The year was 1482. A young 30 year-old guy named Leonard DaVinci was trying to score a job with the Duke of Milan. But our beloved inventor had the same relatable problem many of us have–how do you get noticed by a big name employer? For our man Leo, you invent a resume.

DaVinci is credited with the invention of the resume. Speed up 500 years later and we now have many different types of resumes, such as the “video,” “hybrid,” “nontraditional,” and more. But there are three versions every career seeking person should know about.

Chronological Resume

The chronological resume is the most widely used and known format. Despite its name, it features all of your experience in reverse-chronological order––most recent to oldest.

Best for –

If you have a long history of work experience, no or few employment gaps in your timeline, and the majority of your experience is relevant to the job you’re seeking, the chronological resume is likely your best option. But remember, this is NOT a CV. Don’t go back 15 years to your high school job and keep it to two-pages maximum. If you feel this is the best fit for you, unlock a free downloadable layout on our website.

Functional Resume

A functional resume doesn’t care about timelines and linear career paths. Rather, it prioritizes your skills and talents––how you function as a thinker, do’er, and overall brilliant person. These often begin with a summary statement and are then followed with a list of your skills. But extending beyond just single words, the skills section should detail explanations of each one.

Best for –

Anyone with extremely limited work experience seeking an entry-level job or internship may benefit from a functional resume because it gives you something to showcase when you may have no “real” job history. But everyone else should exercise caution using this format because many recruiters frown on this style when used by mid-level and upper-level candidates. If you feel this is the best fit for your needs, book an appointment with our office for guidance.

Combination or Hybrid Resume

When you combine the functional and chronological resume, you get the hybrid. What makes this such a clever resume is it makes up for the short-fall of the functional resume, but retains its advantages. The resume begins with a summary, showcases your skills in detail, then proceeds with your job history in reverse-chronological order.

Best for –

If you have a modest job history, a recent gap in your employment history, or are looking to change careers, this is your ticket. It allows you to boost your personal brand by drawing attention to relevant skills. This is excellent when you need to supplement work experience that isn’t an exact fit to the job industry you may be switching to. If you feel this is the best fit for you, unlock a free downloadable layout on our website.

Whatever Format You Choose, Tailor It to the Job

Regardless of what resume you choose, always tailor your skills and achievements to the job you’re applying to. Many job listing websites promote one-click applications, but don’t fall for it. Most websites use AI to scan your resume before a human decides if they should look at it. This means you need to make sure your resume captures keywords used in the job description, while making enough logical sense for a human to find value in what you have to offer.

With the right resume and attention to personalization, you’re bound to get an interview and be on your way to being a celebrated genius––looking at you Leonardo. Now, get to work on your resume and schedule an appointment with the Office of Career and Professional Development for a free critique.

About the Author | Thomas Guzowski is a regular contributor to career-related articles offering advice to employees, employers, and the occasional critique.