What Are Different Type Resume? Which One To Use?

Currently, several types of resumes are available, and each has its own perks. So, what are the different types of resumes, and which type of resume should you use? Find out here. 

A good resume format can help you get the attention of employers and be a competent candidate. That’s why choosing the right resume type is one of the most important decisions when creating a resume.

What Are The Different Types of Resumes?

There are several types of resumes to choose from, each with its own advantages and disadvantages. The most common types include chronological, functional, combination, and targeted resumes. Understanding the differences between these types of resumes can help you make an informed decision about which one is best for your job search.

Let’s know a little more about the types of resumes.

Chronological Resume

Chronological resumes are the most common type of resume and are often preferred by employers. This type of resume lists your work experience in reverse chronological order, starting with your most recent job. 

The advantage of this type of resume is that it clearly shows your career progression and highlights your most recent experiences. However, it can be less effective if you have gaps in your employment history or are changing careers.

Functional Resume

Functional resumes, on the other hand, focus on your skills and achievements rather than your work experience. This type of resume is ideal for people who have gaps in their employment history or are changing careers.

Combination Resume

Combination resumes are a blend of both chronological and functional resumes. This type of resume is ideal for people who want to highlight both their skills and work experience. It’s also a great option for people who are changing careers or have gaps in their employment history.

Targeted Resume

Targeted resumes are tailored to specific job openings. This type of resume is ideal for people who are applying to multiple jobs in the same field. The advantage of this type of resume is that it can be customized to match the requirements of each job opening, increasing your chances of getting an interview.

Know Some Best Tips For A Good Resume That’ll Get You Hired

Choosing the Right Type of Resume

Selecting the right type of resume for the right job is crucial. Not only it shows your professionalism but also your avidity to be in that job position or section. 

Below we’ve given examples where you can know which type of resume is best for which roles.

Chronological Resumes:

If you are seeking a position as a digital marketing specialist and have been working in the field for several years, a chronological resume would be the ideal choice. You can use this format to show your experience and track record in the field, as well as how your skills have evolved over time.

Functional Resumes:

 If you have been involved with volunteer activities for a non-profit organization for the past few years and are now looking to transition into the corporate sector, a functional resume would be the best option. 

This format allows you to emphasize the transferable skills you have acquired, like project management and communication skills, that are relevant to the position you are applying for.

Combination Resumes:

If you have been working as a customer service representative for the past few years and are now seeking to move into the field of sales, a combination resume would be the best format to use.

This format lets you easily highlight your relevant experience in customer service and showcase the transferable skills, such as communication and problem-solving, that are applicable to a sales role.

Targeted Resumes:

If you are applying for a job as a graphic designer and have experience in a variety of design software, look no further than a targeted resume. With a targeted resume format, you can focus on the qualifications and skills most relevant to the job, such as your proficiency in specific design software and your portfolio of work.

Which Resume Format Is Good For ATS?

Due to the rise and excessive usage of applicant tracking systems (ATS), it’s important to be mindful of your resume format to ensure it gets past the initial screening process. Otherwise, it’ll never reach hiring managers.

Out of the various resume formats available – chronological, functional, combined, and targeted – the chronological or reverse chronological format is considered the best for ATS.

The chronological format lists your work experience in reverse chronological order, with the most recent job listed first. The reverse chronological format is similar but lists the most recent job last. 

Both of these formats are preferred by ATS because they clearly show the candidate’s work history and progression in their career.

ATS software is designed to scan resumes for specific keywords and phrases that match the job posting, and the chronological format makes it easy for the software to identify job titles, employers, and dates of employment, which are all important factors for the ATS to consider. 

Additionally, the clear and organized structure of a chronological resume makes it easy for ATS to scan and extract relevant information.

On the other hand, functional, combined, and targeted resumes tend to be less effective with ATS because they focus on skills and achievements rather than work history. 

Because these formats often use non-traditional layouts and headings, which can confuse the ATS and make it harder for the software to extract relevant information.

Visit “How To Build A Resume” for a complete resume-building guide to land your dream job.

Other Types Of Resumes

In addition to the chronological, functional, targeted, and combined resume formats, there are several other types of resumes that job seekers can use to showcase their qualifications and experience. 

Except in specific industries, job seekers rarely use these types of resumes.

The other types of resumes are:

Infographic Resume:

An infographic resume uses graphics, charts, and other visual elements to present information in a unique and eye-catching way. This type of resume is best suited for creative or design-related fields, as it allows the job seeker to showcase their design skills.

Video Resume:

A video resume is a short video that job seekers can use to introduce themselves and highlight their qualifications. This type of resume is mainly used for positions in the media, entertainment, or other creative fields.

Web Resume:

A web resume is a digital version of a resume that is hosted on a website. This type of resume allows job seekers to include more information than regular ones, such as links to their personal/group portfolios or social media profiles.

Scannable Resume:

A scannable resume is a digital version of a traditional resume that is optimized for use with resume scanning software. A scannable resume is usually submitted in plain text format and uses keywords to ensure that the software can easily read it.

Hybrid Resume:

A hybrid resume is a combination of chronological and functional resume formats. With this format, job seekers can highlight their skills while providing a clear work history.

Mini Resume:

A mini resume is a shorter version of a conventional resume, usually no more than 2-3 lines. It provides a quick overview of the job seeker’s qualifications and experience and is often used as a cover letter.