Resume Formats: Chronological vs. Functional vs. Combination
5 min read
The three resume formats explained, with a clear recommendation on which to use for your situation — and why chronological wins for most people.
The three formats
- Chronological: lists work history newest-first. Best for most people and most ATS-friendly.
- Functional: groups by skill, downplays dates. Often penalized by ATS and viewed skeptically by recruiters.
- Combination: a skills summary on top of a chronological history. Good for career changers with real, relevant skills.
Which should you use?
For the vast majority of job seekers, use the reverse-chronological format. It’s what recruiters expect, it’s what ATS parses best, and it tells a clear career story. Only reach for a combination format if you’re changing careers and need to lead with transferable skills.
Avoid the purely functional format — hiding your timeline reads as a red flag, and many ATS systems can’t parse it correctly.
Make any format ATS-safe
- Single-column layouts parse most reliably; if you use two columns, keep section headings standard.
- Use standard headings (Experience, Education, Skills).
- Export as a text-based PDF, not an image or scan.
- Avoid headers/footers for critical info — some parsers ignore them.
Put this into practice
Build an ATS-friendly resume on a live canvas — free, no sign-up.
Create my resume — FreeFrequently asked questions
What’s the best resume format for ATS?
Reverse-chronological with standard headings, a clean single or simple two-column layout, and a text-based PDF export.
Is a creative/designed resume a bad idea?
For design and creative roles a tasteful, clean design helps — but keep it ATS-readable and link a portfolio. For most other roles, clarity beats decoration.