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Types of Resumes: How To Choose The Right One in 2025

April 24, 2025
Edited by
Dave Fano
19
min read

3 key takeaways

  • There are four main types of resumes: chronological, functional, combination, and targeted. There are also several alternative types to consider.
  • The best type of resume depends on your experience and goals. What works for an entry-level applicant may not work for a career changer.
  • Knowing which type to use can help you stand out. Start with the one that plays to your strengths and adjust based on the job.

Choosing a resume type might not seem like a big decision. But the structure you use changes how your story is told (and how it's received). The right type of resume makes your strengths obvious and keeps hiring managers focused on what matters.

In this guide, you'll get a breakdown of each resume type, when to use it, and how to decide which resume format works best for your situation. We’ll also show you how to adjust your approach depending on your experience level, industry, or career goals.

What are the main types of resumes?

There’s no one-size-fits-all resume but most fall into four main types. Each type organizes your experience differently and shapes how a hiring manager reads your story.

Here’s a quick overview of the four resume types you need to know, plus some additional varieties that might be worth putting on your radar.

comparison of the different types of resumes

But choosing the right resume type isn’t about playing a trick on the system. It’s about making it easier for someone to see why you're qualified. Let's explore the main resume types, and discuss the pros and cons for each to help you decide which is best for showcasing your qualifications clearly.

1. Chronological resume

This is the most common type of resume and the one most hiring managers expect.

A chronological resume lists your work experience starting with the most recent and works backward. It emphasizes job titles, companies, and dates, making your career progression easy to follow.

Why it works

  • Easy to scan and understand quickly
  • Shows career growth and promotions clearly
  • ATS-friendly and familiar to recruiters

What to watch for

  • Gaps or job-hopping are easier to spot
  • Doesn't highlight transferable skills
  • Not ideal for career changes or nontraditional paths

Best for

  • People with a consistent work history
  • Applicants staying in the same industry
  • Roles that match your most recent experience

2. Functional resume

The functional resume (also known as a skills-based resume), takes a different approach by focusing on what you can do over your job. This resume type shifts prioritization of your work timeline to your skills and achievements.

Instead of listing jobs chronologically, it organizes your experience by skill categories—like leadership, communication, or technical expertise. It’s a good way to highlight transferable skills, especially if your job titles or dates don’t tell the full story.

Why it works

  • Puts the spotlight on relevant skills and strengths
  • Great for career changers or entry-level applicants
  • Helps de-emphasize gaps or unrelated experience

What to watch for

  • Some recruiters are skeptical of this format
  • Can be harder to connect your skills to specific jobs
  • Doesn't always work well with ATS systems

Best for

  • Career changers shifting into a new field
  • Recent grads with limited work history
  • Applicants with non-linear or project-based backgrounds

3. Combination Resume

A combination resume blends the best parts of functional and chronological resumes. It's a flexible resume layout that usually leads with a skills or achievements section (after the professional summary), followed by a reverse-chronological list of jobs.

It’s flexible, adaptable, and works well if you want to offer hiring managers a comprehensive look at your qualifications across your professional experience.

Why it works

  • Highlights skills and work history in one place
  • Lets you tailor your resume based on the job
  • Great for showing off accomplishments without skipping past roles

What to watch for

  • Can get long or feel repetitive if not edited carefully
  • Still needs clear structure to avoid confusion
  • Not as common, so it may take a little more effort to get right

Best for

  • Mid-career professionals with a mix of experience
  • People pivoting but still leaning on past roles
  • Applicants with transferable skills and a solid work history

4. Targeted resume

A targeted resume (also known as a tailored resume) is a type of resume tailored to a specific job posting.

Instead of using one generic resume for every application, this approach emphasizes the experience, skills, and keywords that match a particular role. You can build a targeted resume using any resume type as it’s more about what you include than the layout itself.

Why it works

  • Focuses on what the employer is actually looking for
  • Helps your resume stand out in ATS scans
  • Shows attention to detail and genuine interest

What to watch for

  • Takes time to customize for each job
  • Easy to introduce errors if you're reusing an older version
  • Not ideal for quick, high-volume applications

Best for

  • Roles you're highly qualified for and really want
  • Competitive or in-demand job postings
  • Applicants with versatile experience who need to focus their message

💡Pro Tip: Some people start with a chronological resume and adapt it as they go, especially if they’re applying across industries or positions. Whether you’re just testing the waters or deep into your search, tools like Teal can help you compare types to make the whole process smoother and faster.

Other resume types to know

Most professionals will choose one of the four types of resumes listed above. But in some situations—like networking events or federal roles—other resume styles might make sense. Let’s take a look at those.

Infographic resume

An infographic resume is designed with charts, visuals, icons, or timelines instead of plain text. And while they're meant to grab attention and highlight creativity, they are not to pass through applicant tracking systems (ATS).

Why it works

  • Stands out in creative industries
  • Showcases visual communication skills
  • Can be shared in portfolios or online profiles

What to watch for

  • Not readable by ATS (can cost you interviews)
  • Can look unprofessional if poorly designed
  • Should always be paired with a traditional version

Best for

  • Designers, marketers, creative freelancers
  • Personal websites or networking handouts
  • Jobs that value creative presentation skills

Non-traditional resume

Unlike the main types of resumes, a non-traditional resume is an umbrella term for any resume type that is unconventional. Think: video resumes, resume websites, portfolios, or interactive click-throughs. They’re great for showing, not just telling.

Since this type of resume takes a non-traditional approach, there's flexibility in its design and format.

Why it works

  • More flexible and expressive
  • Good way to share work samples
  • Can leave a strong impression

What to watch out for

  • Doesn't replace a traditional resume
  • May confuse ATS or corporate systems
  • Risky for more conservative industries

Best for

  • Creative roles, startups, or tech-forward teams
  • Job seekers with a strong online presence
  • Side projects or entrepreneurial experience

💡Pro Tip: Although non-traditional resumes can highlight creativity and other required skills, this type of resume should be supplemented with a more traditional format when applying through applicant tracking systems, as they rely on resume parsing to extract key information.

Mini Resume

A mini resume is a short summary of your background, often printed on a business card or postcard. It’s meant to support in-person networking not replace your main resume.

Why it works

  • Easy to carry and hand out
  • Gets your highlights across quickly
  • Makes a memorable first impression

What to watch for

  • Doesn't show full work history
  • Not suited for job applications
  • Needs to be updated like any other resume

Best for

  • Career fairs and conferences
  • Coffee chats or informational interviews
  • Adding to business cards or printed materials

Federal Resume

A federal resume follows strict formatting guidelines required for U.S. government positions.

Unlike traditional resumes, federal resumes are significantly more detailed, often running 4-6 pages, and must include specific information required by federal hiring authorities.

Why it works

  • Required for government applications
  • Includes all the info HR needs to evaluate qualifications
  • Accepted on sites like USAJobs

What to watch for

  • Very long—often 3–6+ pages
  • Not appropriate for private sector
  • Easy to get disqualified if you miss a detail

Best for

  • Government and public service roles
  • Veterans or military-to-civilian transitions
  • Contract work with federal agencies

Profile resume

There’s some confusion around this term, so let’s clear it up: A profile resume isn’t a separate type. It’s just a standard resume that begins with a profile summary or summary of qualifications at the top. This section gives hiring managers a quick overview of your strengths and can be used with any resume type.

Why it works

  • Gives hiring managers a quick snapshot of your value
  • Helps tie together experience if your background is varied
  • Can be easily customized for each role

What to watch for

  • Can feel generic if not written with intention
  • Doesn't replace strong bullet points or job details
  • Easy to repeat what's already in your cover letter

Best for

  • Most job seekers—it's widely used
  • Anyone who wants to focus attention right away
  • Targeted applications where you want to align quickly with the job

How to choose the right resume type for your situation

Now that you’ve seen all the options, how do you decide which type to use?

It comes down to how your experience is structured and what you want to emphasize. Use the checklist and questions below to help you pick the type that highlights your strengths.

✅ What's your work history like?

  • If it's steady and relevant to your target role, a chronological resume is usually the best fit.
  • If it's nonlinear or has gaps, you might lean toward a functional or combination resume.

✅ Are you changing careers?

  • A functional resume can help focus attention on transferable skills.
  • A combination resume can also work if you want to show relevant skills but still list some job history.

✅ Are you early in your career?

  • A functional or targeted resume can help you lead with your strengths (like skills or education), especially if your work history is limited.

✅ Do you have experience in multiple industries?

  • A combination resume helps bridge the gap between different fields.
  • A targeted resume can shift the focus depending on which job you're applying for.

✅ Are you applying to a specific job?

  • Use a targeted resume. You can build it from any of the types above—just make sure the content speaks directly to that role.

✅ Do you need more than one version?

  • Many professionals keep a general resume and create targeted versions as needed.
  • If your background is flexible, having a few resume types on hand can help you move faster.

There’s no single “best” resume type, just the one that tells your story. You can always test a few versions and adjust as your career evolves. The most important thing is that your resume feels clear, relevant, and aligned with the role you’re aiming for.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I determine which type of resume is best suited for my career level?

Your resume format should match your experience level: entry-level candidates often benefit from functional resumes highlighting skills, experienced professionals should use chronological resumes showcasing work history, and those with mixed backgrounds may prefer combination resumes that emphasize both.

Which type of resume is most effective?

The chronological resume format is typically most effective since it clearly shows career progression and is preferred by both employers and applicant tracking systems (ATS).

What type of resume do employers prefer?

Employers generally prefer chronological resumes that clearly showcase relevant work experience, skills, and achievements in reverse chronological order. The resume should be clean, well-organized, and typically 1-2 pages long, with bullet points highlighting quantifiable accomplishments.

What are the four main types of resumes?

The four main types of resumes are chronological (showing work history in reverse time order), functional (highlighting skills and achievements), combination (blending chronological and functional formats), and targeted (customized for specific job applications).

How often should I update my resume, and does the type of resume I choose affect this?

It's advisable to update your resume regularly, at least once a year, or whenever you gain new experience, skills, or achievements. The type of resume doesn't necessarily affect the frequency of updates, but it may influence the way you integrate new information. For instance, a functional resume may require reorganizing skills sections, while a chronological resume would have you add new job titles and responsibilities in order.

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Kayte Grady

Kayte Grady

Kayte Grady is a career content and resume expert with years of experience researching and writing about resumes, the job search, and career growth. She's authored over 100 pieces of career content, breaking down what actually works in today's job market. As the Senior Lead Copywriter at Teal, she blends storytelling with data-driven insights to help professionals write resumes that get results. A former social worker turned marketer, she knows firsthand what it means to pivot and take control of your career. An outspoken champion of ADHD professionals, Kayte has found growth, camaraderie, and kindred spirits in tech—despite her never-ending devotion to the paper calendar.

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