Combination Resume: Examples & Template

Combination resumes are a proven resume format across all industries because they highlight both your key skills and employment history.

Read on to learn how to create an excellent combination resume with our templates, examples, and HR-approved tips.

What is a combination resume?

A combination resume is a type of resume format that’s designed for highly-trained job seekers with previous work experience. It’s called “combination” because it combines the most notable features of both the functional resume format and the chronological resume.

Also referred to as a hybrid resume, the combination format features a detailed skills section that groups your skills into categories. Each category features bullet points underneath to illustrate examples of how you used this skill in practice (similar to a functional resume).

Additionally, a combination resume includes a chronological work experience section.

If this seems like a lot of information to include on one resume, that’s because it is. Combination resumes are ideal for candidates who’ve developed a strong set of skills and have experience utilizing those skills.

Structure of a combination resume

Here’s an example of what the combination resume structure looks like, with each section shaded with a different color:

When to use a combination resume

You should use a combination resume in the following situations:

• You’re making a career change and want to emphasize your transferable skills
• You have a specific, well-developed set of technical skills you want to highlight
• You’re a senior-level candidate with a diverse range of experience and skills

Combination resume template and examples

Now that you have an idea of how a combination resume should be structured, here’s a template and some examples for reference:

Combination resume template

Here’s a combination resume template that you can easily copy-and-paste into Microsoft Word and fill in with your own information:

Example 1: realtor

Here’s an example of a combination resume for an experienced realtor:

Download This Free Resume Example

Example 2: Java developer

Here’s another example of a combination resume made by an experienced Java developer:

Download This Free Resume Example

How to write a combination resume

Need more guidance on how to write a resume that follows the combination format? Here’s a step-by-step guide to writing your own combination resume:

1. List your contact information

Include the following information at the top of your resume so employers can easily contact you:

• First and last name
• Professional email address
• Phone number

Additionally, consider listing your LinkedIn profile and address on your resume. These details are helpful for providing employers with more information about you, but are optional.

2. Add a resume summary

A combination resume needs to begin by emphasizing your relevant skills and accomplishments.

Starting with an achievement-based resume summary is the best way to start your resume off and show employers that you’re capable of doing the job.

Additionally, a resume summary is easy to adjust and target for each position, making it a great choice if you’re seeking employment at one or two places in particular or are applying to jobs that require different skillsets.

3. Group your skills by category

Combination resumes put a greater emphasis on your skills than a traditional chronological resume. As a result, your resume skills section should be listed before your experience section, and is structured differently.

When writing the skills section of a combination resume, choose two or three broader skills (such as team leadership or software development) that are directly relevant to the job you want. Underneath each skill, write three or four bullet points that illustrate your competency in this skill.

However, your skills section and your experience section should share equal space on your resume, so be sure to keep your bullet points concise.

Here’s an example of a properly formatted skills section on a combination resume:

4. Detail your professional experience (with bullet points)

The experience section on your combination resume should look similar to a chronological resume work experience section, but a bit shorter.

Whereas a chronological resume includes three to four (if you’re highly experienced) past positions, a combination resume should only feature your two most relevant positions to save space and keep your resume laser-focused. Use the present tense on your resume when writing the bullet points for your current position and the past tense when describing your past job duties.

Regardless of relevance, list your most recent job at the top of this section. Underneath each job, write two to four bullet points detailing some of your key duties and accomplishments.

Like your skills section, you should add numbers wherever possible to illustrate the impact you made at your previous job. This could include dollar amounts, time saved, or percentages.

Here’s an example of a well-written experience section on a combination resume:

5. Note your education history

If you’re writing a combination resume, you likely already have an established career and don’t need to focus on your education history because it’s the least relevant part of your qualifications.

That means the education section of your resume should be as brief as possible and take up minimal space.

Simply include your highest degree, school name, and graduation year. That’s it.

If you had a very strong GPA or received impressive Latin honors, you can also include these details. However, you should only do this if you have extra space on your resume, because your key selling points are your skills and work history.

Here’s an example of how to format the education section of a combination resume: