The Best Resume Format (With Examples)
There are only three resume formats worth knowing, and 90% of people should use one of them: reverse-chronological. Here is how to choose the right structure for your career stage.
Reverse-chronological (recommended for most)
Lists your most recent job first and works backward. Recruiters and ATS both expect it, so it is the safest, highest-converting choice for anyone with a steady work history.
Functional / skills-based
Groups your resume by skills instead of timeline. It can hide employment gaps but recruiters are wary of it. Use only if you have a strong reason, such as a major career change.
Combination
Opens with a strong skills summary, then a chronological work history. Good for senior professionals with deep, specialised expertise to highlight up top.
Formatting rules that apply to every format
- ✓One page when possible, clean margins, consistent spacing.
- ✓Standard fonts (Inter, Calibri, Arial) at 10–12pt.
- ✓Export as PDF unless the job explicitly asks for Word.
- ✓No headers/footers for critical info — some ATS skip them.
Put this into practice
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Frequently asked questions
Which resume format is best for freshers?
Reverse-chronological with a Projects and Skills section near the top. It keeps things familiar for recruiters while spotlighting what you can do.
Is a PDF or Word resume better?
PDF preserves your layout everywhere and is accepted by virtually all modern ATS. Send Word only when a job posting specifically requests it.
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