Types of Resume Explained: Which One Suits You Best?

Why do some resumes grab attention while others don't? A resume is your chance to show employers what makes you the right fit for their team. However, not every resume is designed the same way. How you format and structure your resume can make a huge difference in how it’s received.

Did you know:

• Recruiters spend only 6-7 seconds on average looking at a resume.
• Different jobs and industries often require different types of resumes.
• A tailored resume increases your chances of landing an interview significantly.

Whether you're applying for your first job or switching careers, understanding the types of resumes can help you stand out. Each format serves a purpose and highlights your skills and experience differently. 

Here’s what we’ll cover:

• The main types of resumes you can use.
• How to pick the one that matches your situation.
• Examples of when to use each type.

Types of Resume

A resume is needed when you apply for a job. It shows who you are, what you can do, and why you are right for the job. In this section, we’ll explain the main types of resumes and how they work for different situations.

1. Chronological Resume

What It Is
A chronological resume focuses on listing your work experience in reverse chronological order, starting with the most recent job. This format is straightforward and widely recognized by recruiters.

Best For
This type of resume is ideal for professionals with a consistent work history in the same field. It’s a great choice if you’ve had steady career growth without major gaps.

Structure
Here’s how a chronological resume is typically organized:

• Contact Information: Name, phone number, email address, and optional LinkedIn profile link.
• Summary or Objective: A short paragraph highlighting your career goals or a summary of your experience.
• Work Experience: List your most recent position first, including job title, company name, employment dates, and key responsibilities or achievements.
• Education: Include degrees, certifications, or relevant coursework.
• Skills: Add any technical or soft skills relevant to the job.

Advantages

• Easy to follow, making it recruiter-friendly.
• Clearly shows career growth and consistency.
• Well-suited for positions requiring specific experience.

Disadvantages

• Not ideal for those with career gaps.
• May not work well for individuals changing industries.

2. Functional Resume

What It Is
A functional resume highlights your skills and achievements rather than focusing on a detailed work history. This format is useful for showcasing your abilities, especially when your career path isn’t straightforward.

Best For
This resume format is best suited for fresh graduates, career changers, or individuals with gaps in employment. It lets you emphasize what you can do rather than where you’ve worked.

Structure
Here’s the typical layout of a functional resume:

• Contact Information: Include your name, phone number, email, and optional professional links.
• Summary or Objective: A brief statement about your skills and what you aim to achieve.
• Skills: Organize skills into categories such as technical skills, leadership, or communication.
• Achievements or Projects: Highlight significant accomplishments, certifications, or projects.
• Work History: Provide a short list of past roles without detailed job descriptions.
• Education: Mention degrees, training programs, or certifications.

Advantages

• Great for focusing on transferable skills.
• Helps cover employment gaps or career shifts.
• Allows recent graduates to highlight capabilities over experience.

Disadvantages

• Less familiar format, which might confuse recruiters.
• May be seen as a way to hide a lack of work experience or gaps.

3. Combination Resume

What It Is
A combination resume brings together the best elements of chronological and functional formats. It highlights both your skills and your work experience, giving a comprehensive view of your qualifications.

Best For
This format works well for experienced professionals who have transferable skills or have held diverse roles across industries. It’s also ideal for individuals looking to emphasize both their expertise and their career timeline.

Structure
A combination resume typically follows this structure:

• Contact Information: Include your name, phone number, email, and optional LinkedIn or portfolio links.
• Summary or Objective: A short statement outlining your career highlights or goals.
• Skills: Showcase key skills grouped under relevant categories.
• Work Experience: Highlight relevant roles with job titles, companies, dates, and major achievements or responsibilities.
• Education: Mention your degrees, certifications, or any additional training.

Advantages

• Balances skills and work history effectively.
• Highlights both expertise and career progression.
• Flexible enough to cater to multiple industries or job types.

Disadvantages

• Can be lengthy, depending on the amount of detail included.
• Requires effort to organize information clearly and concisely.

4. Targeted Resume

What It Is
A targeted resume is specifically tailored for a particular job or industry. It aligns your skills, experience, and qualifications with the requirements of the role you’re applying for.

Best For
This format is best suited for focused applications where customization is key. If you’re applying for a highly specialized position, a targeted resume helps you stand out.

Structure
The structure of a targeted resume is similar to any of the other formats (chronological, functional, or combination) but customized to match the job description. This often includes:

• Contact Information: Your basic details like name, email, and phone number.
• Summary or Objective: Tailored to the specific job, addressing the employer’s needs.
• Skills: Focus on skills relevant to the role.
• Work Experience: Highlight positions and responsibilities that directly align with the job requirements.
• Education: List degrees or certifications relevant to the position.

Advantages

• Highly relevant to the role, improving your chances of getting shortlisted.
• Demonstrates your attention to detail and genuine interest in the position.

Disadvantages

• Requires significant time to customize for each job application.
• May not be practical for applying to multiple roles quickly.

5. Infographic Resume

What It Is
An infographic resume is a visually creative format that uses design elements such as charts, icons, and graphics to present your skills, experience, and achievements. It focuses on aesthetics and is ideal for showcasing your creativity while delivering key information at a glance.

Best For
This type of resume is best suited for creative roles in industries like design, marketing, media, or advertising. It allows candidates to demonstrate their design skills and artistic flair directly within the resume.

Structure
Instead of the traditional text-heavy layout, an infographic resume incorporates visual elements to highlight key sections:

• Contact Information: Stylish placement of your name, phone number, email, and portfolio link.
• Summary or Objective: A brief statement displayed creatively, often using typography or banners.
• Skills: Presented through charts, graphs, or icons to indicate proficiency levels.
• Work Experience: Highlighted with timelines, icons, or creative layouts.
• Achievements: Represented with badges, icons, or short callouts.
• Education: Displayed visually, such as in a hierarchy or timeline format.

Advantages

• Stands out from traditional resumes, especially in creative industries.
• Effectively showcases design skills and originality.
• Engages hiring managers visually, making it memorable.

Disadvantages

• May not pass Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS), as these systems prioritize plain-text formats.
• Requires design skills or tools, which may take more time to create.
• Not suitable for traditional industries or roles where a standard format is expected.

Which Type of Resume Is Right for You? 

Did you know that over 75% of resumes are rejected before they even reach a hiring manager? The format you pick helps highlight your strengths and match the job requirements.

Let’s break it down:

Tips for Creating an Effective Resume 

A strong resume can open the door to your dream job. Here are some easy-to-follow tips to help you make your resume clear, professional, and appealing to employers.

General Tips:

• Keep it concise (1-2 pages): Employers don’t have time to read long resumes. Stick to the most important details. For example, if you’re applying for an entry-level job, focus on your education, internships, and key skills.
• Use clear formatting and readable fonts: Choose simple fonts like Arial or Times New Roman in size 10–12. Avoid fancy designs unless you’re in a creative field.
• Tailor content for each application: Adjust your resume for the job. For example, if the job asks for project management skills, highlight your experience managing projects.
• Highlight measurable achievements: Use numbers to show results. Instead of saying, "Improved sales," write, "Increased sales by 20% in 6 months."
• Avoid typos and grammatical errors: Proofread your resume carefully. Even a small mistake can leave a bad impression. Ask a friend or use online tools to double-check.

Advanced Tips:

• Use action verbs: Start bullet points with strong verbs like "managed," "led," "designed," or "developed." For example, "Managed a team of 10 to complete a project ahead of schedule."
• Optimize for ATS (Applicant Tracking Systems): Many companies use software to filter resumes. Include keywords from the job description, like “data analysis,” “team leadership,” or “sales strategy.”
• Prioritize recent and relevant information: List your most recent experience first. If you have older experience that’s not related to the job, leave it out or keep it brief.
• Include a professional summary or objective: Add a short statement at the top that explains who you are and what you bring to the job. For example, “Detail-oriented data analyst with 5 years of experience improving business processes.”
• Balance white space for readability: Avoid clutter. Leave space between sections so it’s easier for employers to scan.

How upGrad Can Help You Build a Winning Resume 

Struggling to land your dream job? upGrad is here to guide you build your resume. Our mentorship programs offer personalized feedback to improve your resume and make it stand out. From tailored resume reviews to mock interviews, we help you prepare for every step of the hiring process.

With upGrad, you can:

• Get your resume reviewed by industry experts.
• Make your resume ATS-compliant.
• Prepare for HR and technical interviews with mock calls.
• Build a strong LinkedIn profile to showcase your skills.

Join the 20,000+ learners who have benefitted from our mentorship calls. Talk to an expert now!

Source:
https://www.hrdive.com/news/eye-tracking-study-shows-recruiters-look-at-resumes-for-7-seconds/541582/ 
https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/75-resumes-never-read-human-true-orfalse-jan-tegze