How to format a resume the right way? The best resume format makes your information easy to read and ensures hiring managers see the most important information—fast.

But here’s the thing—not all resumes should look the same. A fresh graduate’s resume will look different from that of a senior-level professional. 

That said, there are universal formatting rules that apply no matter your experience level.

In this article, we’ll break down everything you need to know about formatting your resume, from general formatting guidelines to tailoring it for different career stages. 

We’ll also explore the three standard resume formats—chronological, functional, and combination (hybrid)—so you can decide which one works best for you. 

Plus, we’ll share examples of well-formatted resumes you can use as your starting point.

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How to format a resume?

No matter your experience level, a well-formatted resume follows certain universal rules. 

These guidelines ensure your resume looks professional, is easy to read, and won’t run into issues with applicant tracking systems (ATS).

1. Stick to one or two pages (unless it’s a CV)

Your resume should be either one full page or two full pages—never 1.5 pages. If it’s too short, it might look incomplete. If it’s too long, recruiters might not read it all. As a rule of thumb:

• One page for entry-level professionals or those with less than 10 years of experience.
• Two pages for senior professionals or those with extensive experience and achievements.

More than two pages? Only if it's a CV. A CV (Curriculum Vitae) is different from a resume—it’s often longer and used in academia, research, and certain professions that require a full record of publications, projects, and achievements.

2. Save it as a PDF (unless told otherwise)

The safest file format is PDF, as it keeps your layout intact across different devices. 

However, some employers request .doc or .docx files for compatibility with ATS systems. 

Always check the job description—if they specify a format, use that one.

3. Use standard resume sections

Every resume should include these essential sections, though the order may vary based on your seniority:

• Contact Information (Name, Email, Phone, LinkedIn, and optionally, Location)
• Resume Summary or Objective (A short overview of your experience or career goals)
• Work Experience (List of jobs, responsibilities, and achievements)
• Education (Schools, degrees, and graduation years)
• Skills (Key hard and soft skills relevant to the job)

Additional sections, like certifications, projects, or volunteer experience, can be included if relevant.

4. Should you include a photo?

Including a photo on your resume depends on where you’re applying:

• Yes: In some European countries (e.g., Denmark, Poland, France), it’s common to include a professional headshot.
• No: In the US, UK, and Canada, it’s generally discouraged.

When in doubt, check local norms or the job posting itself.

5. Use proper margins and spacing for readability

Your resume should look balanced—not too cramped, but not too empty either.

• Margins. Keep them between 0.5 and 1 inch (1.27–2.54 cm) on all sides.
• Line spacing. 1.0 to 1.15 is ideal—single-spaced but not too tight.

This ensures readability while maximizing space for content.

6. Keep formatting consistent

Your resume should be visually appealing and easy to skim. A cluttered or inconsistent format makes it harder for recruiters to quickly find key information.

That’s why you should follow these best practices:

• Use one professional font (e.g., Arial, Calibri, Times New Roman) in 10-12 pt size.
• Use bold and italics sparingly. Bold job titles and section headings to make them stand out, but avoid excessive styling that can make the resume look cluttered.
• Use bullet points instead of long paragraphs for job descriptions.
• Consistent date formatting. Choose a single format for listing dates (e.g., Jan 2020 – Dec 2023 or 2020 – 2023) and stick with it throughout your resume.
• Align text properly. Left-align your text to keep it readable. Centered or justified text can be difficult to scan.

7. Make sure your resume is ATS-friendly

Most companies use Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS) to scan resumes before a human ever reads them. If your resume isn’t ATS-friendly, it might get rejected before it even reaches a recruiter. 

Here’s how to make sure it passes:

• Use a single-column layout. Two-column designs confuse ATS software. Stick to a simple, structured format.
• Avoid images, icons, and fancy graphics. ATS can’t read them and may reject your resume.
• Stick to standard fonts. Unique fonts can be misinterpreted by ATS. Safe choices include Arial, Calibri, and Times New Roman.
• Use clear section headings. Titles like “Work Experience” and “Skills” help ATS categorize your information correctly.
• Optimize for keywords. Match your resume wording to the job description by including relevant skills and job titles.

Three standard resume formats

Three standard resume formats are most commonly used when applying for jobs.

Different resume formats are best suited for different kinds of job seekers, depending on their experience level or what they want to achieve.

These are: 

1. Chronological resume
2. Functional resume (also known as Skills-based resume)
3. Combination (hybrid) resume

Each of them has different attributes and serves a different purpose. Here's a chart with a quick overview of each format:

Now, let’s look at each resume format in more detail to make sure you pick the right one. 

Chronological resume format 

The chronological resume format is the most widely used of the bunch. In fact, if you try to think of a traditional resume, you probably think of one written in this format. 

What's the main focus of a chronological resume?

This format puts the most emphasis on your work experience section, which should form the bulk of your resume. The individual work experiences should be listed in reverse chronological order (from most recent to oldest). Apart from the names and dates, include a list of your tasks, key (quantifiable) accomplishments, and skills/knowledge gained from the job.

Who is a chronological resume for? 

• Experienced professionals who have a steady work history and are looking for another job in the same field. 
• Those with no (or few) periods of unemployment. 
• Those who want to demonstrate their career growth and highlight their promotions or achievements. 

Here's an example:

Chronological resume template

Created with

This job seeker has 4+ years of experience in the given industry, making them an experienced professional. The work experience section is the main focus of this resume. Apart from the key information about the employer, it also includes a list of their tasks, quantifiable achievements, and other accomplishments.

Functional resume format

A functional resume is a lot less common than its chronological counterpart. However, it still has a place in the recruitment process and can be an ideal option for certain people. It's also referred to as a skills based resume, and here's why.

What's the main focus of a functional resume?

The functional resume format highlights your relevant and transferable skills and accomplishments, rather than focusing on your chronological work history. The skills section should be placed at the top of your resume and be quite detailed.

Who is a functional resume for?

• It's typically used by job seekers who have gaps in their employment history (e.g. when coming back from a leave of absence or maternity leave).
• For job seekers who are changing careers, or have limited work experience (like recent graduates). 

Here's an example:

Functional resume template

Created with

This is a perfect example of how a functional resume can make up for the lack of work experience. This person is a student, which is why they don't have much work experience.

Hence, the skills section is right at the top of their resume. It's also divided into 3 categories to really highlight their capabilities. The profile section nicely complements it, touching upon some of the transferable skills.

Combined (skills-based) resume format

Finally, this combined resume format (also called a hybrid format) combines several aspects of the chronological and functional resume formats. Thanks to its versatility, it helps you incorporate a variety of sections into a single document.

What's the main focus of a combined resume?

As the name suggests, this resume format combines the best of both worlds. It places equal focus on work experience and skills and also engages the reader with a professional summary. It allows you to effectively highlight your diverse skill set and demonstrate it in the work experience section. 

Who is a combined resume for? 

• It's suitable for anyone who has both relevant work experience and skills that they want to emphasize on their resume. 
• Professionals who are transitioning between similar roles or industries may also find this format very effective. 
• It's perfect for those changing careers with transferable skills, such as project management, communication, or leadership, that may be applicable to multiple fields. 

Here's an example:

Combined resume template

Created with

This is an exemplary combination resume. Right at the top is a resume summary that engages the reader. The work experience and skills sections form the bulk of this resume and are both very elaborate. Finally, the person also added a volunteering and certificates section as a cherry on top. 

How to choose the best resume format for you?

Consider these key things to pick the resume format that best tells your story:

• Are you a seasoned professional looking to stay in the same field? If so, go for a chronological resume. A combined resume is also an option. 
• Are you a fresh graduate? Then use a functional resume to highlight any transferable skills you’ve acquired during your studies or internships.
• Do you have less than 2 years of experience? A functional or combined resume are the most suited.
• Are you changing careers? A combination and functional resume formats will produce the best results. 
• Are there any gaps in your employment? If the gap is short, opt for a combination resume. If it's longer, a functional resume is the better option. 
• Looking to get a promotion or grow your career? A combination or chronological resume will work best. 

Furthermore, think about which sections you’d like to emphasize. Is it your recent work history? Or would you rather emphasize your hard skills? Or both at the same time?

This flowchart will help you with your decision-making if you're more of a visual person:

Bonus: Fresher resume format 

And what if you're still a student or you're a graduate fresh out of college? Well, then you should prioritize your education section by placing it before work experience. 

In the education section, make sure to highlight relevant coursework and other projects that demonstrate the skills and attributes the hiring managers are looking for and are relevant for the specific job or internship.

Provided that you don’t have much professional experience, consider adding a section about volunteer experiences or extracurricular activities that demonstrate your capabilities.

Here's a sample of a fresher resume format, belonging to a student hired for an internship at Phil

Created with

Hired by Philips

However, if you don't want to bother with manually formatting your resume, you can opt for a pre-formatted resume template.

Kickresume offers resume templates that were carefully designed by professional typographers and approved by HR experts to create the perfect resume hassle-free and quickly.

All templates are already pre-formatted, so you can go directly to filling in the content.

Have a look at some resume templates that got the formatting just right and got hired by Accenture and Amazon:

Created with

Hired by Accenture

Created with

Hired by Amazon

Key takeaways: Choosing the best resume format in 2025

In 2025, the modern combination resume may prove to be the most effective resume format as it allows you to highlight your skills, qualifications, and past work experience all at once.

However, the most suitable resume format for you is one that best reflects your individual career goals and career stage.

Regardless of the format you choose, all resumes should also follow these general formatting guidelines:

• Stick to one or two pages (unless it’s a CV).
• Save your resume as a PDF unless instructed otherwise.
• Keep margins between 0.5 and 1 inch and use 1.0 to 1.15 line spacing.
• Choose a professional font like Arial, Calibri, or Times New Roman in 10-12 pt size.
• Use clear section headings and a single-column format for ATS compatibility.
• Avoid images, fancy graphics, and non-standard formatting.
• Optimize your resume with keywords from the job description.

And if all of this feels overwhelming, consider using a resume template. Pre-formatted resume templates take care of the structure, layout, and structure, so you can simply focus on filling in your content without having to worry about formatting it manually.

Plus, if you’re worried about ATS, you can pick ATS-friendly templates specifically.