combination resume advantages

Combination Resume Guide [w/ Templates & Examples]

Are you in the middle of a career change?

Or maybe you’re a senior professional with a diverse set of skills?

Whichever the case may be, the combination resume might be the right one for you!

This hybrid resume allows you to highlight both your work experience AND skills in a single resume, making your professional background shine!

So, want to learn more?

• What a combination resume is & when to use it
• How to create a hybrid resume that really stands out
• How to write must-have sections for any combination resume

Let’s get started!

What’s a Combination Resume

So, what is a combination resume exactly and what does it combine?

Essentially, a combination resume , aka a hybrid resume , combines 2 traditional resume formats .

It’s a mix of the reverse-chronological resume and the functional resume format.

As in, it places equal emphasis both on your skills and work experience.

The format offers 2 main advantages:

• It allows you to present a quick overview of your actual employment history and the areas that are transferable.
• While at the same time, showing the HR manager your top skills and qualifications.

Keep in mind, though, unless you’re in a very specific situation, the combination resume might not be the right resume format for you. What do we mean? 

Read on to find out.

When to Use a Combination Resume

The combination resume is pretty rare.

Most job-seekers worldwide tend to use a reverse-chronological format (and for a good reason). It’s pretty much the standard: HR managers are used to it, it’s straightforward and easy to make.

The combination resume format is very situational. You shouldn’t use it unless you:

• Are going through a career change.
• Have some employment gaps in your work history.
• Are a senior-level candidate, with a diverse range of skills and experiences.

In case you fit the bill for one of these 3 cases, though, here’s how to create a combination resume.

What to Put on a Combination Resume

When creating a combination resume, a proper layout is your best friend.

Typically, you’ll want to cover the following resume sections :

• Contact Information
• Resume Summary
• Work Experience or Areas of Strengths
• Skills Summary
• Additional Skills

Now, we’ll walk you through each of these sections, and teach you how to write them.

Starting with -

Add Contact Information the Right Way

Let’s start with the basics.

If the HR manager is interested in interviewing you, they’ll want to know how to reach you.

In the contact information section you include:

• First name, last name.
• Phone number - Make sure you include your country code if you’re applying outside your country.
• Email address - Your email should be professional. Ideally, something like [FirstName][LastName]@gmail.com
• Location - Are you located in the area? Open to relocation? Or maybe you’re looking for a relocation sponsor? Make sure it’s clear.
• Title - Your professional title goes here. Either your current job or the one you’re applying for word-for-word. If you’re switching careers, you could also do something like “Aspiring [Desired Job Title]”

Once done, make sure you double-check everything, slowly and carefully, for any typos. 

We’d recommend reading everything out loud just in case. You’re not going to go far if the recruiter can’t get in touch with you because of a typo in your email.

Got the basics down? Good!

Now, let’s move onto the resume summary .

Grab the Recruiter’s Attention With a Resume Summary

A resume summary is a 2 - 5 sentence summary of your professional background.

You should look at the resume summary as an introduction to your resume.

It’s the first thing the recruiter sees on your resume, and if you fail to catch their attention, they’re not going to read the rest of it.

So, how do you write a good resume summary?

You mention things like:

• Career highlights
• Qualifications
• Top achievements
• Relevant skills

Here’s an example to better understand what that might look like.

• “IT project manager with a proven track record of working with agile and waterfall methodologies. Managed teams of 5+ people on software development projects over the last 4 years. Decent understanding of JavaScript, React, and Python.”

PS - Need more inspiration for writing a strong resume summary? Check out our how-to guide with 40+ resume summary examples .

Use Your Work Experience to Show Off Relevant Skills

The next section in your combination resume is the work experience.

The work experience section is where you get to really sell yourself and brag about your past achievements.

List out your work history in a reverse-chronological order (starting from the most recent and ending with the oldest), and mention the standard things like:

• Job title and position
• Company name, location - If the company isn’t famous, you can describe what they do in 1-2 sentences. And you should always mention the location too.
• Period of employment - The standard format is mm/yyyy - mm/yyyy.
• Achievements or responsibilities - With achievements, you should list any specific changes you made happen (think in terms of numbers and data). Though, if that’s not possible because of the nature of the job (e.g. cashier), you can just stick to responsibilities.

Sounds simple enough, right?

A couple of other things you should keep in mind when writing a work experience entry:

• When possible, focus on achievements instead of responsibilities. 
• Back up your experiences with numbers and data.
• Tailor your experience to the job you’re applying for.

Now, here’s what a work experience entry looks like in practice:

Web Developer

Company X, Denmark, Copenhagen, 05/2018 - Present

• Full-stack developer, responsible for web applications and creative cloud engineering. Led a team of 5+ junior developers, using different methodologies.
• Optimized old check-out page, based on core UX principles, which increased customer purchases by 20%.
• On average, prototyped up to 20+ different product features per year.

Here’s what’s done right:

• Information is relevant, and straight to the point.
• It’s backed up by data and numbers.
• It lists achievements over daily responsibilities.

Now, compare that to -

Company X, Denmark, Copenhagen, 05/2016 - 07/2019

• Collaborated with project managers and provided updates.
• Designed website and mobile apps, while providing exceptional user experience.
• Worked with other developers in a team.

That’s extremely vague, right?

It doesn’t really say anything, or HOW the person actually did their job.

Now, imagine you’re the HR manager and you get to pick between these 2 candidates.

Which one would you pick?

• Going through a career change? You might want to use your work experience section to highlight your transferable skills.
• This way, you’re showing how your seemingly irrelevant work experience gave you the skills you need to do the new job right.

Show You’re the Right Person With the Skills Summary Section

The skills summary section is what differentiates the combination resume from the reverse-chronological one.

This is where you show your know-how for the job and that you have the right skills for it.

This section is especially useful for career changers, as it allows you to focus more on your skills (as opposed to work experience).

So, how do you write a skills summary section?

You start by listing all the required skills for the job you’re applying for.

For example:

• SEO, Content Writing, Growth Hacking
• Graphic Design

Then, underneath each skill listing, you describe how you’ve used this skill in the past.

Combination Resume Skills Summary Example

• Started personal blog for reviewing electronics and latest tech gadgets. Grew email list from 0 to 500+. Ranked in top 5 Google searches for “best dash cameras for Uber”, and “best front and rear dash cams”.
• Gained over 1,500+ visits from Quora from answering questions daily.
• Reached out to fellow bloggers in the field and got 30+ backlinks to my blog for answering frequently asked questions.
• Used WordPress theme to design website, know basic HTML/CSS.
• Designed infographic using Adobe Illustrator which gained over 500+ tweets / retweets.
• Used Ahrefs to perform site audit, and fix underperforming blog posts by doing a better keyword search.
• Familiar with the basics of Google Analytics and Google Search Console.

Not bad, right?

But what if you’re not switching careers, do you still include the skills summary section?

In that case, you’re using a skills summary section to show your vast range of skills and know-how (that your experience section can’t cover).

If you’re an experienced candidate, your main skills probably don’t stop there.

And that brings us to the next section of your combination resume.

Additional Skills for a Combination Resume

Remember how in the previous section (skills summary), we mentioned the must-have skills?

Well, this is where you list everything you left out.

Now, all you have to do is scan a job ad you want to apply for, look for all the essential skills that you didn’t mention in the skills summary section, and mention them in this section.

Let’s take a look at an example...

Combination Resume Skills Example

Let’s assume that the job is looking for a designer who has:

• Proficiency in UX software (Sketch, InVision, Photoshop XD, etc.).
• Basic understanding of HTML, CSS.
• Strong problem-solving, project management and organizational skills.
• Good communication skills and is a team player.

Now, all you’d have to do is mention those requirements in your skills section, like so:

• HTML and CSS.
• UX / UI software (Sketch, InVision, Photoshop XD, Figma).
• Verbal and written communication.
• Teamwork and time management.

Wondering what other skills are essential for your job? Check out our full guide of 150+ must-have skills for any resume .

Now that you know how to get the skill section right, let’s move on to the next section - education .

Write an Education Section That Stands Out

Your education section comes last on a combination resume, but luckily, it’s fairly straightforward.

The section is pretty much a requirement for any resume.

Here’s what you include in your education section:

• Type of degree - e.g. MSc in Economics and Business Administration
• Educational institution name - The University of Chicago
• Years attended - 09/2017 - 06/2019 
• Program location (optional) - Chicago, Illinois
• GPA (optional, only if noteworthy) - 3.87
• Relevant courses (optional) - Project Management Principles and Practices
• Exchange program (or any other noteworthy achievements) - Exchange program in Washington, D.C.

Here’s what the full listing might look like for a combination resume :

Now, what if your degree isn’t relevant to the job you’re applying for, as it might be if you’re switching careers?

Do you still list it?

As long as you have an actual degree, it still says a lot about your passion and commitment to education.

In some cases, you can even show off some transferable skills with your degree.

Let’s take a look at another example and say you’re applying for a graphic design job , with a B.A. in Communication :

B.A. in Communications

University X, 10/2013 - 06/2017

• Excelled in visual communication and digital media classes.
• Designed posters for university events and social media content.

Key Takeaways

To recap, a combination resume is a type of resume format that places equal emphasis on your skills and work experience.

To make sure your hybrid resume is exceptional, here’s what you should keep in mind:

• Make sure you cover all the necessary sections for a combo resume: contact information , resume summary , skills summary , additional skills , and education .
• When listing your qualifications, focus on only what’s relevant .
• Finally, end with your education . Even if your degree isn't relevant to the job, you should still include it to show your passion for learning.

Done with your resume and looking for extra career advice? Be sure to check out our career blog for more actionable advice and insights.

Discover More Resume Templates

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Recommended reading:

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• What Are The Most Common Mistakes In A Resume In 2024? [Examples]

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Combination Resume: Expert Writing Tips and Examples

In the competitive world of job hunting, a well-crafted resume is a crucial ingredient for getting noticed by potential employers. A resume is essentially a summary of your professional experiences, education, and skills. It is designed to convince hiring managers that you are the best fit for a particular job. However, with so many resumes flooding in, it’s not always easy to stand out from the crowd.

One solution is to use a combination resume, which blends the best aspects of the functional and chronological resumes. It presents a detailed overview of your skills and experiences while also showcasing your employment history. In this article, we will explore the advantages of using a combination resume and how it can help you land your dream job.

The Purpose of a Resume

Before diving into the advantages of a combination resume, it’s important to understand the purpose of a resume. A resume serves as your marketing tool, representing your professional brand to potential employers. Its main goal is to demonstrate that you have the necessary qualifications, experiences, and achievements to excel in the job you’re applying for.

The resume is usually the first document that a hiring manager reviews, so it’s important to make it perfect. A well-written resume will catch the attention of recruiters and showcase your strengths.

What is a Combination Resume?

A combination resume, as the name suggests, combines the best elements of both the functional and chronological resumes. It highlights your skills and accomplishments in a separate section before presenting your employment history.

In a combination resume, you start by providing a summary of your skills, experiences and relevant achievements. This section can include any accolades, awards, or certifications you’ve earned, as well as any volunteer work or leadership roles. By showcasing your skills and achievements upfront, you immediately demonstrate your potential value to the employer.

After this section, you include a chronological list of your job experiences, starting with the most recent. This presents a clear picture of your career progression and highlights how your experiences have been utilized in your previous jobs.

The Advantages of a Combination Resume

One of the key advantages of a combination resume is that it offers the best of both worlds. It highlights your skills and achievements, which may have been overlooked in a chronological resume, while also presenting your employment history in a clear and concise manner.

Another benefit of using a combination resume is that it tailors your resume to the job you’re applying for. By listing relevant skills and achievements upfront, you demonstrate to the employer that you have the necessary qualifications to excel in the role.

Finally, a combination resume allows you to overcome potential gaps in your employment history. By showcasing your skills and achievements upfront, you demonstrate your value as a potential candidate, regardless of any time gaps between jobs.

A combination resume is an effective tool that can help you stand out from other applicants. It highlights your skills and achievements while also presenting your employment history in a clear and concise manner.

The Key Elements of a Combination Resume

A combination resume, as the name suggests, combines the best features of a chronological and functional resume. It presents both the candidate’s work history and skills to potential employers. A combination resume is suitable for job seekers with complex work histories or those looking to change careers. Here are the key elements of a combination resume:

Contact Information

Your contact information should be at the top of your combination resume. It includes your name, address, phone number, and email address. Ensure that your contact information is accurate and up-to-date. You can also include your LinkedIn profile or other relevant social media handles.

Objective or Summary Statement

Your objective or summary statement should be a brief summary of your career goals and skills. It should showcase your strengths and explain how you can contribute to the organization. A well-written objective statement can grab the attention of the recruiter and make them want to read further.

Skills Section

The skills section is the heart of a combination resume. It highlights your relevant skills and qualifications in a bullet point format. You can include both hard and soft skills that are applicable to the job you are seeking. Quantify your skills wherever possible to showcase your achievements.

Professional Experience

The professional experience section of your combination resume should contain your work history in reverse chronological order. It must include your job titles, company names, dates of employment, and accomplishments. Quantify your accomplishments and use action verbs to describe your duties and responsibilities.

Your education section should showcase your academic achievements. Include the names of the universities or colleges you attended, the degrees you earned, and the years you graduated. You can also include any relevant coursework, projects, or activities that demonstrate your skills.

Certifications and Training

The certifications and training section of your combination resume should highlight any relevant certifications or training you have completed. This can include professional development courses, workshops, or any other learning experiences that have helped you acquire new skills.

Awards and Achievements

It’s important to include awards and achievements in your combination resume. This can include recognition from your employers, industry awards, or any other achievements that demonstrate your skills and contributions. Quantify your achievements wherever possible to show the impact you have made.

A combination resume is a powerful tool that can help you showcase your skills and work experience. By including all the key elements such as contact information, objective or summary statement, skills section, professional experience, education, certifications and training, and awards and achievements, you can create a resume that stands out and impresses potential employers.

Expert Writing Tips for a Combination Resume

When it comes to crafting a combination resume, there are several key writing tips that can help you stand out to potential employers. Here are some expert tips to keep in mind:

Keep it Concise and Relevant

One of the most important things to keep in mind with a combination resume is to keep it concise and relevant. This means you should only include the most relevant skills, experiences, and qualifications that are directly related to the job you’re applying for. Use bullet points, white space, and formatting to make sure your resume is easy to read and doesn’t overwhelm the hiring manager.

Use Action Verbs

To help bring your combination resume to life and showcase your accomplishments, be sure to use action verbs. These verbs help describe your past experiences in a more engaging and interesting way. Some examples of strong action verbs include “achieved,” “implemented,” “handled,” “initiated,” “resolved,” and “improved.”

Highlight Key Skills and Achievements

Don’t be afraid to highlight your key skills and achievements in your combination resume. Use bold formatting, bullet points, and concise language to highlight your accomplishments and show off your strengths. This will help the hiring manager quickly identify what you bring to the table and why you would be a great fit for the job.

Tweak it for Each Job Application

While you can certainly have a standard combination resume, it’s a good idea to tweak it for each job application you submit. This means customizing your resume to match the specific job description and requirements, and highlighting the skills and experiences that are most relevant to the job. This shows that you’re truly interested in the job and that you’ve taken the time to tailor your application accordingly.

Use Keywords and Phrases

Finally, it’s crucial to use keywords and phrases in your combination resume. These are the specific terms and phrases that are often used in job descriptions and are related to the skills, experiences, and qualifications needed for the job. By incorporating these keywords and phrases into your resume, you show that you’re familiar with the industry and the job requirements, and you’ll be more likely to be noticed by the hiring manager.

By following these expert writing tips, you can create a compelling and effective combination resume that showcases your skills, experiences, and achievements in the most effective way possible.

Examples of Effective Combination Resumes

Here are some examples of effective combination resumes that you can use as a reference.

John Doe: Customer Service Representative

John Doe has over five years of experience in handling customer inquiries and providing excellent customer service. He has a strong background in sales and marketing, which makes him a valuable asset to any organization. His combination resume highlights his skills and relevant work experiences.

His resume starts with a summary of his achievements, which includes increasing customer satisfaction ratings by 20% through his outstanding customer service. He then lists his skills, which include conflict resolution, communication, and problem-solving. In the work experience section, he highlights his accomplishments as a customer service representative, such as resolving customer complaints, managing customer accounts, and upselling products.

His education and certifications section is listed at the bottom of his resume to showcase his educational background, but not to take the focus away from his work experience and skills.

Jane Smith: Marketing Manager

Jane Smith is a marketing manager with over ten years of experience in developing successful marketing campaigns. She is skilled in market research, digital marketing, and branding. Her combination resume showcases her skills, work experience, and educational qualifications.

Her resume highlights her skills, which includes digital marketing, strategy development, and project management. In the work experience section, she highlights her accomplishments as a marketing manager, such as developing and executing successful campaigns and increasing sales revenue. She also includes her work experience as a marketing coordinator, where she sharpened her skills in market research and data analysis.

Her education and certifications section is listed at the bottom of her resume to showcase her educational background, but not to take the focus away from her work experience and skills.

Michael Johnson: IT Professional

Michael Johnson is an IT professional with over eight years of experience in software development, system administration, and network security. His combination resume highlights his skills in various areas of IT, his work experience, and educational qualifications.

His resume starts with a summary of his achievements, which includes managing and maintaining secure networks, data backup and recovery, and implementing new software systems. He then lists his skills, which include software development, cloud computing, and networking. In the work experience section, he highlights his accomplishments as an IT professional, such as developing and implementing software systems, performing system and network administration, and managing network security.

Sarah Adams: Administrative Assistant

Sarah Adams is an experienced administrative assistant with over six years of experience in managing office operations and providing administrative support. Her combination resume highlights her skills, work experience, and educational qualifications.

Her resume starts with a summary of her achievements, which includes streamlining office operations by implementing new administrative processes. She then lists her skills, which includes typing, data entry, and time management.

How to Format and Layout a Combination Resume

When it comes to creating a combination resume, formatting and layout are just as important as the content. The overall look and feel of your resume should be visually appealing, easy to read, and coherent. Here are some expert tips on how to make your combination resume stand out:

Choosing the Right Font and Font Size

To make your resume easily readable, it is essential to choose the right font and font size. Stick to a professional font like Times New Roman, Arial or Calibri, which are all easy to read. The font size should be between 10 and 12, depending on the font style you choose. Remember that less is often more, so don’t try to use unusual fonts and sizes to grab attention.

Using Bullets and White Space

To make your combination resume easy to skim, use bullet points to highlight your achievements and skills. This format breaks up the text and makes it easier to read. Additionally, leave plenty of white space around the text to give the document a clean look. Too much text can be overwhelming, so aim for a balance of space and text.

Creating a Consistent Look and Feel

To create a professional look and feel for your combination resume, stick to a consistent layout throughout the document. Use the same font, margin size, and text formatting throughout. If you use a different font for headings, keep it consistent for all headings.

Tips for Editing and Proofreading

Make sure to proofread your combination resume carefully for errors, typos or misspellings. Just one small error can leave a bad impression on the reader. You can use grammar and spelling checkers to help you, but always double-check for errors yourself. It is also helpful to ask someone else to read over the document to catch any mistakes you may have missed.

The formatting and layout of your combination resume can make a huge difference in how it is received by recruiters and hiring managers. By choosing a professional font and font size, using bullets and white space, creating a consistent look and feel, and proofreading carefully, you can create a stand-out combination resume that showcases your skills and experience.

Common Mistakes to Avoid in a Combination Resume

Combination resumes are an effective way to showcase both your skills and work history. However, there are some common mistakes candidates make when creating such a resume. Here are some mistakes you should avoid:

Being Too Vague or Generic

Your combination resume should reflect your unique background and skill set. By using generic language or phrases, such as “team player” or “effective communicator,” you risk blending into the crowd of other applicants. Instead, try to be as specific as possible about your contributions and impact in each role you’ve held.

Exaggerating or Lying

It can be tempting to exaggerate your accomplishments or qualifications in an effort to impress potential employers. However, any lies or exaggerations will likely come back to haunt you in the long run. Stick to the facts and be honest about your experience, skills, and achievements.

Neglecting Formatting and Spelling Errors

Your combination resume should be easy to read and visually appealing. Neglecting formatting or misspelling words can make a bad impression on employers. Avoid this mistake by carefully proofreading your resume and using a consistent format throughout.

Not Highlighting Transferable Skills

Your combination resume should highlight any transferable skills that you have acquired, such as project management or communication skills. These skills can be useful in a wide range of positions, regardless of industry or job title.

Not Emphasizing Accomplishments

Your combination resume should highlight specific accomplishments or achievements in each position you’ve held. Use concrete, quantifiable examples to demonstrate your impact and success. This will make your resume stand out and show potential employers what you bring to the table.

By avoiding these common mistakes, you can create a combination resume that effectively showcases your skills and experience, and increases your chances of landing your dream job.

How to Customize a Combination Resume for a Specific Job

When applying for a job, submitting a generic resume might not cut it. Customizing your resume according to the job you’re applying for can increase your chances of getting an interview. In this section, we’ll walk you through the steps on how to customize a combination resume for a specific job.

Researching the Employer and the Job Requirements

Before you start writing your combination resume, research the employer and the job requirements thoroughly. Visit the company’s website, read their mission and vision statements, and check if they align with your career goals. Understand the role you’re applying for, its responsibilities, required skills, and qualifications.

Highlighting Relevant Skills and Experience

After you’ve researched the employer and job requirements, highlight the relevant skills and experience you possess that match the job description. Your combination resume should showcase the most important and relevant details about yourself, namely what you have done and what you can do for the employer.

Tailoring the Summary Statement and Objective

The summary statement and objective should be tailored to the job you’re applying for. Highlight the experiences which make you qualified for the position, and add a bit of personality to catch the employer’s attention. Use this opportunity to position yourself as the ideal candidate for the job. Make sure your summary statement and objective fit seamlessly with the job requirements and the employer’s needs.

Emphasizing Accomplishments that Matter

Finally, emphasize any accomplishments you have that are relevant to the role you’re applying for. Whether it’s increasing revenue or improved customer satisfaction, make sure to highlight your greatest achievements that would be relevant to the job description. Focus on areas where you have contributed to the growth of the company or have had a significant impact on past employers.

When applying for a job, be strategic in customizing your combination resume. Research the employer and job requirements, highlight relevant skills and experiences, tailor the summary statement and objective, and emphasize impactful accomplishments. With these tips, you’re sure to create a combination resume that can help you land your dream job.

Using a Combination Resume for Career Change

When it comes to changing careers, a combination resume may be the most effective way to showcase your relevant skills and experience. This type of resume emphasizes both your transferable skills and past relevant experience, making it easier for recruiters to see your potential in a new role.

Highlighting Transferable Skills

Transferable skills are abilities that can be applied in different fields and jobs. Examples include communication, problem-solving, leadership, and teamwork. By highlighting these skills in a combination resume, you can show potential employers that even though you lack specific job-related experience, you have the skills needed to be successful in the new role.

Emphasizing Relevant Experience

Your relevant experience may not necessarily be job-related, but it can still be valuable in a new career field. For example, if you’re applying for a marketing role but come from a creative industry background, you can emphasize your experience with branding and design to show your creativity and eye for detail.

Addressing Career Gap and Lack of Experience

If you have a gap in your career or lack experience in the field you’re applying for, a combination resume can help address these issues. By focusing on your transferable skills and relevant experience, you can showcase your potential in the new role and bridge the gap in your career history.

Demonstrating Passion and Commitment

A career change can be challenging, but it’s essential to demonstrate your passion and commitment to the new field in your resume. Whether it’s through relevant coursework, volunteering, or personal projects, showcasing your drive and passion for the new career can help you stand out to potential employers.

A combination resume is an excellent way to land your dream job in a new career field. By highlighting your transferable skills, emphasizing relevant experience, addressing career gaps, and demonstrating passion and commitment, you can showcase your potential to potential employers. Use these expert writing tips to craft your combination resume, and land the job you deserve.

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Combination Resume: Examples And Tips

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When applying for a job, ensuring your resume is correct is one of the most important things you can do.

However, not all resumes are created equal. You can replicate specific formats, such as chronological, functional, or a combination resume.

The combination resume focuses on the applicant’s work history and skills to capture the employer’s attention and can be quite useful for the right scenario.

Key Takeaways:

The combination resume is a combination of the chronological and functional resume formats.

The combination resume lists relevant skills and transferable abilities before providing information on your work history.

The combination resume is ideal for applicants worried about answering questions about career changes or gaps in employment.

Combination resumes can be particularly helpful for veterans wishing to show how their military skills are transferable.

What is a Combination Resume?

When to use a combination resume, what to include in a combination resume, combination resume tips, combination resume examples, combination resume faq.

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The combination resume combines the best parts of two common resume formats:

Chronological. The chronological resume is the typical type of resume you’ll come across, providing recent work history in reverse-chronological order. Its primary focus is on qualifying achievements from work experience.

Functional. The functional resume focuses on lists, relevant skills, and any transferable abilities that can set you apart from other candidates. Work experience is secondary on a functional resume.

The combination resume gives you the best of both worlds, it:

Lists your skills and qualifications first. This is similar to a functional resume.

Next, your employment history is listed in reverse chronological order. You begin with your current or most recent job, and works backward. This is most similar to the chronological resume.

This effective resume combination layout will highlight the key skills and capabilities of the applicant in the first part of the resume — the qualifications (skills and experience) summary .

The qualifications summary is an ideal place to use resume keywords that can help your professional resume catch the attention of your hiring manager .

Combination resumes work well for applicants who have a variety of work history and strong skills and accomplishments to highlight, but it can also work for those with minimal experience to highlight. Below are some suggestions for when to use a combination resume most effectively.

If you have a gap in employment on your resume. If you have been out of the workforce for any given reason, a combination resume is an ideal format to go with. It will highlight your skills and accomplishments instead of focusing on the gap in your employment history, which will only be evident in the second section of your resume.

If you are looking to change careers. Changing your career path is a leap many are hesitant to take, especially if they have significant experience in a specific field. A recruiter or hiring manager may have trouble with a typical resume format to understand why you might be a good fit for a career shift.

With the combination resume, you can highlight your transferable skills and how it can aid the business. Hiring managers and recruiters can get a better sense of what you did and where and how it all adds up to make you the ideal candidate for the job opportunity.

If you are a veteran. Service members have gained incredible experience and skills that are often transferable to job opportunities. However, civilian jobs won’t always match the job you may have had in the military.

A combination resume is a perfect way to show the hiring manager or recruiter how your previous experience actually translates to the job you’re applying for.

If you are a recent graduate or have minimal work experience. If you’re fresh out of school without an abundance of work experience , a combination resume can help. This format will help you emphasize your abilities that you’ve honed through school, extracurricular activities, leadership roles, internships, and more.

If you have a wide variety of experience across industries. It could be the case for many applicants that they have the opposite problem. If you’ve taken a variety of jobs in different industries, you may have a ton of experience with different responsibilities you’ve taken off, but no good way to highlight them in a cohesive way. The combination resume will help you guide the reader to what is truly relevant to the job.

A combination resume will include all of the typical things you’d seen in a chronological or functional resume, just in a varied order. The format below describes the order and what to include in each section to impress the job recruiter or hiring manager you are submitting to.

Contact information. The header of your resume should stand out from the rest of your resume. This is important so that the recruiter or hiring manager remembers who you are and can easily contact you. Include your name, email address, mailing address, telephone number, social links, links to your portfolio , and any other important links.

Summary. The resume summary is a brief statement that concisely communicates your most relevant skills and abilities. Keep this summary under two lines and describe who you are professionally and what you have to offer. If you are new to the workforce with not much experience to promote, use a resume objective here.

Relevant and key skills. This is the first half of your combination resume and where you list any and all key skills relevant to the job you’re applying for. This is the optimal place to use relevant keywords you can pull from the actual job application for which you are applying. List both technical and interpersonal skills here. This will show your potential employer that you have a good balance of both.

Professional experience. This second section is a list of your past roles and responsibilities, skills acquired, and accomplishments listed below each one. Use this section to support the skills section before it.

Education. Depending on the job you’re applying for, educational history has a different weight on the value it adds. However, for candidates with minimal work experience, adding this section may help supplement your resume. List degrees, relevant coursework, and any academic achievements you may have received.

Additional information. You can add a final section to this resume that lists any additional skills not already covered, volunteer experience, awards, relevant interests, or any other section you feel could allow the hiring manager insight into what you’ll bring to the team.

With all that has already been said, here are some additional tips to consider as you write a combination resume:

Focus on required skills. Since a combination resume puts emphasis on your skills, make sure the skills you include are required or desired by the employer in the job description. The required skills should stand out right away on your resume.

Use work experience to prove skills. Your work experience should come with quantifiable achievements that show how you used your skills to successfully enact your responsibilities. This provides credibility to your skills.

Make yourself relevant and indispensable. Tailor your resume to the job description. Every piece of information should show how you are qualified and what you can offer the employer. Do not distract or detract from the reader’s attention. They are busy people and will not spend a long time reading your resume, so make yours count!

Keep it clean and logical. Make sure your resume is not cluttered or confusing in its presentation. The hiring manager or recruiter who reads your resume wants to quickly understand whether or not you are qualified and deserve more attention.

Below, find some examples of resume format for how to create the best resume possible.

Jean Rizzo (888) 324-2351 | [email protected] | 234 High Street, Chicago, IL 60007 Experienced front-end developer with 8 years of experience building websites for a variety of industries. Designed innovative, cost-efficient, and intuitive products for high-traffic web pages. Enthusiastic about writing code that is well-structured and providing clients with high-functioning websites they dream of. Tech Stack JavaScript | CSS3 | HTML5 | Jira Practices Leadership | Test Driven Development | Continuous Delivery Relevant Experience Apple, Inc. — Senior Software Engineer January 2017 – Present Increased viewability from 23% to 70% by re-engineering ad implementation Launched dashboards to transform visibility into data for overall ad impression and viewable impressions allowing the team to improve response time Increased unit and integration testing from 5% to 90% in a six-month time frame. National Geographic — Front-End Developer September 2014 – January 2017 Part of the team who developed responsive interactive web applications for high-traffic sites Developed multi-site ad loading and management library to help increase ad impressions Developed SOPs, style guides, and coding standards across the organization. Education The University of Chicago Bachelor of Science Degree in computer science Minor in marketing Graduated with a 3.9 Volunteering and Extracurriculars Coding Club of Chicago, Club Secretary (2017-Present) Women for Coding Social Club, Co-Founder

Fred Applebaum [email protected] | 425-234-1223 | 13 Lakefront Street, Winter Haven, Florida , 33880 Education Supervisor Results-oriented, attentive, hands-on educational professional with over 12 years of experience in education training, with a number of accomplishments across customer service and automotives. Key Skills Quality assurance and customer service experience in two distinct industries. Exceptional communication skills both internally and externally 3 years of experience in team-building and leadership Experience in training and payroll Extensive experience with Microsoft Office, including MS-Word, Excel, and Powerpoint Professional Experience Avis – Education Manager February 2012 – Present Managed a successful educational project over the past four years for new employees, ensuring proper protocols are in place and abided by. Provided education training for over 1,000 employees both in-person and virtually. Established a certification program for training employees Trader Joes – Manager August 2008 – December 2011 Supervised a full stock team in the morning hours, while maintaining customer service on the front end and training for new employees. Developed SOPs for training new employees which were shared across all regional stores Handled quality control for all store items Education St. Joseph’s University Bachelor of Science Graduated with a 3.8 GPA

What does a combination resume focus on?

A combination resume focuses on combining the functional resume with a chronological resume, giving you a vehicle for sharing both your skills and abilities and your work history.

Typically, the first part of a combination resume shines the spotlight on your abilities and the tasks you have performed throughout your professional career. It draws attention to this portion of your work history.

What is the advantage of a combination resume?

The advantages of a combination resume are that it can hide any gaps in employment history, any changes in your professional field, and it is full of keywords.

In the modern world of artificial intelligence resume scanning, keywords mean more than ever before it ever hits a hiring manager or recruiter. By putting your skills at the top of your resume, you stand a better chance of getting noticed for those keywords. That can lead you to a job that is looking for some of the skills that you possess.

A combination resume is also a big benefit for someone who has had a gap in employment, many different jobs or works as a freelancer , and people who have shifted their career focus. It’s also a good approach for someone who is a recent graduate or who doesn’t have much work experience.

What is the downside of a combination resume?

A downside to the combination resume is that it can be quite lengthy. Listing two different areas, or basically adopting parts of two resume types, can get long, and resumes are meant to be short.

Do employers like combination resumes?

Yes, employers like combination resume if they’re searching for candidates with particular skills. When having a skill that’s difficult to find is important to the open position, employers definitely like having a combination resume to pull out that skill and then view what company the individual worked for.

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Caitlin Mazur is a freelance writer at Zippia. Caitlin is passionate about helping Zippia’s readers land the jobs of their dreams by offering content that discusses job-seeking advice based on experience and extensive research. Caitlin holds a degree in English from Saint Joseph’s University in Philadelphia, PA.

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The Ultimate Guide to the Combination Resume Format: Balancing Skills and Experience

Table of contents, introduction.

Combination resume will help you write better resumes. In the world of resume writing, the combination resume format strikes a perfect balance between showcasing your skills and highlighting your work experience. Whether you’re a seasoned professional with a rich work history or a career changer looking to emphasize transferable skills, the combination resume offers the best of both worlds. In this blog, we’ll explore what a combination resume is, why it’s effective, and provide you with examples to help you craft a winning resume that captures the attention of employers.

Understanding the Combination Resume: A combination resume, also known as a hybrid resume, integrates elements of both the chronological and functional formats. It showcases your skills upfront and follows with a detailed presentation of your work experience. This format is ideal for candidates who want to highlight their qualifications while still providing a clear work history.

Advantages of a Combination Resume

• The combination format showcases your skills while still providing employers with a chronological view of your work history.
• It allows you to place emphasis on your key skills, ensuring they’re not overlooked by hiring managers.
• Combination resumes are perfect for career changers, as they enable you to highlight relevant skills when your work history isn’t directly aligned with the new role.
• If you have a consistent work history and want to emphasize skills gained along the way, this format can effectively showcase both.

Combination Resume Examples

[Your Name] [Contact Information: Phone Number | Email Address | LinkedIn Profile]

Accomplished project manager with 8+ years of experience leading cross-functional teams to successful project completion. Adept in strategic planning, risk management, and fostering collaboration for achieving project goals.

• Project Management
• Team Leadership
• Budgeting and Resource Allocation
• Stakeholder Engagement
• Agile Methodology
• Conflict Resolution

Project Manager | XYZ Corporation | City, State | January 2016 – Present

• Led a team of 10 to deliver 15+ successful projects, exceeding client expectations and enhancing company reputation.
• Collaborated with stakeholders to define project scope, objectives, and key deliverables.
• Implemented Agile methodologies, resulting in a 20% improvement in project delivery efficiency.

Business Analyst | ABC Consulting | City, State | June 2012 – December 2015

• Analyzed client requirements and translated them into actionable project plans.
• Conducted market research and data analysis to inform strategic decision-making.
• Assisted in developing innovative solutions that increased operational efficiency.

Bachelor of Science in Business Administration | University Name | Graduation Year

Dynamic marketing professional with a knack for crafting compelling content and devising innovative campaigns. Skilled in brand strategy, digital marketing, and creative problem-solving to drive engagement and brand awareness.

• Content Creation and Copywriting
• Social Media Marketing
• Brand Development
• Market Research
• Graphic Design (Adobe Creative Suite)
• Analytics and Reporting

Marketing Specialist | ABC Company | City, State | March 2018 – Present

• Created engaging content for online platforms, resulting in a 30% increase in website traffic.
• Managed social media accounts, growing follower engagement by 40% through strategic campaigns.
• Collaborated with design team to develop visually appealing marketing materials.

Digital Marketing Intern | XYZ Agency | City, State | June 2017 – December 2017

• Assisted in the development and execution of digital marketing campaigns.
• Conducted market research to identify trends and insights for campaign optimization.
• Generated and analyzed performance reports to measure campaign effectiveness.

Bachelor of Arts in Marketing | University Name | Graduation Year

Tips for Crafting an Effective Combination Resume

• Begin with a compelling summary that highlights your skills and experiences, tailored to the job you’re applying for.
• In your work experience section, use bullet points to emphasize specific skills you’ve employed in each role.
• Focus on quantifiable achievements that demonstrate the impact of your skills in action.
• Tailor your combination resume to match the job description, adjusting your skills and accomplishments to align with the specific role.
• List your work experience in reverse chronological order, starting with your most recent job.
• Include your educational background, but keep this section concise.

The combination resume format is a versatile tool that allows you to strategically showcase both your skills and work experience. By integrating elements of both the chronological and functional formats, you create a well-rounded resume that captures the attention of recruiters and hiring managers. Equipped with the examples and tips provided, you’re now prepared to create a powerful combination resume that effectively showcases your qualifications and sets you on the path to career success.

Buildfreeresume.com has a consumer rating of 4.83 stars on Sitejabber .

Introducing John Smith: Your Expert Resume Writer, Cover Letter Specialist, and Career Coach. Meet John Smith, your dedicated partner in crafting the perfect resume, compelling cover letter, and charting your career path to success. With a passion for helping individuals reach their professional aspirations, John brings a wealth of expertise to the table as a resume writer, cover letter specialist, and career coach.

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How to Create a Combination Resume (+6 Unique Hybrid Resume Examples)

In This Guide:

What is a combination resume, why should you use the combination resume format, the key factors of a combination resume, is a combination resume right for you, advantages of a combination resume, disadvantages of a combination resume, how to create a combination resume step-by-step, 6 hybrid example case studies from enhancv, additional tips to perfect your hybrid resume.

Thinking about creating a combination resume that works?

Before you go in guns-blazing, you should understand this:

The combination resume format won’t work well if you have very little work experience to show for.

Seeing what resume formats are available, you’ll either be working with a chronological resume or a functional skills-based resume .

Or, there’s the combination resume – this is also known as the hybrid resume.

These resumes aren’t easy to make, but at the same time, it’s not as hard as you would think.

In this ultimate guide we’ll cover:

• What is a combination resume?
• Why should you use the combination resume format?
• The key factors of a combination resume
• Is a combination resume right for you?
• Advantages of a combination resume
• Disadvantages of a combination resume
• How to create a combination resume step-by-step
• 6 Hybrid Resume Case Studies From Enhancv
• Additional tips to perfect your hybrid resume

Wait, are you feeling a bit overwhelmed?

No worries! You can skip ahead and start by finding a proven resume for your profession in our megalist of 530+ examples here.

“I love it and would recommend it for anyone, it’s so much better than a droll traditional resume.” – Mark Cuban

BUILD MY RESUME NOW

Are you ready to start? Let’s dive straight into it!

As mentioned, combination resumes are also known and referred to as hybrid resumes.

This type of resume combines the key elements from a traditional functional resume and the chronological resume format to highlight both your skills and employment history.

Here’s a quick recap:

The functional skills-based resume focuses on highlighting the candidate’s strongest skills and recent experiences for the new career they’re seeking. Whereas, the chronological resume format focuses on the chronological order of the applicant’s most relevant work history in their career timeline. Employers mainly want to see the roles you take on develop as you handle more responsibilities over time.

When you put both of those core components together from both types of resumes, you get the combination resume. This means it merges the emphasis from both your resume skills and employment history that are most suited for your next job position.

The combination resume is the perfect in-between for hiring managers who are strict on the resume format rules. It also works well for those who need more flexibility on their resumes.

One easy way to think about it is Goldilocks testing the resumes between three bears. And out of all of them, the combination resume would be “just about right”.

Every resume format comes with its own benefits and setbacks. They can either take you one step closer to landing your job or one step further if you do it wrong.

With the hybrid resume, one clear advantage is that you have a well-balanced, all-rounded resume to catch the job recruiter’s eye. Unlike the applicants who use the functional resume, any small gaps you have in employment won’t be as noticeable.

And, it indicates to recruiters that you have a steady, consistent work history – alongside a positive track record.

With this in mind, you can showcase both your employment experiences confidently while emphasizing your strengths. This way, employers can see the amount of value you’ll bring over to their organization. Not just in one particular aspect, but through multiple features throughout your resume sections that are as good as one another.

You may have already noticed, but the combination resume is composed from 2 particular formats merged. These are:

• The functional resume format
• The reverse-chronological resume format

In comparison, the combination resume maintains a balance between both of these resume format objectives and aspects. Therefore, it’s not one-siding or overshadowing one factor over the other.

Check out the grid below to see a comparison of how each of these resume formats differentiates from each other with their criteria:

Although the combination resume creates a solid overall impression, it’s not for everyone. Ideally, it should be used for those who want to prioritize highlighting their skills, qualities and the level of value behind their capabilities they have to offer.

If you want the recruiters to have more recognition in your work experiences, it makes more sense to stick to a chronological resume format.

However, the reason why a combination resume works so effectively is that it gives employers valuable insights. By this, I’m referring to the fact that you have relevant work experience and skills they can quickly identify.

I’ve listed out the 3 reasons for when the hybrid resume is most ideal for you to use. If you don’t fit into any of the categories, it’s worth reconsidering.

You're considering switching careers significantly or applying to head into a different industry

In this situation, you could test between the skills-based resume and combination resume. Try to see which one has a higher response rate and if one performs better than the other.

If you’re someone who has significant gaps in your career, go for the functional resume. It helps with showing you’re more than capable for the job even if you don’t meet all the desired requirements.

On the other hand, if you’re the opposite then the functional skills-based resume isn’t your only option. If you’re confident that your record is positive and there aren’t major openings within your professional background, a combination resume is more recommended.

Using the combination resume is generally better for getting the recruiters attention because they can see you have an impressive employment timeline overall. You’re also able to present the information at hand, so that puts you one step closer for an interview.

You're a new college or university graduate or someone with some relevant work experience.

Have you just graduated from university or college? Or are you someone who has work experience, but still feel that it’s not enough?

Well, I’ve got some news for you…

The combination resume would work for you in any of these scenarios. It just depends on one condition:

Do you have any professional corporate experiences in the workforce for at least one year? And are any of them relevant to the job title you desire?

This also includes internships and volunteering experiences …

And, if the answer is yes to any of the above, the combination resume would be applicable for you!

Ultimately, you’ve done work that’s aligned with the responsibilities you’re soon going to take anyway. Employers will see that as invaluable – it’s not something easily replaced through something like a hobby or skills section.

Compared to the other applicants who may have no relevant experiences at all, you can provide those details that others can’t. It sets you one step ahead of the competition so you can land that new job and get hired!

Job recruiters will know that you have the skills to take on the expected tasks, responsibilities and duties.

Because you’re using a combination resume that implicates both your skills and experiences you have to support those statements.

No matter how minimal it may be, that information is enough to enable employers to conclude that you have a good understanding of what needs to be done. You’re not a complete amateur, but you’re someone who knows what to do.

My recommendation is that, if you have between 1-3 years of work experience, the combination resume should work for you. Anything less than that, you’re probably better off using the functional resume. And in opposition, if you have tons of work experience, you may want to consider sticking to the chronological resume format.

I’ve mentioned it earlier but I’ll say it again: one thing you can do is have more than one resume. See which resume performs better for the industry you’re targeting, and stick to the results or trends you’re seeing.

You have a positive employment record

Combination resumes are most ideal for job seekers who have a positive employment record. If you use a functional resume format when you have a solid career history, you’re technically reducing the value behind those experiences because it’s not built for you to emphasize those details.

By using a hybrid resume, it allows you to highlight the information behind your professional background and skills simultaneously.

There are several benefits gained from using a combination resume. We’ll take a look at what each of these main benefits is so you can maximize and make the most out of this resume format when creating your own.

Some hiring managers don’t accept the functional skills-based resume format, but it’s a different story when it comes to the combination resume.

These templates are sometimes preferred because they don’t try to shift the recruiter’s focus or conceal things the applicant is intentionally concealing.

With the hybrid resume, there’s nothing for the reader to suspect or doubt. All the information to reinforce your statements that they’re looking for will be shown through your experiences.

Changing careers or heading to a new industry

With an equal focus on your career history and skills, the hybrid resume is the perfect choice when changing careers. Using this format, you can showcase the transferable skills you’ve built-up that will be relevant for your new position.

This becomes particularly beneficial if your experience doesn’t appear immediately relevant. For example, discussing all of your sales experience when applying for an operations role. In these circumstances, discussing your skills at the beginning of your resume will be most impactful.

Take a look at the tech resume template Sam used which enabled him to switch from investment banking to working for Spotify:

With the Enhancv resume builder , you can adjust the format to put specific sections in the spotlight. The minimal and clean design also makes it highly readable, and it’s how it even caught the attention of a billionaire.

Since it’s easy to rearrange, Mark used his most recent job titles and experiences and integrated his skills into the description. This puts emphasis on both his career history and corporate skills, which gives a lot of value for the recruiter who’s making the decision of accepting him on board or not.

Conveying a consistent job history

Nothing can leave a worse impression than having three jobs in one or two years…

You don’t want the recruiter to begin questioning all the smallest, and slightest of things.

“What happened in those years? Were you fired? If so, why?”

We only have a limited amount of time that’s given to each individual resume. During this decisive moment, it determines if your resume will be sent to the “yes” or “no” pile.

You can give greater weight to your skills section in a combination resume.

Let the company know how you can apply yourself to the new role and later reinforce this by describing your previous positions. Doing this makes the recruiter less likely to care about the inconsistency in your history as you’ve shown how well you can perform.

versatile and works for multiple roles within one company

Let’s face it, we all perform tasks that don’t fall within our job description. Sometimes you work on long-term projects that may seem out-of-place to even talk about…

However, one advantage of the hybrid resumes is that they’re not fixed and limited to only one specific role. But rather, multiple roles in that same company.

For example, you can discuss all of the skills you’ve managed to develop (IT and software proficiency, data analysis, etc) and discuss how it’ll be useful in other areas for the tech company you’ve applied for.

No matter what your official role was in your previous company, you can describe all those skills. As long as they’re transferable and relevant for the new company, there won’t be a problem.

Re-entering the workforce

Re-entering the workforce can be challenging. It’s more difficult when there’s a considerable gap between your most recent position and now.

Taking the combination resume approach, you can change the recruiter’s perception. Instead of being someone rusty who’s been out of work, you’re going to be seen as a worker with respectable skills.

Despite being out of the working culture, you can show employers you’ve got the ideal expertise that they’re determined to see.

Ahead of the competition by playing a different game

The hybrid resume lets you play by a different set of rules a small percentage of candidates are following.

With resumes that focus on your previous work experience as your selling point, the people who have worked with big names are those that truly make the biggest impact…

When comparing someone that has worked in a major company to someone that has worked in a smaller company – no matter if the skills are the same – you’re going to lose the bargaining power.

But, if you change the focus of your resume, you can avoid this issue. In fact, you don’t have to worry about it at all.

Not many job seekers are capable of using this format because they have important parts of their careers that are missing. While their resumes have a lesser focus on the influence of their experiences, you’ll stand out in that aspect significantly.

One way to think about the combination resume is as a jack of all trades – all aspects of the resume are balanced. Yet, each resume section is compelling enough for employers to realize your potential.

Unlike chronological and functional resumes, the hybrid format tends to be longer in length

When you compare conventional combination resumes to the other resume formats, the readability isn’t quite as good. And, it’s mainly because they tend to have longer length in terms of details.

Employment gaps are still noticeable

As a whole, when we’re not using the chronological resume format, it’s implicitly indicating that we have gaps in our career.

Although we can minimize the noticeability behind it, it’s still something job recruiters can see.

The information could be too similar and may get repetitive

Since the level of description tends to be more lengthy, if we’re not careful our use of words or phrases could be too identical. It’s avoidable, but making this mistake limits your personality because there’s no variation – it’s dull and boring.

Yes, they care about the value you’re bringing over. But, it’s also important to recognize the candidate’s working culture. The workforce is becoming more interpersonal, so it’s important to add flavors of creativity and be different!

(We’ve made an everything you need to know guide for what resume sections . If you haven’t yet, I highly suggest you give it a read!)

Use an appropriate format and design

The combination resume is slightly different than the conventional formats you’re used to. While this is true, it doesn’t mean there are drastic changes when it comes to the layout.

For instance, resume font principles still apply. And, your contact details should be at the top of your resume within your resume header.

Start off by using an optimal resume builder that gives you flexibility with constructing your resume and rearranging its design to tailor for your new job.

If you’re unsure, you can easily put together a resume using Enhancv resume templates. Our builder makes your resume sections drag-and-drop puzzle pieces that can be moved with ease without compromising on the format.

You can also take advantage of our unique resume sections including our exclusive My Time section which allows you to describe your typical work-day. All of our components are customizable too which helps with adding a unique flavor to your resume so that you stand out.

(Side note: luckily, you don’t have to worry too much about the minor technical details because we’ll take care of most of it for you!)

Start off with your resume header

Once you’ve got your resume format ready, it’s time to start off by including your resume header.

For any resume you have, this is always the first thing the recruiters should see. It includes your contact information along with any important pieces of detail you want recruiters to see at the beginning of your resume.

Another optional factor to take into consideration is including useful links. These links could take the recruiters to places such as your LinkedIn profile, portfolio site, or freelance website.

Writing the summary section

The summary should be kept very brief. Here, you want to summarize your entire professional career, or you can make a summary of your skills. In some cases, you can incorporate both together.

More importantly, it needs to give employers insight that you’re a qualified candidate capable of getting the job done.

If you’re fairly new to the workforce and don’t have years of experience, use this section to talk about your long term career goals and objectives.

Just ensure you keep to the fundamental principles. Keep it to no more than 5 sentences long, but preferably 3 sentences max unless you have more details you want to fit in.

Employment history

At this point, you want to start listing out the job titles you’ve held in the past. This should be accompanied by a description that describes your duties, role, responsibilities and the company success you contributed towards.

Don’t start talking about your daily routine at your old job, but rather describe the value you provided. The key thing to remember is that the order of your job listings should start from the most recent experience, then work backward from there.

Top skills and relevant strengths

What skills do you have that directly correlate with what the job recruiters need? How capable are you, and do you understand in full transparency what you’re getting yourself into?

(Side note: we have a full guide to create your resume skills section – you can read it by clicking here )

The answers are all found from doing the background research. But, one hack is to use Enhancv’s resume scanner to see if your resume matches the job description, or if it’s missing something.

In the skills section, pick out one of the skills that are in high demand. Whatever skill you pick, be honest and confident that it’s something you’re exceptional at. If necessary, you can add extra subsections to include more skills or depth of detail within this section.

Don’t just blatantly stuff in as many skills as possible. Otherwise, recruiters can detect those intentions which can lead to getting your resume application rejected.

Additional sections

If there are other useful sections you feel that are worthy enough, and useful to talk about, don’t be afraid to bring them up!

One section I suggest you don’t disregard is your education section. It lets employers know you’ve got the academic knowledge that’s required. But the additional sections you could include are:

• Volunteering experiences
• Awards and certifications
• Hobbies and interests
• Publications

Making a significant career change and getting hired at Spotify

Sam had been working in investment banking for several years. Eventually, she decided it was time to make a significant career change and to steer towards a new path.

When designing her resume, she knew she’d have to show something impactful that would influence recruiters. So, bringing her personality into her resume (such as including her Life Philosophy and Favorite Books) was one of her ideas.

And, it led to real conversations with recruiters.

They related to her more easily and were able to determine her culture fit. Take a look for yourself here:

Soon after, the hiring managers made their decision, and she found herself hired to work for Spotify.

Using a volunteer resume to work on a project with AIESEC

Avery was looking to volunteer with AIESEC in Indonesia for two months. Despite Avery having little work experience, the company knew that it was a perfect fit.

In a volunteering resume, it’s important for organizations to see who you are, and to understand your motivations for free work. To do this, Avery spoke on the achievement of being one of the eight students chosen to study Global Business in Ireland from France (props for being a chosen candidate!).

Then, on her resume, you can see the description of Avery’s strength of adaptability and even included a personal photo. This made it easier for AIESEC to see Avery take on the role as well as building rapport.

Remote working in customer support at Intercom

In this case study, Daniel had been involved in remote work for his entire career. He found an organization that would facilitate his preferred working style, so this opportunity was very important.

Recruiters at Intercom are interested in seeing how well a person is equipped to work together with a team despite the distance. Keeping this in mind, Daniel made it a priority mission to give insight to his personality to show how he would work well with everyone at Intercom.

In order to do this, he included “useful links” that gave more information about his background and who he was. After, he decided to start his resume with a summary section.

With the unique approach that gave recruiters what they wanted, he now works remotely the way he wants to. He does this at one of the biggest customer support organizations in the world!

The Substitute Teacher Resume

In the example above, Mitchel created his resume with Enhancv to highlight both his work experience and skills. We can see this almost immediately on his resume template.

What’s also effective is the “My Time” section at the very beginning. Not only is it a different approach, but it tells recruiters a lot about how he uses his time. It’s another way of combining his career history and skills to show how it’s consistently being developed.

The Entry Level Sales Resume

This time, Sherry emphasizes her work experiences first and included a section dedicated to her strengths at the bottom. From this, we can tell she’s a hard-worker just by seeing all the results she’s contributed to when describing her experiences.

On her resume, she knows how to sell herself. And this means for recruiters that she’ll be skilled working in the sales profession. Sherry reinforces her expertise by listing her strongest skills at the bottom and giving us a brief description to follow up.

The Classic Double Column Resume

In our last handpicked example, we can see she’s using elements from the combination resume by the way she’s highlighting her skills and experiences.

The first thing we see on Isabelle’s resume is a one-line quick and short summary of her skills. She then dives straight into her employment history and gives us a brief, listed description that’s showing she’s a capable candidate. This is clear because we can see the company’s success that she’s contributed towards.

Still with me? Hang in there, we’ve nearly got everything covered!

Now that you’ve created your combination resume from following the steps above, it’s time to perfect it. Use the extra tips below to polish and add the final touches!

• Combine different elements from different sections subtly with each other. There’s no problem with integrating your skills into other sections to further illustrate how you’re going to be a beneficial asset to have in their team and organization. Just don’t be too repetitive!
• Ensure you’re implementing not just keywords, but buzzwords too. Your use of language plays a big part in getting hired. Optimize your resume using the right trigger words – avoid common, generic, and obvious words anyone can use.
• Don’t forget to include soft skills and any useful transferable skills . If you’re making a drastic change in a job vacancy or industry, then you want to show employers what you can do that’s going to help you do your job better.
• Prioritize the main content that’s needed. The conversation on hybrid resumes is focused on what sections you should make as your biggest priority. This concept just limits the idea of the main content required since it’s strictly concentrating on your resume format. With hybrid resumes, their true future is centered around the content you include more than how that content is presented itself.

Want more expert insights, tips, and proven advice when it comes to creating your resume? Have a read on our guide: Top 21 Resume Tips And Advice for 2021 [With Expert Insights]

Work experience is a key section to include on your resume since it’s section recruiters want to track. If you’re a professional who has a good career timeline, using the combination resume makes it easy for job recruiters to recognize you’re a skilled individual.

Fortunately, Enhancv makes the entire resume building process simple and straightforward.

Is there anything else we’ve missed on our combination resume guide? Do you have any questions you want to ask? Comment below and let us know!

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Combination Resumes: How (and When) to Use Them + Examples

3 key takeaways

• A clear understanding of this resume format and how it differs from other resume types
• What scenarios a combination resume is most beneficial in (and how it can improve your job application)
• Tips and guidance for creating your combination resume with Teal's AI Resume Builder

When you're job searching, you need to present your skills and experiences in a way that stands out to potential employers. 

For many, especially those with employment gaps or diverse professional backgrounds, the solution is learning how to use a combination resume.

This unique resume format blends the best of chronological and functional resumes, offering a versatile approach to showcasing your career journey.

Combination resumes are especially useful for those looking to transition between industries, re-enter the workforce, or highlight a broad skill set. And with the right combination resume templates or examples, you can effectively bridge the gap between your past experiences and future ambitions.

What is a combination resume?

A combination resume incorporates elements of both functional resumes and reverse-chronological resumes . It allows you to showcase your relevant skills and your work history in a balanced way. 

This format typically starts with a clear professional summary, then highlights your hard skills, followed by a reverse-chronological listing of your work experience.

Combination resumes are particularly useful if you have diverse skills or varied work experiences and want to showcase these elements effectively. It's ideal for those making a career change, re-entering the workforce, or who have gaps in their employment history. 

By emphasizing your skills upfront, you can draw attention to what you can do rather than when you did it. For job seekers looking to emphasize both their skills and experience, the combination resume template is an excellent choice.

How does a combination resume compare with other formats

While the chronological resume focuses primarily on work history and the functional resume emphasizes skills, the combination resume strikes a balance between the two. This hybrid resume approach offers the flexibility to highlight the aspects of your professional profile that are most relevant to the job title you're applying for.

That’s what makes it a strong option compared to other resume formats . 

It's important to remember that a combination resume still maintains a chronological order in its work history section. It's not just about listing skills but also about demonstrating how these skills have been applied throughout your career.

For recent graduates, this format can highlight educational experiences, while for those pivoting careers, it can focus on relevant projects or volunteer work that aligns with the new role.

How to format a combination resume

A combination resume, as its name implies, combines elements of both chronological and functional resumes. This format allows you to highlight your most relevant skills and experiences while providing a clear timeline of your work history.

Key sections of a combination resume

• Header : This includes your name, contact information, and, optionally, links to your professional online presence (like LinkedIn).
• Professional Summary : A brief, impactful section encapsulating your career highlights and key skills.
• "Skills" section : A list or bullet points showcasing your most relevant skills. Remember, this section should be tailored to the specific job you're applying for.
• Professional experience : Focus on accomplishments, impact, and how you used your skills for each role rather than just duties. Keep in mind every job should be relevant to the role you're applying for.
• Education : Your educational background, often listed in reverse chronological order.
• Additional sections : Depending on your experience, this can include certifications, awards, volunteer work, or personal projects.

The beauty of a combination resume lies in its flexibility. 

Typically, after the header and professional summary, the skills summary comes next, immediately showcasing your most relevant abilities. The professional experience follows, providing context and proof of your skills. 

Education and additional sections come at the end, supporting the overall narrative of your resume.

That said, there’s a slight difference in format depending on the context. 

Combination resumes for recent graduates

The combination resume format particularly benefits recent graduates lacking extensive work experience.

Instead, they can substitute their educational experience, including relevant projects and courses, in a prominent position.

This approach allows them to highlight their potential and the skills they've acquired through their education, which are relevant to the job they're applying for. The format would still maintain a reverse chronological order, ensuring it is easy to read and professionally structured.

Combination resumes for a career pivot 

For individuals making a career pivot, the combination resume format provided above allows them to emphasize transferable skills and relevant projects or volunteer work. These elements can replace or complement the traditional work experience section. 

This approach helps in showcasing how their skills and experiences, even from different fields, are applicable to the new role they are targeting. Again, maintaining a chronological format ensures clarity and structure, which is essential for any professional resume.

In both cases—for recent graduates and career changers—a combination resume serves its purpose well, balancing the skills and experiences relevant to the new role while maintaining a clear, chronological format.

How to write a combination resume

Here’s a detailed guide to writing each section of your combination resume.

As the first impression, your header should clearly display your name, contact information, and any professional links like LinkedIn. 

Make sure it’s easily visible at the top of your resume. A professional-looking header sets the tone for the rest of the document.

2. Professional summary

This is where you craft your elevator pitch. The goal is to summarize your career journey and highlight skills that transfer well to the new role. 

Make it engaging, concise, and focused on why you’re a great fit for this career shift.

Here’s an example of a professional summary for Sarah, a junior marketer looking to enter a mid-level role:

Dynamic junior marketer with 3+ years of experience specializing in digital campaigns, SEO, and social media strategies. Proven ability to boost web traffic and conversion rates through innovative and data-driven approaches. Seeking to leverage creative problem-solving and market analysis skills in a challenging mid-level marketing role.

Pro-tip: Try Teal's Resume Summary Generator to write tailored, position-specific summaries in a matter of seconds.

3. Skills summary

List hard skills like tools or programs that are directly relevant to your new career.

In a combination resume, this part immediately showcases your most relevant capabilities and will ideally be a balance of hard and soft skills relevant to the job description. 

4. Professional experience

Start with your most relevant job roles, even if they aren't in the new career field. Focus on achievements and demonstrate how you used transferable skills to have an impact.

If you’re feeling stuck on how to write your professional experiences, use the Problem-Action-Result (PAR) method to articulate your past contributions.

You can also rely on Teal’s built-in AI to help you draft your resume’s content: 

Just be sure to manually check that the information is accurate when you review your resume. 

5. Education

Include all relevant degrees, certifications, and coursework. 

If you’re a recent graduate or have less professional experience in the new field, this section would be used in place of “Professional Experience.” It can also be expanded to showcase academic achievements, projects, or relevant courses that align with your new career path.

6. Additional sections

This is your space to include anything else that strengthens your application. Consider adding sections for volunteer work, projects, languages, or other certifications. Tailor this part of the resume to showcase experiences and achievements that further demonstrate your suitability for the career change.

Remember, the key to a successful combination resume for a career change lies in how well you customize these sections to showcase your transition into a new career effectively. 

Writing a combination resume with Teal

If you’re just getting started, crafting the perfect combination resume can feel overwhelming, especially when balancing so many elements of your professional journey. 

But Teal’s Drag-and-Drop Editor transforms this challenge into a seamless and intuitive process. You can effortlessly rearrange sections to suit your unique story, ensuring that your skills, experience, and accomplishments are presented in the most impactful way. 

Whether you're a career changer, a seasoned professional with diverse experiences, or someone bridging employment gaps, Teal allows you to create a resume that highlights your strongest assets. Then, you can modify your resume layout to your liking. 

Plus, Teal recognizes the importance of a resume that can be scanned by applicant tracking systems (ATS). 

Teal helps you craft resumes and cover letters that incorporate keywords directly from job descriptions. You can write them from scratch, use the Achievement Assistant, or generate them with the help of Teal’s built-in AI. 

From there, you can polish everything to ensure your combination resume is as strong as it is genuine. 

Tips for writing compelling resume content

An impactful combination resume not only showcases your qualifications but also tells a compelling story of your professional journey. With the right approach, your resume can capture the essence of your career and present you as an ideal candidate for the job. 

Here are some essential tips to help you create content that stands out, aligns with the job requirements, and effectively communicates your value.

1. Start with action verbs: Begin each bullet point in your experience section with dynamic action verbs. 

For instance, instead of saying, "Responsible for managing a team," say, "Led a team of 10 professionals to surpass quarterly sales targets by 13%."

2. Quantify achievements: Whenever possible, include concrete numbers and metrics to quantify the work you’ve done. 

For example, rather than saying "Improved sales," specify with, "Increased sales by 25% over six months through strategic marketing campaigns."

3. Tailor content to the job: Align your resume's content with the job description by incorporating relevant keywords.

 If the job listing emphasizes "project management" and "team leadership," ensure these terms are reflected in your resume, like "Spearheaded a project team to deliver on-time solutions in a fast-paced tech environment."

4. Write clearly and concisely: Avoid industry jargon and complex sentences. 

For example, instead of saying, "Utilized cutting-edge methodologies to engender an increase in consumer engagement," you could say, "Applied innovative strategies to boost customer engagement by 30%."

At the end of the day, the key to an effective combination resume is to present a clear, engaging narrative of your career that aligns with the job you're applying for. 

Writing a combination resume for career change

Changing careers can be challenging. You’ve already climbed the ladder in one field, and now you’re starting all over at the bottom wrung. 

Plus, you need to quickly and concisely explain the transition to hiring managers so they don’t assume you’re a flight risk. 

Here are a few tips for writing a combination resume specifically for a career change. 

1. Highlight transferable skills

When transitioning to a new career field, it's essential to showcase skills from your previous roles that are relevant to your new path. Focus on transferable skills that can be applied in various contexts. 

For instance, if you’re moving from a teaching role to a corporate training position, skills like public speaking, curriculum development, and audience engagement are highly relevant. 

List these skills in a dedicated section and use specific examples in your work history to demonstrate how you've applied them effectively. 

2. Emphasize relevant experience

Your past roles may have more in common with your new field than you think. Scrutinize your work history to identify projects, tasks, or responsibilities that have a direct correlation with the role you’re targeting.

For each job you list, focus on aspects that align with your new career. For example, if you’re moving into project management, highlight your experience coordinating tasks, managing teams, or overseeing project timelines.

Even roles in different industries can provide relevant experience, such as managing a project or leading a team.

3. Use the professional summary wisely

Your professional summary is the first thing employers will read, so it's your chance to make a strong impression. This is where you can express your career change intention and why you are a suitable candidate. 

Write a compelling summary that combines your passion for the new field with your proven skills. 

For example, “Passionate about transitioning into digital marketing, leveraging extensive experience in content creation and audience engagement gained from a successful journalism career.”

4. Include your education and continued learning efforts

Highlighting your education and any ongoing learning efforts is crucial, especially if they are relevant to your new career path. This shows employers your commitment to the field. 

List any recent courses, workshops, or certifications at the top of your education section. For instance, if you’re moving into IT, including certifications like CompTIA or Cisco CCNA can be highly beneficial.

5. Include projects or volunteer work

Non-professional experiences can be just as valuable as paid roles, particularly when they're relevant to the field you're entering. 

Include any freelance projects, internships, or volunteer work that’s related to your new career. 

For example, if you’re aiming for a career in graphic design, include freelance design projects or volunteer work where you created promotional materials for events. Detail these experiences just like you would a job, focusing on what you achieved and learned.

Using Teal’s AI Resume Builder

Teal’s AI Resume Builder simplifies the process of writing a combination resume. It provides guidance and suggestions for each section, ensuring your content is optimized and impactful. With Teal, you can:

• Use AI-driven suggestions to enhance your professional summary and skills summary.
• Tailor your resume to each job application, with Teal highlighting the skills and experiences most relevant to the role.
• Format your resume with ease, thanks to Teal’s user-friendly interface.

Writing a combination resume with Teal is not only easier but also more effective.

Combination resume examples

A good combination resume example can be a great reference to understand how to create your own resume more efficiently. Here are a few examples you can learn from.

Frontend Developer

This combination resume example is perfect for a junior-level employee looking to transition into a new role. The relevant skills are placed after the professional summary, followed by her work experience. 

However, because her professional experience is limited, this example provides more information about internships and volunteer projects.

Marketing Manager

Here we have Max, a marketing manager with a more extensive work history. The skills section is still prioritized, but his working history takes on a reverse chronological format. 

Crafting your combination resume 

Navigating the creation of a combination resume isn't just about assembling parts of your professional history; it's about strategically highlighting your diverse skills and experiences to capture the heart of your career journey. 

A combination resume is your chance to paint a compelling picture of your professional landscape—from your multifaceted skills to the chronological narrative of your work history. It elegantly bridges the gap between showcasing a rich skill set and a robust employment history. 

Whether you're navigating employment gaps, embarking on a career change, or a recent graduate, this format adapts to your unique story, ensuring that your application resonates with potential employers.

Teal’s Drag-and-Drop Editor simplifies this process, allowing you to effortlessly blend sections, customize layouts, and build the combination resume that best represents you. 

I you're ready to elevate your job application, bring your unique professional story to life with Teal. Sign up today , explore the power of the combination resume with Teal’s innovative tools, and step into your next career chapter with confidence. 

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the primary advantage of using a combination resume over other resume formats, how can i decide if a combination resume is the right choice for my job application, can a combination resume be used for entry-level positions, or is it only suitable for experienced professionals.

Nathan Thompson

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Combination Resumes

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• What is a combination resume?

Before we dive into that, we have to understand what is a resume format.

The resume format is the backbone of the resume, around which you outline your sections.

Before writing your resume, ensure that you choose the resume template according to your target profile & industry requisite. There is a different template for modern and basic resume writing.

There are 3 standard ways of writing a resume. The following shall give you an effective idea of what these formats are and how and why to choose the combination resume. By the end of the article, you will know how to write a professional combination resume for your work profile.

Here's what you will learn from this blog:

• Who should use a combination resume?
• When to use a combination resume
• How do you write a combination resume?
• Structure of combination resume

Also, check out Hiration's online resume builder to make your resume in under 5 minutes. You'll find pre-filled templates and infinite designs on our resume builder - making a resume has never been this easy!

Types of Resume Format

There are three different types of resumes that are accepted within the industry. These resume formats are:

Reverse Chronological Resume Format

In the Reverse Chronological Resume Layout , you begin with information from the most recent work or education profile and trace back to the beginning of your education. You must enlist your major achievements and responsibilities along with the timeline.

The resume template follows the following order:

• Contact information
• Resume summary or resume objective
• Work experience
• Additional Sections

Also Read: How to compose a professional resume objective?

Functional Resume Format

In the Functional Resume Layout , a separate section is created in which all significant points are grouped under relevant skills. The professional experiences are listed without many details of the responsibilities or achievements. This format is recommended for people with gaps in their employment history or for ones who have often changed their jobs or industries.

• Resume objective
• Skills Summary
• Additional Skills
• Work Experience

You may find examples of functional resume templates for a better understanding of how you can proceed with writing your resume.

Combination Resume Format

The Combination Resume Layout is a combination of the reverse chronological resume format and the functional resume format. It showcases the skills and achievements of any candidate with detailed evidence from their professional experience. Alongside it highlights their work profile from the most recent to the initial stages in the industry. The points on this format of the resume are grouped based on the skills highlighted.

There are two ways of making a combination resume:

Grouping Inside Professional Experience

This format is similar to the reverse chronological resume format. The point of difference is in the professional experience section, where the points are grouped by the skills that they represent.

Here is an example of this type of combination resume format:

By Grouping in the Summary of Skills Section

This format lists all your achievements and significant career highlights to create a separate section of the "Summary of Skills". These points are grouped under several key skills, like in a functional resume format. This type of combination resume format replaces the summary to create a powerful snapshot of your career which is highly targeted for the job you are going to apply for.

Here are some combination resume examples:

Also Read: The best resume format in 2022

The following table will discuss the differences between the three templates

Combination Resume: What is it?

The combination resume is one of the three types of resume formats commonly used.

A combination resume is usually organized into two parts or pages.

The first part of the combination resume is in the functional format, which highlights skills and accomplishments.

The second part of the combination resume is in reverse chronological order that highlights work history.

Both the parts of the resume can be used interchangeably depending on the type of combination resume you are making. This format uses the best aspects of both the chronological resume and functional resume. While the chronological part focuses on the candidate's work experience, the functional part focuses on the skills. A combination resume, therefore, focuses on both the work history and skills to capture the recruiter’s attention.

• Combination resume formats appeal to recruiters for senior executive positions that require highly-specialized skills. These skills can be easily identified. This format also confirms that the candidate has the required work experience.
• Combination resumes are useful for job seekers with a significant amount of work experience and commendable skills and accomplishments.
• Combination resumes are suitable for job seekers who want to change careers. Since they highlight both your skills and any reputed companies you may have worked with, they can showcase transferable skills and emphasize outstanding employment history.
• In case a candidate has worked for the same company or has held the same position for a long time too, a combination resume is useful in highlighting the candidate’s skills and achievements for other job posts.

Disadvantages

• Combination resumes can be longer than other resume formats and can exceed the ideal length of 1 or 2 pages depending on your experience.
• Repetition of values may be predominant in the combination resume template.
• Career changes or employment gaps are visible in a combination resume template under the work history section.

Combination resumes: Who Should Use It?

As the combination resume templates highlights skills over experiences, it is particularly useful for people who are attempting to enter a new industry. It is also preferable when changing careers since many skills can be transferred between industries. Therefore, highlighting these skills is important for people looking to switch fields or industries.

The combination format is the best option for candidates with many experiences. The hybrid resume template represents your skills instantly. Therefore, in case you are applying for a job that requires technical skills or relevant certifications, a combination resume is your best option.

Since the style of a combination resume focuses on both the skills and the abilities of the applicant, it is best for those applying for positions that require a good possession of technical skills and expertise. Using a combination format is the best way to showcase all your abilities to the recruiter without giving the impression of hiding any information.

Combination resumes are ideal for applicants who already have a lot of experience in the same field or even in different fields.

Since a combination resume template can prioritize relevant skills over prior work experience, depending on the type of combination you choose, they are also suitable for candidates who are looking to try an industry to which they had previously not catered. Your transferable skills play a major role in your career change.

Some important transferable skills include:

• Personal Motivation
• Organizational and Time Management
• Adaptability
• Multitasking
• Decision-making
• Time management
• Prioritizing
• Problem Solving
• Written and Verbal Communication

Many candidates benefit from using a combination resume due to the career summary. This section pinpoints the candidate's top credentials so employers can seek their best abilities.

Despite the combination resume samples focusing more on skills, it leaves space to provide details of your work experience. Add impressive sets of accomplishments and job duties to make the combination resume your perfect choice.

To categorize the people for whom the combination resumes best benefits, read the list below:

• Students, new graduates, and entry-level candidates to emphasize their skills rather than their short employment history.
• Candidates with a steady, consistent employment history to add a qualifications summary that pinpoints the top credentials for the job.
• Candidates shifting careers to showcase required transferable skill sets. However, in case you are making a radical career change, use a functional resume template.
• Candidates reentering the industry after a significant gap in employment history. Here, the combination resume format takes the emphasis off the fact that you have not worked for a while.
• Older workers with extensive employment history need who need to showcase their strongest credentials. The summary section best highlights this.

Also Read: What skills to put on a resume?

Combination Resume: When to Use it?

The Combination resume format prioritizes skills over work experience. Therefore, this resume is useful for candidates who are trying to change industry or careers because many skills can be transferred between industries. The combination resume template highlights these skill sets to benefit the candidates.

Despite the combination template highlighting relevant skills, it allows the incorporation of strong features from your specific work history. So, if your past job history is impressive and you are looking to change your career, the combo resume format is just what you need.

So is a combination resume good?

The combination resume format is considered an ideal marketing layout because it first highlights skills and accomplishments, then gives the hiring company, or recruiter, a sense of security by providing an account of work history.

Combination resumes highlight recent job experiences which might be relevant to the position being pursued. They also allow easy perusal through the applicant's career progression.

Another aspect of the combination resume format is its flexibility. Since you have different options to create it, feel free to move the elements around. But try to make sure the recruiter can focus on the most relevant information.

For example, in case you have relevant experiences in a field even though it is old, you can include it in the skills section at the beginning of the resume. This can even describe your experiences and the corresponding responsibilities you have performed. You can include your dates of employment later in the resume, with a chronological list of positions held.

However, if the writer has a gap in their career history or an impeding career progression, then it is highlighted in the combination resumes.

When Should You Avoid Using a Combinational Resume?

Unless you are looking for a change in career or industry, avoid using the combination format resume.

Professionals at the senior level should also refrain from using the hybrid resume format.

Combination Resume: How to Write it

Although the combination resume templates highlight skills, it features heavy specifics of your work history. If your past responsibilities are impressive and you are only looking for a change in the industry, the combination resume style might serve you best.

While a chronological resume format emphasizes the work experience and duties of each position, the combination resume format underlines your skills while doing the same. However, to avoid unnecessary repetition, do not list your skills separately and then list them again in the employment history section.

In the combination resume, the flexibility of the structure of the document works to the advantage of the applicant. You should ideally lead with a career summary or a qualifications summary or a skills summary. This section emphasizes your strongest credentials. Your key qualifications at the beginning of your resume appeal to the recruiters to read the rest of your resume.

Incorporate your job objective, key skills, areas of expertise, accomplishment highlights, and related training into the summary section. Quantify your statements with relevant examples, if possible.

They follow with a reverse chronological employment history. Keeping your resume in the chronological format appeals to most recruiters, as it is the standard mode of presentation.

However, by including a career summary, you will essentially have lesser room for your work history. Therefore, you must be concise and straight with your experience section.

Maintain the focus on the accomplishments more than on the responsibilities. Avoid adding unnecessary information which is unrelated to your career goal.

Additional sections on your combination resume can include an education section, training and certification section, references, languages, and additional information.

Also Read: How to write a resume that can help you land a job?

Tips for Writing a Combination Resume

• First, look at your professional achievements and skills, and hobbies to get an idea of how it fits your profile within the combination resume structure.
• Reduce all the irrelevant information and make a list of your achievements, skills, job profiles, and other performance data to include in the combination resume. They should stand out to a recruiter for the specific vacancy that interests you.
• Fill out your combination resume template with these details. You can also use the online resume builder for professional resume-building experience.
• Both the summary and the work experience sections in your combination resume should include short quantifiable examples of how you have implemented your skills to prove yourself as an asset to your previous organization.
• Mention relevant awards and scholarships, internships, projects, courses, etc. in your qualifications summary to demonstrate your strengths. Use action words and keywords from the job description to present additional information.

Consider reviewing the following questions to help write a combination resume:

• Have you written a combination resume before?
• Have you ever come across challenges when writing a hybrid resume?
• When do you think a combination resume can be more effective than a reverse chronological resume?

Combination Resume: The Structure

Use the flexibility of the combination resume to your advantage. You can try moving sections around to see what best appeals to the recruiter. You can integrate your experiences into the chronological list of past employment. This makes your resume more traditional, while the emphasis provided in the skills section keeps the focus on function. The combination resume template works best in tweaking results.

The combination resume employs a mix of the two styles of resumes. Therefore, it is very important to consider the combination resume format.

It begins with a summary of the qualifications, includes education and skills section, and also a work history list. Not only does the work history focus on citing the most relevant positions, but also on detailing achievements and responsibilities from those roles.

You may try experimenting with the different layouts that can emphasize your strongest qualities on Hiration's online resume builder .

Combination Resume Key Sections

• Personal Information

Any application needs your basic information. Include your name and contact information - available phone number and professional email address, followed by your home address (city and state).

You may even include your LinkedIn URL, but do not redirect the recruiter to an empty profile.

Your name should ideally be the largest text on the page between 20-24 pt font size. The rest of your font may correspond to the font style and size of the rest of the page.

• Professional Profile or Qualifications Summary

Begin with a professional profile or qualifications summary to emphasize your skills. Both introductions introduce your necessary skill set. However, they do it in slightly different ways.

Your qualifications summary displays your achievements that correspond to your skills. Therefore, they testify and validate your skills as opposed to the professional profile where you address the skills you gained in your previous work.

A combination resume should begin by emphasizing the transferable skills of an applicant. The best way to do this is to start with a professional profile or qualifications summary.

A professional profile showcases your skills in your previous positions or projects. A qualifications summary emphasizes your achievements corresponding to those skills.

While both introductions have the same mission, the qualifications summary might be more effective in highlighting both skills and accomplishments in a combination resume.

In a combination resume template format, your skills section is placed above your professional experience. Since a combination resume is usually used by applicants in mid/senior-level job profiles, your skills section holds equivalent weight to your work history section.

Group similar skills together for clarity and try to quantify them (e.g., Heightened sales by 10% in two months by using enhanced communication skills).

Although the skills section part of your combination resume is the trickiest, it is also very important. If you have a master list of skills but do not know how to list the relevant ones, reach out to us or read our article on the resume skills section in a 2022 resume template.

In a combination format, the skills section may come before the professional experience section. Keep this section organized by grouping similar skills together. Also, quantify your skills where relevant.

• Work History and Experience

Your professional experience section looks the same in every format. Many combination resumes contain the error of listing the most basic responsibilities of a job under each position. Your points should be accomplishment oriented and communicate your responsibilities.

For example, if you were a computer programmer, avoid writing "used to program computer software". Instead, discuss the software you designed and to what degree of quality. If you have been acknowledged for your work, mention that too.

The main objective of the work experience section in your combination resumes, or in any resume, is to provide detailed and relevant points to describe your professional experience.

Avoid unconnected job duties and focus on accomplishments. Again, quantify your case and prove your qualification to the recruiter. If you are looking to maximize your professional experience, you may use our online resume builder .

The combination resume format does not especially highlight the education section. While education achievements are necessary for freshers, the combination resume is most effective for senior candidates with a long work history.

However, it is still necessary that you mention your degree or educational certificate. If you have achieved any prominent academic success, include that too.

In a combination resume, the education section can be quite brief. Since the combination resume template is mostly used by senior professionals, it is considered that you are already well into your career and that your resume should focus on your work experience.

Also Read: What details to add to your resume sections?

Key Takeaways

A combination resume is a great way for an experienced professional to make sure the recruiters pay attention to your relevant skills.

Quantify your skills and link them to relevant examples of professional achievements, awards, or certifications.

Try to tailor your summary and your skills according to the job description. However, do not show off your skillset. Your resume should not only show off your career achievements but also meet your job requisites.

While you are listing your work experience, briefly explain your responsibilities and highlight your achievements. You may repeat some of the information from the skills summary to make your resume consistent and convincing.

The Combination Resume layout is ideal for candidates who have work experience yet wish to make use of their current knowledge and skills in a new role, industry, or sector.

In a combination resume for career changers, they can identify their transferable skills and suitably organize them to provide the potential employer with a guide to the type of worker they are so they can assess how they will perform in the new role.

The combination resume format essentially employs the following pattern:

The combination resume format provides a brief work history, skills, and examples of relevant experiences. Since students or freshers in the industry require a heavier focus on education, awards, and often soft skills than technical abilities, it is not the most preferred resume format for them.

The combination resume structure includes a Qualifications Summary which is similar to the functional resume format. It describes your abilities or achievements in under 5 points in a key skill category. Quantify your examples wherever possible.

Exemplify and quantify specific use of your skills to improve the credibility and relevance of your key abilities.

The combination resume structure employs bullet points under each job title similar to the reverse chronological resume layout. These points depict the responsibilities and objectives accomplished in each profile.

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Combination Resume: Definition & Tips

There are three main resume formats that are commonly used today: reverse chronological, functional, and combination. This article will be focused on combination resumes, which are the least commonly used but serve a specific purpose for some job seekers. Read on to discover what a combination resume is, who should consider using the format, and how to write an excellent one.

Combination Resume Definition

A combination or hybrid resume is designed to showcase your work experience and skills together. This format stands out by featuring a skills summary at the beginning, followed by your work experience and additional skills. By blending the key elements of both the chronological and functional resume formats, a combination resume provides a comprehensive overview of your qualifications and achievements.

Other Resume Formats

The reverse chronological resume format is the most widely used, and it focuses primarily on work experience and/or education . It’s the easiest for employers to scan and it allows you to showcase your progression within your field or highlight your educational achievements if you are a recent graduate.

Functional or skill-based resumes focus more on hard and soft skills rather than providing a timeline of your work experience. This can be useful if you work in a creative profession where your skills are more important than your job titles, if you have multiple long gaps in your employment history, or if you are overqualified for a position.

Who Should Use a Combination Resume?

A combination resume is best suited for experienced professionals who have lots of work experience but some gaps in their employment history, those looking to make a career change, or those targeting very niche positions that rely equally heavily on work experience and skills.

Combination resumes are the most difficult to create out of the three main formats, so unless you have a specific reason to use a combination resume, you will likely be better off sticking with a reverse chronological or functional resume.

Students, recent graduates, and those who can demonstrate a clear and consistent progression within their field will likely not benefit from using a combination resume.

Sections To Include on a Combination Resume

If you feel that a combination resume will most effectively showcase your skills and work experience, be sure to include the following sections:

1. Resume Header

As always, begin your resume with a header that contains your full name, your contact information , and your customized LinkedIn URL. You can also include your address (or just your city and state) as well as your website or social media links if applicable.

2. Resume Summary

Next, add a compelling resume summary to catch the potential employer’s attention. Your resume summary should be 2-5 lines of text that effectively sum up your entire resume. Mention your experience, educational background, relevant certifications , skills and abilities, and specific metrics that back up your expertise and demonstrate your successes.

Here’s an example of what a resume summary might look like:

Passionate freelance graphic designer with 7 years of experience, seeking an in-house design position with ABC Design. Studied at XYZ School of Design and taught entry-level courses as a grad student. Professionally created a wide variety of logos, infographics, websites, branding packages, and more for clients spanning multiple industries using the Adobe Creative Suite.

3. Skills Summary

Then add a summary of your most relevant skills, breaking your skills into groups and providing more details. Under each skill subheading, write bullet points that describe your achievements and quantify your successes.

This summary section should only include the skills that are especially pertinent to the job - you can include an additional skills section later that outlines your other skills that are impressive but may be less directly relevant.

So, a skills summary might look like this:

Graphic Design

• Expert proficiency level with all Adobe Creative Suite programs, including Photoshop, Illustrator, and Dreamweaver
• Named XYZ School of Design’s “Designer Most Likely to Succeed” in 2014 and DEF Design’s “Most Promising New Designer” in 2015
• 7 years of experience designing for clients spanning many industries and countries
• Created unique, compelling branding packages for 30+ companies per year
• Developed new client-facing website for DEF Design to streamline onboarding process
• Exceeded all client expectations by presenting cutting edge design packages

Communication

• Coordinated with multiple clients on a weekly basis
• Exceptional written, verbal, and presentation skills

4. Work Experience

Add your work experience to support your skills summary. You can either list your past experience in reverse chronological order or simply include the most relevant positions that you’ve held in the past. Dates of employment and the timeline of your career are less of a focal point in a combination resume than they are with a reverse chronological resume.

For each position, list your job title, the company name and location, and a few bullet points that outline skills you honed and your accomplishments in each position.

5. Education

Next, add your education details. There’s no need to include your high school information if you have already completed college or a graduate degree. When listing your education information, include the name and location of each school, the degree you earned, your area of study or major, and the year you graduated.

If you have space, you can include relevant coursework or academic achievements , but remember that your resume should only be one page if you have less than 10 years of experience and no more than two pages if you have more experience than that. If it comes down to it, you should always include more details about your relevant skills and work experience rather than extra information about your education. Potential employers will generally be more interested in your recent accomplishments.

6. Additional Skills

Finally, you can create an additional skills section to feature your other skills that didn’t make it into your skills summary. You may want to use subsections to list your soft skills and your hard skills.

7. Optional Resume Sections

If you still have room on your resume after including all of the above sections, you may wish to add one or more optional resume sections, such as languages , hobbies and interests , internships , and so forth. Only include these sections if you have something relevant and appropriate to list.

Tips For Writing a Combination Resume

Here are some tips to keep in mind when crafting your combination resume.

Tailor Your Combination Resume to Each Job Application

One of the best ways to boost your chances of scoring an interview is to tailor your resume to each job that you apply for. To do this, read the job posting carefully and identify keywords and phrases that describe the skills and experience that the employer is specifically looking for. Then use these words and phrases in your combination resume, addressing as many as possible of the desired qualifications that apply to you. Always be sure to mention the company and the position by name in your resume summary.

This will help your resume pass automated applicant tracking system ( ATS ) scans, and it will also show the potential employer that you took the time to read the job posting carefully and customize your resume.

Showcase Transferable Skills

If you are making a career change or if you have some experience that prepared you for your target role in a way that may not be obvious, be sure to highlight transferable skills. These are skills and strengths that apply in many (if not all) industries, such as leadership ability, communication skills, and so forth.

Often, soft skills are the most transferable, since they generally aren’t industry-specific to begin with. But, some hard skills may be useful in many positions, such as expertise with commonly used programs like Microsoft Word or Gmail.

You can outline how you will apply these transferable skills in your new role in the bullet points below each of your past positions and/or in your skills summary.

Link Your Skills to Professional Experience and Achievements

Rather than simply listing your job duties and responsibilities under each of your past positions, focus on your achievements in that role. Link each of your most impressive skills to an accomplishment, and quantify it whenever possible with numerical data. For example, you might say that you “created comprehensive brand guidelines for 30+ businesses each year with a 98% client satisfaction rating.” This statement showcases your experience and creative ability, and backs up your claims with hard data.

Key Takeaways

A combination resume can be the best option for those who have a lot of experience but some hard-to-explain gaps in their resume, those making a career change, and those who are applying to positions that rely equally on skills and experience. However, it is the most difficult resume template to create, so only those who truly need to should use a combination resume. To create an effective one, include your resume summary followed by a skills summary and then your professional work history. Be sure to link each of your key skills to accomplishments and tailor your resume to each job that you apply for.

Not sure how to build your combination resume? Consider using Jobseeker ’s professional resume creation tool. It allows you to input all of your details, test out different formats, layouts, and color schemes, and then download your polished resume instantly so you can get started applying to jobs right away!

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How to Write a Combination Resume

When a position requires both qualifications as well as practical experience, this format is a good choice. Because the combination resume lists skills, experience, achievements, and qualifications, it provides greater freedom, meaning you can be more selective about what you choose to include or not, and also what you decide to highlight.

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When should you use a combination resume?

How to write a combination resume:.

Regardless of the type of resume format you choose, there are basic guidelines you'll need to follow. For the best results, read through our step-by-step guide on how to write a combination resume.

Create a combination resume.

List your name and contact details first..

Always use a professional email address and a reliable contact number, and include your LinkedIn profile or any links to websites relevant to your work.

Add a career summary.

Include a career summary or resume objective beneath your contact details. A Career Summary may be better suited to the Combination Resume, as this format is for those with extensive experience.

Showcase your skills.

Start by listing your most important skills. Include both hard and soft skills, limiting the section to between five and ten points.

Include your education history.

Include your education history, starting with the most recently obtained qualifications . Include any degrees, diplomas, or certificates that are relevant to the position you are applying for. Also provide details on any accomplishments or contributions you've made while completing your qualifications.

Highlight your career milstones.

Lastly, include any awards or achievements that you would like to highlight in a separate section right at the bottom of your resume.

Tips for Writing a Combination Resume:

• Be extra selective when deciding what to include in your Combination Resume. Don't get carried away and cram all your work experience, qualifications, and skills onto one page. Include only the aspects of your career you believe the Hiring Manger would be most interested in.
• Choose a font like Times New Roman, Arial, or Helvetica. Use only black and font size 10 - 12. You may bold the headings.
• Do not use color or fancy graphics and be mindful to remove them if you are using resume builder .
• Do not include false information on your resume.
• Use Grammarly to pick up mistakes, but also get someone else to read over your final resume before you submit it.
• Before sending your resume off, read our article on How to Email your Resume to the Hiring Manager .

Combination Resume Template:

Start applying for jobs today using our Combination Resume template.

[Your Full Name] [Your current job title, if applicable] [Your contact number] | [Your professional email address] | [Your LinkedIn profile/website]

Career Summary or Resume Objective [Write your career summary or resume objective. A career summary is an overview of all your skills and work experience and is best used by experienced candidates. Resume objectives emphasize what you want to achieve in your career and may be used by new graduates or those transferring to a different career.]

Skills [Bulleted list of all your key skills, relevant to the position you are applying for. Limit the list to between 5 and 10 skills. Include both hard skills (skills that can be learned and measured) and soft skills (individual characteristics that are learned through experience and interaction with others)]

Experience (Include the most current position first) [Date of employment with year/month – year/month] [Position Title] [Company Name and location] [Include 2-4 bullet points with all your responsibilities and accomplishments]

[Date of employment with year/month – year/month] [Position Title] [Company Name and location] [Include 2-4 bullet points with all your responsibilities and accomplishments]

Education [Name of the educational institution | Location (year started – year ended)] [Name of degree as well as majors/another relevant certificate] [Any special achievements or awards obtained]

[Name of the educational institution | Location (year started – year ended)] [Name of degree as well as majors/another relevant certificate] [Any special achievements or awards obtained]

Awards or Achievements [List any awards or achievements, with their dates in brackets]

Additional Resources:

• Google Docs Resume Template .
• Action Verbs for Resumes .
• Skills to Put on a Resume .
• How to Write a Functional Resume .
• How to Write a Chronological Resume .
• How to Write a Targeted Resume .

What is a combination resume format?

A combination resume format combines aspects of the chronological resume and the functional resume. It is best suited to experienced job applicants. In order, it includes the following sections:

• Personal contact information.
• Career Summary Statement or Resume Objective.
• Experience.
• Awards or Achievements.

When should you use a combination resume format?

If you have considerable work experience and you've received awards or made significant contributions you'd like to share with your prospective employer, this resume format would be suitable for you.

What are the advantages of a combination resume?

A combination resume allows you to decide which sections you wish to emphasize. Because so much is covered in this resume, you get to decide what you want to include. A combination resume is a good place to showcase your achievements and awards.

How do you combine work experience on a resume?

If you've worked multiple positions for the same employer, you can group all those jobs under the employer's name on your resume. Similarly, if you have worked for multiple employers under the same job title, you can group all the work experience under one title. Just make sure your experience section is uncluttered and that it reads clearly.

Related Articles:

Cv vs. resume, how to write a chronological cv, resume genius, resumecompanion.

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What's a 'Combination Resume' and Why It Might Be Right for You

You may have grappled with whether to set up a  chronological or functional resume . A chronological resume focuses on work experience, providing a reverse-chronological employment history and ample detail about job duties and accomplishments. This type of  resume works for applicants on a steady career track, because it emphasizes work experience.

On the other hand, a functional resume highlights key  skills and downplays work experience. Functional resumes are a good choice for  career changers making a radical career shift and  job seekers with sketchy work histories, including excessive job hopping and employment gaps.

Related: Does your resume pass the 6-second test? Get a FREE assessment .

But there's another option: The combination (aka 'hybrid') resume. The combination resume incorporates the best of the chronological and functional formats. Generally, it leads with a description of functional skills and related qualifications, followed by a reverse-chronological employment history.

This format allows you to state your most relevant qualifications upfront while providing the employment timeline that many hiring managers like to see. The disadvantage is that this hybrid format still includes a detailed employment history, so job hopping, gaps and unrelated experience will be more apparent than they would be in a functional resume.

Who Should Use a Combination Resume?

Many job seekers would benefit from using a combination resume. The addition of a career summary pinpoints the candidate's top credentials so employers readily see it's a good match.

If you fall into any one of the following categories, you may want to consider going this route with your resume:

• Students, new graduates and entry-level job seekers: This allows job seekers to emphasize their skills rather than their short-lived employment history.
• Workers with a steady, consistent employment history: The addition of a qualifications summary pinpoints the top credentials for the job objective so employers readily see it's a good match.
• Career changers: Unless you're making a radical career change, in which case a functional resume probably makes more sense.
• Applicants reentering the job market: Again, this takes a little bit of emphasis off the fact that you have not been working for a while.
• Older workers: Workers with extensive employment history need to sell their strongest credentials; inclusion of a summary section provides that focus.

How to Create a Combination Resume

One of the advantages of a combination resume is flexibility to structure the document so that it works best for you.

The main strategy is to lead with a  career summary (also commonly called a qualifications summary or skills summary) that emphasizes your strongest credentials. By stating your key qualifications at the beginning of your resume, you will entice hiring managers to read the rest of your resume.

You can incorporate your job objective, key skills, areas of expertise, accomplishment highlights and related training into the summary section. Use the "Objective" field on your Monster resume to present this summary section. Follow with a reverse chronological employment history; this keeps your resume in the chronological format most employers prefer.

Keep in mind that because you've included a career summary, you will have less room for your work history. Be clear and concise when writing your experience section. Focus on accomplishments rather than job duties and avoid adding unnecessary information about jobs and tasks unrelated to your career goal.

Other sections on a combination resume depend on your specific experience, but can include  education , training, affiliations, languages and additional/miscellaneous information.

Test-Drive It

Whenever you change your resume's format, test-drive the document by posting it on Monster and distributing it to employers. See whether the new format generates favorable feedback and more calls for  interviews .

You can always go back and modify your resume based on feedback and response rate. By taking the time to select the format that's right for your situation, analyzing the results and tweaking when necessary, your resume will be a more effective marketing tool for your career.

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Combination Resume

There are three styles of resumes in use today: combination, functional and chronological. Each style has its strengths and weaknesses. As its name implies, the combination resume borrows from the best features of the other two styles, and is most effective when the writer has a great deal of experience.

Resume Formats

Each of the articles in this series has started out by reminding everyone the best resume style is the one that showcases the writer's work experiences in the most marketable fashion. This means the best format highlights job skills as well as accomplishments .

Every resume format has a distinct set of advantages and disadvantages. Choosing the right format comes down to two important factors:

The amount, consistency, and depth of work experience accumulated so far in a career.

How well the target job aligns with past work experience.

The Combination Resume

This format starts with a functional outline that allows the reader to see the skills, accomplishments, and qualifications of the job applicant. This is sometimes referred to as the "page one" format.

The second page of the combination resume is a reverse chronological ordering of work experiences. This arrangement first lets the reader see the experience related to the job opening, while the second page of the document lets the potential employer evaluate the job applicant's work history.

Immediately below is a complete listing of each section appearing in a combination resume. At the end of this article, there are links to a sample document that can be downloaded for free.

Name / Contact Information

Like most resumes, this format starts off with a banner that includes the writer's name and contact information such as street address, telephone number, and email address.

The next section contains a table of the writer's educational background. Many job listings provide both the "required" and "desired" level of education. If this information is deemed important by the individuals screening each applicant, then it's better to place it upfront in the document. The applicant is either qualified or not qualified for a job.

Honors / Certifications / Licenses Held

The third section in a combination resume contains a bulleted list of the certifications, educational honors, or professional licenses held. For example, a certified public accountant would include that accreditation in this section of the resume.

Careers Skills / Knowledge

The fourth section is a bulleted listing or table of the skills and knowledge accumulated over time. This section has a good deal of visibility on this document, so it's important to take the time needed to make sure it accurately represents the knowledge possessed.

For example, if someone is looking for a sales position, they will want to emphasize skills such as sales training, P&L responsibilities, client development, and product management.

Career Achievements

The next section of this resume should contain a bulleted listing of the most significant career accomplishments. Listing career achievements, skills, and knowledge upfront adds to the overall attractiveness of the combination format.

An example of a career achievement might look like:

Developed custom accounting application for use in startup business; reducing the number of accounting data reporting errors by 90%.

Work Experience

This sixth, and final, section contains a listing of prior work experience. This is identical to the section appearing in a chronological resume. Since this document is like a personal advertisement, it's important to choose the style that showcases strengths and de-emphasizes weaknesses. The sample provided later on demonstrates this point.

The list below details some of the strengths of a combination resume:

If the job applicant is a student with little work history, the combination resume format allows the writer to showcase their skills first before revealing a relatively short work history.

If someone has worked for the same company for a long time, or held the same type of position, a combination resume allows the reader to see the skills accumulated while at work.

If the writer is making a radical career change, once again, this format places emphasis on achievements and skills first, rather than pointing out a big change in career path.

Disadvantages

The list below details the major weaknesses of a combination resume:

If the job applicant has switched jobs frequently, the chronological portion of this format highlights the job changes as well as any gaps in employment history.

If the writer has unrelated experience, or followed a career path that might seem illogical on the surface, the chronological portion of this resume will highlight that issue.

Finally, if someone is trying to conceal their age, the combination resume format would give a potential employer enough information to get a rough idea of when the writer was born.

Combination Resume Sample

While the above information helps to explain the outline of this resume, it's easier to illustrate how this information is applied with an example: Combination Resume Sample . This document can be used as a starting point, or template, when composing an actual resume.

Functional and Chronological Resumes

Anyone that's still not sure the combination resume is the best approach to use can still choose from the two other formats. In fact, it's a good idea to become familiar with both the functional and chronological resume formats before preparing or finalizing a resume.

Note : This website also has a number of resume writing resources , including additional examples to download , as well as writing tips .

About the Author - Combination Resume

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