Best Resume Formats That Get You Hired in 2024

In 2024, with the rapidly evolving job market, the resume game has changed significantly. Gone are the days when a one-size-fits-all format would suffice. Today’s hiring managers and recruiters expect more—and the resumes that stand out are those that show a perfect blend of professionalism, creativity, and technical precision. What does this mean for you? It means that choosing the right resume format can be the difference between landing your dream job and never getting a callback.

Let’s dive right in and break down the most effective resume formats for this year:

1. Reverse-Chronological Format: The Classic That Stays Relevant

It’s no surprise that this is the most common resume format. Why? Because it highlights the one thing that most recruiters care about: your recent experience. In the reverse-chronological resume, your most recent work experience is listed at the top, followed by previous roles in descending order.

Why it works:

• Recruiter familiarity: Most hiring managers are used to this format, which makes it easy to navigate.
• Easy to scan: Especially with the rise of ATS (Applicant Tracking Systems), this format is perfect for scanning software.
• Highlights career progression: If you’ve been consistently moving up in your career, this format makes it obvious.

However, this format isn’t perfect for everyone. If you’ve had gaps in employment or have shifted industries, it may not highlight your strengths effectively.

Key Sections:

• Contact information
• Professional summary
• Work experience (reverse chronological)
• Education
• Skills

2. Functional Resume: Skills Over Experience

If you’re pivoting careers or have gaps in your work history, the functional resume format might be the right fit. This format focuses on your skills rather than your work history, making it ideal for those with transferable skills but less relevant job experience.

Why it works:

• Skills-first approach: Perfect for career changers or those with limited job experience.
• Minimizes employment gaps: Since the emphasis is on skills, gaps in your work history are less noticeable.
• Showcases your strengths: If your experience isn’t directly related to the job, this format allows you to still highlight why you’re a great fit.

Key Sections:

• Contact information
• Summary of qualifications
• Key skills
• Achievements
• Work experience (brief or in bullet points)
• Education

3. Combination Resume: The Best of Both Worlds

The combination (or hybrid) resume is exactly what it sounds like—a mix of the reverse-chronological and functional formats. This structure allows you to showcase both your skills and your professional history in a balanced way. It’s ideal for professionals with a solid work history who also want to highlight key skills relevant to the job.

Why it works:

• Comprehensive: It lets you highlight your skills while also showing your work history in context.
• Great for seasoned professionals: If you have extensive experience but also want to spotlight specific skills or accomplishments, this format allows you to do so.
• ATS-friendly: Like the reverse-chronological resume, this format works well with applicant tracking systems.

Key Sections:

• Contact information
• Skills summary
• Work experience (with skills integrated)
• Education
• Certifications

4. Infographic Resume: Creativity Meets Professionalism

For those in creative fields, the infographic resume offers a way to stand out by using visual elements. This format can be highly effective in industries like marketing, design, or media, where creativity is a job requirement.

Why it works:

• Visually engaging: In a sea of plain resumes, an infographic resume can instantly grab attention.
• Shows your creative abilities: If you’re applying for a role that requires creativity, your resume itself can be a demonstration of your skills.
• Memorable: A well-designed infographic resume can leave a lasting impression on recruiters.

However, beware: Infographic resumes don’t work well with ATS software. Many larger companies use ATS to filter candidates, and these systems can’t always process non-traditional formats. To combat this, you may want to pair your infographic resume with a more traditional format for the initial screening process.

Key Sections (can be represented visually):

• Contact information
• Skills (displayed as bar charts, pie charts, etc.)
• Work experience (in chronological order)
• Education
• Achievements

5. Video Resumes: The Next Frontier?

As video content continues to dominate online platforms, the idea of video resumes is gaining traction. Video resumes are ideal for roles that require public speaking, presentation skills, or a certain level of charisma (think sales, customer relations, or media).

Why it works:

• Personal connection: A video resume allows you to establish a personal connection with the recruiter, which is difficult to do through a written document.
• Showcases soft skills: If communication, confidence, and charisma are key to the role, a video resume can showcase these attributes better than any bullet point.
• Memorable: Video resumes are still a novelty, which can help you stand out from the crowd.

However, keep in mind that not all employers are receptive to video resumes. It’s essential to gauge whether this format is appropriate for the company and industry you’re applying to.

6. ATS-Optimized Resume: Beating the Bots

As mentioned earlier, Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS) are used by many companies to filter resumes before they even reach human eyes. If your resume isn’t optimized for ATS, it could be rejected before it’s ever seen by a recruiter. An ATS-optimized resume is typically a reverse-chronological or functional resume that’s specifically designed to be easily scanned and understood by software.

Why it works:

• Increases your chances of getting noticed: Many resumes never get past the initial scan. An ATS-optimized resume increases your chances of being shortlisted.
• Streamlines the hiring process: It’s designed for efficiency, making it easy for both software and humans to read.
• Widely applicable: Whether you’re applying for a tech job or an administrative role, an ATS-optimized resume is always a safe bet.

Key Sections:

• Contact information
• Professional summary
• Work experience (with keywords integrated)
• Skills
• Education

Pro Tip: Use Keywords Strategically Many ATS systems are designed to scan for keywords that match the job description. To optimize your resume for ATS, carefully review the job description and incorporate relevant keywords into your resume, especially in the skills and experience sections. But remember: Don’t keyword stuff—make sure your resume reads naturally.

7. Minimalist Resume: Clean and Simple

Sometimes, less is more. The minimalist resume is all about presenting your experience, skills, and qualifications in a clean, straightforward way. This format is ideal for industries where professionalism and clarity are key, such as finance, law, and healthcare.

Why it works:

• Clean design: Minimalist resumes are easy on the eyes and make information straightforward to find.
• Professional: A no-frills approach often comes across as professional and to the point.
• ATS-friendly: Because there are few graphics or complex formatting, minimalist resumes tend to be highly ATS-compatible.

Key Sections:

• Contact information
• Professional summary
• Work experience
• Skills
• Education

Final Thoughts: Picking the Right Format for You

The best resume format is one that aligns with your career goals, industry standards, and personal strengths. If you’re in a creative field, an infographic or video resume could give you the edge. If you’re in a more traditional field, reverse-chronological or ATS-optimized resumes are often the way to go. Whatever format you choose, ensure that it clearly highlights why you’re the best candidate for the job.

Tailor each resume to the job you’re applying for, focusing on the skills and experiences that matter most to that particular employer. After all, the best resume format is one that gets you noticed—and gets you hired.