Jessica Hernandez
President, CEO & Founder
of Great Resumes Fast
There are three main resume formats.
A chronological format, functional format, and hybrid format.
The chronological format is a resume that lists your work experience in reverse order from most recent to last held.
A functional resume format leaves out dates and instead focuses on skills and areas of expertise.
A hybrid format uses the first third to the first half of the resume to convey relevant accomplishments, skills, experience, and personal branding then dives into the work experience section in reverse chronological order.
So, which format is best? Hands down, the hybrid format.
Why?
Because a true functional resume format leaves dates off the resume to minimize gaps or job hopping. Recruiters know this and it sends up red flags when there are no dates on a resume.
Hiring managers understand that there are going to be gaps and it's not nearly as detrimental to your chances of being hired as it used to be. So don't fall into the trap of thinking you need to hide employment dates. It will only serve to get your resume screened out vs. get you an interview.
Chronological formats are dated and while they're not going to cause issues like a functional format will, they're also not doing you any favors when it comes to standing out or showing how you can add value.
A hybrid resume format forces you to give precedence to relevant information and convey your accomplishments, relevant experience, and personal brand.
Combination Resume Format
The title of the image is "Combination Resume", and it shows the parts of a functional resume and an example.
The left side of the image defines the section of a combination resume. They are:
Name and contact information
Summary
Skills and abilities
Professional experience
Education
Awards
The resume example reads:
Alex Lee
Scranton Pennsylvania - (123) 456-7891 - alex.lee95@email.com
Summary
A strategically minded and hard-working sales associate with 2 years of experience increasing sales and increasing brand awareness.
Skills
Sales and marketing skills include: Tableau (intermediate level) - Excel (intermediate level) - SalesForce Administration (entry-level) - Team player - Hardworking - Creative
Professional History
L&O Financial, Sales Associate
August 2016 - Present
Utilize Salesforce to help manage client accounts.
Learned and used various data analytics tools, including Excel and Tableau, to provide data insights.
Work collaboratively with other associates and managers to create new marketing strategies.
L&O Financial, Intern
June 2016 - August 2016
Trained on industry financial systems.
Assisted sales teams with day-to-day operations.
Learned skills in sales and developing client relationships.
Accepted as full-time Sales Associate following successful internship.
Educational History
Pennsylvania State University
August 2012 - June 2016
B.A., Communications, 3.95 GPA
Awards Include: Magna Cum Laude, President's Scholarship Award (2014), Academic Honors (2012-2016)
Extracurriculars Include: Debate Team Captain (2015), Student Government Treasurer (2013-2014), Habitat for Humanity (2012-2016).
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