When you are applying for a job role, there might be certain inconsistencies in your resume.
Some candidates may lack relevant experience but possess ample skills. At the same time, some of them have plenty of experience that can impress the recruiters. According to an authentic survey, 75% of candidates are selected based on their resume and the information they have provided on it.
Even though, you have good skills and great experience but don’t know how to write it on a resume, you will probably fail in securing a job. This is because your resume plays an important role in securing a job.
Finding the right resume format means you are all set to make a strong impression in front of the recruiter. This blog will discuss the top winning resume formats that recruiters prefer in 2025.
3 Types of Resume Formatting for Jobseekers:
Resume formatting is a challenging task for candidates. The nuances associated with these documents can either help you secure the job role or lead to dismissal within seconds. This is the reason many candidates choose to go for a professional resume writer Malaysia.
Below, we will discuss the resume formats you can choose from, depending on your experience and skills.
1) Reverse Chronological Format
The reverse chronological format is the most popular format used in 2025. It is an ideal choice for job seekers who have had extensive job experience. For individuals who have worked in the same industry for years, a reverse chronological format is the most suitable.
The core sections include,
- Contact information
- Resume summary
- Work experience
- Skills
- Education
Reverse chronological Resume Example:
The major focus of this type of resume is on the experience section. Make sure to begin with your most recent place of employment and list backward to provide a comprehensive view of your work history.
Take a look at the resume samples below,
Experience:
Senior Graphic Designer
Company X
2023- Current
- Managed multiple design projects and delivered them on time
- Created high-impact visuals according to brand guidelines to ensure a consistent brand image
- Conceptualized and executed complex designs successfully across all platforms
Junior Graphic Designer
Company Y
2018-2023
- Adjusted formatting and edited images in various documents
- Assisted in designing marketing materials, including social media posts
- Created artwork for packaging and digital platforms
Pros and Cons of A Chronological Format:
| Pros | Cons |
| ATS friendly | Not an easy choice for fresh graduates |
| Provides a clear overview of the experience section | Doesn’t work for career changers |
| Demonstrates your progress and growth | Highlights career gaps |
| Preferred by HR managers | Doesn’t emphasize strong skills |
Tips To Remember Before Writing:
- Begin with your most recent job role and then move to your previous role
- Use five bullet points for fresh roles, while a maximum of three points for earlier roles
- Make use of action words and powerful verbs to emphasize your achievements
- List the relevant experience according to the job role you are applying for
- Make sure to include the job title, company name, and time period of your working experiences
Functional Resume Format:
A functional resume usually focuses on an individual’s skills instead of their work experience. It is an ideal choice for recent graduates or individuals transitioning their careers. It highlights your key strengths and allows you to discuss how you will apply them to your job responsibilities.
The core sections include,
- Contact information
- Resume summary
- Relevant skills
- Work experience
- Education
- Additional information
Functional Resume Example:
When writing a functional resume, remember that your focus shouldn’t be on your work history. Instead, you need to highlight your transferable skills while minimizing the importance of your job history.
For instance, you worked as a customer service executive, but you want to make a career shift towards a management trainee role.
In this case, you can make use of your communication, problem-solving, and other essential skills to demonstrate yourself as the ideal candidate for the job role.
Take a look at the example below,
Resume Summary:
Seeking a management trainee role where I can leverage my strong organization and communication skills developed through my customer service executive role to contribute to the success of the company.
Skills Summary:
Problem solving
- Analyzed client data and identified 12 potential issues, which reduced up to 80% of the complaints.
- Addressed challenges and developed innovative solutions to ensure a streamlined customer experience.
- Identified and resolved several issues in customer service, leading to a 94% client satisfaction rate.
Communication Skills
- Prepared presentations and delivered performance updates to the head departments
- Handled multiple queries from clients and provided timely solutions
Pros and Cons of a Functional Format:
| Pros | Cons |
| Highlights key skills that are useful for a career change | A recruiter might have doubts regarding your work experience |
| Reduces focus on the employment gaps | Might have ATS compatibility issues |
| Ideal for fresh graduates | Most recruiters are not aware of this type of format. |
| Useful for people with diverse experiences | You might be questioned about your career growth. |
Tips To Remember Before Writing:
- Don’t simply list your skills. Explain how you have applied these skills in the job role. Make sure to use numbers in at least one point to discuss actual results.
- Include the maximum relevant skills since this is the main focus of the format.
- Write a powerful resume objective that explains how you are a perfect fit for the job role.
- Keep your resume objective tailored to the relevant job role to set a powerful first impression.
Combination Resume Format:
The combination resume, or a hybrid resume, is a complex format mostly used for senior roles in an industry. This type of resume focuses on both the skills and the work experience of a candidate.
The core sections include,
- Contact information
- Professional summary
- Skills section
- Work experience
- Education
- Additional achievements
Combination Resume Example:
Leadership
- Trained a team of 15 junior executives, resulting in 20% higher productivity levels
- Conducted team meetings and fostered collaboration among 5 departments
- Coordinated with directors, managers, and team leads to implement an advanced software system throughout the organization
Project Management
- Expert in agile methodologies, waterfall, and scrum. Planned and executed a project timeline for international projects, which had a 90% success rate.
- Created accurate and updated reports regarding project status and provided them to the stakeholders.
- Gained proficiency in platforms like Adobe Workfront for efficient planning and tracking of projects.
Pros and Cons of a Combination Format:
| Pros | Cons |
| Summarizes experience and skills within a limited space | It can overwhelm the reader if not organized properly |
| Ideal for senior-level professionals who have years of experience and skills | May have less readability as compared to other formats |
| Works for people who are changing careers | Requires a lot of time to create a polished document that doesn’t look cluttered |
Tips To Remember Before Writing:
- List all the skills required for the job role that you have
- Discuss significant achievements under each skill to showcase your proficiency
- Quantify all the achievements as much as you can
Wrapping Up:
Now that you are aware of the best resume formats, the best one depends on your career choices! However, if you are still thinking which one is the most preferred format in 2025, it is the reverse chronological format! With its easy ATS tracking, recruiter familiarity, and clear readability, the reverse chronological format is the top choice for impressing recruiters.