Resume Format Guide: Chronological, Functional or Hybrid
Your format controls what a recruiter sees first. Pick the one that puts your strongest, most relevant evidence at the top.
Reverse-chronological
Lists jobs from newest to oldest. It is the default for most roles and the easiest for an ATS to parse. Choose it if your career history is steady and relevant.
Functional (skills-based)
Groups achievements by skill instead of by job. It can hide gaps, but recruiters tend to distrust it and parsers struggle to link skills to employers. Use it rarely.
Hybrid (combination)
Opens with a short skills or achievements block, then lists jobs in reverse order. It suits career changers and developers who want tools visible above the fold.
Margins, fonts and length
Use 1.5-2 cm margins, 10-12 pt body text and one page per ten years of experience as a rough guide. Stick to one or two typefaces and keep headings consistent.
Frequently asked questions
Which resume format is best for ATS?
Reverse-chronological is the safest for ATS. It lists jobs newest first with standard headings, so parsers can match employers, dates and skills without guessing.
Can I use a functional format if I have a career gap?
You can, but recruiters often distrust it because it hides dates. A hybrid format is usually better: open with a short skills block, then list jobs honestly with dates.
How long should a hybrid CV be?
Fresh graduates should keep it to 1 page. Experienced candidates can use 2 pages if the second page carries strong, relevant achievements.