Resume writing
Resume Format: How to Choose and Lay Out Your Resume
By the MyResumeExpert Team · Updated October 3, 2026 · 3 min read
"Resume format" means two things: the structure (which sections come first and how your experience is organised) and the layout (fonts, margins, columns and spacing). Getting both right makes your resume quick to read for people and easy to parse for applicant tracking systems.
This guide compares the three main formats, shows the section order for each, and gives practical layout rules you can apply in any template.
The three resume formats compared
| Format | How it is organised | Choose it when |
|---|---|---|
| Reverse-chronological | Work experience listed from newest to oldest, each job with results | You have a steady work history in the field you are applying to (most people) |
| Functional | Skills grouped by theme, with a short list of employers and few dates | Rarely: most recruiters distrust it and ATS software reads it poorly |
| Combination (hybrid) | A strong skills or highlights section, followed by chronological experience | You are changing careers or your most relevant skills come from different jobs |
Tip: If you are unsure, use reverse-chronological. It is the format recruiters expect and the one applicant tracking systems handle best.
Reverse-chronological format
This format puts your most recent job first, so a recruiter immediately sees your current level and responsibilities. It suits almost every industry and career stage.
Section order
- Name and contact details
- Professional summary
- Work experience (newest first)
- Education
- Skills
- Optional: certifications, projects, awards, languages
Most of our resume templates use this structure, and the ATS-friendly templates keep it in a single column.
Functional (skills-based) format
A functional resume groups your achievements under skill headings such as "Project management" or "Customer service" and lists employers briefly at the end, often without dates.
It is sometimes suggested for people with employment gaps, but it tends to backfire: recruiters may assume you are hiding something, and ATS software cannot connect your achievements to specific jobs. A short explanation of a gap inside a chronological resume is usually the better choice.
Combination (hybrid) format
A combination resume opens with a "Key skills" or "Career highlights" section of three to five strong, evidence-based points, then lists your experience in reverse-chronological order. It is a good fit for career changers and people with transferable skills.
Section order
- Name and contact details
- Professional summary that names your target role
- Key skills or career highlights with brief evidence
- Work experience (newest first)
- Education and training, especially new qualifications for your target field
- Optional: projects, certifications, volunteering
Career highlights • Trained 40+ new hires as a retail team lead, cutting onboarding time from four weeks to two. • Built weekly sales dashboards in Excel used by six store managers. • Completed the Google Data Analytics Certificate (2026).
Resume layout rules that work for every format
| Element | Recommendation |
|---|---|
| Length | One page for early career; two pages for most experienced professionals |
| Font | A clean, readable font such as Inter, Arial, Calibri, Lato or Georgia |
| Font size | 10–12 pt for body text, 14–20 pt for your name |
| Margins | About 1.5–2.5 cm (0.6–1 inch) on every side |
| Columns | Single column for online portals; two columns are fine for direct applications |
| Headings | Standard names: Summary, Experience, Education, Skills |
| Dates | One consistent format, such as "Jan 2024 – Present" |
| File type | Text-based PDF unless the employer asks for Word |
Consistency matters more than any single choice: the same date style, bullet style and spacing throughout makes a resume look professional at a glance.
Which format should you use?
- Students and graduates: chronological, with education first. See resume for freshers and student resume templates.
- Experienced professionals: chronological, with a strong summary and results in every bullet.
- Career changers: combination, with highlights that prove transferable skills.
- Senior leaders: chronological over two pages, leading with scope and results. Try the professional templates.
- Creative roles: chronological content in a more visual template, plus a portfolio link. See creative resume templates.
Whatever format you choose, check the finished file with the free ATS resume checker before you apply.
Frequently asked questions
- What is the best resume format?
- The reverse-chronological format is the best choice for most people. It lists your most recent job first, is what recruiters expect and is read reliably by applicant tracking systems.
- Is a functional resume a good idea?
- Usually not. Recruiters often see it as hiding gaps and ATS software struggles to read it. A combination format or a brief explanation of a gap works better.
- Should my resume be in PDF or Word format?
- Send a text-based PDF by default because it looks the same everywhere. Use Word when the employer or job portal asks for it.
- Can I use two columns on my resume?
- Yes for direct applications to recruiters. For large online job portals, a single-column layout is safer because some systems read columns in the wrong order.
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