Resume Formats & Examples

Choose the Right Resume Format

Pick the perfect resume format for your career level and goals. Get ATS-optimized templates with examples for every industry.

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6 Resume Formats Explained

Understanding resume formats is crucial for making the right impression. Each format serves a different purpose—choose based on your experience level and career goals.

Chronological Resume

Lists work experience in reverse chronological order, starting with your most recent position. This is the most traditional and widely accepted format.

Best For

  • Professionals with consistent work history
  • Those seeking jobs in the same field
  • Candidates with steady career progression
  • Traditional industries (finance, healthcare, education)

Typical Structure

  1. 1Contact Information
  2. 2Professional Summary
  3. 3Work Experience (reverse chronological)
  4. 4Education
  5. 5Skills
  6. 6Certifications (optional)

Pros

  • + Easy for recruiters to follow
  • + Highlights career growth
  • + ATS-friendly format

Cons

  • - Emphasizes gaps in employment
  • - Not ideal for career changers
  • - May seem repetitive if roles were similar
Use This Format

Functional Resume

Focuses on skills and abilities rather than chronological work history. Organizes experience by skill categories instead of job titles.

Best For

  • Career changers transitioning industries
  • Those with gaps in employment
  • Freelancers or consultants
  • Professionals re-entering the workforce

Typical Structure

  1. 1Contact Information
  2. 2Professional Summary
  3. 3Skills Summary
  4. 4Relevant Experience (by skill category)
  5. 5Work History (brief)
  6. 6Education

Pros

  • + Highlights transferable skills
  • + Minimizes employment gaps
  • + Great for career transitions

Cons

  • - Some recruiters find it suspicious
  • - May not pass all ATS systems
  • - Hides career progression
Use This Format

Combination Resume

Merges the best elements of chronological and functional formats. Highlights both skills and work history equally.

Best For

  • Experienced professionals with diverse skills
  • Those targeting senior positions
  • Career changers with relevant experience
  • Professionals with strong achievements

Typical Structure

  1. 1Contact Information
  2. 2Professional Summary
  3. 3Core Competencies/Skills
  4. 4Professional Experience
  5. 5Achievements
  6. 6Education

Pros

  • + Shows both skills and experience
  • + Flexible format
  • + Great for senior roles

Cons

  • - Can become lengthy
  • - Requires more effort to create
  • - May overwhelm with information
Use This Format

Targeted Resume

Customized specifically for each job application. Mirrors keywords and requirements from the job description.

Best For

  • Any job seeker who wants to stand out
  • Highly competitive positions
  • Those applying to dream companies
  • Career changers showing relevance

Typical Structure

  1. 1Contact Information
  2. 2Targeted Summary (job-specific)
  3. 3Relevant Skills (matched to JD)
  4. 4Relevant Experience
  5. 5Key Achievements
  6. 6Education

Pros

  • + Highest ATS pass rate
  • + Shows you understand the role
  • + Stands out to recruiters

Cons

  • - Time-consuming to create
  • - Requires research per application
  • - Need multiple versions
Use This Format

Fresher/Entry-Level Resume

Designed for recent graduates and those entering the workforce. Emphasizes education, projects, internships, and potential.

Best For

  • Recent college graduates
  • Students seeking internships
  • First-time job seekers
  • Those with academic achievements

Typical Structure

  1. 1Contact Information
  2. 2Objective Statement
  3. 3Education (highlighted)
  4. 4Projects/Academic Work
  5. 5Internships/Part-time Jobs
  6. 6Skills
  7. 7Extracurricular Activities

Pros

  • + Highlights potential over experience
  • + Showcases academic achievements
  • + Includes relevant projects

Cons

  • - Limited work experience to show
  • - May seem light on content
  • - Competing with other freshers
Use This Format

Executive Resume

Premium format for C-suite and senior leadership positions. Emphasizes strategic impact, P&L responsibility, and organizational leadership.

Best For

  • C-suite executives (CEO, CFO, CTO)
  • VPs and Directors
  • Board positions
  • Senior management roles

Typical Structure

  1. 1Executive Summary
  2. 2Core Leadership Competencies
  3. 3Professional Experience (with metrics)
  4. 4Key Achievements & Impact
  5. 5Board Memberships
  6. 6Education & Executive Training

Pros

  • + Highlights leadership impact
  • + Shows strategic thinking
  • + Emphasizes business results

Cons

  • - Requires significant achievements
  • - Can be 2-3 pages
  • - Not for junior roles
Use This Format

Resume Examples by Role & Industry

Browse real resume examples tailored for different roles. Preview them, customize the template, or use them as a starting point for your own resume.

chronological

Software Engineer Resume

Technology3-5 years

Full-stack developer with expertise in React, Node.js, and AWS

combination

Data Scientist Resume

Technology2-4 years

Data scientist specializing in machine learning and predictive analytics

chronological

Registered Nurse Resume

Healthcare2-8 years

BSN-prepared RN with ICU and emergency department experience

fresher

Fresh Graduate Resume

General0-1 years

Computer Science graduate with internship experience at Fortune 500

combination

Marketing Manager Resume

Marketing5-8 years

Digital marketing leader with proven track record of 200% ROI campaigns

chronological

Financial Analyst Resume

Finance2-5 years

CFA candidate with expertise in financial modeling and valuation

functional

Career Changer Resume

GeneralVaries

Teacher transitioning to corporate training with transferable skills

targeted

Product Manager Resume

Technology4-7 years

Product leader driving 3x user growth through data-driven decisions

executive

Executive Resume

Executive15+ years

CEO who scaled startup from $1M to $50M ARR in 3 years

targeted

Sales Representative Resume

Sales1-4 years

Top performer consistently exceeding quota by 130%

Resume Templates by Industry

IdealResume creates ATS-optimized resumes for every industry. Our AI understands industry-specific keywords and formatting requirements.

How to Choose the Right Resume Format

Consistent Work History?

Use Chronological. It's ATS-friendly and shows your career progression clearly.

Changing Careers?

Use Functional or Combination. Highlight transferable skills over job titles.

Fresh Graduate?

Use Fresher Format. Lead with education, projects, and internships.

Pro Tip: Not sure which format to use? Our AI analyzes your background and the job description to recommend the best format automatically.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the best resume format for 2025?

The Chronological format remains the most popular and ATS-friendly choice for 2025. However, the best format depends on your specific situation. Career changers benefit from Functional or Combination formats, while fresh graduates should use the Fresher format.

Which resume format is best for ATS?

Chronological and Targeted formats have the highest ATS pass rates. They use standard section headers and clear formatting that ATS systems easily parse. IdealResume optimizes all formats for ATS compatibility.

Should I use the same resume for every job?

No! Tailoring your resume to each job description significantly increases your chances of getting interviews. Our Targeted Resume feature customizes your resume for each application in seconds.

How long should my resume be?

1 page for entry-level and mid-career professionals (less than 10 years experience).2 pages for senior professionals with extensive experience.Executive resumes may extend to 2-3 pages to capture leadership impact.

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