CV Formats Explained: Chronological vs Functional vs Combination
Two people with identical experience can get very different results depending on how they structure their CV. There are three main formats, each built to flatter a different kind of career. Pick the one that puts your strongest evidence first.
Reverse-chronological: the default
The reverse-chronological format lists your work history newest-first, and it's the default for a reason: it's exactly what recruiters and applicant tracking systems expect to see. For anyone with a steady, relevant work history it's the strongest choice, because it shows clear career progression at a glance and is the easiest layout for both a human and the software to scan and parse correctly. Each role gets a job title, employer, dates, and a few results-focused bullets, in order from your current or most recent position backwards.
Unless you have a specific reason not to — a major career change, long gaps, or a very non-linear path — use this format. It's the safest, most widely accepted structure in every market, and choosing it means one less thing for a reviewer to question. The two formats below exist mainly to solve problems this one can't.
Functional (skills-based): use with care
A functional CV leads with skills and grouped achievements instead of a job timeline. It can help career changers, freelancers with varied projects, and people returning after a break by shifting focus to capability.
The downside is real: recruiters can read it as hiding gaps, and many ATS parse it poorly because they expect dated roles. If you use it, still include a brief dated work history somewhere.
Combination (hybrid): the best of both
A combination format opens with a strong skills or summary section, then backs it up with a reverse-chronological work history. It suits experienced candidates who want to highlight specific competencies for a role while keeping the timeline ATS-friendly.
How to choose in one minute
Steady, relevant history? Go chronological. Changing fields or have a strong skill set you want up top? Go combination. Significant gaps or a very non-linear path? Functional can help — but pair it with dates. For most people, chronological or combination is the right call.
Switch formats freely in write.cv
write.cv's templates cover chronological and combination layouts, and you can reorder sections to put skills or experience first without retyping anything. Try a layout, check your ATS score, and export the version that reads best.