How To Write a Hybrid Resume (With Template and Example)

If you are new to the workforce, have gaps in your work history, are changing careers or are re-entering the workforce, a hybrid resume can be the perfect solution. This type of resume emphasizes the skills you have developed through your education and career, taking some of the focus off your work history. While a hybrid resume isn't a traditional format, it still appeals to most hiring managers and is easy to create for yourself.

In this article, we discuss in detail what a hybrid resume is, when you should use it and how to create one for yourself. We also include a template and sample of a hybrid resume.

Related: Resume Examples and Samples Resumes

What is a hybrid resume?

Sometimes referred to as a combination resume, a hybrid resume is a blend of a chronological resume format and a functional resume. This type of resume highlights the skills and achievements section first and then follows that with work experienced in chronological order. This type of resume is beneficial because it highlights accomplishments and skills, shows managers the most valuable information first and helps to downplay gaps in work history without hiding them. This type of format can appeal to hiring managers who prefer both traditional and non-traditional formats.

Related: 3 Best Resume Formats with Examples

Image description

Combination Resume Format

1. Name and contact information

2. Summary

3. Skills and abilities

4. Professional experience

5. Education

6. Awards

When to use a hybrid resume

While this type of format can be ideal for any candidate, it is particularly beneficial for candidates who are new to the workforce, changing careers or re-entering the workforce. The reason it's particularly useful for these types of candidates is because this format shifts the focus away from work experience and focuses on the skills that you have developed, even if you developed them in a different industry or through internships or volunteer work.

How to write a hybrid resume

Follow these steps to create a hybrid resume:

1. Use proper formatting

Use a standard font like Arial, Calibri, Helvetica or Georgia and use either 11- or 12-point font. Limit your resume to two pages maximum and only include everything if it's relevant to the position you're applying for. Make sure that there is a one-inch margin on all sides of the resume.

2. Include your contact information

Include your contact information at the top so it's easy for recruiters to locate to reach you. Information you'll need to include is:

• Full name

• Email address

• Phone number

• LinkedIn URL (optional)

• Portfolio URL (optional)

• Address (optional)

3. Summarize your skills

Spend some time making a list of all the skills you have that are relevant to the job you want to get. Choose the top skills that are most applicable to the role you want—and the ones that are required by the potential employer for the role—and under each, list bullet points that describe professional experiences and achievements that validate the skill. If you're a more experienced candidate, you may have many skills that are relevant. If this is the case, only include the ones that demonstrate that you'll excel at the position for which you're applying.

If you do have many other skills, though, create a second skills section called Additional Skills and include up to five bullet points that describe your skill and level of proficiency.

4. Include work experience

List your work experiences in reverse chronological order, starting with your most recent job. Under each job, create two or three bullet points that illustrate your achievements and responsibilities.

5. List your education

Your education section will come at the end of your resume and list your highest degree of education. Key information you will want to include is:

• Your type of degree

• Your field of study

• The name and location of your school

• Any awards or honors you received while in school

Related: 6 Universal Rules for Resume Writing (With Video)

Template for hybrid resume

Here is a template you can use to follow the hybrid resume format:

Aaron Cassidy
St. Petersburg, FL • 555-555-5555
<aaron.cassidy@email. com>
Portfolio link

Skills Summary

[Skill]

• [Relevant experience or achievement]

• [Relevant experience or achievement]

• [Relevant experience or achievement]

[Skill]

• [Relevant experience or achievement]

• [Relevant experience or achievement]

• [Relevant experience or achievement]

[Skill]

• [Relevant experience or achievement]

• [Relevant experience or achievement]

• [Relevant experience or achievement]

Additional skills

• [Skill]

• [Skill]

• [Skill]

Experience

[Title]
[Company name]
[Date started-date employment ended/present]

• [Experience]

• [Experience]

[Title]
[Company name]
[Date started-date employment ended]

• [Experience]

• [Experience]

[Title]
[Company name]
[Date started-date employment ended]

• [Experience]

• [Experience]

Education

[Degree]
[College or university], [city, state]
[Year of graduation]

Download Hybrid Resume Template
To upload the template into Google Docs, go to File > Open > and select the correct downloaded file.

Example of hybrid resume

Use this hybrid resume example to give you ideas for what to include on your own resume:

Aaron Cassidy
St. Petersburg, FL • 555-555-5555
<aaron.cassidy@email. com>
linkedin.com/in/aaron-cassidy
aaroncassidyportfolio. com

Skills Summary

Web design

• Designed, developed and maintained an e-commerce website for a local retailer

• Designed an average of four minor websites or one major website per month

• Collaborated with the marketing time to develop concepts and mockups on 50+ pages

User experience

• Raised UX scores by over 35% for a client website

• Worked closely with the web design team to build responsive web themes

• Lead UX designer for high-end firm

Graphic Design

• Created custom graphics for websites with 99% client satisfaction scores

• Developed templates for e-newsletters, presentations and reports to ensure brand consistency

• Created 4+ design presentations per month for clients and account managers

Additional skills

• Adobe Photoshop: Expert

• InDesign: Expert

• Google Analytics: Advanced

Experience

Lead UX designer
Ocean Drive Agency
August 2016-Present

• Supervise the web design team to create the best user experience for our customers' websites

• Research new interface paradigms and develop and maintain style guidelines

Web designer
St. Pete Design
July 2014-July 2016

• Completed projects from conception to development, including graphic design, web design and branding for marketing materials

• Proposed comprehensive web development plans to clients ranging from small businesses, individual entrepreneurs and artists

Junior web designer
Blue Press
May 2013-June 2014

• Developed and maintained the company website

• Designed and created marketing materials for clients

Education

MA in Graphic Design
University of Tampa, Tampa, FL
2013

BA in Graphic Design
St. Pete College, St. Petersburg, FL
2011