What's the ideal format for resumes?

Posted by Mackay Resume on 8 Jul 2025

Your resume can be a vital device for job-seeking and it’s essential that it’s easily read and formatted. The team at Mackay Resume, we specialize in resume writing services to aid you in standing out from the competition. In this article, we will review the various kinds of resume formats and offer tips for choosing the one that is best for you.

  1. Reverse-Chronological: This format is the most common and is the best for those with a solid work history. It lists your work experience in reverse-chronological order, with your most recent job at the top.
  2. Functional Format: This is the best for those with diverse or non-linear work experience. It is focused on your capabilities and accomplishments, rather than your work history.
  3. Combination: This format combines elements of the reverse-chronological and functional formats. It highlights your skills and accomplishments, while also listing your work history in reverse-chronological order.
  4. Customize it for the job Your resume should be tailored to the specific job you’re applying for. Pick a format to highlight the qualifications and experience that are relevant to the job.
  5. Ask for help from a professional if you’re having trouble choosing the right format, or require assistance in adjusting it to your specific needs you’re in, think about seeking help from a professional with the help of Mackay Resume.

Each of the above formats have its own advantages and drawbacks. The reverse-chronological format is best for those with a solid work history, the functional format is best for those with diverse or non-linear work experience, and the combination format is a good balance of both. Create a resume that is customized to the job you’re seeking and seek professional assistance if needed. Mackay Resume can also assist with creating an effective resume format that highlights your talents and expertise.

Tags: Employer, Examples, Format, Writing Categories: Resume
Thank you to Jamie from Mackay Resume who was so patient and thorough with me during this process. I absolutely love my new documents! Thank you again. HIGHLY RECOMMEND.
Jodie Morris
Came back better than expected. Very helpful throughout!
Tom Greenland
Highly reccommemd Mackay Resume. Tanja produced a complete face lift on my resume. Also got a cover letter and selection critera done within the time frame i needed.Cost is very reasonable also. Thank you Tanja!!!
Matt Chung
Highly recommended. Very thankful to Tanja as she has done excellent job with my CV and Cover letter..I had been applying to many office related jobs but my resume never been selected to any job. Having IT background was working hard jobs..with Tanjs s excellent resume writing made my cv selecting to all jobs I have applied...I have got professional job within a month..very Thankful to Tanja..worth for the price..
Indhu sree
A quick turnaround - easy to share my information and I am really happy with my new CV.
L L
Was a very fast response, and what they have done was fantastic. Highly recommend for anyone who's looking for help. Thanks again
Matt Clews
Mackay resume helped me land my dream job. Not only was the service second to none, but they genuinely cared to help me. After applying to more then 50 jobs and no call back, literally within a few days of getting my resume professionally written by Mackay Resume I couldn't keep up. If only I knew this was going to make such an impact to my job search I would of acted sooner. I cannot thank you guys enough, you have literally helped me land the job of my dreams.
Sandra Tricoli
Thank you for the lovely review Sharada, it really means a lot to our team at Mackay Resume. Wishing you absolutely every success with your new documents and a big thank you again.
Sharada Ragothaman
I found Tanya very prompt, she returned a resume and covering letter that looked and read very professionally within 4 days.
Athena Dennis
Absolutely stoked with the quality of service and expertise provided. The finished product was way beyond my expectations and couldn't be happier. I totally recommend A+++++
Jason Turnbull
What is the best format for a resume?

Resume

We provide professional resume writing services.

What is the best format for a resume?

Cover Letter

We provide professional cover letter writing services.

What is the best format for a resume?

LinkedIn Profile

We provide professional linkedin profile writing services.

What is the best format for a resume?

Contact Us

Click the button below to get in touch.

About Us &

What We Do

We offer professional resume writing services and our highly experienced resume writers will ensure your new resume stands out from the rest.

We are a team of highly qualified and experienced Recruiters, consultants and HR Professionals who are dedicated to delivering an excellent, well-written cover letter or resume.

We pride ourselves on our extensive understanding of top-practice hiring methodologies and Australian recruitment standards. Also, our expertise in a vast variety of industries and professions means that we can create a high-quality, impactful resume that suits your specific needs.

Our end goal is to provide you with an impressive, striking resume that is perfectly optimised for success in the competitive Mackay job market.

We provide a 100% satisfaction guarantee on all of our writing services, so you can be confident that you will be happy with your brand new resume or cover letter.

100% Satisfaction Guaranteed
Make an Enquiry

Request a Quote

Fill out the form below to get in touch or call us today on
1300 291 293