Your resume format decides whether a recruiter (or their ATS) can read your experience at all. Here are the three main formats, when to use each, the standard section order, the ATS rules that matter, and how format changes by country.
Get My Resume in the Right FormatPick the structure that fits your career situation.
Best for steady career progression (the default, most ATS-friendly).
Lists your most recent role first and works backward. Recruiters and ATS both expect it, so use it unless you have a strong reason not to.
Best for career changers or significant gaps.
Groups achievements by skill instead of by job. It can downplay gaps, but many ATS parse it poorly — use sparingly and still include a brief work history.
Best for senior profiles and specialists.
Opens with a skills/summary block, then a full reverse-chronological history. Balances keyword visibility with a clear timeline.
Length and photo conventions differ by market. Open the country guide or download a matching template.
See the full set of international CV formats.
For most people, the reverse-chronological format is best: it is what recruiters expect and what applicant tracking systems parse most reliably. Use a combination format for senior roles and a functional format only for career changes or large gaps.
Use chronological if your work history is steady and relevant. Use functional only if you are changing careers or have gaps, and even then keep a short dated work history so the ATS and recruiter can follow your timeline.
Yes. US resumes are 1–2 pages with no photo; UK CVs run up to 2 pages; German CVs are 2–3 pages and usually include a photo. Match the local expectation for each application.
Send a PDF when the posting allows it, since it preserves layout. Send .docx when the employer or ATS specifically requests an editable file. Either way, ensure the text is selectable, not an image.