Combination Resume
You ever feel stuck between showing off all your skills and showcasing your actual work experience? Like, you know you've got both, but you can't figure out how to put it all together in one resume? That's where the combination resume comes in. It's not as popular as the chronological or functional styles, but if done right, it can be the perfect way to tell your story.
What is a combination resume?
Alright, so here's the deal. A combination resume is just what it sounds like, a mix of the chronological and functional formats. You get to highlight your skills and accomplishments at the top, so they're easy to see right away. Then you still have room to list your work experience in chronological order underneath. It's ideal for people who want to show they have the skills but don't want their employment history to get buried either.
Who should actually use this style?
Not everyone needs a combination resume, and honestly, if you're just starting out or have a straightforward career path, you might not need to bother. It's really great for folks who are making a career change or have gaps in their work history. Maybe you've been freelancing for years but also have agency experience, this lets you highlight your skills from freelancing while still showing you worked those traditional jobs. Or maybe you've had all kinds of different roles, and you want to pull it all together into a cohesive story.
How to structure it
Start with a summary or "key skills" section right at the top. This is where you list out the things you're awesome at, like managing teams, running campaigns, or whatever makes sense for your field. Don't just throw out generic buzzwords here, it needs to reflect what you're actually good at.
After that comes your work experience. This part is chronological, so it’s easy for hiring managers to follow. Include job titles, companies, dates, and a couple of bullet points for each. The bullet points should focus on results and achievements. Numbers are your friends here, how much money you saved, how many projects you completed, stuff like that.
Does it have any downsides?
Look, no resume format is perfect. The combination resume can get a little long, especially if you’re tempted to write too much in both sections. It also takes some extra effort to balance the two parts, so it doesn’t feel like you’re repeating yourself. But if you're someone with a lot of relevant skills and great experience, it can make you stand out in all the right ways.
The part nobody tells you about
Here's what trips up most people, they overthink it. A combination resume doesn't need to be fancy or overly complicated. It's not about cramming in every skill and job you've ever had. It's about highlighting the best parts of your career and showing how they connect. So keep it focused. Pick the skills that really align with the job you're going for. Then choose the work experiences that showcase those skills in action. Easy as that.
At the end of the day, you’ve got to feel confident about what you’re putting out there. If the combination resume feels like the best way to show who you are and what you bring to the table, go for it. Just put in the time to make sure it’s clear and well-organized. That little extra effort can make all the difference when you're trying to stand out from the crowd.