Best Resume Formats with Examples, Tips, and Guide
- What is a Reverse Chronological Resume Format?
- Reverse Chronological Resume Examples
- What is a Functional Resume Format?
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Functional Resume Examples
- What is a Combination Resume Format?
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Combination Format Resume Examples
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Frequently Asked Questions About Best Resume Formats
- Should I use a functional resume format?
To succeed during the job search, you need a suitable format for your resume that allows you to market yourself effectively to potential employers. The best resume format will vary according to your years of experience, industry, and long-term career goals. You can choose from three types of resume formats: reverse chronological, functional, and combination. Each approach has its own distinct qualities and objectives. Throughout this guide, we’ll explore each of these resume formats individually to help you decide how to structure your content for maximum impact.
What is a Reverse Chronological Resume Format?
This is the most commonly used resume format by most job seekers. It places your work history directly below the summary in reverse chronological order, enabling the hiring manager to evaluate how your career has unfolded over time. Most companies prefer this format because it prioritizes your professional experience, which is usually the determining factor in whether or not you receive an interview.
What are the benefits of a reverse chronological resume format?
The most notable benefit of a reverse chronological format is that it doesn’t waste any time getting to the heart of the resume: your career achievements. Hiring managers want to see how your contributions have left a positive mark on previous organizations. For example, mentioning project management as a skill is one thing; describing how you orchestrated a multi-million dollar construction build-out is another.
What are the cons of a reverse chronological resume format?
The only drawback to the reverse chronological format is that it isn’t always the best option for recent graduates and entry-level job seekers. For instance, say you’re looking for a position as a software developer fresh out of college. In this situation, your academic projects and skills are more likely to grab the reader’s attention over a part-time retail job.
Reverse Chronological Resume Examples
- UX Designer Resume Example
- Construction Project Manager Resume Example
- Sales Manager Resume Example
- Marketing Coordinator Resume Example
- Registered Nurse Resume Example
Darren L. Kim
City, ST | [email protected] | Phone | LinkedIn URL
Profile
Construction project manager with over 10 years of experience overseeing commercial and residential build-outs valued up to $30 million. A strong history of managing cross-functional teams, navigating complex permitting processes, and delivering high-impact projects on time and under budget. Known for driving construction quality, reducing rework through early coordination, and improving site safety outcomes across all phases of development.
Professional Experience
Senior Construction Project Manager | Granite Hill Development, Denver, CO | October 2018 to present
- Managed the construction of a $27 million mixed-use development with 160 residential units and three retail anchors, completed one month ahead of schedule and 5% under budget
- Partnered with city officials, engineers, and architects to expedite permits and resolve site challenges, reducing projected downtime by over 20% during foundation and framing phases
- Implemented a digital inspection and documentation system across all sites, cutting compliance-related delays by 35% and increasing visibility for remote stakeholders
Construction Project Manager | Redstone Builders, Colorado Springs, CO | July 2014 – September 2018
- Oversaw ground-up construction of over 100 residential units across four communities, coordinating subcontractors, suppliers, and internal teams from pre-construction to handover
- Improved subcontractor accountability by introducing weekly milestone check-ins and digital punch list tracking, which reduced average rework incidents by 40%
- Collaborated closely with clients and design consultants to balance budget constraints with aesthetic and functional goals
Project Engineer | Hollis Contracting Group, Fort Collins, CO | June 2012 – June 2014
- Supported senior PMs on site logistics, subcontractor coordination, and RFIs for mid-rise commercial projects
- Oversaw scope review and bid package development, and tracked project expenses and change orders
Education
Bachelor of Science (B.S.) in Construction Management | Colorado State University, Fort Collins, CO | May 2012
Certifications
- Certified Construction Manager (CCM), CMAA | 2018
- OSHA 30-Hour Construction Safety and Health Certification | 2017
- LEED Green Associate | 2020
Key Skills
- Budget management and cost control
- Contract negotiation and vendor coordination
- Site supervision and safety compliance
- Scheduling software (Procore, Buildertrend, MS Project)
- RFIs, submittals, and change orders
- Permitting and zoning compliance
What is a Functional Resume Format?
Functional resumes omit descriptions of your work history, choosing to prioritize your professional skills instead. While this may seem like a strong choice for college graduates, in truth, recruiters essentially consider functional resume formats outdated. The issue with this format is that it doesn’t provide anything tangible for the hiring manager to assess. While it describes your skills; it doesn’t show how you’ve applied them during internships or in academic settings.
What are the benefits of a functional resume format?
The only benefit of a functional resume format is that it’s concise and easy for the hiring manager to scan. Many job seekers make the mistake of padding their resumes with unnecessary details, which certainly isn’t the case with this format. The issue is that it lacks compelling information that is likely to get you hired, even at the entry level.
What are the cons of a functional resume format?
The issue with functional resumes is that, outside of featuring your skills, the document lacks the compelling details and insights needed to stand out during the hiring process. Even if you don’t have significant work experience or internships, taking the time to describe academic projects or volunteerism is much better than only listing your skill sets.
Functional Resume Examples
- Administrative Assistant Resume (Functional)
- Marketing Assistant Resume (Functional)
- Entry-Level IT Support Resume (Functional)
- Customer Service Resume (Functional)
- Entry-Level Graphic Designer Resume (Functional)
Jordan Ellis
City, ST | Phone | [email protected] | Portfolio | LinkedIn
Profile
Recent marketing graduate with hands-on experience in content creation, social media management, and campaign coordination. Adept at managing deadlines, editing copy, and supporting branding efforts. Excited to contribute to a creative marketing team and grow into a long-term role.
Skills and Qualifications
Digital Marketing
Managed social media calendars for university projects and internship clients. Scheduled posts, created content in Canva, and monitored basic engagement metrics using Instagram Insights and Facebook Business Suite.
Content Writing
Wrote blog posts, product blurbs, and email copy for student-led campaigns. Proofread and edited team drafts for grammar, tone, and clarity. Familiar with SEO basics and keyword placement.
Collaboration & Project Support
Worked on group projects with tight deadlines. Took initiative to organize content folders and create presentation decks for class and internship reviews. Comfortable using Google Workspace and Slack to stay connected and organized.
Education
Bachelor of Science (B.S.) in Marketing | Temple University, Philadelphia, PA | May 2023
Work History
Marketing Intern | NextSpark Digital, Philadelphia, PA | January 2023 – May 2023
Student Media Assistant | Temple University Communications Office, Philadelphia, PA | August 2021 – December 2022
What is a Combination Resume Format?
Although the combination format is considered a middle ground between reverse chronological and functional resumes, it doesn’t truly have a defined structure you can point to. What it allows you to do is reorder your sections according to your individual needs, while still providing compelling descriptions of your work history.
For example, let’s say you’re a project manager whose most impressive accomplishments came in their previous job, rather than their most recent position. A combination format would allow you to start with a career highlights section that emphasizes your largest projects, followed by a traditional professional experience section that showcases your work in reverse chronological order.
What are the benefits of a combination format?
The best aspect of the combination format is that it allows you to prioritize and structure your information based on your objectives. A candidate transitioning from the military to a career in sales might decide to lead with certifications and skills above their work history. Conversely, a former officer pursuing a role in supply chain management might benefit from keeping their military experience front and center.
What are the cons of a combination format?
The only potential drawback of using a combination format is that it might be confusing for hiring managers expecting to see a traditional structure. If you select a combination resume, be sure that you have a clear focus and strategy for why you’re deviating from a reverse chronological approach.
Combination Format Resume Examples
- Software Developer Resume Example (Combination Format)
- Project Manager Resume Example (Combination Format)
- Data Analyst Resume (Combination Format)
- Graphic Designer Resume (Combination Format)
- Human Resources Coordinator Resume (Combination Format)
Caleb Monroe
[email protected] | City, ST | LinkedIn | Portfolio (optional)
Profile
Project manager with 9 years of experience delivering high-value commercial, tech, and infrastructure projects ranging from $2 million to $25 million. A strong history of aligning project execution with business goals, managing cross-functional teams, and navigating risk through each project phase. Known for improving delivery consistency, reducing waste, and leading high-impact initiatives across construction and enterprise systems.
Career Highlights
$18M Data Center Modernization
Led the complete renovation and system upgrade of a 45,000 sq ft data center for a global logistics firm. Delivered the project two months ahead of schedule with zero recordable safety incidents and $600K in cost savings through early procurement and risk mitigation.
$9.7M Enterprise Software Rollout
Managed implementation of a cloud-based ERP platform across six business units for a manufacturing client. Coordinated 45 stakeholders and improved reporting accuracy by 38% within six months of launch.
$25M Regional Mixed-Use Development
Oversaw the vertical construction of a multi-use building with retail and residential components in downtown Denver. Directed all phases from pre-construction through delivery, balancing historic preservation requirements with modern code compliance.
Professional Experience
Senior Project Manager | Brightline Construction & Infrastructure, Denver, CO | September 2019 – present
- Lead portfolio of projects valued up to $25 million, overseeing design coordination, scheduling, contractor negotiation, and site safety compliance
- Built project dashboards and implemented a documentation system that improved reporting accuracy and executive visibility
- Reduced procurement delays by 30% through early vendor onboarding and real-time logistics tracking
Project Manager | Redmark Consulting, Boulder, CO | June 2015 – August 2019
- Managed multi-million dollar design-build projects in commercial and public infrastructure
- Developed risk registers, tracked KPIs, and maintained 95%+ on-time project delivery rate across five major contracts
- Created training templates and knowledge-sharing tools now used across the project management department
Key Skills
- Budget and scope management
- Risk assessment and mitigation
- Stakeholder communication
- Agile and Waterfall methodology
- Contract negotiation
- Project lifecycle documentation
- Software: MS Project, Smartsheet, Procore, Jira
Certifications
- Project Management Professional (PMP), PMI | 2018
- OSHA 30-Hour Construction Safety Training | 2017
- Certified ScrumMaster (CSM) | 2019
Education
Bachelor of Science (B.S.) in Construction Management | University of Colorado, Boulder, CO | May 2015
Frequently Asked Questions About Best Resume Formats
What is the best resume format?
Although this depends on your years of experience and individual career goals, the reverse chronological format is typically the best resume format for most job seekers. Professional experience is what employers value the most when assessing candidates, and it should be featured at the forefront of your resume.
When should I use a combination resume format?
Combination resume formats can be useful alternatives to the reverse chronological format in a few situations. If you’re transitioning to a new industry and your previous jobs aren’t relevant, featuring skills and certifications below the summary could be advantageous. A combination format is also suitable for candidates who need to prioritize independent and academic projects in lieu of a robust work history.
Should I use a functional resume format?
No, it’s not recommended to use a functional resume format in today’s job market. A combination format is far more effective and still empowers you to reorder your content to ensure the most relevant information is presented first on your document.
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