3 key takeaways
- Discover the different types of resumes and the pros & cons of each
- Learn how to choose the right resume type based on your experience and career goals
- Create a professionally formatted resume in minutes using Teal's AI Resume Builder, with templates optimized for each resume type
You might think your resume is just a list of jobs and skills, but choosing the right type of resume can make the difference between landing an interview or getting overlooked.
Each type serves a different purpose, helping you showcase your qualifications in the most compelling way.
In this comprehensive guide, you'll learn about each resume type, their specific benefits, and how to choose the format that will make your professional experience shine.
Whether you're a seasoned professional, changing careers, or just starting out, understanding these resume formats will help you present your qualifications in the most compelling way.
Types of resumes
Your resume is often the first impression you make on potential employers, so choosing the right type is crucial. While the chronological resume remains the most common, understanding all resume types helps you select the format that best presents your qualifications and experience.
Let's explore the main resume types, and discuss the pros and cons for each to help you decide which type of resume is best to use.
1. Chronological resume
The chronological resume (also known as reverse-chronological) is the most widely used and preferred type by recruiters and hiring managers. It presents your experience in reverse chronological order, starting with your most recent work history and working backward through your career progression.
This straightforward approach clearly shows your career growth by highlighting job titles, company names, dates, and key achievements for each role. Its familiar structure makes it easy for employers to see your track record of success.
Who should use it:
Best suited for professionals with steady career growth within their industry and those with minimal employment gaps, particularly when applying through ATS systems.
Pro Tip: This traditional approach works especially well with Teal's AI Resume Builder, which helps you craft achievement-focused bullet points that showcase your career progression.
2. Functional resume
The functional resume (also known as a skills-based resume), takes a different approach, shifting focus from your work timeline to your transferable skills and achievements.
Rather than organizing by job titles, this type of resume groups your experience under skill categories. Your work history appears in a condensed version at the bottom, while your abilities and accomplishments take center stage.
Who should use it:
Ideal for career changers, those with employment gaps, or recent graduates who want to emphasize transferable skills over their work history timeline.
Pro Tip: Teal's AI Resume Builder helps you identify and categorize your key skills, making it easier to create an effective functional resume that aligns with job requirements.
3. Combination Resume
A combination resume (also known as a hybrid resume), merges elements from both the chronological and functional formats, making it one of the most versatile types for experienced professionals.
This type provides a balanced emphasis on both your skills and work history, offering hiring managers a comprehensive view of your qualifications across all of your professional experiences.
Who should use it:
Perfect for mid-career professionals and those targeting senior positions who want to showcase both extensive technical skills and progressive work experience equally.
Pro Tip: Use Teal's Drag-and-Drop Editor feature within the AI Resume Builder to rename and arrange the sections of your resume however you want.
4. Targeted resume
A targeted resume (also known as a tailored resume) is a type of resume that’s explicitly designed to match the requirements of a particular job or company you're applying to. While it can build upon any other resume type, its distinguishing feature is its clear focus on structuring the resume to emphasize only the most relevant qualifications.
Who should use it:
Perfect for professionals who want the highest chance of landing interviews by carefully aligning their qualifications and experiences to specific job requirements and company needs.
Pro Tip: Use Teal's Job Description Keyword Finder and Match Score features to identify job description keywords and ensure your resume is perfectly tailored for each position.
Alternative resume types
While traditional formats work well for most situations, some roles and industries may benefit from more creative or specialized approaches.
These alternative resume types can help you stand out in specific scenarios, though they should often be used alongside a traditional format when applying through applicant tracking systems.
Infographic resume
An infographic resume transforms your professional story into a visually engaging presentation, combining a traditional resume with design elements.
This type uses visual tools like charts, timelines, and graphics to present your skills and achievements in a dynamic way that stands out from traditional options.
Who should use it:
Best for creative professionals and design industry candidates who need to visually demonstrate their skills.
Non-traditional resume
Unlike the main types of resumes, a non-traditional resume is an umbrella term for any resume type that is unconventional. This can include video resumes, web portfolios, personal landing pages, and other uncommon presentations.
Since this type of resume takes a non-traditional approach, there's flexibility in its design and format.
Who should use it:
Best for creative professionals where the resume creation process itself demonstrates relevant skills, like designers, artists, or digital innovators.
Note: Although non-traditional resumes can highlight creativity and other required skills, this type of resume should be supplemented with a more traditional format when applying through applicant tracking systems.
Mini Resume
A mini resume distills your professional highlights into a concise, one-page format - think of it as your career "highlight reel" that can be quickly reviewed.
This resume type is particularly useful for networking events, career fairs, or as a brief introduction when your entire career history isn't needed yet.
Who should use it:
Perfect for professionals attending networking events and job fairs who need to make quick, impactful first impressions while connecting with multiple employers.
Federal Resume
A federal resume follows strict formatting guidelines required for U.S. government positions.
Unlike traditional resumes, federal resumes are significantly more detailed, often running 4-6 pages, and must include specific information required by federal hiring authorities.
Who should use it:
Best for professionals applying to government positions, federal contractor roles, or transitioning from military to civilian work where detailed documentation of experience is required.
Pro Tip: Use Teal's Bullet Coach to create detailed, metric-driven bullet statements that translate well to federal resume requirements.
Choosing the right resume type for your career journey
Selecting the appropriate resume type is a crucial step in presenting your professional story effectively.
While there are multiple formats to choose from, remember that the best resume type for you depends on your unique career situation, industry, and goals.
The key is finding a format that naturally highlights your strengths while addressing any potential challenges in your career history.
Whether you're showcasing a steady progression with a chronological resume or emphasizing transferable skills through a functional format, your choice should align with both your background and future aspirations.
With Teal's AI Resume Builder, you can create and optimize different resume types that highlight your unique value proposition. Teal can help you craft metric-driven bullet points, ensure proper formatting, and help you tailor your resume to the job description.
Ready to create a resume that stands out? Sign up for Teal today and transform your resume into a powerful tool for a successful job search.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I determine which type of resume is best suited for my career level?
Your resume format should match your experience level: entry-level candidates often benefit from functional resumes highlighting skills, experienced professionals should use chronological resumes showcasing work history, and those with mixed backgrounds may prefer combination resumes that emphasize both.
Which type of resume is most effective?
The chronological resume format is typically most effective since it clearly shows career progression and is preferred by both employers and applicant tracking systems (ATS).
What type of resume do employers prefer?
Employers generally prefer chronological resumes that clearly showcase relevant work experience, skills, and achievements in reverse chronological order. The resume should be clean, well-organized, and typically 1-2 pages long, with bullet points highlighting quantifiable accomplishments.
What are the four main types of resumes?
The four main types of resumes are chronological (showing work history in reverse time order), functional (highlighting skills and achievements), combination (blending chronological and functional formats), and targeted (customized for specific job applications).
How often should I update my resume, and does the type of resume I choose affect this?
It's advisable to update your resume regularly, at least once a year, or whenever you gain new experience, skills, or achievements. The type of resume doesn't necessarily affect the frequency of updates, but it may influence the way you integrate new information. For instance, a functional resume may require reorganizing skills sections, while a chronological resume would have you add new job titles and responsibilities in order.
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