Crafting a compelling resume can feel like navigating a complex maze. Different resume formats exist, each with its own strengths and weaknesses. If you’re someone with a diverse work history, perhaps transitioning careers, showcasing a variety of skills, or returning to the workforce after a break, a combination resume might be the perfect solution. It blends the best aspects of chronological and functional resume styles, allowing you to highlight both your skills and your work experience in a way that resonates with potential employers.
This sample combination resume template is designed to provide you with a solid foundation for building your own impactful resume. We’ll guide you through each section, explaining how to effectively showcase your abilities, accomplishments, and relevant experience. By strategically combining a skills-based overview with a chronological work history, you can create a document that immediately grabs the attention of recruiters and hiring managers, demonstrating your value and suitability for the target role.
Inside, you’ll find helpful tips and customizable sections to ensure your resume accurately reflects your unique qualifications and career aspirations. Remember, a well-crafted combination resume isn’t just a list of your past jobs; it’s a powerful marketing tool that can open doors to exciting new opportunities. Let’s get started and create a resume that truly stands out!
What is a Combination Resume?
A combination resume blends the best aspects of chronological and functional resume formats. This makes it a versatile option, suitable for various career stages and job types. It strategically highlights both your skills and your work history, showcasing your qualifications in a compelling manner.
The combination resume typically starts with a skills section that details your key competencies and areas of expertise. This is followed by a work history section that outlines your professional experience in reverse chronological order. This arrangement allows you to immediately grab the reader’s attention with your most relevant skills while still providing a clear timeline of your career progression.
A key benefit of the combination resume is its adaptability. It’s particularly useful for individuals who:
- Are changing careers and want to emphasize transferable skills.
- Have gaps in their employment history and prefer to minimize focus on dates.
- Want to showcase specific skills relevant to the target job while demonstrating a stable work history.
- Have a diverse skill set and want to highlight multiple areas of expertise.
When creating a combination resume, it’s crucial to tailor both the skills and work history sections to the specific job requirements. Use keywords from the job description to optimize your resume for applicant tracking systems (ATS) and to demonstrate a clear match between your qualifications and the employer’s needs.
Key Sections of a Combination Resume
The combination resume, blending chronological and functional formats, requires careful structuring to highlight both your skills and your work history effectively. Key sections work in synergy to present a comprehensive picture of your capabilities to potential employers. A well-organized combination resume immediately draws the reader’s attention to your most relevant qualifications, increasing your chances of landing an interview.
The core sections typically include a compelling Professional Summary, a detailed Skills section, a reverse-chronological Experience section, and sections for Education, Projects (if applicable), and potentially Additional Skills or Interests. The Professional Summary acts as a brief introduction, showcasing your key strengths and career objectives. The Skills section should be strategically designed to highlight both hard and soft skills relevant to the target role, often using keywords identified in the job description.
The Experience section, while presented in reverse-chronological order, isn’t simply a list of duties. Instead, focus on accomplishments and quantify your contributions whenever possible. Use action verbs and demonstrate how your skills have positively impacted previous employers. Think in terms of results rather than just responsibilities. This transforms your work history into a powerful demonstration of your value.
The Education section should include degrees, certifications, and any relevant training. The Projects section is an excellent place to showcase practical experience gained outside of formal employment, highlighting skills and initiative. Consider including links to online portfolios or project repositories if available. The Additional Skills/Interests section can be used to showcase languages, software proficiencies, or other unique qualifications that further demonstrate your suitability for the role. Ensure all information is presented clearly, concisely, and accurately.
In summary, the effective combination resume uses a strategic blend of skills and experience to market yourself to the target job. Optimize each section, focusing on quantifiable results and skills alignment. Remember to tailor the resume to each individual job application for maximum impact.
Formatting and Design Best Practices
The combination resume format benefits from a clean and professional design that highlights both skills and experience effectively. Prioritize readability by using clear, concise language and ample white space. Avoid dense blocks of text that can overwhelm recruiters and make it difficult to quickly identify key qualifications. Choose a font that is easy to read both on screen and in print; common choices include Arial, Calibri, and Times New Roman.
Consistency is crucial for a polished and professional look. Maintain a uniform font size and style throughout the document, with subtle variations for headings and subheadings. Use consistent spacing between sections and bullet points to create visual harmony. Pay close attention to margins and alignment to ensure a balanced and organized layout. Remember that a well-formatted resume reflects your attention to detail and professionalism.
For a combination resume, strategic use of visual cues can help guide the reader’s eye to the most important information. Bold keywords and phrases relevant to the job description to draw attention to your skills and accomplishments. Use bullet points effectively to break up paragraphs and present information in a digestible format. A clean, understated design is typically preferred over overly elaborate graphics or colors, especially when applying through automated tracking systems (ATS). The goal is to present your qualifications in a clear, concise, and easily scannable manner.
Skills Section: Hard and Soft Skills
The skills section of a combination resume is crucial for quickly highlighting your qualifications to potential employers. It’s the place to showcase both your technical expertise (hard skills) and interpersonal abilities (soft skills) that are relevant to the target job. A well-crafted skills section ensures that your resume is not only seen but also understood by both human recruiters and Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS).
Hard skills are specific, teachable abilities that can be defined and measured. Examples include programming languages, data analysis, project management methodologies, and proficiency in specific software programs. When listing hard skills, be as specific as possible. Instead of saying “Project Management,” specify “Agile Project Management” or “PMP Certified.” This precision allows recruiters to quickly assess your suitability for the role and helps your resume get past initial ATS screenings.
Soft skills, on the other hand, are less tangible and relate to your personality and how you interact with others. Examples include communication, teamwork, problem-solving, leadership, and time management. While these skills are harder to quantify, they are equally important, demonstrating your ability to thrive in a collaborative environment and contribute to a positive workplace culture. When listing soft skills, consider providing brief examples of how you’ve demonstrated them in past roles within your experience section.
To optimize your skills section for both human readers and ATS, use a mix of bullet points and keywords. Start with a concise list of your core skills, ensuring that they align with the keywords mentioned in the job description. Group related skills together for clarity. For example, if you’re applying for a marketing role, you might group your skills under headings like “Digital Marketing,” “Content Creation,” and “Social Media Management.” Regularly update your skills section to reflect new knowledge and skills gained through training or experience, tailoring it to each job application.
Remember that the skills section works best when it complements the other sections of your resume. The achievements and responsibilities described in your experience section should provide concrete examples of how you’ve applied your skills to achieve results. This combined approach creates a compelling narrative that showcases your qualifications and makes you a strong candidate for the job.
Work Experience: Emphasizing Achievements
The Work Experience section is arguably the most critical part of your resume, especially when using a combination resume format. This format seeks to balance skills and experience, but employers still heavily scrutinize your past roles to gauge your potential fit. Therefore, it’s not enough to simply list your job titles and responsibilities. You must actively highlight your *achievements* within each role to demonstrate your value proposition. Think of it as telling a story of your professional growth and how you’ve consistently contributed to the success of your previous employers.
Instead of generic descriptions, focus on quantifying your accomplishments whenever possible. Did you increase sales, reduce costs, improve efficiency, or enhance customer satisfaction? Use numbers, percentages, and specific examples to illustrate the impact you made. Frame your accomplishments using action verbs and focusing on the positive outcome. For instance, instead of “Responsible for managing social media accounts,” try “Increased social media engagement by 30% in six months by implementing a new content strategy.” This demonstrates quantifiable results and immediately grabs the reader’s attention.
Beyond quantification, tailor your achievements to the specific requirements of the job you’re applying for. Review the job description carefully and identify the key skills and qualifications the employer is seeking. Then, select and highlight the experiences that best demonstrate your proficiency in those areas. This doesn’t mean fabricating information, but rather prioritizing and framing your accomplishments in a way that aligns with the employer’s needs. Use keywords from the job description within your achievement statements to further demonstrate your relevance and improve your resume’s chances of being recognized by Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS).
Consider using the STAR method (Situation, Task, Action, Result) to structure your achievement descriptions. Briefly describe the situation or challenge you faced, outline the specific task you were assigned, detail the actions you took to address the challenge, and, most importantly, highlight the positive result or outcome of your efforts. This provides a clear and concise narrative that demonstrates your problem-solving abilities and impact. Remember to keep your descriptions concise and easy to read, focusing on the most significant accomplishments in each role.
In conclusion, the Work Experience section should be a showcase of your accomplishments, not just a list of your duties. By quantifying your achievements, tailoring them to the job requirements, and using the STAR method, you can create a compelling narrative that demonstrates your value to potential employers and significantly increases your chances of landing an interview. This is especially important for a combination resume, where you are trying to showcase both skills and experience effectively.
Resume Example: sample combination resume template
Below is a simple and clean resume example tailored to sample combination resume template. Replace placeholder details with your own achievements.
Jane Doe
jane.doe@email.com · (555) 123-4567 · Anytown, USA · linkedin.com/in/janedoe · portfolio.com/janedoe
Professional Summary
Highly motivated and results-oriented professional with 5+ years of experience in project management and data analysis. Proven ability to streamline processes, improve efficiency, and drive successful outcomes. Seeking a challenging role where I can leverage my skills and experience to contribute to the success of a growing organization using a combination of traditional and agile methodologies.
Key Skills
- Project Management (Agile, Waterfall)
- Data Analysis
- Process Improvement
- Communication & Collaboration
- Tools/Software: Microsoft Project, Jira, Asana, Excel, SQL
Experience
Project Manager — ABC Company (2018–2023)
- Led cross-functional teams to successfully deliver projects on time and within budget, resulting in a 15% increase in project efficiency.
- Managed project scope, schedule, and resources using agile methodologies, ensuring alignment with business objectives.
- Utilized Microsoft Project and Jira to track progress, identify risks, and mitigate issues.
Data Analyst — XYZ Corporation (2016–2018)
- Analyzed large datasets to identify trends and insights, providing data-driven recommendations that improved decision-making.
- Developed and implemented data visualization dashboards to track key performance indicators (KPIs).
Projects (Optional)
- Process Improvement Initiative: Streamlined a key operational process, reducing processing time by 20%.
Education & Certifications
- Master of Science in Project Management — University of California, Berkeley (2016)
- Project Management Professional (PMP) Certification
Additional
- Awards: Employee of the Month (ABC Company, 2020) · Languages: Spanish (Conversational)
Resume Example: sample combination resume template
Below is a simple and clean resume example tailored to sample combination resume template. Replace placeholder details with your own achievements.
Full Name
Email · Phone · City, Country · LinkedIn · Portfolio
Professional Summary
A highly motivated and results-oriented professional with [Number] years of experience in [Industry]. Proven ability to [Key Skill 1] and [Key Skill 2] while consistently exceeding expectations. Seeking a challenging role in [Target Role related to sample combination resume template] to leverage expertise and contribute to company growth.
Key Skills
- Project Management
- Data Analysis
- Communication (Written & Verbal)
- Microsoft Office Suite (Excel, PowerPoint, Word), SQL, Python
Experience
Senior Project Manager — ABC Company (2018–2023)
- Successfully managed and delivered 15+ projects on time and within budget, resulting in a 20% increase in team efficiency.
- Led cross-functional teams to implement new processes, improving overall project workflow.
- Utilized project management methodologies (Agile, Waterfall) and tools (Microsoft Project, Jira) for effective project tracking and reporting.
Data Analyst — XYZ Corporation (2016–2018)
- Analyzed large datasets to identify trends and insights, informing key business decisions.
- Developed and presented data visualizations to stakeholders, communicating complex information effectively.
Projects (Optional)
- Data Analytics Dashboard: Created an interactive dashboard to track key performance indicators, improving decision-making processes, link if available.
Education & Certifications
- Master of Science in Data Science — University of California, Berkeley (2016)
- Project Management Professional (PMP) Certification
Additional
- Awards: Employee of the Month (2020, 2022) · Languages: Spanish (Conversational)
Customization and Keywords
The combination resume format is highly adaptable, but its effectiveness hinges on strategic customization. Tailoring your resume to each specific job application is crucial for highlighting the most relevant skills and experiences. Begin by carefully analyzing the job description, identifying the core competencies, keywords, and desired qualifications the employer is seeking. This understanding will guide your selection of accomplishments and skills to emphasize.
Integrating relevant keywords is paramount for getting your resume noticed by Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS). These systems scan resumes for specific terms and phrases related to the job. Incorporate keywords naturally throughout your resume, including in your skills section, experience descriptions, and summary statement. Avoid keyword stuffing, which can make your resume appear unnatural and potentially penalized by the ATS. Instead, focus on using keywords in context to demonstrate your expertise and qualifications.
Think about your target audience and tailor your language accordingly. Use industry-specific terminology and quantify your achievements whenever possible. Numbers and metrics provide concrete evidence of your impact and make your accomplishments more compelling. For example, instead of saying “Improved customer satisfaction,” say “Improved customer satisfaction scores by 15% within six months.” Consider A/B testing different resume versions to see which ones perform best with different job postings. This will involve subtly tweaking your resume to match the job description keywords and desired experiences.
Remember that a well-customized resume is not just about including keywords; it’s about telling a compelling story that demonstrates your value to the employer. Focus on highlighting your accomplishments and the positive impact you’ve made in previous roles. Use action verbs to describe your responsibilities and achievements, and quantify your results whenever possible. The combination resume format allows you to strategically present your skills and experience in a way that resonates with the hiring manager and positions you as a strong candidate.
Action Verbs and Quantifiable Results
Using strong action verbs and quantifiable results is crucial for a compelling resume, especially when employing a combination resume template. A combination resume balances skills, experience, and accomplishments, and showcasing your impact with data helps recruiters quickly understand your value proposition. Instead of simply listing responsibilities, demonstrate how you contributed to the success of your previous employers with measurable achievements.
Action verbs add dynamism and clarity to your resume. Opt for verbs that highlight your accomplishments and skills. For example, instead of saying “Responsible for project management,” use “Managed cross-functional teams to deliver projects on time and within budget.” Some other strong action verbs include: spearheaded, implemented, optimized, developed, led, and achieved. Tailor your verb choices to the specific requirements of the job you are applying for, demonstrating that you understand the role’s needs and possess the skills to succeed.
Quantifiable results provide concrete evidence of your abilities. Whenever possible, include numbers, percentages, or specific data points to illustrate the impact of your work. For example, “Increased sales by 20% within the first quarter” or “Reduced operational costs by 15% through process improvements.” Even seemingly small achievements can be quantified; consider the time saved, the number of clients served, or the efficiency gains realized. Using quantifiable results makes your accomplishments more tangible and credible.
Here are some tips for incorporating action verbs and quantifiable results effectively:
- Begin each bullet point with a strong action verb.
- Focus on achievements rather than just responsibilities.
- Use numbers, percentages, and other metrics to quantify your accomplishments.
- Tailor your resume to the specific requirements of the job.
- Use industry-specific keywords to improve your resume’s searchability.
Resume Example: sample combination resume template
Below is a simple and clean resume example tailored to sample combination resume template. Replace placeholder details with your own achievements.
Full Name
Email · Phone · City, Country · LinkedIn · Portfolio
Professional Summary
Highly motivated and results-oriented professional with X+ years of experience in [Industry]. Proven ability to [Key Skill #1], [Key Skill #2], and [Key Skill #3]. Seeking a challenging [Job Title] role where I can leverage my expertise to contribute to the success of [Company Name].
Key Skills
- Project Management (relevant to sample combination resume template)
- Data Analysis
- Communication
- Tools: Microsoft Office Suite, Salesforce, Asana
Experience
Project Manager — ABC Company (2020–2023)
- Spearheaded the implementation of a new project management system, resulting in a 15% improvement in project completion rates.
- Managed cross-functional teams to deliver projects on time and within budget, consistently exceeding stakeholder expectations.
- Utilized Asana and Agile methodologies to streamline workflows and improve team collaboration.
Business Analyst — XYZ Corporation (2018–2020)
- Conducted data analysis to identify key trends and insights, leading to a 10% increase in sales revenue.
- Developed and presented business recommendations to senior management, influencing strategic decision-making.
Projects (Optional)
- Process Improvement Project: Streamlined a key business process, resulting in a 20% reduction in processing time.
Education & Certifications
- Bachelor of Science in Business Administration — University Name (2018)
- Project Management Professional (PMP) Certification
Additional
- Awards: Employee of the Month (2022) · Languages: Spanish (Conversational)
Enhance your resume with a sample combination resume template that highlights your skills and experience in a clear and concise format.
Craft Your Perfect Resume
This sample combination resume template provides a solid foundation for showcasing your unique skills and experience. Remember to tailor each section to match the specific requirements of the jobs you’re applying for. Quantify your achievements whenever possible and highlight the most relevant skills and accomplishments that align with the target role.
We encourage you to revisit our site for more helpful tips, templates, and resources to further refine your resume and enhance your job search. Good luck!