Tips for Writing an Impressive Hybrid Resume

Hybrid resume

If you are a recent graduate or you have made a career change, a hybrid or combination resume format could be the best way to mitigate a lack of experience and employment gaps. Though functional resume formats that prioritize skills over professional experience are not typically encouraged by hiring managers, hybrid resumes can be a better choice in some cases. This is because the hybrid resume has some commonalities as the traditional, chronological resume format. So, what is a hybrid resume and how can you use it to your advantage during a job search?

What is a hybrid resume?

The combination, or hybrid resume format, is one that blends the features of a traditional chronological resume with the more modern functional resume. While chronological resumes focus on professional experience and functional resumes prioritize the skills section, a combination resume balances these sections. The main benefit of this format is the way that it provides a broad overview of a job seeker’s skills and experience. For this reason, the hybrid format is not advised for job seekers who have extensive professional experience. If you have a lot of work experience, the best resume format for you would be chronological.

Important sections for a hybrid resume

There are a number of important, core sections in a hybrid resume format as well as a range of optional, additional sections that you could add if relevant. For example, if you have undertaken internships, you could add a section to represent them. Whatever additional experience you might have, your combination resume will always feature the following sections:

Resume summary/resume objective

Placed directly below the header, which should contain your full name and contact information, the resume summary or resume objective statement is either a sum-up of key skills and achievements or a statement of career goals and objectives. When should you write a summary for a resume, and when should you write a resume objective? A resume summary is best for job seekers who have a lot of professional experience and relevant skills, while an objective statement is best for those who lack work experience. Looking for inspiration for your resume objective? Don’t miss our objective resume examples.

Skills section

When creating your resume, it’s very important to pay close attention to the skills for resume section. Hybrid templates should have skills sections that are comparable to their work experience sections. Use this section to list all of the skills that make you a good fit for the job description you are applying for. List the most important technical skills and hard skills first. After this, move on to your soft skills and transferable skills. This will provide a well rounded view of your abilities to recruiters.

Work history/work experience

Your work experience section is likely to be one of the most important. You should list your previous job titles in reverse-chronological order with your most recent job first. Provide up to 10 years of employment history. Focus on what you achieved in each role and use bullet points to save space when providing details. This section is crucial when your resume passes through applicant tracking systems (ATS) looking for specific qualifications via keywords from the job posting.

Education

Your resume education section should include your most advanced and recent academic achievements. You don’t need to list your high school GPA unless you have no other formal education.

Tips for creating your hybrid resume

This structure will create an effective, basic resume, but if you want to write the type of resume that wows recruiters, you will need to show good writing skills as well. The following resume writing tips will help you stand out from the crowd:

Link your work history to the job posting

Lots of professional experience won’t necessarily guarantee you a new job. You have to show hiring managers that your previous job titles have helped make you suitable for the role they are hiring for. Highlight achievements and skills that you have learned in previous roles that will be useful in the job you are applying for.

Emphasize your skill set

Your unique skill set is what makes you an asset to any company. Your main task as a job seeker is to convince recruiters that your skill set is what they need. Focus on your strongest, most relevant skills but don’t be afraid to include additional skills you think may be useful. You can always provide additional context in your cover letter.

Read the job description carefully

The job posting for any role contains all of the information you need to rank well in ATS software and impress the hiring manager. Read the job description carefully, read it a second time, and highlight key skills and requirements.

Use active language

Passive language is a simple way to lose a hiring manager’s interest. Rather than saying “I was responsible for” be bold. Say “Created”, “Developed” or “Led” to emphasize your initiative and passion.

Consider relevant resume examples

You can get great inspiration from a relevant hybrid resume example. Use online services to find resume examples in your field and read them carefully. You may discover additional skills that you can list on your own resume.

You can also make use of free resume templates to ensure that your resume is well-formatted. ResumeHelp has a free resume builder that offers a range of templates and creates an editable document in minutes.