Resume Style:

So, you’re staring at a blank screen, coffee mug in hand, trying to write a resume that says, “Hire me!” without sounding like 1,000 other job seekers shouting the same thing. You start typing your name at the top, but wonder what resume style to use. “Do I go traditional? Creative? Chronological? Is there a right answer here?”

Relax. The type of resume you choose isn’t about proving you can follow a format. It is, however, about telling your story in the most strategic way possible. And since resumes are often the first impression (and we all know you never get a second shot at that), choosing the right resume type sets the stage for everything that follows.

Let’s talk through the main resume styles: Chronological, Functional, and Hybrid. And, we will throw in a couple of bonus ones you might not have heard of, but should keep in your back pocket. I will break down what each type looks like, who it serves best, and when to pull it out of your career toolbox.

The Chronological Resume – The Gold Standard

Ah, the Chronological Resume. The classic. The original. The “this-is-what-your-teacher-told-you-to-use-in-high-school” resume format. It is clean, professional, and easy to follow because it presents your work history in reverse order, from the most recent to the earliest.

You will typically see sections like:

• • Contact information (yes, your email address must be professional, and “dogmom4life@gmail.com” might not scream CEO material)
  • Professional summary
  • Work experience (with job titles, companies, and dates)
  • Education
  • Skills

This resume tells a simple story: Here’s my career, step by step. Recruiters love it because it maps out your professional growth in a way that’s straightforward and quick to scan. They can immediately see, “Okay, you were a Marketing Coordinator, then you moved up to Manager, then Senior Manager…got it.”

But this format doesn’t work for everyone.

When to use it:

Use chronological when your career path makes sense on paper. If your work history shows stability, consistent growth, or you’re staying in the same field, this is your best friend. Hiring managers love it when the dots connect easily.

Who shouldn’t use it:

If you have gaps, made a big career switch, or the job titles don’t match the role you are after, the chronological format might work against you. It highlights your timeline, which is great when your timeline is strong, but not so great when you are reinventing your career or took a sabbatical to save baby sea turtles (noble, but not directly relevant).

The Functional Resume – The “Let’s Focus on Skills, Not Dates” Approach

Next up: the Functional Resume. This one’s the rebel of the resume family. It ignores the traditional “here’s-where-I-worked-and-when” layout and instead shines a bright light on your skills and accomplishments.

Think of it like saying, “Hey, before you judge me by my timeline, let me show you what I can do.”

Here’s how it’s usually structured:

• • Contact info
  • Skills summary or core competencies
  • Key achievement sections (organized by category — communication, leadership, project management, etc.)
  • Education
  • A brief list of work history (with little to no detail)

When to use it:

Functional resume types are perfect if you are changing careers, returning to the workforce after an extended break, or if your job titles don’t fully reflect your abilities. For instance, maybe you have been freelancing under the radar, leading community projects, or gaining transferable skills that don’t fit into neat corporate boxes. This format lets you show off your value first.

Who shouldn’t use it:

If your work history is strong and straightforward, a purely functional resume might raise eyebrows. Some recruiters (and ATS systems) don’t love them because they skip standard details like employment dates and job titles. Translation: the system might not know where to file you, and that’s not great when you’re trying to get noticed.

So, functional resumes can be powerful tools. Just know they are more “strategic weapons” than daily drivers. Use them when you need to reframe your experience on your terms.

The Hybrid (or Combination) Resume – The Best of Both Worlds

Enter the Hybrid Resume: the smooth-talking negotiator between the traditional and the creative. It’s part chronological, part functional, and all about flexibility.

This resume style usually starts with a strong summary and a showcase of key skills or core competencies right up front. Then it transitions into a mini-chronological work history to show where you have been and how those skills were applied.

Think of it like saying: “Here’s what I’m good at, and here’s proof I’ve actually done it.”

When to use it:

This is hands-down the most popular format among professionals today, especially mid-career folks, career changers, or anyone whose experience tells a slightly more layered story. It works beautifully if you want to highlight transferable strengths and show progression.

Example: Let’s say you’re a teacher pivoting into corporate training. You would use the skills section to highlight instructional design, facilitation, and communication strengths, followed by a timeline that connects those dots to classroom experience. Recruiters can instantly see you’re not reinventing yourself. Instead, you are simply repurposing your expertise.

Why I love it:

It is a versatile resume style that is easy to tweak for different jobs. It sits in that sweet spot between “classic and boring” and “creative and confusing.”

The Targeted Resume – The Custom-Fit Suit

Now, let’s step it up with something more tactical: the Targeted Resume.

This resume style is the definition of “one size does not fit all.” Every line, bullet, and headline is laser-focused on a specific job posting. Think of it as tailoring instead of shopping off the rack. The content mirrors the employer’s language, the skills align with the role description, and the achievements sound like you were born for that exact position.

When to use it:

When you’ve found the dream job and you would sell your houseplant to get it. Or, for leadership roles where you’re expected to nail every point of alignment.

Who shouldn’t use it:

If you are applying to multiple positions rapidly and can’t customize for each one, this will slow your process way down. But if you have your eye on a specific company or industry, it is worth every minute.

The Creative Resume – When Branding Is Everything

Creative resumes walk a fine line between memorable and “what is this even?”

They are typically used in fields like design, marketing, or social media, where showing off your creativity is part of the job. They may feature visuals, color, or non-standard layouts and sometimes interactive digital elements for portfolio-based professions.

When to use it:

If you are in a creative field or applying for roles that value innovation, your resume style should be a reflection of that creativity. Visual storytelling (done right) can help you stand out.

When not to:

If you are applying for anything conservative, such as accounting, legal, finance, or most clinical research positions, keep it clean and professional. Creativity in those spaces should come through in your accomplishments, not neon headers or funky fonts.

Quick Comparison Table

Final Thoughts

Your resume isn’t just a record. It is your story, strategically told. The structure and resume type you choose should fit not just your experience but your future direction.

So, as you pick your format, ask yourself:

• What message am I trying to send with my resume?

• Which version of my story best serves my next move?

• Does this resume make it easy for someone to see why I’m right for the job?

Remember, there is no universal “best” resume style format. But there will be one that makes you the clearest, most confident choice. And trust me, that matters way more than following any outdated template floating around online.

Your career deserves a resume that fits like a tailored jacket: clean, confident, and completely you.

References

• The Muse. “These Are the 3 Resume Formats You Should Be Using (and Why).” TheMuse.com.

• Indeed Career Guide. “Types of Resumes: Choosing the Best Format for Your Needs.” Indeed.com.

• Harvard Office of Career Services. “Resumes & Cover Letters.” ocs.fas.harvard.edu.

• National Association of Colleges and Employers (NACE). “Resume Writing Guidelines.” naceweb.org.

• LinkedIn Learning. “Writing a Resume That Gets Results.” LinkedIn Learning.