Best Resume Format in 2026: Chronological, Functional, or Combination?

Choosing the Right Resume Format

The resume format you choose can make or break your application. The right format highlights your strengths and minimizes weaknesses. The wrong format buries your best qualifications and raises red flags for recruiters.

This guide explains the three main formats—chronological, functional, and combination—and helps you choose the best one for your situation.

The Three Resume Formats Explained

1. Chronological Resume Format

The chronological format lists your work history in reverse order, with your most recent job first. This is the most common and widely preferred format.

Best for:

• Steady career progression in one field
• No significant employment gaps
• Traditional industries (finance, law, healthcare)
• Most job applications

2. Functional Resume Format

The functional format (also called skills-based) organizes your resume by skill categories rather than job history.

Best for:

• Career changers entering a new field
• Significant employment gaps
• Freelancers with varied project work
• Those re-entering the workforce

3. Combination (Hybrid) Resume Format

The combination format merges the best of both worlds: a skills section followed by chronological work history.

Best for:

• Career changers with relevant transferable skills
• Professionals with diverse experience
• Senior-level candidates with broad expertise

Resume Format Best Practices for 2026

• Use standard section headers (Experience, Education, Skills)
• Avoid tables, columns, and graphics
• Use simple fonts (Arial, Calibri, Georgia)
• Save as PDF unless Word is requested

Build Your Perfectly Formatted Resume

Lovable Resume offers ATS-optimized templates in all three formats. Our AI helps you choose the right format based on your experience and target role.

The right format puts your best foot forward.