you are applying for a creative position or in a company with a more innovative field, you can use a modern design - with graphics and different icons to make it more distinctive.

However, if your field is more conservative, it is advisable to use more business–traditional design. No matter which design you will choose, your resume has to have a clear separation and formatting between each section.

The most important about choosing a font is to be easy to read. You can use more traditional ones like Times New Roman and Helvetica or Arial and Calibri, which are considered to have a more modern look. On our templates, we use the Lato, which has all the best features that a font can offer and it's just as ATS-friendly as Arial.

If you are applying for a more traditional company and position, you should probably use only black and white for your resume. Meaning white is for the background, and black is for the text.

High contrast between the background and the letters makes reading easy. That’s why this is one of the preferable color combinations.

However, you can add a dash of color here and there to make a recruiter’s experience more pleasurable. Pick a well-contrasting color for fonts and subheadings to increase readability. Choose from blue, dark red, or green color palette .

Number of pages

If you are an entry-level candidate, your combined resume most likely will be one page long . Most recruiters prefer one page, but if you are a senior-level candidate and have a diverse range of experience and skills, your resume will be two pages .

• Hybrid resume templates are focused at the same time on your skills and work experiences.
• A combination resume format is a good choice for senior-level professionals.
• The combined resume is suitable for candidates with diverse employment histories and transferable skills.
• The combination resume format can be confusing for the recruiters if not well organized.
• For some recruiters, combined resumes can de-emphasize the candidate’s job tasks and responsibilities.
• The hybrid resume templates require more effort and creativity to prepare.

Frequently asked questions about combination resume templates

When should you not use a combination resume, which format do most employers prefer for resumes, what should your resume look like in 2023.

• Resume Examples

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• Address On Resume
• Relevant Work Experience
• Anticipated Graduation Date On Resume
• Education Section On Resume
• Contact Information On Resume
• Statement Of Qualifications
• How To List Publications On Resume
• Accomplishments On Resumes
• Awards On Resume
• Dean's List On Resume
• Study Abroad On Resume

Resumes are still the most important document in your job search . Generating a professional and interesting resume isn’t easy, but there is a standard set of guidelines that you can follow. As hiring managers usually only spend a short time looking over each resume, you want to make sure that yours has a reason for them to keep reading.

If you’re looking to write a resume, rewrite a resume you already have, or are just curious about resume format, then you’ve come to the right place. This article will go through the steps to writing an excellent resume, as well as offering examples for what sections of the resume should look like.

Key Takeaways:

A resume is a short document that details your professional history in a way that tailors your experience and skill set for the particular job you’re applying for.

Resumes follow a few standard formatting practices, which hiring managers and recruiters expect to see.

Highlighting your work experience, skills, and educational background with relevant keywords can help you get past applicant tracking systems and into more interviews.

How to write a resume

Writing a resume involves using the proper formatting, writing an introduction, and adding your work experience and education. Stuffing your entire professional life into a single page resume can feel overwhelming, but remember that you’re distilling the relevant parts of your professional experience in order to catch the eye of the recruiter .

Formatting your resume. To start, use a word processor such as Microsoft Word or Google docs. Standard resume formatting calls for:

1 inch margins

10-12 point font

A professional, commonly-used font

Additionally, there are three resume formats that are commonly used. Most people should stick with a chronological resume format , but the combination resume format and functional resume format can be effective for more advanced workers or those who have significant gaps in their resume.

Write a resume header . It doesn’t matter if you have the best resume in the world if the hiring manager can’t contact you. Every single resume should include the following contact information:

Your full name. First and last.

Your phone number. Use a personal phone number, and make sure your voicemail is set up properly.

Your email address. Nothing inappropriate — [email protected] is a safe choice.

Location. City, State, Zip Code is fine, but you can include your full mailing address if you think it’s appropriate.

Your social media (optional). LinkedIn is the obvious one you’d want to include, but make sure your profile looks good. If you have an online portfolio , either on a personal blog/website or on a site like Journo Portfolio , feel free to include that here as well.

Your job title. Also optional, but can be useful for applicant tracking systems.

Resume introduction. You have four options for your resume introduction: a resume objective, summary statement, resume profile, or qualifications summary. For most job-seekers, a resume summary statement is the best choice. Regardless of which resume introduction you choose, avoid first-person pronouns (I/me/my).

Resume objective. A resume objective is the goal of your resume. Since the objective of every resume is to land a job, this is not the most original or impressive opener you can have.

On the other hand, it’s a good choice for an entry-level applicant or someone who is changing career paths . This should be a 1-3 sentence summary of why you’re motivated to get the position you’re applying for.

Who should use a resume objective: Entry-level applicants, career-changers, and recent college graduates.

Resume summary. This is the best opener for most job-seekers. As the name suggests, a resume summary highlights the most salient aspects of your resume.

It should include your current position, how many years of experience you have, some of your biggest achievements, and possibly your career goals. This should be a 1-3 sentence spiel and should include some quantifiable experiences.

Who should use a resume summary: Most job seekers; anyone with quantifiable accomplishments to emphasize and a broad range of skills.

Qualifications summary. A bullet point list (4-6 points is the sweet spot) of your qualifications for the position. It’s best used by applicants going for jobs that require a fixed skill set. It’s not a great choice for entry-level applicants who lack quantifiable achievements.

You’ll notice that a qualifications summary takes up more space than a resume objective or summary, but it can actually save the hiring manager time if you provide a bunch of valuable information right off the top.

Who should use a qualifications summary: Those applying to a job with requirements for certain skills and job-seekers who have a lot of experience in their industry and/or field.

Resume profile. A resume profile is similar to a resume summary, but goes into more detail about your accomplishments at your current or former job, while also telling the reader about your career goals. Think of a resume profile as a section that pulls all the best parts of your work experience section into one place.

Who should use a resume profile: Anyone with significant accomplishments under their belt, expertise in a niche field, or applying to a job in the same industry that they have lots of experience in.

Resume headline. Resume headlines aren’t necessary, but you can include one alongside any of the four types of resume introduction listed above. A resume headline comes between your contact information and the resume introduction of your choice.

Headlines can be used by entry-level applicants and experienced job-seekers alike. The important point is that your headline should be short and to the point. Additionally, you should use title case when writing your resume headline (capitalize words as you would for a book title).

Who should use a resume headline: Any job-seeker who wants to showcase their experience or unique value right off the bat.

Work experience. Your work experience section is the place to let hiring managers know that you have relevant experience that would allow you to handle the job you’re applying for.

If you’re using the chronological resume format, your work experience section would come after your resume summary/objective. In a funcitonal reumse, it would follow your skills section. Either way, work experience should be listed in reverse-chronological order (most recent experience at the top).

When listing your work experience, you should include all of the following information:

Job title. Start by stating the position you held at the company. These are easy cue for the hiring manager to look at and determine whether your past positions would help you succeed at their company.

Company Info. Include the name of the employer, the location where you worked, and perhaps a brief description of the company, if it isn’t a well-known name.

Dates Employed: Use the mm/yyyy format if you want to be sure that most applicant tracking systems (ATS) will pick it up. Whatever format you use for dates, be consistent, or your resume will look sloppy.

Job Description. Don’t just list your job’s responsibilities; hiring managers and recruiters already have an idea of your duties based on the job title. Instead, list your most important and impressive responsibilities/achievements at the job with bullet points. Determine which of these are most relevant for your new role based on the job description.

Ideally, each bullet should be no longer than a single line. However, two lines is acceptable, if used sparingly.

Always start with a strong action verb, followed by a quantifiable achievement and a specific duty. For example: “Developed ad campaigns for clients, increasing sales by an average of 27%.” Each job title should include 3-5 bullet points.

The order that you include this information can be changed around, as long as you are consistent throughout your resume. However, the bullet points detailing your job’s achievements should always be the last item for each entry.

It’s important that you tailor your resume’s work experience section to the job you’re applying for. We recommend reading the job description carefully and highlighting the action verbs in one color and the skills, adjectives, and job-specific nouns in a different color.

Educational background. In almost all cases, your education section should come after your professional history. If you’re a recent college graduate with limited work experience, you may choose to put your educational achievements first.

Like the section on your professional history, educational experiences should come in reverse-chronological order, with your highest level of education at the top. If you have a college degree, you don’t need to add any information about your high school experience. If you didn’t finish college, it’s okay to give a list of what credits you did complete.

Each educational experience can be listed in the following format:

Degree/Program Name College/University Name Dates attended

You don’t need to add anything else, especially if your resume is already impressive enough. But if you’re struggling to fill up the page, or you feel that aspects of your educational experience will help make you a standout, you may consider also including:

Minor. If you think it rounds out your not-exactly-relevant-to-the-job major nicely.

GPA. Only if it was 3.5 or higher. Otherwise, it’s not going to do you any favors to include this.

Honors. Dean’s List, Cum Laude, etc.

Achievements. If you wrote a killer thesis/dissertation that showcases intimate knowledge relevant to the job to which you’re applying, you can include its title and a very brief description.

Extracurricular activities. Only include if they’re relevant. For example, if you’re applying for a management position and you were president of your student government.

Certifications/Licenses. If the job you’re applying for requires/likes to see certain certifications or licenses that you have, you may include them in this section as well.

Skills section. Your impressive skills should be scattered logistically throughout your professional history section, but you should also include a section solely dedicated to highlighting your skill set . Skills can be broken down into two categories:

Hard skills are skills you learn through training and indicate expertise with a technical ability or job-specific responsibility.

Soft skills are your personality traits, interpersonal abilities, and intangible qualities that make you more effective at your job.

Your resume should have a healthy mix of hard and soft skills, as both are essential to job performance. However, since soft skills are harder to prove in the context of a resume, we recommend leaning more toward hard skills. Additionally, whenever you list a soft skill, make sure that it has a correlating item in your work experience section.

For example, if you say you are skilled in collaboration, you should mention a time when a team project was a major success somewhere in your work experience section.

Optional sections. If you still have space left or there’s more you want to show off that doesn’t quite fit in any of the above sections, you may consider adding an additional section covering one or more of the below categories:

Language . Being bilingual is always impressive, and can be included on a resume for any company. Highlight this more if your position involves liaising with international distributors and/or clients. Don’t lie about your proficiency level.

It may be best to not mention it if you’re not particularly proficient speaker . Such as if you took courses in school, or haven’t really managed to gain fluency. It can end up looking like an attempt to inflate your credentials, which you want to avoid.

Volunteer experience . Always a good thing to include. It shows you’re a team player who behaves in a way that promotes the greater good, without thought of personal gain. Especially good for entry-level candidates and those applying for jobs at a non-profit. If you have gaps in your work history, you can also consider including volunteer experiences in your work history section instead.

Personal projects. A personal blog, published works, or a portfolio of your past projects are all good things to include. They show you take initiative, enjoy and take pride in your work, and that you can handle the responsibilities of the job, if relevant.

Certifications/licenses. If you didn’t include these in your education section, this is another good place to list relevant certifications or licenses that you have.

Interests . This is largely just a space filler if your resume is light in other areas. However, if your hobbies are directly related to the job that you’re applying for, it’s not a bad idea to include them. And it might draw a recruiter’s attention if you end up sharing some of the same interests as they do.

If you have several seemingly random items that are valuable, but don’t warrant creating a whole separate section for, you can also make a section called “Additional Experience.” Here you can include all of the above categories in one place. Just make sure that each item is clear and easy for readers to understand.

Resume samples

Now that we have a good idea of how to write a resume, let’s take a look at some example resumes:

Jack Pilgrim Washington , DC 14015 – (555) 444-3333 – [email protected] – www.linkedin.com/jpilgrim Resume Summary Graphic designer with 3+ years of experience creating and implementing promotional materials and social media graphics. Worked with sales and marketing teams to increase inbound calls by 23% YoY through compelling digital media. Adept at planning, managing, and prioritizing multiple deadlines at once, and thrives in fast-paced work environment. Work Experience Creative Designs | Washington, DC Lead Graphic Designer | June 2018-Present Worked with sales and marketing teams to create landing pages, sales proposals, and supporting media elements to drive sales by over $250,000 per quarter Trained, managed, and mentored team of 4 junior designers to fulfill 40+ project orders on a weekly basis Conducted UX research through surveys, usability testing, and data analysis to plan content marketing strategy, driving organic search traffic by 12% Presented proposals, results, and status updates to set of 4-7 clients, ensuring customer satisfaction at or above 95% for 3 years straight Happy Place | Alexandria, VA Junior Graphic Designer | July 2016-May 2018 Translated client needs and branding strategies into design and content strategy, increasing client retention by 22% Reduced project turnaround time by 8% by Utilizing web-based ticket system for completing and archiving finalized pieces Posted digital artwork to network IPTV using web interface to produce high-end info-graphics and other materials Happy Place | Alexandria, VA Marketing Intern | September 2015-July 2016 Assisted marketing team with data collection, analysis, and presentation using Google Analytics Drew up storyboards for new marketing campaigns alongside sales team, increasing brand awareness through social media Wrote 500-1000 word articles to pair with graphical elements on page, leading to a 40% boost in engagement on company website Education Savannah College of Art and Design | Savannah, Georgia May 2016 Bachelor of Fine Arts in Graphic Design Skills Adobe Creative Suite Typography HTML/CSS WordPress Collaboration Organization

Allison Neederly Chicago, Illinois , 60007 | (333) 222-1111 | [email protected] | www.linkedin.com/allison.neederly Resume Summary Dedicated customer service representative with 4+ years experience resolving customers’ needs in-person, online, and over the phone. Top achiever at XYZ Inc. with a 100% customer satisfaction rate for Q1 of 2020. Friendly personable, and knowledgable about company’s products and services. Relevant Skills Customer Service Responded to upwards of 200 customer queries daily with XYZ Inc., reducing the average wait time by 56% and increasing customer satisfaction rates by 13% Ability to resolve conflict and create a positive atmosphere for shopping for both new and existing customers through technical proficiency Expert product knowledge and communication skills, and experience training and mentoring new customer service staff Web Chat and Phone Skilled in 3 web chat platforms for helping online customers resolve their queries quickly and accurately Achieved fastest call resolution rate at XYZ Inc., with an average resolution time of under 5 minutes per customer Performed outbound calls for customer satisfaction surveys, as well as writing web-based surveys for 10,000+ customers Troubleshooting Detailed product knowledge allowed for customer technical issues to be resolved at rate within top 5% of all customer service associates at XYZ Inc. Created manual for step-by-step directions for troubleshooting that was implemented for team of 100+ customer service reps Positive attitude took average tech-related negative response from 1/5 stars to 4/5 stars, increasing trust in brands and services Work Experience XYZ Inc. | Philadelphia, PA Customer Service Associate New Look Global | Burlington, VT Junior Customer Service Representative L.L. Bean | Burlington, VT Sales Associate Education University of Vermont | Burlington, VT May 2012 Bachelor of Arts in Humanities

Priya Laghari New York, NY | (222) 111-0000 | [email protected] | www.priyabizdev.com Resume Profile Strategy Development: Grew John Deere’s international sales by 13% by tapping into undeserved countries in Southeast Asia Management: Oversaw a team of managers representing marketing, sales, and product teams. Streamlined collaborative, cross-functional communications through agile and scrum management system CRM: Developed, customized, and implemented new customer relationship management database for accounts totaling over $10M in value Work Experience Business Development Manager 01/2015-Present Microsoft | Redmond, WA Developed product strategies and roadmap for Google AdWords, increasing inbound traffic by 26% YoY Reduced time training on new software by 50% for new and existing employees by implement e-learning programs Spearheaded digital marketing campaign worth $1M that saw a return of 200% in first year by qualifying leads earlier in the sales funnel Regional Sales Manager 11/2012-01/2015 Big Things Inc. | St. Louis, MO Managed territory encompassing 29 regional locations with an annual revenue of approx. $55M Worked with C-level executives to plan business strategies, resulting in 20% reduction in overhead costs Increased client retention by 12% in first year by implementing a CRM approach based on account profiling and elevating levels of relationship selling Account Manager 02/2009-11/2012 Solutions Corp. | Chicago, IL Implemented and developed CRM strategic plans, increasing retention of long-term clients by 22% Maintained 50+ accounts totaling over $35M in value Generated leads through one-on-one consultation via phone inquiries, online check-ins, and meeting office walk-ins Relevant Skills CRM: Proficient with Salesforce, Zoho, and HubSpot; some experience with Keap. Used various CRM software over a decade to successfully manage customer relations and quick to adapt to new software and tools that aid in quality of customer experience. Salesmanship: Negotiated and closed over several deals worth $1M+ and skilled in upselling and cross-selling. Adept at working closely with marketing and product teams to maximize the efficiency of the sales funnel for both inbound and outbound traffic. Presentation: Represented Microsoft Northwest Region at quarterly board meetings, ensuring all stakeholders were kept abreast of new developments and opportunities. Also deliver monthly presentations to big clients and vendors to maintain positive relationship. Data analytics. Expert at integrating data from various analytics platforms, including Google, Microsoft Power BI, and SAP BusinessObjects Education Colgate University | May 2008 MBA Fordham University | May 2006 Bachelor’s Degree in Business

For more resume examples and templates:

Resume examples by job

Google docs resume template

Resume templates

Resume builder

Resume Headers Samples:

Tip : Never put your contact info in the header of your document; some applicant tracking systems might miss it.

For more on how to write a resume header:

Resume Header

Resume Titles

Resume introduction examples

Entry-Level Resume Objective.

Recent graduate with a bachelor’s in Marketing from the University of Virginia seeking an entry-level role in content marketing. Excellent copywriter with 2+ years experience editing content as a member of the UVa Writing Center.

Career Change Resume Objective.

Eager to apply 7+ years of experience with customer success management to make successful outbound B2B calls, deliver customized business solutions to new and existing customers, and provide expert product knowledge in the role of Account Manager for XYZ Inc.

Example Resume Summary Statement.

Accountant with over 8 years of experience in the medical industry. Adept at advising on management of cash deficits, reconciling departmental accounts, and creating new accounts and codes. Coordinated invoice preparation system for ABC that reduced contractor overhead by 19% YoY.

English teacher with a love of language and 6 years of experience teaching high school students. Developed new curriculum that boosted freshman reading comprehension scores by 12% and created after school book club for AP Lit class, resulting in 100% of participating students achieving a 5 on the AP Lit test.

Example Qualifications Summary.

Executive assistant with 5+ years experience helping maintain efficiency in an office of 25 employees Communicated directly with internal and external stakeholders, helping Senior Vice President manage projects worth $5M+ Proactively managed office schedules, identifying and prioritizing changes to ensure client satisfaction Recognized in a company of 500 for “Outstanding Achiever” in May 2019

Example Resume Profile.

Detail-oriented IT Specialist with 4 years of experience overseeing and improving the infrastructure of IT systems. Adept at building and running troubleshooting systems and testing services. Decreased security risk by 47% through continual optimization, while also improving the speed of client portal by 22%. Excellent communicator both internally and for client-facing discussions. Achieved 98%+ customer satisfaction ratings through weekly and monthly check-ins with accounts valued cumulatively at $500,000.

Entry-Level Resume Headline.

Bilingual College Graduate with 80 WPM Typing Speed and Tutoring Experience

Experienced Resume Headline.

Business Development Specialist with 6+ Years Experience Scaling Start-Up Tech Teams

For more on resume introductions:

Resume objective statement

Resume summary statement

Resume summary statement examples

Qualifications summary

Sample resume work experience sections

Work Experience XYZ Industries | Seattle, WA Marketing Associate | May 2019-Present Delivered weekly presentations to client-base to communicate brand messaging, increasing client retention by 11% Served as liaison between marketing and product teams, resulting in projects finishing 2 weeks early, on average Leveraged Excel skills to create and maintain spreadsheet to track consumer insights, emergent trends, and inform decisions of marketing team through competitive analysis Managed team of 5 contractors to juggle multiple priority projects simultaneously, never missing a deadline Initiated an affiliate referral program that PR team went on to turn into a revenue-generating stream valued at $30,000 annually ABC Corp | Seattle, WA Marketing Intern | September 2018-May 2019 Developed, maintained, and processed 20+ digital consent forms and distributor forms Worked collaboratively with a team of 10 marketing professionals, closely aligning our goals with the PR team Provided data analysis using Google Analytics and performed keyword research to increase blog traffic by 56% over six months Answered up to 50 customer queries by phone and email each week

For more on building the perfect resume work experience section:

Resume work experience section

First resume (no experience)

Examples Of Education Resume Sections

Graduated recently from a 4-year program.

Western Illinois University | Macomb, Illinois May 2020 Bachelor of Arts in Sociology | Minor in Psychology 3.95 GPA magna cum laude Dean’s List all semesters

Two degrees.

Fordham University | Bronx, New York April 2016 Master of Chemical Engineering Stony Brook University | Stony Brook, New York April 2014 Bachelor of Science in Chemistry

Anticipated graduation date (not yet graduated).

DePaul Univeristy | Chicago, Illinois Bachelor of Arts in History – Degree anticipated May 2021 Current GPA: 3.8

Older job seeker (graduated 10+ years ago).

University of Chicago | Chicago, Illinois Bachelor of Business Administration

High school graduate (no college degree).

Johnston High School 2016-2020 Head of Computer Club

More on crafting the perfect resume education section:

Education resume section

GPA on resume

Dean’s list

Magna cum laude

Examples Of Skills For Resume

Examples of hard skills include:

Examples of soft skills include:

Here’s more information on how to incorporate skills into your resume:

Resume skills section

Hard skills

Soft skills

Top skills for professionals

Skills-based resume

Resume writing FAQ

What is a resume?

A resume is a one to two-page document that focuses on professional experience, past achievements, education and certifications, and specific skills tailored to the job you’re applying for.

Almost every job application requires a resume, and hiring managers use them as a first impression in determining which applicants get a shot at an interview.

Whether you’re fresh out of college or have 30 years of professional experience, this guide should help craft a resume that stands out from the crowd and get you one step closer to landing your dream job.

What is the format for writing a good resume?

Most people will want to use a chronological or reverse-chronological resume format. This format is compatible with most applicant tracking systems (ATS) and is easy for employers to read. Additionally it helps highlight your experience, which helps prove your qualifications.

How far back should a resume go?

A resume should go back no further than 10 to 15 years. However, it is important that all your information is relevant. Therefore, do not include job experience that is irrelevant to your application, even if it’s fewer than 10 years old. Save that information for later discussions.

Should you personalize your resume for each job?

Yes, you should personalize your resume for each job you apply to. Many recruiters use ATS now, which will search for keywords in a resume and reject those that don’t have them. That means that the skills you choose to highlight as well as your opening, such as your resume summary, should be altered to suit each job you apply to.

You don’t need to rewrite the entire resume for each job, but it does show attention to detail and initiative to make sure that your resume is customized. It also makes it more likely that you’ll get past the first step of the process.

State of New York Department of Labor – Resumes, Cover Letters and Job Applications

Harvard University – Create a Resume/CV or Cover Letter

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Matthew Zane is the lead editor of Zippia's How To Get A Job Guides. He is a teacher, writer, and world-traveler that wants to help people at every stage of the career life cycle. He completed his masters in American Literature from Trinity College Dublin and BA in English from the University of Connecticut.

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8 Graphic Design Resume Examples to Land Your Next Job

Published: May 15, 2024

If you're a graphic designer, I have to give you praise because, without your creativity and your keen eye for design, it would be a struggle for marketing to create campaigns that catch their audience's attention.

And what better way to show my appreciation to graphic designers than to write a post with helpful graphic design resume examples and tips that can help you land your next job?

You've come to the right place if you're a graphic designer looking for your next gig or want to refine your resume. Let's dive in!

Graphic Design Resume Best Practices

Graphic design resume examples, graphic design student resume examples.

Before I discuss the graphic design resume examples below, I'll outline some best practices for putting your resume together.

Use a clean layout.

Graphic design is a field that naturally attracts creative people like yourself, so you might be tempted to create a colorful, unique layout that shows off your eye for design.

However, your resume should have a clean layout that is easy to read and won't confuse any applicant tracking systems (ATS) your potential employers use.

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In her YouTube video, "The Resume That Got Me Hired As A Designer," graphic designer Victoria Gillerlain says a clean layout is the way to go.

"If your resume is hard to read, hard to look at, overly contrasted, or just makes people [wince] when they look at it because it's so overwhelming — that's not good," she explains. "[Recruiters] are probably not going to even bother to look into the content itself, and you want them to look at it!"

Gillerlain uses her own resume as an example of what to do, and she notes the absence of color in her document.

Image Source

"The reason behind that is that your resume is a professional document, and although you're in a creative field, using this as a creative document—not everyone who is looking at your resume is going to necessarily be in a creative field," she says. "Lots of times, there are going to be HR managers or recruiters who are looking at your resume and have nothing to do with the creative field."

Gillerlain says those people may look at an overly colorful resume and think, "Why does it have so many colors and graphics?"

"On top of that, if you're going to be in an on-site role at all, a lot of times people will print out your resume … there's a chance that none of that is going to actually print, and they might just print it in black and white — so it might now look as you intended it," she says.

Include links to your portfolio.

Even the most well-put-together resume in the world can't replace a glowing portfolio.

So, make sure your resume includes links to your work. Graphic design is a creative and visual industry, and including links to your portfolio will allow recruiters to see your experience and qualifications in action.

Tailor your resume for every application.

This is golden advice for any industry. You should always tweak and tailor your resume for each job you're applying for. This means incorporating keywords from the job posting and highlighting relevant experiences and skills.

One graphic design job opportunity may require a skill that isn't as relevant in other opportunities in the industry, and you don't want your resume to leave out that key detail.

So, read the job description closely and tailor your resume so that it applies and sets you up for success.

Mention your education.

"If you have a degree, even if it's unrelated, list it," Gillerlain says. "Having a degree shows that you're credible and committed, and a lot of places like to see that you have one nowadays."

Gillerlain suggests listing your degree, your minor ("If you want," she says), where you got it, and when.

To learn more general resume best practices, regardless of industry, check you my colleague Martina Bretous's post about resume tips that will help you get hired.

1. Victoria Gillerlain's Graphic Design Resume

I mentioned this resume earlier, but I want to dig a little deeper. Notice how the resume is simple, easy to follow, and to the point.

It's not very colorful but still includes small, unique design elements (like the large V logo in the corner) that help it stand out without being distracting.

Gilerlain also includes a link to her website portfolio, so recruiters can find her work without having to do any additional digging.

Pro-Tip: It's okay to add unique elements to your resume to show your creativity, but keep those elements simple, like in the example above.

Cool-toned colors for headlines and a simple logo can be just enough to separate you from other applicants without overshading the contents of the document.

2. Anna Chen's Graphic Design Resume

The above resume features a minimalist design that keeps the recruiter's focus squarely on the applicant's experience, qualifications, skills, and work history.

Pro Tip: While I like this resume for its simple design, I notice it doesn't include a space for Chen's education history, such as if she has a degree or is actively working toward one.

A simple design is excellent for resumes, but you should still include space for your education credentials.

Also, notice the most recent work experience is not bulleted. Applicants should include bullet points to make their resume more readable.

3. Charles Bloomberg's Graphic Design Resume

This resume is excellent because it's clean and includes all relevant information. I especially love how the applicant made sure to include his education and relevant certifications.

Pro Tip: Notice the small icons at the top symbolizing his location, email, phone number, and LinkedIn.

This information is a must-have, but icons and symbols can confuse applicant tracking systems and can harm the chances of your resume getting the attention of a recruiter.

So, avoid symbols and icons in your resume whenever possible.

4. Clara Thompson's Entry-Level Graphic Design Resume

This resume includes a pop of color that catches the eye without distracting from its contents. Thompson's contact information is listed neatly in the upper right corner of the page, leaving plenty of room for her work experience.

What I Love: The resume is an excellent example for individuals just starting their careers. I love how it highlights relevant projects the applicant completed before freelance work.

5. Samantha Angel's Senior Graphic Designer Resume Example

I'm biased because purple is my favorite color, but this is one of my favorite examples. Samantha's resume includes her work experience and a bulleted list of responsibilities. It also features her activities outside work and degree, adding more legitimacy to her application.

Pro Tip: Like Samantha, consider adding activities and certifications you've completed outside of your career to beef up your resume and show you're a well-rounded candidate.

If you're a student trying to break into the graphic design industry, here are some examples to get you going in the right direction.

1. Minimalist

The sample resume is an excellent example for graphic design students looking for entry-level opportunities. If you're new to the field but have internship or volunteer experience that applies to the role, include them as your work experience.

What I Love: The resume is simple and clean, with nearly all relevant information listed.

2. Black and White

Like the previous example, this resume lacks color—that's okay! As I mentioned earlier, it's not essential to have color. A pop of color can show you creativity, but there's no guarantee a recruiter or hiring manager will see it or care.

What I Love: I can't emphasize enough the importance of having a clean, easy-to-read resume. This format will pass ATS without issues and neatly display your qualifications.

3. Traditional with a Pop of Color

If you want a pop of color in your resume, this example is an excellent template to emulate. It showcases the applicant's creative flair while highlighting all the essential information.

However, be mindful of adding odd symbols and icons. Again, they can pose a problem for ATS.

Pro Tip: If using color, use it sparingly and pick a color that isn't too jarring. Like the one in the example, a calming blue is a great choice.

Graphic design, like most creative fields, can be a harsh industry to break into. However, you have the best chance if you have a portfolio, skills, experience, and a clean resume to vouch for you. Good luck!

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