When Should You Use a Hybrid Résumé Format?
Dear Deb,
Q. You mentioned at one of your recent webinars that there is a hybrid résumé format that can be very effective. I was wondering if you can further explain the benefits of a hybrid résumé and provide a more detailed explanation of when and how to use one. - JH, Tampa, FL
A. A hybrid résumé is a great way to highlight some of your functional experience and achievements while still providing a detailed chronological history. One reason to consider a hybrid is when you have a less than consistent job history. If you held three jobs in the past three years, creating a highlights section at the top with key achievements will immediately add value for a potential employer.
With a hybrid résumé, you have a better opportunity to get the hiring manager interested by providing a list of specific achievements or highlights in a separate section early on, before they glance at your dates of employment. This style demonstrates immediate value and minimizes inconsistent employment or a lot of movement. If you have been out of work for a while, the hybrid format will draw attention away from this.
Another reason to use a hybrid format is when you want to highlight skills and achievements from earlier in your career that would otherwise be buried at the bottom of the second page of your résumé. The hybrid résumé model allows you to bring the important content to the forefront. This can be especially helpful if you are attempting to transition back to a career path you previously held.
The traditional functional résumé that has a brief listing of job titles with company names and dates has not produced fabulous results. Functional resumes that don’t provide detail specific to each separate job tend to fall flat because they confuse the reader. The hybrid résumé is a way to still provide aspects of the functional résumé without cutting out the necessary specifics.
To see samples resumes with a hybrid format, please visit the website at Careers Done Write. We have numerous résumé samples that use a hybrid résumé style.
If you have a question about your résumé or your career strategy, please email debra@careersdonewrite.com. The weekly Ask Deb blog appears every Friday on the Careers Done Write website at http://www.careersdonewrite.com.