Hybrid/Combination Resume Format: Examples + How to

Eric Ciechanowski
By Eric Ciechanowski | Career Expert
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Here you will find everything you need to know about using a hybrid/combination resume format: what it is, who should use it, its benefits and how to write your own outstanding document. Follow JobHero’s expert advice and create your own job-winning hybrid/combination resume today!
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The Hybrid/Combination Resume Format

Hybrid Combination Resume Format

What is a Hybrid/Combination Resume and Who Should Use One

What is a hybrid/combination resume format?

Most resumes consist of the same essential sections; the term resume format refers to how those sections are organized!

A hybrid resume, also called a combination resume, combines the best parts of the chronological and functional resume formats.

This type of resume leads hiring managers directly to your abilities and achievements by putting the skills section above your work history. Then, it shows off your employment history in a clear timeline, listing your work history in reverse-chronological order. In doing so, a hybrid resume balances its emphasis between your skills and work history.

This makes the hybrid resume an excellent choice for job seekers who have some experience but not a decades’ worth.

Who should use a hybrid/combination format?

Use a hybrid/combination format if any of these apply:

  • You have three to nine years of experience.
  • You’re applying for a promotion from the job you currently hold.
  • You’re changing industries or careers.
  • You want to draw attention away from gaps in your employment.
  • You’re transferring from a military to a civilian job.

In all of these cases, a hybrid/combination format will give the appropriate balance to your skills and experience that will resonate with employers.

However, not everybody should use a hybrid format!

For recent grads or those with less than three years’ experience in the industry, you should use the functional format, which puts the spotlight on your skills rather than your lack of professional experience.

Or, if you have 10 or more years of relevant work experience, a chronological format would be the best choice because it puts focus on your consistent work history and career development.

How to Construct a Hybrid/Combination Resume Format

A hybrid/combination resume should follow this order:

  • Contact information
  • Professional Summary or Objective Statement
  • Skills
  • Work experience
  • Education

If you want to add additional sections on your resume, such as “Awards and Honors,” “Press,” “Certifications” or “Volunteer Work,” it’s best to do so in between your work experience and education sections

Should you need additional information on how to nail the writing of each specific section, check out our Ultimate Guide on How to Write a Resume.

6 Hybrid/Combination Resume Examples

Free Hybrid/Combination Resume Format Example

Here’s a free downloadable example that you can use to help write your own hybrid/combination resume.

There are plenty more examples too! JobHero has hundreds of resume examples that are industry and job-title-specific. They can help inspire you and give you ideas for how to phrase or describe your own work experience.

FAQ

What does a hybrid/combination resume look like?

Just like other types of resumes, a hybrid resume will start with your personal contact information at the top followed by a professional summary or a career objective.

What makes a combination resume different from a chronological one is that the skills section is given greater prominence on the resume — usually put above the work experience section.

The work experience looks the same as on any other resume: your employer, the dates of your employment and some details about your duties.

Your education information lives near the bottom of your resume.

Why is a hybrid/combination resume good to use when applying for a promotion?

When seeking a job promotion, employers are particularly interested in what you can offer the company. Your skills can demonstrate your value to the company.

Since you technically haven’t performed the job that you’re applying for, you can’t rely on your work experience alone. Instead, shift the focus to the skills and achievements you have that apply to this elevated role.

A hybrid/combination resume leads the employer directly to your skills section, allowing them to notice the abilities you have to offer immediately.

When listing your skills, read the job post and identify the skills required by the employer for the role. Then list your top skills and abilities that match these employer-requested keywords.

How do I create a hybrid/combination resume for different jobs?

If you’re applying to a job that is different from the job title you currently hold, a hybrid/combination resume will often work best because it focuses on the skills you bring to the new role rather than on the duties you performed in past roles.

Like other resumes, a hybrid resume will start with a professional summary or a career objective. Keep your summary short and meaningful and include achievements that appeal to the company’s mission.

Next is the skills section. In this section, you can make a list of six to eight skills relevant to the job you are seeking. Try to include essential phrases listed from the specific job posting that you’re applying to!

To strengthen your resume, make each resume that you send to a different job unique and custom-tailored to that specific job.

A resume is not a one-size-fits-all approach to a job search! Custom-tailor every resume you send out by highlighting skills you have that would be useful to the employer.

Consider that as you write your professional work history. In reverse-chronological order, feature the accomplishments or responsibilities from your work experience that you believe would specifically benefit the employer you’re trying to get a job with the most.

When listing your accomplishments for each job, experts recommend using data and metrics. This will show your success in a factual way and help convince recruiters that you are the best candidate for the job. When listing your accomplishments for each job, experts recommend using data and metrics. This will show your success in a tangible way and help convince recruiters that you are the best candidate for the job.

If you’re looking to speed up the resume-writing process, try our user-friendly Resume Builder.

Can I use a builder to create a hybrid/combination resume?

Yes! JobHero’s Resume Builder will help you create your hybrid/combination resume effortlessly. It features a variety of modern and traditional professionally designed templates that you can choose from.

Once you choose your template, simply follow the prompts to complete each section of your resume. The builder also auto-generates keywords and phrases according to your job title! So you won’t have to worry if you’re explaining your job duties in the best way possible — our career experts will take care of that for you.

The builder also makes sure that your resume is error-free. With spell-check features, it eliminates grammatical errors and fixes punctuation mistakes instantly.

If you already have an existing resume, you can revamp it in our builder hassle-free. Upload your document and update each section with recommendations from the builder.

The built-in formatting system allows you to customize the template design, colors and font, giving your resume a fresh new look.

Don’t miss out on the job you want because you don’t have a top-notch resume ready now. Get started with a Resume Builder to help create a stellar resume in minutes!