When writing a resume, you have the choice of using one of three resume formats: chronological, functional, or combination. A combo resume highlights critical abilities and achievements at the beginning of your resume. Your professional history is also shown in “reverse-chronological” order, with the most recent experiences listed first.
We’ll go over a combination resume, how to design one, and its benefits in this article!
What is a Combination resume?
A combination resume structure highlights both abilities and achievements and recent job experience.
A combination resume, for example, will incorporate parts from the other two most typical resume formats:
- Functional resume format enumerates essential, relevant, and transferable talents that distinguish you from other applicants.
- Chronological resume format: Lists current and relevant job experiences in reverse-chronological sequence in the professional history section, with the most recent work experiences included.
If you are a junior or mid-level applicant with vital, relevant abilities that meet the job description, the combo resume format is an excellent option. This resume structure, for example, may be useful if you have a few years of professional experience following graduation. A combo resume structure will showcase abilities you’ve learned as a recent graduate and help you relate those skills to your job experience.
How to create a fantastic combination resume?
While you should adjust your resume to the requirements of the positions you’re looking for, a combination resume style places a greater emphasis on abilities than employment experience. The sections of a combo resume usually are organized in the following order:
1. Your name and phone number
A resume should start with your name and contact information, regardless of format, so that companies may readily reach you. Ensure you’re using up-to-date and correct information, such as your current phone number and email address. List your postal address and links to online portfolios as optional information, which may be helpful depending on your sector.
2. Synopsis
A concise explanation of your most relevant abilities and experiences should be included in your resume. To assist hiring managers in quickly assessing if they are a good match, the summary should be brief (no more than two lines) and utilize active language. Use a resume goal when you’re fresh to the workforce and don’t have any relevant experience. It’s a straightforward declaration of your short- and long-term professional objectives.
3. Capabilities and skills
After you’ve written your executive summary, write a section about your expertise. Read the job ad and look for keywords that will draw the attention of the company and allow your CV to pass automatic screenings. These might include talents listed as necessary or desirable by the company.
You should include both complex (technical) and soft (interpersonal) talents in your list. Because a combination resume is intended to assist prospective employers in understanding how your talents and professional experience connect, you may want to include skills and abilities you’ve gained from past companies that are relevant to your future employment.
4. Professional background
Your professional experience should assist your talents section if you’re utilizing a hybrid resume.
If you’re an entry-level salesperson, your skills section may contain soft talents such as “collaboration skills” and “communication skills,” as well as complex skills such as “SalesForce” and “data analytics tools.” Your professional experience may assist employers in having a better understanding of your work habits and talents by elaborating on how these skills were developed and used.
5. Education
Including this section on a CV might help folks with little job experience stand out.
If you are a recent graduate or have little professional experience for other reasons, consider including relevant coursework, grade point averages (usually 3.5 or higher), and extracurricular activities such as leadership positions, volunteer initiatives, or club membership.
Benefits of Combination Resume Over Other Formats
A resume combination combines both forms’ benefits without jeopardizing your work history, allowing you to handle job transitions and other red flags that a recruiter could see when analyzing your application.
- Captures the recruiter’s attention right away with a summary of your talents and accomplishments and then backs it up with a chronological analysis of how you gained that expertise.
- Recruiters don’t have to read through every bullet point in your career history to discover your successes if you’ve been in the same position or organization for a long time since a combination format presents this information right at the front.
- You may reorganize the style or chronology of the resume using the flexible format, so you can pick which information the recruiter sees first.
Give It a Shot!
Every resume format has its benefits and drawbacks. While there is no such thing as a “perfect” resume style, the combination resume allows you to highlight your best talents without diluting or concealing your employment experience. They can either get you one step closer to your dream job or get you one step farther if done incorrectly.
One evident benefit of the hybrid resume is that you have a well-balanced, all-around CV to capture the recruiter’s interest. As a result, small gaps in work will not be as evident as they are for candidates that use the functional resume. So, what are you waiting for? Get started already with your combination resume!
