Free Combination (Hybrid) Resume Templates & Writing Guide

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What is a combination resume?

A combination resume (also called a hybrid resume) blends elements of both chronological and functional resume formats. It begins with a skills summary or highlights section, followed by a reverse-chronological work experience section.

This format offers the best of both worlds: It highlights your skills while providing details on your relevant work experience. Unlike the chronological resume, which emphasizes your work history, or a functional resume, which highlights skills while downplaying dates and job titles, the combination resume lets you present both in balance.

When to use a combination resume format

A combination resume is best when you want to equally highlight both your skills and your professional experience. It’s especially effective if you have a mix of transferable skills and a solid work history that supports your next career move.

This format works best for career changers, freelancers, or those with employment gaps. By placing your most relevant skills at the top, followed by a concise work history, you can demonstrate your capabilities while backing it up with real-world experience.

It’s also a smart choice if you’re applying for a role that values specific competencies, such as leadership, technical skills, or project management.

Combination resume templates (free downloads)

Pick your favorite from these free combination resume templates, download it, and customize with your information.

Browse our complete resume template collection to explore more design options.

Framework resume template

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This colorful template features a subtle gradient and matching icons, demonstrating creativity and attention to detail.

Senior resume template

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With a structured layout and bold headings, this template ensures employers can easily find relevant information at a glance.

Stanford resume template

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This unique template opens with a bold circular monogram at the top, with subtle dividers throughout for visual clarity and elegance.

Vanguard resume template

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With colored banners behind each section title, this resume template stands out in a sleek, professional way without being too bold.

Combination (hybrid) resume examples

Below are examples of combination resumes that show how professionals from various backgrounds balance their skills and work history.

Customize these templates with your own skills and experience or explore our extensive library of job-specific resume examples.

1. General combination resume example

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This basic combination resume shows how to highlight both your transferable skills and relevant work history.

2. Skills-first resume example

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This combination resume uses a clear, well-organized structure that features skills and accomplishments first, followed by a reverse-chronological work history.

3. Career transition resume example

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This hybrid resume works well for career changers. It combines a skills-focused layout with a clear work history, grouping achievements under core competencies, while reinforcing experience with a timeline.

4. Professional narrative resume example

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Designed to highlight the candidate’s strengths right away, this example provides ample space to showcase career achievements while following a hybrid format.

How to write a combination resume (AKA hybrid resume)

Follow this step-by-step guide on how to write a resume that follows the combination format:

List your contact information

Include the following information at the top of your resume to ensure employers can easily reach you:

• First and last name
• Professional email address
• Phone number
• City and state (optional)
• LinkedIn profile or portfolio URL (optional)

Start with an effective resume summary

Start your combination resume with a tailored resume summary. This 3–4 line snapshot should highlight your career achievements, key strengths, and the value you bring.

Mention your years of experience, core areas of expertise, and one or two standout achievements that align with the job you’re applying for. A well-written summary is especially useful in a combination resume because it links your skills section to your work history.

Here’s an example of a well-written resume summary:

Group your skills by category

On a combination resume, your skills section should generally come before your work experience section.

Choose two or three broad, job-relevant skills (such as team leadership or software development) and use them as subheadings. Under each subheading, include three or four bullet points showcasing specific accomplishments or results you’ve achieved using that skill.

Keep your bullet points concise to avoid overwhelming the reader. Your skills and work experience sections should take up roughly equal space on your resume.

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

Detail your professional experience (with bullet points)

Your work experience section should resemble a chronological resume’s, but be shorter.

Unlike a chronological resume, which might include 3–4 past positions, a combination resume should feature only your two most relevant positions to keep it tailored and space-efficient.

Quantify your achievements wherever possible to highlight your impact in previous roles. Use specific metrics like dollar amounts, time saved, number of people managed, or percentage increases to show measurable results.

Here’s an example of a well-organized work experience section for a combination resume:

Add your education history

Because a combination resume focuses more on your skills and experience, the education section should be brief and take up minimal space.

For each degree, list the degree title, school name, and graduation year.

For example:

Fill-in-the-blank combination resume template

To speed up the resume-writing process, copy the text template below and replace the bracketed sections with your information.

Frequently asked questions about combination resumes

Still have questions? Here are answers to some of the most common questions about combination resumes:

What are the disadvantages of a combination resume?

While a combination resume is great for emphasizing both skills and work history, it’s not always the best choice for every job seeker. Here are some possible disadvantages:

• Can be too long or repetitive
• May confuse applicant tracking systems
• Requires more time to customize
• Not ideal for entry-level applicants

What’s the difference between a combination resume and a chronological resume?

The main difference between a combination resume and a chronological resume lies in how they emphasize skills versus work history:

• Chronological resume: Short skills section (usually a bulleted list of skills). Primarily emphasizes your work history, listing jobs in reverse-chronological order with detailed accomplishments under each role.
• Combination resume: Starts with a longer skills summary with bullet points explaining what you accomplished with each skill. Short work experience section.

What’s the difference between a combination resume and a functional resume?

The key difference between a combination resume and a functional resume is the structure:

• Combination resume: Includes both a detailed skills section and a chronological work history
• Functional resume (also called a skills-based resume): Focuses almost entirely on skills, often minimizing or omitting the timeline of past jobs

Is the combination resume format ATS-friendly?

Yes, a combination resume can be ATS-friendly, but only if it’s formatted carefully.

While the combination format helps highlight important keywords, which is great for applicant tracking systems.

However, if the layout is too creative, overly designed, or lacks clear dates and job titles, it can confuse ATS software. Here are some tips to keep your combination resume ATS-friendly:

• Use standard section headings like “Skills” and “Work Experience”
• Clearly include job titles, company names, and dates
• Avoid text boxes, tables, or graphics
• Align your skills section with keywords from the job posting
• Submit your resume as a PDF (unless another file format is specified in the job listing)

If you’re not sure whether your combination resume can be read by ATS software, run it through our free ATS resume checker.