When it comes to job hunting, your resume is often your first impression. It’s your opportunity to showcase your skills, experiences, and value to potential employers. But with so many different ways to structure a resume, how do you know which format is best for you?

In 2024, the job market is more competitive than ever, so choosing the right resume format is crucial. A resume format that works for one industry might not be the best for another. From creative fields to tech, healthcare, and beyond, there’s no one-size-fits-all approach.

In this guide, we’ll break down the best resume formats for 2024 and help you choose the right one for your specific industry. Let’s get started!

1. The Chronological Resume Format – Best for Traditional Industries

What It Is:

The chronological resume format is the most commonly used and traditional format. It focuses on your work history, with your most recent job listed first, followed by previous positions in reverse chronological order.

Who Should Use It:

This format is ideal for professionals with a solid work history in the same field or industry. It’s great for those who have progressively advanced in their careers and want to showcase their steady career growth. If you’ve been in the same industry for years and want to demonstrate your experience, this format is for you.

Key Features:

• Work Experience is the focal point, listed in reverse order.

• Skills and education are secondary to your job history.

• Employers are immediately able to see your career progression.

Best Industries for the Chronological Resume:

• Finance and Accounting: Employers in these fields look for candidates with established experience in accounting principles or financial management.

• Healthcare: Doctors, nurses, and healthcare professionals with years of experience in the field will benefit from this format.

• Law: Legal professionals, including lawyers and paralegals, will want to show their career progression clearly.

Example of Chronological Format:

Work Experience
Senior Marketing Manager | XYZ Corp | January 2020 – Present

• Led a team of 10 marketers and increased brand engagement by 25%.

• Managed multi-channel campaigns across digital and traditional media.

Marketing Coordinator | ABC Marketing | June 2016 – December 2019

• Assisted with the development of marketing campaigns and tracked ROI.

2. The Functional Resume Format – Best for Changing Careers

What It Is:

The functional resume format emphasizes skills and abilities rather than chronological work history. This format is ideal for people who are switching careers, have gaps in their work history, or have limited professional experience.

Who Should Use It:

If you’re entering a new field, have gaps in your employment, or if you have a variety of different experiences (internships, volunteer work, side projects) that can be grouped by skill, this format is your best bet.

Key Features:

• Skills and competencies are prioritized at the top of the resume.

• The work experience section is brief and doesn’t focus on dates or detailed job duties.

• This format allows you to showcase your transferable skills that will help you succeed in the new role.

Best Industries for the Functional Resume:

• Creative Arts: Writers, designers, and artists who want to highlight their skills in areas such as design, writing, and creativity rather than their work history.

• Technology: For those entering the tech industry, such as a graphic designer transitioning to web development, a functional resume can help emphasize the technical skills you’ve learned.

• Entrepreneurship: If you’ve started your own business or freelance work, you can highlight skills like business management, project coordination, and marketing.

Example of Functional Format:

Skills

• Project Management: Managed multiple projects from concept to completion, ensuring deadlines were met.

• Technical Writing: Experience in writing clear and concise documentation for a variety of industries.

Experience
Freelance Graphic Designer | January 2021 – Present
Freelance Web Developer | June 2020 – December 2020

3. The Combination Resume Format – Best for Candidates with Both Skills and Experience

What It Is:

As the name suggests, the combination resume format merges the best of the chronological and functional formats. It allows job seekers to showcase their skills and qualifications first, followed by a detailed work history in reverse chronological order.

Who Should Use It:

This format is great for individuals with a combination of strong skills and a solid work history. If you have specialized skills and also want to show a consistent career trajectory, the combination format is the perfect choice.

Key Features:

• Skills and qualifications take center stage at the top.

• Work experience comes after your skills section, making it easy to highlight relevant roles.

• You can tailor the content to show off the exact combination of skills and experience that are most relevant to the job.

Best Industries for the Combination Resume:

• Marketing and Sales: Professionals who have both a strong set of marketing skills and a proven track record of results will benefit from this format.

• Technology and IT: Software developers, systems analysts, and other IT professionals can showcase their technical expertise while detailing their work history.

• Human Resources: HR professionals can highlight their people management skills while outlining their career progression.

Example of Combination Format:

Skills and Qualifications

• Web Development: Proficient in HTML, CSS, JavaScript, and responsive web design.

• Project Management: Led cross-functional teams to deliver software products on time.

Work Experience
Software Engineer | XYZ Corp | March 2019 – Present

• Developed and maintained web applications with a focus on user experience.

• Collaborated with designers to improve site functionality.

Web Developer | ABC Tech | July 2017 – February 2019

• Built and maintained websites for clients across various industries.

4. The Creative Resume Format – Best for Creative Industries

What It Is:

The creative resume format is visually engaging and unique, often including graphic design elements, charts, and infographics. This resume type is ideal for industries where creativity is highly valued, and employers expect candidates to show off their creative skills.

Who Should Use It:

If you’re applying for a role in a creative industry, such as graphic design, media, advertising, or fashion, a creative resume format allows you to demonstrate your design skills and showcase your personality. However, be mindful of balancing creativity with professionalism—too much flair can be distracting.

Key Features:

• Design elements such as color, icons, and layout to stand out.

• Showcases creativity through imagery or unique formatting.

• Often used for positions where visual appeal is a key factor, such as a designer or art director.

Best Industries for the Creative Resume:

• Graphic Design: Designers who want to showcase their creative abilities through the resume layout itself.

• Advertising and Marketing: Professionals in advertising or digital marketing may use creative elements to highlight campaigns they've worked on.

• Fashion: Fashion designers or stylists can create a visually appealing resume that matches their aesthetic.

Example of Creative Format:

• Infographic-style resume with a timeline of work experience and key projects showcased visually.

Conclusion: Choosing the Best Resume Format for 2024

Choosing the right resume format in 2024 is critical to standing out in a crowded job market. The format you select should align with your career goals, industry expectations, and level of experience.

When creating a resume in 2024, it’s important to consider how you present your experience and skills. Featurii can help job seekers optimize their resumes with our CV review tool, providing personalized suggestions that align with industry standards. 

Ready to take your resume to the next level? Sign up for Featurii today and get started with a personalized CV review and a video CV to impress your future employers!