3 key takeaways
- Understand the four main types of resumes—chronological, functional, combination, and targeted—as well as several alternatives.
- What works for an entry-level applicant may not work for a career changer. Find out how to determine the type that will be most effective for your experience and goals.
- Start with the resume type that plays to your strengths, then use Teal’s Resume Builder to adjust as needed to help you stand out.
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 work 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 how to write, plus some additional varieties that might be worth putting on your radar.
Note that 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 in more depth, and discuss the pros and cons for each to help you decide which is best for showcasing your qualifications clearly.
Resume type #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.
Download a chronological resume template to start using right away.
Resume type #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 previous job titles. 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.
Heather Austin, career coach and YouTube career educator, backs up that claim:
“If you don’t have traditional work experience, lean into sections that prove your value. Your resume should highlight your potential, not your gaps.”
Teal’s functional resume templates will help you get started.
Resume type #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.
Looking for more guidance? Try Teal’s combination resume templates and examples.
Resume type #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.
💡Pro Tip: Regardless of the exact format you choose, it’s helpful to know how to create a document that effectively displays your information on the page. Knowing how to set and change your resume’s margins is a great first step.
💡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.
Take it from Teal reviewer Dacious: “This is the absolute best platform I've ever used for a job search,” says “Teal has created an intuitive product that's figured out what job seekers are looking for. [...] This is an all-in-one solution that gives you the right tools to create a targeted resume that increases visibility. I highly recommend it.”
Teal’s guide to tailored resumes—plus examples—will help you get started.
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. However, while they're meant to grab attention and highlight creativity, they are not likely to pass through applicant tracking systems (ATS).
According to Erin McGoff, career content creator and founder of Advice With Erin, it’s a good idea to tread carefully:
“Creative resumes with flashy fonts, graphics, or layouts might feel impressive, but they hurt your chances. Your resume’s job is to convey the most relevant info in the shortest amount of time—not showcase your personality. Save the creativity for your portfolio.”
Check out Teal’s infographic resume guide for tips and guidance.
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.
💡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.
Embarking on a non-traditional job search? Get all Teal’s tips for a non-traditional resume and job search.
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.
Download Teals mini resume template.
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 to 4-6 pages, and must include specific information required by federal hiring authorities.
Take a look at Teal’s federal resume template and examples.
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.
Download Teal’s profile resume templates today.
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?
According to Harvard University’s Mignone Center for Career Success, “Your resume and cover letter should authentically represent who you are and what you have to offer.” That means it should come 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.
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.
Regardless of the type you choose, Teal can help. Here’s what customer Andrew Jenkins had to say in a review of his experience:
“I [...] use Teal to customize each resume. This is where Teal really shines. The Resume Builder is slick. It functions like a bucket of Lego bricks at the crudest level. I can create bricks for summaries, achievements, skills, education, projects, etc., and use those bricks to construct a resume.”
Whether you’re going for a functional resume to deemphasize a career gap or a federal resume to join the U.S. government, Teal’s Resume Builder is ready.
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 (ATSs).
What type of resume do employers prefer?
Employers generally prefer chronological resumes that clearly showcase relevant work experience, skills, and achievements in reverse time 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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