Boost Your Hiring Potential: Choosing the Ideal Resume Format

Posted by Nelson Resume on 23 May 2026

What is the best resume format? There are a variety of options, and it is dependent on your specific job and your background on which option to select. The most common to choose from are: Reverse-Chronological, Functional, Combination.

Your resume is an important tool in job hunting, and it’s important that it is clear and well-formatted. We at Nelson Resume, we specialize in writing resumes to help you stand out from the rest of the applicants. In this article, we will go over the different types of resume formats and guidelines on how to pick the best one for you.

  1. Reverse-Chronological: This format is the most common and is the best for those with a solid work history. It lists your work experience in reverse-chronological order, with your most recent job at the top.
  2. Functional: This format is best for those with diverse or non-linear experiences in their work. It focuses on your skills and achievements, not the work experience.
  3. Combination: This format combines elements of the reverse-chronological and functional formats. It highlights your skills and accomplishments, while also listing your work history in reverse-chronological order.
  4. Make it specific to the job Your resume should be tailored to the specific job you’re applying for. Pick a format that emphasizes your skills and experiences that are most relevant to the position.
  5. Ask for help from a professional if you’re having difficulty choosing a format or need help tailoring it to the job you’re in, think about seeking help from a professional through Nelson Resume.

Each of the formats has its own advantages and drawbacks. The reverse-chronological format is best for those with a solid work history, the functional format is best for those with diverse or non-linear work experience, and the combination format is a good balance of both. Create a resume that is customized to the specific position you’re applying for and take professional advice if you require it. Nelson Resume can also assist you in creating a professional resume format that showcases your talents and expertise.

Just had my Resume updated. Very fast and Professional service. Thank you Tanja.
Dave B
Excellent service, reasonable priced and very professional. Would highly recommend Nelson Resumes, Tania did an awesome job updating my hubby's resume so much so within hours of applying for positions using his new updated resume he received a call and in a couple of days had a job. #perthresume #coverletter #jobsearching #resumewriting
Genene McGroder
Very professional, fast and affordable. Great Resume and CV. I shopped around and glad I did. Thank you Tanja and team!
Migaloo
Positive: Professionalism Amazing. Very Happy, looks fantastic :) Thanks so much.
Joe Magnus
Positive: Professionalism, Quality, Responsiveness, Value I only moved to Australia a bit over a year ago, with Covid it wasn’t easy to find a job so i took the first opportunity to keep our household going. But i want more, i want educate myself and find a better job. With Nelson Resume i finally get this chance, since cv’s and cover letters work a bit different here and i need help to stand out in this harsh times. Tanja is an awesome professional, very responsive and her writing is incredible! Fingers crossed i’ll land my dream job now!
Elle Street
Amazing fast and professional service. Highly recommended.
Timothy Berg
Can not recommend highly enough....Tanja... gets results we had the best experience from start to finish..HIGHLY recommend if you want results.
Tem & Angie Kuru
Thank you to everyone at Nelson Resume for all your hard work and efforts! I had a very positive experience with you and I love what you have done for me. Thank you. Would highly recommend.
Nina A Majewski
Highly recommended. Tanja have done a fantastic job with my CV, Cover letter and selection criteria. They’re looking fantastic and well detailed. Thank you
Abbi Abbi
Nelson resume helped me land my dream job. Not only was the service second to none, but they genuinely cared to help me. After applying to more then 50 jobs and no call back, literally within a few days of getting my resume professionally written by Nelson Resume I couldn't keep up. If only I knew this was going to make such an impact to my job search I would of acted sooner. I cannot thank you guys enough, you have literally helped me land the job of my dreams.
Sandra Tricoli
From Chronological to Functional: Exploring Resume Format Options

Resume

We provide professional resume writing services.

From Chronological to Functional: Exploring Resume Format Options

Cover Letter

We provide professional cover letter writing services.

From Chronological to Functional: Exploring Resume Format Options

LinkedIn Profile

We provide professional linkedin profile writing services.

From Chronological to Functional: Exploring Resume Format Options

Contact Us

Click the button below to get in touch.

About Us &

What We Do

We provide expert resume writing services and our highly seasoned resume writers will ensure your new resume sticks out among the crowd.

We’re a team of highly certified and experienced Recruiters, consultants and HR Professionals that are dedicated to delivering an exceptional, well-written resume or cover letter.

We pride ourselves on our vast knowledge of top-practice hiring methodologies and Australian recruitment standards. Also, our expertise in a vast range of industries and professions means that we can produce a high-quality, powerful resume that suits your personal needs.

Our end goal is to deliver you with a striking and impressive resume that is correctly maximised for success in the competitive Nelson job market.

We provide a 100% satisfaction guarantee on all of our services, so you can be sure that you will be happy with your brand new cover letter or resume.

100% Satisfaction Guaranteed
Make an Enquiry

Request a Quote

Fill out the form below to get in touch or call us today on
0800 215 100