How to Structure a Combination Resume That Stands Out

What Is a Combination Resume?

A combination resume uses pieces from two or more resume styles, like chronological and functional or traditional and modern. Using this style is a good way for you emphasize both work history and relevant skills. It can also be a strategic choice to incorporate some creative design elements that can help your resume stand out.

Who Should Use a Combination Resume?

People who are switching careers
Applicants with gaps in employment
Senior-level candidates with a lengthy work history and diverse skills
People applying to creative jobs where non-traditional resume formats are more acceptable

Who Shouldn’t Use a Combination Resume?

Applicants for jobs in fields like academia, government, or finance
For candidates who are well-established in their field, a different format is a better choice to showcase a strong work history

Combination Resume Format and Key Components

Since this resume borrows from other styles, its format and components may change depending on the candidate’s goal. An example is someone applying to a highly technical job, so they might use the components of a traditional resume but arrange them so that the skills section is the most prominent.

In the combination resume example below, the candidate includes the components of a traditional resume–objective, experience, education, etc.–but uses creative elements like color, shading, and columns to organize them and direct the reader’s attention.

A combination resume typically includes the following components:

Contact
Include the standard information to get in touch with you–address, phone number, and a professional email address. You may also include a website if you have one.
Objective or Summary
This is a short statement that sets your goals and describes the value you can bring. If you’re using a combination resume because you’re switching careers, use this section to explain how your skills translate to your desired field.
Experience
List your work experience in reverse-chronological order. Use action-oriented language to describe your responsibilities and cite accomplishments wherever possible, rather than just listing tasks.
Education
Include your degree and the school from which you obtained it. Dates are optional.

Skills or Accomplishments
The beauty of this format is that you can configure this section or sections to suit the job you’re applying for. In the example shown here, the candidate breaks these into skills, accomplishments, and leadership, all of which are relevant for the managerial positions they’re applying for.

FAQs

Why are combination resumes used?

Combination resumes are used when someone wants to incorporate elements from several different types of resumes. They can be useful for emphasizing relevant skills and accomplishments ahead of work history.

What are the most important parts of a combination resume?

A combination resume should include contact info, a summary or objective statement, work experience, education, and key skills or accomplishments.

What is the difference between a combination and a traditional resume?

A traditional resume follows a very standard format, one that most hiring managers are accustomed to seeing. A combination resume incorporates aspects from multiple types of resumes and may change up the elements, order, and format of how things are presented.

What is the difference between a combination and a chronological resume?

In a chronological resume, the primary focus is on the candidate’s work history. Work experience is presented in reverse-chronological order starting with the current or most recent position held. In a combination resume, work history may or may not take the primary position. Other sections like skills or accomplishments might have a heavier emphasis.

What should I do if I have job hopped a lot?

A combination resume can be a good choice for candidates with several short-term jobs since its flexible format allows you to spotlight your relevant skills and downplay the particulars of your work experience.

Should I list references on a combination resume?

Usually no. It’s poor business etiquette to share your references’ contact info without first informing them that they should expect a call, therefore you shouldn’t include it on a resume you’re submitting far and wide.

How many pages should a combination resume be?

A combination resume should fit onto a single page. Candidates with a lengthy work history that extends beyond one page should use a resume format that’s better suited to emphasizing work experience, like traditional or chronological.

What font should I use?

Your resume should use a conventional font that’s readable on all devices and applications. Tried-and-true fonts like Arial, Helvetica, and Georgia are good choices.

What are some common mistakes people make when creating a combination resume?

When creating a combination resume, avoid going overboard with too many elements or overly complex formatting. Ideally, you should include no more than five to six different elements (objective statement, work history, skills, and so on) and use a visually organized format that’s easy for a hiring manager to scan quickly.

What is the most important thing to communicate with a resume?

Regardless of how your resume is organized, the most important thing is that it quickly conveys your relevant skills and why you’re a qualified candidate for the job.

Do I need to worry about keywords in my resume?

Yes. Be sure to incorporate keywords and phrases from the job description, as these are the things a hiring manager will be scanning for when they look over your resume. Additionally, keywords help ensure your resume makes it through automated screening tools to a human recruiter.
Related: How to find keywords in a job description to use in your resume

Should I include an objective in my resume? Is it always needed?

An objective section is not always needed, especially for candidates who have a steady career progression in a single field. It can be helpful for candidates who are changing fields and need a bit more space to provide details on how their experience translates.

Should I list my work achievements?

Yes. The strongest resumes focus on achievements rather than job duties. To help you define these achievements, ask yourself “what results did I accomplish?” for every position you’ve held.

Should I list my hobbies or interests?

This is a case-by-case situation and depends largely on the job and field you’re applying to. For some creative roles and nontraditional companies, it may make sense to include your hobbies and interests to help hiring managers get a feel for how you might fit in on their team. In more traditional fields like healthcare and legal, do not include hobbies or interests on your resume unless they directly relate to the job.

About Pete Newsome

Pete Newsome is the President of 4 Corner Resources, the staffing and recruiting firm he founded in 2005. 4 Corner is a member of the American Staffing Association and TechServe Alliance and has been Clearly Rated's top-rated staffing company in Central Florida for the past five years. Recent awards and recognition include being named to Forbes’ Best Recruiting Firms in America, The Seminole 100, and The Golden 100. Pete also founded ze ngig, to offer comprehensive career advice, tools, and resources for students and professionals. He hosts two podcasts, Hire Calling and Finding Career Zen, and is blazing new trails in recruitment marketing with the latest artificial intelligence (AI) technology. C onnect with Pete on LinkedIn