10 Examples of the Best Resume Formats for 2025

Searching for a single best example of a resume can be misleading, as the perfect format depends on your industry, career stage and goals. To help you build a resume that commands attention and gets results, this guide provides a strategic blueprint with ten powerful formats for virtually every professional scenario. For each format, we will explore its core strategy, key elements and actionable takeaways you can apply immediately. By understanding the functional design behind the best example of a resume for your unique situation, you can create a compelling document that bypasses Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS) and makes a lasting impression on hiring managers. Let's explore the formats that will help you land your next interview.

1. The Chronological Resume: A Classic for a Reason

The chronological resume format is the undisputed champion of the recruiting world, listing your work history in reverse-chronological order. This structure provides a clear, linear narrative of your career progression, making it easy for hiring managers and Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS) to scan. It's often considered the best example of a resume format for candidates with a steady employment history and a clear upward trajectory in their field.

This format excels because it immediately highlights your most recent and relevant experience at the top. Recruiters from Fortune 500 companies, especially in conservative sectors like finance and banking, prefer this layout for its predictability and clarity. It's the standard because it works, efficiently demonstrating growth, loyalty and expertise.

Strategic Breakdown

The power of the chronological format lies in its straightforward storytelling. It directly answers a recruiter's primary questions: "What have you done recently?" and "How have you grown?" By presenting a consistent work history, you build a foundation of reliability and professional development.

Key Insight: This format isn't just a list of jobs; it's a strategic narrative that showcases increasing responsibility and accomplishments over time. The logical flow makes it the perfect vehicle for a compelling career story.

Actionable Takeaways

To make this format work for you, focus on quantifying your achievements. Instead of listing duties, use action verbs and metrics to frame your contributions.

• Quantify Everything: Replace "Managed social media accounts" with "Grew social media engagement by 45% across three platforms by implementing a new content strategy."
• Use Powerful Action Verbs: Start each bullet point with a strong verb like "Orchestrated," "Accelerated" or "Pioneered" to create a dynamic impression.
• Align with the Job Description: Mirror keywords and required skills from the job posting in your experience section to pass through ATS filters and catch the hiring manager's eye.

The right resume structure is foundational to your job search success. For a deeper dive into organising your information effectively, explore these expert-approved tips on resume layout and structure. This format remains a top contender for the best example of a resume because its structure inherently builds a case for your candidacy through demonstrated career advancement.

2. The Functional Resume: Highlighting Skills Over Timeline

The functional resume format shifts the focus from a chronological work history to your core competencies and skills. This structure is strategically designed to highlight your capabilities, making it an excellent choice for career changers, freelancers or individuals re-entering the workforce. By grouping accomplishments under specific skill headings, it presents a powerful case for your qualifications, arguably making it the best example of a resume for those with non-linear career paths.

This format is particularly effective for translating experience from one industry to another, such as a teacher moving into corporate training. Instead of getting bogged down in past job titles, it allows you to lead with transferable skills like "Curriculum Development" or "Stakeholder Communication." It directs the recruiter's attention to what you can do for them, not just where you have been.

Strategic Breakdown

The functional resume's strength lies in its ability to control the narrative. It minimises potential red flags like employment gaps or a lack of direct industry experience by showcasing a curated collection of your most relevant skills and achievements. It directly addresses the employer's need for specific competencies, proving your value upfront.

Key Insight: This format is a problem-solver's resume. It preemptively answers the question, "Can you do this job?" by presenting direct evidence of your abilities, organised by relevance to the role, not by date.

Actionable Takeaways

To build a compelling functional resume, concentrate on creating robust skill categories backed by concrete results. This structure demands proof of your abilities, so quantification is crucial.

• Create Thematic Skill Groups: Organise your experience into 4-6 powerful categories that align with the target job, such as "Project Management," "Digital Marketing" or "Client Relations."
• Quantify Skill-Based Achievements: Under each category, use bullet points that start with an action verb and include a metric. For example, under "Content Creation," write, "Developed and launched a blog series that increased organic traffic by 60% in six months."
• Include a Concise Work History: Add a brief, separate section at the bottom listing your previous employers and job titles without detailed descriptions. This provides necessary context without distracting from your skills.

The functional layout can be the best example of a resume when you need to reframe your professional story. For more guidance on emphasising your strengths, consider these tips on showcasing skills from career experts. This format succeeds by putting your most impressive and relevant qualifications in the spotlight, ensuring they are the first thing a hiring manager sees.

3. The Combination/Hybrid Resume Format

The combination or hybrid resume format offers a balanced approach, merging the strengths of both chronological and functional styles. It leads with a powerful summary of qualifications or a skills section, immediately showcasing your most relevant abilities, before detailing your work history in reverse-chronological order. This makes it a strong candidate for the best example of a resume for professionals with diverse skill sets or those making a career change.

This format provides the flexibility to highlight specific expertise that might otherwise be buried in a purely chronological list. It is particularly effective for mid-career professionals, project managers transitioning between industries and technical experts whose value is defined by a wide range of skills. By front-loading your most impressive qualifications, you capture a recruiter's attention instantly whilst still providing the clear career narrative they expect.

Strategic Breakdown

The genius of the hybrid format is its ability to direct the recruiter's focus. It answers the question "Do you have the right skills?" before delving into "Where did you use them?" This structure is perfect for telling a targeted story, allowing you to frame your experience through the lens of the specific job you're applying for.

Key Insight: This format is an exercise in strategic positioning. It allows you to control the narrative by spotlighting your most marketable skills upfront, making a compelling case for your candidacy before the hiring manager even reads your first job entry.

Actionable Takeaways

To leverage the hybrid format effectively, ensure your highlighted skills directly connect to the achievements listed in your work history. This creates a cohesive and powerful document.

• Create a Targeted Skills Summary: Open with a "Summary of Qualifications" or "Key Skills" section featuring 5-8 skills pulled directly from the job description.
• Connect Skills to Experience: Ensure each skill mentioned at the top is demonstrated with a concrete achievement in your employment history section below.
• Maintain Chronological Integrity: After the skills section, list your work experience in reverse-chronological order to provide the structure and context recruiters need.

This balanced approach provides a modern and adaptable structure, often considered the best example of a resume for demonstrating both capability and progression. For those looking to craft this type of document, many modern resume builders offer templates for hybrid resumes that are ATS-friendly and visually appealing.

4. The Executive Resume: Highlighting Strategic Impact

The executive resume format is a specialised layout crafted for senior leadership roles like C-suite, VPs and directors. It pivots from listing daily tasks to showcasing high-level strategic impact and quantified business results. This structure is often considered the best example of a resume for seasoned leaders aiming to communicate their value proposition quickly to boards, recruiters and hiring committees.

This format excels by leading with a powerful executive summary that encapsulates years of experience into a compelling narrative of leadership, vision and measurable success. Top-tier executive search firms like Korn Ferry and Spencer Stuart champion this approach because it directly addresses the priorities of senior-level hiring: strategic thinking, financial stewardship and transformational leadership. It's the standard for the C-suite because it speaks their language: results.

Strategic Breakdown

The power of the executive format is its focus on outcomes over activities. It's designed to answer a board's critical questions: "How have you driven growth?" and "What is your track record of leading successful initiatives?" By prioritising quantifiable achievements, you immediately establish credibility and demonstrate a history of creating significant value.

Key Insight: This format is less of a career history and more of a business case for your leadership. It frames your experience through the lens of strategic contributions, such as market expansion, operational efficiency and revenue growth.

Actionable Takeaways

To make this format work, you must think like a CEO and quantify your strategic footprint. Frame every accomplishment in terms of its impact on the business's bottom line.

• Lead with Business Impact: Replace "Led the sales department" with "Drove 35% year-over-year revenue growth by spearheading a strategic shift to enterprise-level client acquisition."
• Highlight Strategic Initiatives: Focus on major projects you championed, like "Orchestrated a digital transformation initiative that reduced operational costs by £4M annually."
• Showcase Leadership Scope: Clearly state the scale of your management experience, such as "Directed a global team of 150+ professionals across marketing, sales and product development."

Crafting a compelling executive narrative requires a specific skill set. For expert guidance on framing your leadership journey, consider working with a professional who understands what makes this the best example of a resume for top-tier roles. You can find more information about professional assistance from an expert resume writer. This format solidifies your candidacy by proving you are not just a manager, but a strategic driver of business success.

5. The Creative Resume: Making a Visual Statement

The creative resume format abandons traditional layouts in favour of a unique design that showcases personality, visual skills and innovation. This structure is a powerful tool for professionals in creative fields like graphic design, marketing and UX/UI, transforming the document from a simple history into a portfolio piece. It's often considered the best example of a resume for roles where visual storytelling and design thinking are paramount.

This format excels because it demonstrates skills rather than just listing them. For creative directors at advertising agencies or hiring managers at tech startups, a visually compelling resume proves you can deliver on the brand's aesthetic and creative demands. It's a calculated risk that, when executed well, makes an unforgettable first impression and sets you apart from a sea of black-and-white documents.

Strategic Breakdown

The power of a creative resume lies in its ability to show, not tell. It directly answers a recruiter's underlying question: "Can you produce high-quality, on-brand creative work?" By integrating your design skills directly into the application, you provide tangible proof of your capabilities before they even open your portfolio.

Key Insight: This format is more than just a resume; it's a branding document. It communicates your personal brand identity and demonstrates a deep understanding of visual hierarchy, typography and user experience, which are critical skills in creative industries.

Actionable Takeaways

To make this format effective, you must balance creativity with clarity and professionalism. The design should enhance, not obscure, your qualifications.

• Prioritise Readability: Use clean, professional fonts and ensure high colour contrast. A beautiful resume is useless if the hiring manager can't read it.
• Maintain Scannability: Employ a clear visual hierarchy with distinct sections and headings. Recruiters still need to find key information like your experience and skills quickly.
• Provide an ATS-Friendly Version: Many creative roles still use Applicant Tracking Systems. Always submit a plain-text or simplified version of your resume alongside your creative one to ensure you pass the initial screening.

The right creative resume is a testament to your professional abilities. To find a design that fits your style whilst remaining functional, explore these expert-designed creative resume templates. This format proves it's a contender for the best example of a resume by turning a job application into an opportunity for creative expression.

6. The Targeted Resume: Your Secret Weapon for Relevance

The targeted resume format isn't a different layout but a strategic approach: customising your resume for each specific job application. This method modifies a standard format (like chronological or combination) to directly mirror the language, skills and priorities of a single job description. This highly-tailored document is often considered the best example of a resume strategy because it speaks directly to the needs of the employer.

This format excels because it proves you've done your homework and are not just mass-applying. For roles where specific skills are non-negotiable, like a software developer needing proficiency in a particular tech stack, or a project manager required to know a specific methodology like Agile, a targeted resume instantly signals a perfect match. It's the ultimate way to show a hiring manager, "I am the exact candidate you're looking for."

Strategic Breakdown

The power of a targeted resume lies in its precision. Instead of offering a broad overview of your career, it presents a curated highlight reel of your most relevant qualifications, making the recruiter's job easy. This approach ensures your most impactful achievements for that specific role are front and centre, rather than buried in a long list of duties.

Key Insight: This format transforms your resume from a generic historical document into a direct response to a company's specific problem. It frames you not just as a qualified candidate, but as the solution.

Actionable Takeaways

To effectively target your resume, you must become a detective, analysing the job posting for clues and reflecting them in your application.

• Analyse the Job Posting: Identify 15-20 keywords, skills and qualifications from the description. Tools like Jobscan can help automate this analysis.
• Mirror Terminology: If the posting asks for "client relationship management," use that exact phrase instead of "account management" to align with their language and ATS filters.
• Reorder and Prioritise: Move bullet points that directly address the top requirements to the top of your experience section for each relevant job.

Creating multiple versions of your resume is essential for this strategy to succeed. To streamline this process and stay organised, consider using a tool to manage your applications, like this guide to tracking your job applications. This method is a powerful contender for the best example of a resume because it maximises your relevance for every single opportunity.

7. The One-Page Resume: Maximum Impact, Minimum Space

The one-page resume format is a masterclass in professional editing, condensing your entire career narrative onto a single, powerful page. This concise structure forces you to prioritise your most impactful and relevant information, making it easy for busy hiring managers to quickly grasp your value. It's often considered the best example of a resume format for recent graduates, early-career professionals or those in industries like tech where brevity and directness are highly prized.

This format excels because it respects the recruiter's time, which is often limited to just a few seconds per resume. By eliminating fluff and focusing on high-value content, you ensure that every word on the page serves a purpose. It's a standard for a reason: it demonstrates your ability to communicate effectively and identify what truly matters, a critical skill in any role.

Strategic Breakdown

The power of the one-page resume lies in its disciplined focus. It forces you to be ruthless in your self-editing, which results in a stronger, more compelling document. This format directly communicates that you are organised, results-oriented and capable of distilling complex information into a clear and persuasive summary. It's a strategic choice that shows confidence in your qualifications.

Key Insight: This format isn't about limiting your experience; it's about showcasing your most potent achievements. The constraint of a single page challenges you to build the strongest possible case for your candidacy with no wasted space.

Actionable Takeaways

To successfully craft a one-page resume, every element must be optimised for space and impact. Focus on precision and powerful, data-driven statements.

• Maximise Real Estate: Use narrow margins (around 0.5 inches) and a clean, legible font (size 10-12 pt) to fit more content without sacrificing readability.
• Be Ruthless with Words: Eliminate objective statements, unnecessary phrases ("responsible for") and generic duties. Replace them with quantified, achievement-oriented bullet points.
• Keep Bullets Concise: Aim for each bullet point to be one to two lines maximum. Start with a strong action verb and immediately state the result, like "Increased user retention by 15% through A/B testing new onboarding flows."

The one-page format remains a top contender for the best example of a resume because its structure inherently forces you to present a clear, potent and highly focused argument for why you are the best person for the job.

8. The Two-Page Resume: For Extensive Experience

Breaking the one-page rule, the two-page resume format is designed for seasoned professionals with a rich and extensive career history. This layout provides the necessary space to detail significant accomplishments, diverse roles and specialised skills without sacrificing clarity or readability. It is often the best example of a resume for senior-level candidates, executives or academics whose experience cannot be condensed into a single page.

This format is standard for professionals with over ten years of relevant experience, particularly in fields like academia, law, medicine or C-suite management. It allows for a comprehensive narrative that showcases a long-term pattern of growth, leadership and high-impact contributions. Recruiters for senior roles expect this level of detail to properly vet a candidate's extensive qualifications.

Strategic Breakdown

The strength of a two-page resume lies in its ability to provide depth and context that a single page cannot. It allows you to build a more compelling case by including detailed project outcomes, leadership philosophies and a wider range of technical or specialised skills. This format signals a candidate has a substantial history worth exploring.

Key Insight: This format isn't an invitation to list every job you've ever had. It's a strategic decision to use more space to highlight the most impactful and relevant parts of a long and successful career, creating a powerful testament to your expertise.

Actionable Takeaways

To execute a two-page resume effectively, organisation and prioritisation are crucial. The goal is to make it easy for a reader to navigate your extensive experience.

• Prioritise Page One: Place your most critical information on the first page, including your professional summary, most recent roles and key skills. This ensures you make a strong impression immediately.
• Maintain Consistency: Use the same formatting, fonts and heading styles across both pages to create a cohesive and professional document. Add a header or footer on the second page with your name and page number.
• Avoid Orphans: Ensure bullet points or short paragraphs are not split between pages. Adjust spacing and content to keep related information together for better readability.

The two-page layout can be the best example of a resume when your experience warrants it, providing the canvas needed to paint a full picture of your professional value.

9. The Infographic Resume: Visual Storytelling for Creatives

The infographic resume format transforms traditional text-based information into a visually compelling narrative using icons, charts, timelines and other graphical elements. This approach is designed to capture attention quickly and showcase creativity, making it a strong contender for the best example of a resume in design-centric fields. It is particularly effective for roles where data visualisation and aesthetic sense are paramount.

This format shines in industries like graphic design, marketing and user experience (UX) where a portfolio of visual work is expected. It allows candidates to demonstrate their design skills directly on the resume itself. For creative directors, brand strategists and professionals in the tech and startup sectors, an infographic resume can effectively communicate a modern, data-driven mindset.

Strategic Breakdown

The power of the infographic resume is its ability to break from convention and make a memorable first impression. It leverages visual hierarchy and design principles to guide the reader's eye to key qualifications and achievements. This format tells a recruiter not just what you've done, but also shows them how you think and create.

Key Insight: This format is more than just a resume; it's a branding document. It's a strategic choice to demonstrate your personal brand, design acumen and ability to present complex information in an easily digestible way.

Actionable Takeaways

To use this format effectively without sacrificing clarity or ATS compatibility, a balanced approach is essential. The goal is visual appeal backed by solid, scannable content.

• Prioritise a Text Version: Always create a plain-text or traditional chronological version of your resume for online applications to ensure it passes through Applicant Tracking Systems.
• Keep It Clean and Uncluttered: Use a consistent colour palette and ample white space. The goal is to enhance readability, not overwhelm the reader with excessive graphics.
• Ensure Data Integrity: If you use charts or graphs to represent skills or achievements, ensure the data is accurate and clearly labelled. Misleading visuals can harm your credibility.
• Submit as a PDF: Always save and send your infographic resume as a PDF to preserve its intricate formatting across all devices and operating systems.

The infographic style can be the best example of a resume when used in the right context, but it requires strategic execution. For inspiration on balancing creativity with professionalism, review a curated gallery of creative resume designs to see how experts merge style and substance.

10. The Industry-Specific Resume: Speaking the Right Language

An industry-specific resume format is a hyper-customised document tailored to the unique expectations, terminology and standards of a particular field. This approach moves beyond general best practices, adopting the precise structure and content that recruiters in sectors like healthcare, law, academia or engineering are trained to look for. It is arguably the best example of a resume for professionals in specialised fields where specific credentials and jargon are prerequisites.

This format succeeds by demonstrating immediate fluency and credibility within a niche industry. For example, a legal resume prioritises bar admissions and notable cases, whilst an academic CV will feature publications and research grants prominently. This level of specialisation proves you are an insider who understands the industry's culture and priorities, giving you a significant advantage over candidates with generic applications.

Strategic Breakdown

The power of an industry-specific resume is its ability to bypass the "generalist" filter. It immediately signals to a hiring manager that you possess the required licences, certifications and hands-on experience their field demands. For specialised fields like engineering, your resume might need to emphasise technical skills and projects to align with specific industry demands, which is crucial for landing top-tier engineering roles in the Web3 space.

Key Insight: This format is not just about changing a few keywords; it's about restructuring the entire document to mirror the industry's value system. It's a strategic choice to communicate expertise and fit from the very first glance.

Actionable Takeaways

To create a powerful industry-specific resume, you must research and adopt the conventions of your target field. This ensures your qualifications are presented in a way that resonates instantly with decision-makers.

• Prioritise Industry Credentials: Place required licences, certifications (e.g., CPA, PMP, RN) or bar admissions in a prominent section near the top.
• Use Standard Terminology: Incorporate industry-specific jargon and acronyms correctly to demonstrate your expertise and familiarity with the field.
• Follow Formatting Mandates: Some industries, like the federal government (USAJOBS format), have rigid formatting requirements. Adhere to them precisely.

By tailoring your document to meet these specific expectations, you present the best example of a resume for your chosen profession. For a deeper look at creating a standout technical resume, explore these expert tips for crafting a resume for software engineers. This focused approach ensures your application speaks directly to the needs and expectations of your target employer.

Top 10 Resume Formats Compared

How to Build Your Best Resume, Faster

We've explored a comprehensive gallery of resume formats, from the steadfast Chronological and Functional layouts to the dynamic Infographic and Targeted approaches. Each example serves as a powerful testament to a core principle: the best example of a resume is not a one-size-fits-all template, but a strategic document meticulously crafted to meet a specific need. It is a marketing tool engineered to capture a recruiter's attention and clear the first, most critical hurdle: the Applicant Tracking System (ATS).

The journey from a blank page to a polished, interview-winning document can feel daunting. The key is to move beyond simply listing your past duties and start showcasing your future value. As we've seen across all the successful examples, the most impactful resumes share several non-negotiable traits.

Core Principles for a Winning Resume

Mastering these fundamentals will elevate any resume, regardless of the format you choose:

• Quantification is King: Vague responsibilities fall flat. "Increased sales by 15% in Q3" is infinitely more powerful than "Responsible for sales." Always attach numbers, percentages or concrete outcomes to your achievements to demonstrate tangible impact.
• Strategic Keyword Alignment: Every job description is a cheat sheet. It contains the exact keywords and skills the ATS and hiring manager are searching for. Your resume must mirror this language to achieve a high match score and signal your suitability for the role.
• Clarity Over Complexity: A recruiter spends mere seconds on their initial scan. A clean, well-organised layout with clear headings, ample white space and a legible font is crucial. Avoid dense blocks of text and prioritise scannability at all costs.

Your Actionable Roadmap to Resume Excellence

Thinking about the best example of a resume for your next application can be overwhelming, but you can break it down into manageable steps. Instead of striving for a single, perfect document, think of your resume as a master blueprint you adapt for each opportunity.

1. Choose Your Foundation: Start by selecting the primary format that best tells your career story. Are you a recent graduate where a Functional or Combination resume might highlight skills over limited experience? Or are you a seasoned executive who needs a Two-Page Chronological format to detail a rich history of accomplishments?
2. Analyse the Target: For every single job application, dissect the job description. Identify the top 5-7 required skills, qualifications and responsibilities. These are your keywords and your primary focus for tailoring.
3. Tailor with Precision: Customise your professional summary, skills section and work experience bullet points to reflect the target job's requirements. Swap out generic phrases for specific keywords from the description. Reframe your past achievements to align with the company's stated goals and challenges.

This level of customisation is what separates a good resume from a great one. To complement your resume-building efforts and succeed in the broader job market, consider exploring additional resources for job seekers that cover various aspects of the recruitment process.

Ultimately, the goal is not just to build a resume, but to build a compelling narrative that answers a hiring manager's most important question: "Why are you the best person for this job?" Your resume is your opening argument. By applying the strategic principles and tactical insights from the examples we've covered, you are now equipped to build a document that doesn't just list your experience, but actively sells your potential.

Ready to stop guessing and start getting interviews? The best example of a resume is one that's perfectly tailored, and CV Anywhere makes it fast and easy. Our AI-powered tools help you analyse job descriptions, optimise keywords and build a professional, ATS-friendly resume in minutes, not hours. Try CV Anywhere today and build your best resume, faster!