Best Resume Format in 2026
Choosing the right resume format is the first step to landing interviews. Learn the differences between chronological, functional, and combination formats — with examples, pros & cons, and free ATS-friendly templates.
The 3 Main Resume Formats
Each format organizes your information differently. The best choice depends on your work history, career goals, and the job you're targeting.
Reverse-Chronological
Lists your work experience from most recent to oldest. The gold standard for most job seekers and the format recruiters prefer.
Best for:
- Steady career progression
- Staying in the same industry
- No significant employment gaps
Pros:
- ATS-friendly
- Recruiters prefer it
- Shows career growth clearly
Cons:
- Highlights employment gaps
- Less ideal for career changers
Functional (Skills-Based)
Focuses on your skills and abilities rather than your work history. Organizes experience by skill category instead of timeline.
Best for:
- Career changers
- Large employment gaps
- Military-to-civilian transitions
Pros:
- Highlights transferable skills
- De-emphasizes gaps or short tenures
Cons:
- Many ATS systems can't parse it well
- Recruiters may be suspicious
- Lacks context for achievements
Combination (Hybrid)
Merges the best of both worlds: a prominent skills section followed by a reverse-chronological work history.
Best for:
- Career changers with relevant skills
- Senior professionals with diverse skills
- Targeting roles needing specific expertise
Pros:
- Showcases skills prominently
- Still includes work history context
- More ATS-friendly than functional
Cons:
- Can be longer than one page
- Requires careful organization
Resume Format Comparison
See how the three formats stack up across the factors that matter most.
| Feature | Chronological | Functional | Combination |
|---|---|---|---|
| ATS Compatibility | Excellent | Poor | Good |
| Recruiter Preference | High | Low | Medium |
| Shows Career Growth | Excellent | Poor | Good |
| Hides Gaps | Poor | Excellent | Good |
| Highlights Skills | Moderate | Excellent | Excellent |
| Best for Entry-Level | Good | Moderate | Good |
| Best for Career Changers | Poor | Good | Excellent |
| Ease of Writing | Easy | Moderate | Moderate |
Resume Format Examples
See what each format looks like in practice. These examples show how the same candidate's information is structured differently.
Reverse-Chronological Format Example
SARAH JOHNSON
San Francisco, CA | (555) 123-4567 | sarah.johnson@email.com | linkedin.com/in/sarahjohnson
PROFESSIONAL SUMMARY
Results-driven Marketing Manager with 7+ years of experience driving digital campaigns that increased revenue by 45%. Expert in SEO, paid media, and content strategy for SaaS companies.
WORK EXPERIENCE
Senior Marketing Manager — TechCorp Inc., San Francisco, CA
January 2022 – Present
- Led a team of 8 marketers, increasing qualified leads by 62% year-over-year
- Managed $2.4M annual ad budget across Google Ads, LinkedIn, and Meta platforms
- Launched content marketing program that drove 150K+ monthly organic visitors
Marketing Manager — StartupXYZ, San Francisco, CA
June 2019 – December 2021
- Built and executed multi-channel campaigns resulting in 35% revenue growth
- Implemented marketing automation workflows reducing lead response time by 80%
EDUCATION
Bachelor of Science in Marketing — UCLA, 2017
SKILLS
SEO/SEM • Google Analytics • HubSpot • Content Strategy • Paid Media • A/B Testing • Marketing Automation
Functional Format Example
SARAH JOHNSON
San Francisco, CA | (555) 123-4567 | sarah.johnson@email.com
PROFESSIONAL SUMMARY
Dynamic marketing professional with expertise in digital strategy, team leadership, and data-driven campaign management across SaaS and technology sectors.
KEY SKILLS & ACCOMPLISHMENTS
Digital Marketing & Campaign Management
- Increased qualified leads by 62% through integrated multi-channel campaigns
- Managed $2.4M annual advertising budget across paid search and social
- Built content marketing program generating 150K+ monthly organic visitors
Team Leadership & Strategy
- Led and mentored a team of 8 marketing professionals
- Developed quarterly marketing roadmaps aligned with company OKRs
Marketing Technology & Automation
- Implemented HubSpot automation workflows reducing lead response time by 80%
- Set up advanced analytics dashboards for real-time campaign performance tracking
WORK HISTORY
Senior Marketing Manager — TechCorp Inc. (2022–Present)
Marketing Manager — StartupXYZ (2019–2021)
EDUCATION
B.S. Marketing — UCLA, 2017
Combination Format Example
SARAH JOHNSON
San Francisco, CA | (555) 123-4567 | sarah.johnson@email.com | linkedin.com/in/sarahjohnson
PROFESSIONAL SUMMARY
Results-driven Marketing Manager with 7+ years of experience in digital marketing, team leadership, and revenue growth strategy for SaaS companies.
CORE COMPETENCIES
• SEO/SEM & Content Strategy
• Marketing Automation (HubSpot)
• Paid Media ($2M+ budgets)
• Team Leadership (8+ reports)
• Data Analytics & A/B Testing
• Cross-Functional Collaboration
WORK EXPERIENCE
Senior Marketing Manager — TechCorp Inc., San Francisco, CA
January 2022 – Present
- Led a team of 8 marketers, increasing qualified leads by 62% YoY
- Managed $2.4M annual ad budget; achieved 4.2x ROAS across channels
- Launched content marketing program driving 150K+ monthly organic visitors
Marketing Manager — StartupXYZ, San Francisco, CA
June 2019 – December 2021
- Built multi-channel campaigns resulting in 35% revenue growth
- Implemented automation workflows reducing lead response time by 80%
EDUCATION
Bachelor of Science in Marketing — UCLA, 2017
Which Resume Format Is Right for You?
Answer these questions to find the best format for your situation.
Do you have a steady work history in the same field?
Yes → Use the Reverse-Chronological format. It's the safest choice for ATS and recruiters.
Not sure → Continue to the next question.
Are you changing careers or industries?
Yes → Use the Combination format. Lead with transferable skills, then back them up with your work history.
No → Continue to the next question.
Do you have significant employment gaps (1+ years)?
Yes → Consider a Combination format with a strong skills section. Avoid purely functional resumes as they raise red flags.
Minor gaps → Stick with Reverse-Chronological and address gaps in your cover letter.
Are you a student or recent graduate?
Yes → Use the Reverse-Chronological format but lead with Education before Work Experience. Include internships, projects, and relevant coursework.
Essential Resume Formatting Tips
Regardless of which format you choose, follow these formatting best practices to ensure your resume looks professional and passes ATS scans.
Use a Clean Font
Stick to professional fonts like Calibri, Arial, Garamond, or Cambria. Use 10-12pt for body text and 14-16pt for your name.
Set Proper Margins
Use 0.5 to 1-inch margins on all sides. This gives your resume enough white space without wasting valuable real estate.
Use Clear Section Headers
Label sections with standard headings: Professional Summary, Work Experience, Education, Skills. ATS systems look for these exact labels.
Quantify Achievements
Use numbers, percentages, and dollar amounts. 'Increased sales by 35%' is far more impactful than 'Improved sales performance.'
Save as PDF
Unless the job posting requests .docx, always submit a PDF. It preserves formatting across all devices and ATS platforms.
Keep it Concise
Aim for one page if you have under 10 years of experience. Each bullet should start with an action verb and be 1-2 lines max.
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Frequently Asked Questions About Resume Formats
What is the best resume format in 2026?
The reverse-chronological format is the best resume format for most job seekers in 2026. It lists your most recent experience first and is preferred by 95% of recruiters and ATS software. Use a functional or combination format only if you have specific circumstances like career gaps or career changes.
Which resume format is best for ATS?
The reverse-chronological format is the most ATS-friendly because it uses a standard structure that parsing software can easily read. Functional resumes can confuse ATS systems because they separate skills from work history. If you use a combination format, ensure your work history section is clearly labeled and includes dates.
Should I use a functional resume to hide employment gaps?
While functional resumes can de-emphasize gaps, most recruiters are aware of this tactic and may view it negatively. Instead, consider using a combination format that highlights your skills while still including a brief work history. You can also address gaps directly in your cover letter or use years-only dates instead of months.
Can I use a creative resume format?
Creative formats (infographic resumes, video resumes, etc.) may work for design or creative roles, but they fail in ATS systems and are not recommended for most industries. Stick to a clean, professional format and save your creativity for your portfolio. If applying to a creative role, submit both a standard and creative version.
How long should my resume be?
For most professionals, a one-page resume is ideal. If you have 10+ years of experience or are in academia or a senior executive role, a two-page resume is acceptable. Regardless of format, avoid going beyond two pages. Focus on relevance over length — every line should support your candidacy for the target role.
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