A well-designed resume can make or break your job application — especially in 2025, when recruiters spend less than 7 seconds scanning each CV.
But here’s the problem: most job seekers still use outdated formats that look messy or confuse ATS systems.
In this guide, you’ll learn:
- The best resume formats to use in 2025
- When to choose each style
- And how to instantly create your own using our free online Resume Builder
1. Chronological Resume Format (Most Popular in 2025)
The chronological resume focuses on your work history, starting with your most recent job.
It’s ideal if you have consistent career growth and want to show a clear professional path.
Best for:
✅ Professionals with steady work experience
✅ Candidates applying within the same field
Sections to include:
- Contact Info
- Summary
- Work Experience (most recent first)
- Education
- Skills
Example of Chronological Resume Format
Michael Thompson
Toronto, Ontario, Canada | +1 (647) 555-2819 | michael.thompson@email.com | linkedin.com/in/mthompson
Professional Summary
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Detail-oriented IT Support Specialist with 5 years of experience providing technical assistance to over 300 users in fast-paced corporate environments. Skilled in troubleshooting hardware, software, and network issues with a strong focus on improving system uptime and user satisfaction.
Work Experience
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IT Support Specialist — MapleTech Solutions, Toronto, ON
January 2021 – Present
• Provide tier-2 technical support for 300+ end users across multiple departments.
• Implemented automated ticket tracking system, reducing resolution time by 28%.
• Assisted in network upgrades and cybersecurity compliance audits.
• Conducted monthly training sessions to enhance digital literacy among staff.
Technical Support Technician — BrightWave Systems, Mississauga, ON
May 2019 – December 2020
• Responded to an average of 20+ daily technical requests via phone and remote desktop tools.
• Configured new hardware, operating systems, and VPN access for remote employees.
• Maintained accurate documentation of support cases and troubleshooting steps.
Help Desk Assistant — City of Toronto IT Department, Toronto, ON
June 2018 – April 2019
• Supported IT team in deploying Windows 10 migration for over 500 workstations.
• Monitored help desk ticket queue and escalated unresolved issues appropriately.
Education
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Diploma in Information Technology Support
George Brown College, Toronto, ON — Graduated 2018
Certifications
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• CompTIA A+ Certified (2020)
• Microsoft 365 Fundamentals (2021)
Skills
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• Technical Support & Troubleshooting
• Windows, macOS, and Linux Systems
• Network Configuration (LAN/WAN, VPN)
• Office 365 Administration
• Customer Service & Communication
• Hardware Maintenance & Setup
• Cybersecurity Awareness
References
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Available upon request
2. Functional Resume Format (Skills-Based)
This format highlights your skills and achievements instead of work history.
It’s great for:
- Career changers
- Freelancers
- Students with little job experience
Structure:
- Professional Summary
- Key Skills & Achievements
- Work Experience (optional or short)
- Education
Tip:
If you’re shifting from marketing to product design, highlight transferable skills like project management, communication, and analytics.
example
James Thompson
London, United Kingdom | +44 20 7946 0875 | james.thompson@email.co.uk | linkedin.com/in/jamesthompson
PROFESSIONAL SUMMARY
Innovative Digital Marketing Specialist with 5 years of experience driving online campaigns, optimising conversions, and building brand presence for UK-based and international clients. Adept at content strategy, SEO, PPC, and social media management.
KEY SKILLS & ACHIEVEMENTS
- SEO & SEM: Increased organic traffic by 60% for multiple clients using keyword optimisation and content strategy.
- Content Marketing: Produced and managed campaigns generating over 200,000 impressions across platforms.
- Social Media Strategy: Developed social media plans resulting in a 45% engagement increase on LinkedIn and Instagram.
- Analytics & Reporting: Proficient in Google Analytics, HubSpot, and SEMrush for campaign analysis and insights.
- Project Leadership: Led cross-functional teams to execute marketing campaigns on time and within budget.
WORK EXPERIENCE (Optional / Short)
Freelance Digital Marketing Consultant – London, UK | 2020 – Present
- Managed digital campaigns for SMEs and startups, including PPC, social media, and email marketing.
- Designed marketing dashboards to track ROI and engagement metrics.
Marketing Assistant – BrightWave Agency, London, UK | 2017 – 2020
- Supported senior marketers in campaign execution and reporting.
- Assisted with social media management and content creation.
EDUCATION
BA (Hons) Marketing – University of Manchester | 2013 – 2016
Absolutely! Let’s break it down and give a clean example in a copyable format.
3. Combination Resume Format (Hybrid Style)
The combination resume (or hybrid resume) blends the strengths of both chronological and functional formats. It emphasizes your skills and achievements first, while still providing a clear work history.
Best for:
- Professionals with solid experience and transferable skills.
- Candidates who want to highlight achievements while showing a steady career path.
- People applying for roles requiring both technical expertise and relevant work experience.
Key Sections:
- Professional Summary — introduce yourself and highlight your core strengths.
- Key Skills & Achievements — bullet points of your most relevant skills and measurable accomplishments.
- Work Experience — chronological list, but focus on results and impact.
- Education — degrees, certifications, and relevant training.
Why it works:
- Combines the ATS-friendliness of chronological resumes with the impact of a skills-based approach.
- Perfect for applicants who want to showcase both capability and experience.
Example Combination CV (UK, 5 Years Experience)
Sophie Williams
London, United Kingdom | +44 20 7946 1234 | sophie.williams@email.co.uk | linkedin.com/in/sophiewilliams
PROFESSIONAL SUMMARY
Results-driven Project Manager with 5 years of experience leading cross-functional teams and delivering digital transformation projects on time and within budget. Expertise in agile methodologies, stakeholder management, and process optimisation.
KEY SKILLS & ACHIEVEMENTS
- Project Management: Successfully delivered 15+ IT and marketing projects with budgets up to £500k.
- Agile & Scrum: Certified Scrum Master, led sprint planning and backlog prioritisation for multiple teams.
- Process Improvement: Reduced project delivery times by 20% through workflow optimisation.
- Stakeholder Engagement: Maintained strong client relationships, improving repeat business by 30%.
- Reporting & Analytics: Implemented dashboards to track KPIs and project outcomes.
WORK EXPERIENCE
Project Manager – TechSolutions Ltd, London, UK | 2020 – Present
- Managed multiple concurrent projects in software development and digital marketing.
- Coordinated 10+ team members across design, development, and QA departments.
- Delivered projects on schedule, increasing client satisfaction scores by 25%.
Assistant Project Manager – BrightWave Agency, London, UK | 2017 – 2020
- Supported project planning and execution for marketing campaigns.
- Assisted in client communication and reporting project milestones.
- Developed tracking systems to improve efficiency and visibility.
EDUCATION
MSc Project Management – University College London | 2015 – 2017
BA (Hons) Business Management – University of Manchester | 2011 – 2014
✅ Notes:
- Skills & achievements are at the top to immediately showcase capability.
- Work experience is still present to show career progression.
- Achievements are quantified wherever possible.
Here’s a clear breakdown of the Modern & Creative Resume Format with a copyable example in plain text for your WordPress blog.
4. Modern & Creative Resume Format (For 2025 Trends)
The modern & creative resume emphasizes visual appeal, readability, and branding while still remaining ATS-compatible. It often includes color accents, infographics, and unique layouts to stand out — without sacrificing clarity.
Best for:
- Designers, marketers, content creators, or anyone in a creative field.
- Applicants who want to showcase personality and design sensibility.
- Job seekers targeting innovative companies or startups.
Key Sections:
- Header with Personal Branding — name, title, contact info, website/portfolio.
- Professional Summary — concise statement emphasizing value and unique strengths.
- Skills & Tools — visually highlighted (bars, charts, or bold lists).
- Work Experience — focus on results, projects, and creative impact.
- Education & Certifications — keep it clean and readable.
- Portfolio / Projects (Optional) — showcase relevant work visually.
Why it works:
- Stands out in a stack of standard resumes.
- Highlights both creativity and professionalism.
- Adaptable to online/print versions and still readable by ATS if designed carefully.
Example Modern & Creative CV (UK, 5 Years Experience)
Aidan Clarke
Graphic Designer | London, UK
aidan.clarke@email.co.uk | +44 20 7946 5678 | portfolio.aydanc.com | linkedin.com/in/aidanclarke
PROFESSIONAL SUMMARY
Innovative Graphic Designer with 5 years of experience delivering visually striking branding, marketing, and digital campaigns. Skilled in Adobe Creative Suite, UX/UI principles, and motion graphics.
SKILLS & TOOLS
- Adobe Photoshop, Illustrator, InDesign – Advanced
- Figma & Sketch – UX/UI Design
- Motion Graphics & Animation – After Effects
- Branding & Visual Identity Development
- Project Management & Team Collaboration
WORK EXPERIENCE
Senior Graphic Designer – BrightVision Studio, London, UK | 2021 – Present
- Led rebranding for 10+ clients, improving brand recognition and engagement.
- Designed and animated social media campaigns resulting in 40% higher engagement.
- Managed junior designers, providing mentorship and creative guidance.
Graphic Designer – CreativeSpark Agency, London, UK | 2018 – 2021
- Developed campaign graphics for print and digital media.
- Collaborated with marketing teams to produce visually compelling content.
- Introduced new design templates, reducing project delivery time by 15%.
EDUCATION
BA (Hons) Graphic Design – University of the Arts London | 2014 – 2018
Certification in UX/UI Design – Interaction Design Foundation | 2020
PORTFOLIO HIGHLIGHTS
- Brand Identity: Luxon Tech, GreenLeaf Media
- Digital Campaigns: Social media graphics for 5 major UK brands
- Motion Design: Animated explainer videos for startups and NGOs
✅ Notes:
- Modern resumes often include visual elements, but here it’s plain text for copyable format.
- Skills are separated for quick scanning by recruiters.
- Achievements are quantified where possible.
Here’s a clear explanation of the Resume Format for Fresh Graduates with a copyable example in plain text for your WordPress blog.
5. Resume Format for Fresh Graduates (Entry-Level Jobs)
This resume format is tailored for individuals with little to no professional experience. The focus is on education, internships, projects, skills, and volunteer experience. The goal is to show potential, learning ability, and transferable skills.
Best for:
- Recent graduates applying for their first full-time role.
- Students or interns transitioning to professional positions.
- Candidates who want to highlight academic achievements and relevant projects.
Key Sections:
- Contact Information — name, email, phone, LinkedIn/portfolio (if applicable).
- Professional Summary / Objective — concise statement about career goals and value.
- Education — degrees, certifications, notable achievements.
- Skills — technical, soft, and relevant job-specific skills.
- Projects & Internships — showcase accomplishments and contributions.
- Volunteer Experience / Extracurriculars — optional but can add depth.
Why it works:
- Compensates for lack of work experience by emphasizing skills, achievements, and potential.
- Helps recruiters quickly see the candidate’s relevant strengths.
- Clean and structured layout increases readability for both humans and ATS.
Example CV for a Fresh Graduate (UK, Entry-Level)
Emily Thompson
Marketing Graduate | Manchester, UK
emily.thompson@email.co.uk | +44 161 555 7890 | linkedin.com/in/emilythompson
PROFESSIONAL SUMMARY
Recent Marketing graduate with strong analytical and creative skills. Experienced in social media campaigns, content creation, and market research through internships and university projects. Eager to contribute to dynamic marketing teams and deliver measurable results.
EDUCATION
BA (Hons) Marketing – University of Manchester | 2021 – 2025
- Graduated with First Class Honours
- Relevant Modules: Digital Marketing, Consumer Behaviour, Brand Management
- Marketing Society President, 2023 – 2025
KEY SKILLS
- Social Media Management (Instagram, LinkedIn, TikTok)
- Content Creation & Copywriting
- Data Analysis (Excel, Google Analytics)
- Campaign Planning & Execution
- Team Collaboration & Project Management
PROJECTS & INTERNSHIPS
Marketing Intern – BrightIdeas Agency, Manchester | Summer 2024
- Assisted in the development of digital campaigns for 3 clients
- Designed graphics and drafted social media content
- Analyzed campaign metrics and presented performance insights to the team
University Project – Product Launch Campaign | 2023
- Led a team of 4 to create a mock launch for a sustainable product
- Conducted market research and competitor analysis
- Developed a marketing strategy including social media and content planning
VOLUNTEER EXPERIENCE
Social Media Volunteer – Manchester Food Bank | 2022 – 2023
- Managed posts and created graphics to promote fundraising events
- Increased engagement by 30% over 6 months✅ Notes:
- The focus is on skills, projects, and internships, as fresh graduates often have minimal work experience.
- Professional summary and skills sections help catch recruiter attention quickly.
- Quantifiable achievements, even from university or volunteer work, add credibility.
Bonus Tips for 2025 Resume Success
✅ Keep it to one page if under 5 years of experience
✅ Use action verbs (developed, managed, improved, implemented)
✅ Add quantifiable results (e.g., “Increased sales by 20%”)
✅ Save as a .docx or text-based .pdf file
✅ Always run it through an ATS Scanner before sending
Key Takeaway
The right resume format can dramatically boost your interview chances.
Whether you’re an experienced professional or a recent graduate, using the right layout helps your skills shine.