Best Resume Formats For 2022

Resumes come in many distinct types such as chronological, functional, combination, targeted, infographic, nontraditional, or mini resumes. Our researchers have interviewed over fifty employers from diverse fields to discover that the reverse-chronological, functional, and combination resume formats are the best suited for the year 2022. These three resume formats are unique in their own ways. Read on to find out the strengths and weaknesses of each resume format to find out which one suits you the most.

Reverse-chronological Resume Format

The reverse-chronological resume format is fairly simple to understand. All you must do here is list down your past work experience and skills in the reverse-chronological order. This resume mentions your most recent experiences first. The reverse-chronological resume format is the most common type of resume format out there. It’s also considered to be a very practical resume format choice. This format allows employers to see your growth in the field over the years. The biggest advantage of this resume format is that it enables employers to see the best skills and experience of an applicant at the top of the resume. Even if the whole resume is not read, it guarantees that employers get a promising idea of your competence with just a glance. Most recruiters are familiar with the reverse-chronological resume format. It also facilitates easy reading. This format is best suited for candidates with abundant work experience and job-related skills.

A reverse-chronological resume has the following sections:

1. Contact Information
2. Resume Summary or Objective
3. Professional Title
4. Work Experience
5. Skills
6. Education
7. Optional - projects, portfolio, interests, hobbies, etc.

Functional Resume Format

The functional resume format used to be all the rage a few years ago. However, it is used less and less nowadays. The functional resume format focuses on highlighting skills over work experience. It also dedicates a significant amount of space to the educational qualifications of an applicant. If you choose this resume format, your work experience would be listed at the very end. The sole purpose of a functional resume is to call attention to your future potential as an employee.

If you are a recent college graduate, you can’t go wrong with a functional resume format. It’ll help you mask your lack of work experience by diverting the recruiter’s attention to the set of skills you bring to the company. If you have unfortunately had trouble holding down jobs for several consecutive years or if you have had several drastic changes in your work history, you should consider opting for a functional resume. Traditionally, functional resumes were the go-to when applying for entry-level positions. The major drawback of the functional resume format is the unfamiliarity of recruiters with it. There is a chance that your resume would be perceived as disorganized or poorly formatted by a hiring manager.

Usually, a functional resume consists of:

1. Contact Information
2. Resume Summary or Objective
3. Professional Title
4. Skills Summary
5. Additional Skills
6. Work Experience
7. Education

Hybrid Resume Format or Combination Resume Format

True to its name, this resume format combines the qualities of the two previous types. The hybrid resume format gives the best of both worlds by giving equal attention to both work experience and professional skills. This should be the first choice for an applicant with limited work experience. If you have less than three years of practice, it is best to go with a combination resume format. University graduates who have just completed an internship or have gained experience in volunteer positions can also choose this resume type.

A combination resume contains the sections:

1. Contact Information
2. Skill Summary
3. Additional Skills
4. Work Experience
5. Education