The Best Resume Format for 2026

This article shows you the best way to lay out each section of your resume based on your background, and then covers resume formatting details like spacing and fonts.

If you’re looking for downloadable templates to use, we provide hundreds of free resume templates for your convenience.

Best resume format: chronological

The chronological resume format is widely considered the best resume format by employers because work experience is the focus, and work experience is what they’re looking for on your resume.

Chronological resumes list your most recent role first, with older roles below in reverse-chronological order. This layout helps you illustrate your career progression and quickly lets employers see if you’re a good fit.

Download a Chronological Resume

How to structure a resume chronologically

Include the following sections in a standard chronological resume:

1. Resume heading

Include your name, contact information, and links to relevant professional profiles, such as LinkedIn, a portfolio, and/or a personal website to give employers quick access to your prior work and professional background.

2. Resume summary

Write a brief overview of your career, including your years of experience, key achievements, and job-relevant skills. Keep this summary concise — 2–3 sentences is ideal.

3. Experience section

List your work experience starting with your most recent job. For each position, include the:

• job title
• employer name
• location
• dates of employment

Under each position, use bullet points to describe your responsibilities and accomplishments, emphasizing measurable results and relevant achievements.

4. Skills section

Clearly list any technical skills you have that align with the job description. These skills are what employers (and the ATS software they use) are screening your resume for.

5. Education section

List your highest degree first, including the institution’s name, its location, and your graduation date.

If you’re a recent graduate, you can move this section higher on your resume, and add additional details to help your application stand out, including:

• relevant coursework
• honors and awards
• extracurricular activities
• GPA (if 3.5 or higher)

How to choose the best format for you (infographic)

Resume formats by section layout

Functional (skills-focused)

The functional resume format highlights your professional skills instead of your work experience.

This format is perfect if you’re changing careers or have large employment gaps because the layout downplays the timeline of your past jobs. The focus is shifted from your work history to your best professional skills, and how you’ve used them throughout your career and life.

Example layout

Download a Functional Resume

Combination (skills + experience focused)

A combination resume balances your chronological work history with an equally large skills section. This format works well when your technical skills are just as important as your work history (think engineering, IT, healthcare, and skilled trades like carpentry).

If this sounds like your background, a combination resume will not only show you have the necessary work experience but also ensure your skills are immediately apparent to employers.

Example layout

Download a Combination Resume

Student (education-focused)

Most students and recent college graduates don’t have much formal work experience. If that’s you, your education section should be the highlight of your resume, and be moved above your work experience and skills sections.

Because your academic background is a major factor in the employer’s decision-making process, include sections in your resume layout for your GPA (if it’s 3.5 or higher), Latin honors, and awards or distinctions like making the Dean’s List.

You can also create a relevant coursework or projects section, depending on what you studied and if it’s tied to the job you’re applying for.

Example layout

Download a Student Resume

Resume formats by experience level

Entry-level

You don’t need experience to write a resume (we all need to start somewhere).

When applying for an entry-level job, try adding these details — if relevant to the role — to convince employers you’re a good fit:

• internship or volunteer experience
• online courses you’ve taken
• certifications you’ve received
• relevant skills you’ve developed throughout your life

Emphasize these details by placing them higher on your resume so they’re seen first.

Example layout

Download an Entry-Level Resume

Executive

Your executive resume must be thorough, and span multiple pages to cover the extent of your work experience. To get an idea of what this format looks like and the details it covers, scroll through the resume example below.

Example layout

Academic CV

If your experience is primarily academic, use a CV template that maps out your scholarly contributions, such as:

• publications
• teaching experience
• dissertations/theses
• research experience
• presentations and conferences
• affiliations

CVs cover the full course of your academic career, so there’s no page limit. Use the space available to you to show university hiring committees and research institutions the breadth of your knowledge and experience in your field.

Example layout (first page)

Download an Academic CV

Resume templates (using different formats)

After you select a layout that highlights your top qualifications, determine what style of resume gives you the best shot at landing interviews.

ATS-friendly resume template

A one-column, no frills resume design works best in most industries because it lets your experience do the talking and is more easily parsed by applicant tracking system (ATS) software like Workday or Greenhouse.

Download an ATS-Friendly Resume

Creative resume template

For jobs in creative industries (graphic design, video editing, art, etc.), demonstrating visual creativity on your resume can give employers a quick glimpse of your skills.

If you plan to design your own resume, make sure your skills, work experience, and relevant details (like your name, contact information, and portfolio link) are still clear to the reader.

Here’s an example of a creative resume template to give you an idea of how your own resume could look:

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Picture resume template

In the US, employers don’t expect a photo on your resume unless you’re applying for an appearance-based job like modeling or acting. However, resume headshots are standard in some countries (e.g. Spain, Italy, and most of Europe except the UK).

Here’s what a resume template with a professional picture looks like:

Use This Template Now

Resume formatting advice

Your resume’s content is ultimately what earns interviews, but formatting makes it easier for employers to absorb that content. Clean resume margins, consistent line spacing, and readable fonts ensure your resume is professional and keeps the focus on what matters: your qualifications.

Follow these resume formatting rules to make sure your resume looks good before you apply:

Five resume formatting mistakes to avoid

Poor resume formatting can distract from your experience and skills. Avoid these common errors to ensure your resume gets attention for the right reasons (like your experience and skills):

1. Inconsistent formatting: Switching between font styles, sizes, date formats, or spacing makes your resume look messy and unprofessional.
2. Overly designed: Graphics, borders, and multiple columns can distract and take attention away from your content, and make your resume harder for ATS software to scan.
3. No clear section hierarchy: If your headings aren’t clear, recruiters can’t quickly assess your qualifications and may lose interest in your application.
4. Overcrowding the page: Filling every inch with text leaves no white space, making your resume overwhelming and hard to scan.
5. Inappropriate font or font size: Fonts that are too small, too large, or hard to read can make your resume difficult to navigate and appear less professional.

Additional resources

Here are some extra resources to help you get started:

Build your resume in minutes

Use an AI-powered resume builder and have your resume done in 10 minutes. Simply select your template, and our software will walk you through each step.

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Resume format FAQs

Now that you know a bit more about how to format your own resume, here are some frequently asked questions about resume formats:

What is the best resume format for 2026?

A chronological resume format is the best choice for most job seekers.

The chronological format’s clarity and familiarity make it the safest and most effective choice for the majority of job applications.

Its straightforward timeline helps recruiters quickly assess your experience level and growth, while its traditional structure ensures that applicant tracking systems properly parse your resume.

@resumegenius Wondering which resume format you should be using? Here’s an explanation of the 3 main resume formats, and which kind of job applicant each format is suitable for. To increase your chances of getting hired, it’s important to choose a resume format that highlights your strengths and minimizes your weaknesses/career red flags! #resumeformat #resumehelp #resumetip #jobsearch ♬ original sound – Resume Genius | Career Tips

Should I use a template or format my resume from scratch?

Using a template can be a great shortcut to creating a well-organized, professional-looking resume. Many resume templates offer a clear structure with consistent formatting, which helps highlight your experience, education, and skills effectively.

On the other hand, formatting your resume from scratch allows for complete customization. This can be useful if you want to create a unique layout that better reflects your background or target industry. If you choose to format your resume from scratch, take extra care to make sure everything looks consistent.

How do I format a resume in Google Docs?

Google Docs provides free templates you can copy and use. Here’s how to format a resume in Google Docs:

1. Open Google Docs and go to Template Gallery
2. Choose a resume template or create a blank document
3. Follow our resume formatting guidelines above
4. Download your final version as a PDF or .docx file

How do I format a resume in Word?

To format a resume in Word:

1. Start with a Microsoft Word resume template
2. Set 1″ margins and use a clean, professional font (e.g., Calibri or Times New Roman)
3. Use built-in styles for headings and bullet lists to keep formatting consistent
4. Download your final version as a PDF or .docx file

How do I format a resume for ATS?

To format a resume for ATS, follow these simple guidelines:

1. Use a simple, single-column layout
2. Avoid tables, text boxes, images, and icons
3. Stick to standard section headings (e.g., “Work Experience” not “Career Story”)
4. Include relevant keywords from the job description
5. Submit your resume as a PDF or .docx file

What file format should my resume be in?

Use the file format requested in the job posting. If the application specifies PDF or .docx, submit that format. When no format is specified, choose based on company size:

• PDF resume for smaller companies:
  • Preserves your formatting across all devices and ensures hiring managers see your resume exactly as designed
• Word resume for larger companies:
  • Optimizes compatibility with applicant tracking systems (ATS) that parse and analyze resume content

In short: create your resume in Word, then export as PDF when needed.

How do I format references on a resume?

In general, we advise against including references on a resume as it’s no longer the norm. However, there may be some circumstances where it’s appropriate or required (for example if you’re writing an academic CV). Here’s how to format references on your resume:

References

Laura Jimenez
Marketing Director, BrightWave Media
laura.jimenez@brightwavemedia.com
(555) 298-1447
Relationship: Former Supervisor