How to Write a Combination Resume

Use this Resume Type to Emphasize Both Job Skills and Work History

Mar 30, 2009 Daniel Gansle

The combination resume type merges chronological resume formatting with some aspects of the functional resume. Here's how it works.

When the job seeker is busy writing a resume, he or she may find that a chronological format doesn’t do enough to emphasize job skills. Yet at the same time, a functional resume doesn’t do enough to emphasize work history. In this case, a combination of the two resume types may be employed.

Writing a Combination Resume: How is a Combination Resume Different?

A combination (or hybrid) resume is laid out differently than either a chronological resume or a functional resume.

Like the functional resume, the combination resume typically places the candidate’s qualifications summary, skills, and areas of expertise up front. But like the chronological resume, the combination resume also includes a full chronological work history.

The purpose of a combination resume is to emphasize the candidate’s skills and areas of expertise first. Not only may this help to impress employers, but it’s also good for job seekers who have one or more minor (6 months or less) gaps on their resume.

Developing an Effective Qualifications Summary

Like the functional resume, the first section of the combination resume is the job title and qualifications summary. It is intended to provide a brief glance of the candidate’s job role, expertise, capabilities, skills, and accomplishments. For example:

"Software development professional with experience working on numerous project teams in a fast-paced environment under tight deadlines. Work demanded strong technical and interpersonal skills, particularly in collaborating with technical documentation teams and upper management.

Dedicated, hard-working, and committed to going the extra mile in providing superior software development services for top-tier clients and Fortune 500 companies. Strong history of successfully completing software development projects on time and within budget constraints."

Career Skills Section

The career skills section is where the functional resume comes into play. In this section, the candidate pulls two or three job roles out of his or her work history. The job seeker then places a bulleted list underneath each job role that explains the candidate's achievements. For example:

Marketing

  • Established joint venture partnerships in Europe
  • Initiated new sales of product lines for the Asian market

Work History or Professional Experience

The Work History section, also called Professional Experience, is where the chronological resume comes into play.

This section is where the job seeker lists jobs held in reverse chronological order starting with the current job and working backwards in time. A bulleted list is then used to highlight achievements at each company.

Like the chronological resume, the format of the work history section of a combination resume is as follows:

  • job title
  • company
  • city/state
  • dates employed
  • highlights and achievements

For example:

Receptionist, Party Central, Inc., Redmond, WA (2006-2008)

  • Directed work of temporary administrative employees
  • Typed correspondence using Microsoft Word
  • Used PBX telephone system to answer calls and route messages

Writing a Combination Resume: Education

The education section is essentially the same on a combination resume as it is on a chronological or functional resume. Include the name of the college or university, date graduated, and degree received.

If the candidate has minor gaps in work history or simply wants to emphasize career skills over work history, learning how to write a combination resume including the qualifications summary, career skills, and work history may help in the search or gainful employment.

See related articles, “How to Write a Functional Resume," "Top 3 Websites for Resume Help," and "How to Write a Chronological Resume."

The copyright of the article How to Write a Combination Resume in Career Advice is owned by Daniel Gansle. Permission to republish How to Write a Combination Resume in print or online must be granted by the author in writing.
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Dec 3, 2009 1:36 PM
Guest :
It was very helpful!
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