A combination or hybrid resume that highlights both your skills and experience can be key when changing jobs or just starting out in a new role. In this article, we’ll go over:
- What a combination resume is
- Combination resume examples
- Advantages and disadvantages of a combination resume
- When to use this type of format
Along with the information below, you can take advantage of our AI resume builder to easily add your skills and experience using instant suggestions.
Keep reading to find out when and how to create a combination resume.
What Is a Combination Resume and When to Use it?
The combination resume is pretty much exactly what it says on the tin! A resume combined of the two standard resume formats: chronological and functional.
The emphasis of a combination resume is divided between the skills and abilities of the candidate and the work experience they can bring to the role.
The combination resume is an excellent choice for professional jobseekers who are:
- Career changers: If you are switching to another career, placing your skills first can be hugely beneficial when you do not have much experience in that field just yet. Your transferable skills can be emphasized in a combination resume.
- Entry-level: As a recent graduate, you won’t have much experience, so a resume format that highlights your skills as well can help you land interviews. Resume writers recommend this format for various experience levels.
- Mid-career professionals: This format can help present your experience in a cohesive way that emphasizes relevant skills across various roles as well as your career journey.
Combination Resume Example
It’s always a good idea to get ideas from a resume example before jumping into creating your own. Below is a sample resume of a professional who would like to change fields from hospitality management to marketing.
Jordan Avery
Chicago, IL | jordan.avery@exampleemail.com | (555) 555-0192
Professional Summary
Energetic and people-focused professional transitioning from hospitality management to digital marketing. Proven success in brand promotion, customer engagement, and event coordination with a strong foundation in leadership and analytics. Eager to apply transferable skills in a dynamic marketing environment to drive engagement and growth.
Core Skills & Competencies
- Digital Campaign Coordination
- Social Media Management (Instagram, TikTok, Meta)
- Customer Retention Strategies
- Google Analytics & SEO Basics
- Content Writing & Editing
- Event Marketing
- Email Marketing (Mailchimp, Constant Contact)
- Team Leadership & Cross-functional Collaboration
Achievements & Projects
Social Media Growth & Engagement
- Grew Instagram following by 70% in 6 months for a boutique hotel by launching a user-generated content campaign.
- Created and managed monthly content calendars, resulting in a 3.5% increase in engagement rate.
Email Marketing Initiative
- Launched monthly newsletter for hotel loyalty program using Mailchimp; achieved a 28% average open rate and 7% click-through rate.
Event Promotion & Brand Positioning
- Led planning and promotion for five seasonal events (2022–2024), increasing local media mentions and attendance by over 30%.
- Collaborated with local vendors to co-host a summer food & music festival that attracted 1,200+ attendees.
SEO Writing Practice
- Completed multiple online marketing courses and wrote SEO-optimized blog posts as part of a personal blog focused on travel and hospitality trends.
Professional Experience
Front Office Manager
The Riverbend Hotel – Chicago, IL
May 2021 – June 2025
- Managed day-to-day operations and a team of 12 front desk staff, improving guest satisfaction scores by 25%.
- Analyzed guest feedback and implemented service improvements based on survey data and CRM tools.
- Trained new hires on upselling techniques that led to a 12% increase in premium bookings.
Assistant Events Coordinator
The Summit Event Group – Chicago, IL
Jan 2020 – Apr 2021
- Supported planning and execution of corporate and social events for up to 500 guests.
- Assisted with vendor communication, promotional materials, and day-of logistics.
- Helped manage event social media and onsite photography for post-event promotion.
Education & Professional Development
Certificate in Digital Marketing Fundamentals
Coursera/Google Career Certificates | Completed May 2024
B.A. in Hospitality & Tourism Management
University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign | 2019
Additional Information
- Volunteer: Social Media Coordinator, Chicago Animal Shelter (2023–present)
- Tools: Canva, Hootsuite, Buffer, Meta Business Suite, Google Analytics, Trello
- Languages: English (native), Spanish (conversational)
The Combination Resume Layout
The main parts of a Combination Resume include the following in this order:
- Contact details
- Qualifications summary with descriptions
- General skills section
- Work experience with descriptions
- Education
It’s important to add each of these sections using quantifiable data to demonstrate your skills and experience, which are the main points of your resume.
Include a list of skills that apply both to you and to the vacancy. You should choose the skills for your list carefully so they match your experience and the job specification. The layout helps to highlight your most relevant skills by placing them in the right locations.
The list then should be followed by the longer and more in-depth work experience section, which should consist of 2-3 previous positions held in a sector, role, or industry similar to if not the same as the current vacancy.
Tips for Writing your Combination Resume
There are a number of things you can do to make sure your combination resume is successful. Here are some tips to help you create a job-winning resume:
- Before creating your resume, review the job description to understand what the hiring manager is looking for.
- Start with a strong resume summary statement that mentions your career goals and transferable skills. The resume summary should immediately demonstrate your value proposition to potential employers.
- Prioritize your skills over your previous job titles and mention how you’ve applied them in the past.
- Use metrics in your experience section to demonstrate your past success and progress. For example, “Increased customer retention by 18% through personalized service improvements.”
- Add certifications and coursework to show that you have knowledge of the sector you are applying for. This is particularly important when transitioning between industries or advancing your career.
- Create a cover letter to go along with your combination resume, even if it isn’t required. Cover letters are still considered important to many hiring managers.
- Use our AI resume builder to get expert suggestions for skills, experience, and more.
Pros and Cons of a Combination Resume
While a hybrid resume offers unique advantages, it’s not perfect or the right fit for everyone. Here’s a breakdown to help you decide if it’s the right choice for your job search:
👍Advantages of a combination resume
- Emphasizes transferable skills: This format allows you to present relevant skills from non-traditional or past roles, even if they aren’t directly tied to your target industry.
- Still includes work history: Even if it stresses skills, this resume impresses hiring managers and Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS) that your work history is legit.
- Customizable for every role: You can tailor the top skills and accomplishments section to match the keywords in a job description with ease.
- Includes certifications: It’s possible to show off your certifications and degrees, which can stand out if you don’t have as much experience in a certain field.
👎 Disadvantages of a combination resume
- Needs more strategy: This format calls for thoughtful design and structure to avoid repeating information and inconsistencies. The complexity requires more time and attention to detail compared to straightforward chronological formats.
- Not ideal for traditional industries: Conservative fields like law, finance, or government may prefer a standard chronological resume.
- Reveals gaps: Even though it highlights skills over experience, this format still includes dates, so gaps in employment can still be noticeable unless you address them proactively.
Key Takeaways
Creating and using the perfect combination resume template can be tricky and not always the best option; however, if you use it correctly, you’ll give yourself a great chance of being hired.
Simply remember that a combination resume:
- Is ideal for career changers and entry-level candidates.
- Highlights your skills over your experience.
- Should have quantifiable data that proves how you used your skills.
- Should include certifications and qualifications relevant to the position.
By remembering these tips and using your AI resume editor, you can create a hybrid resume that will land you an interview quickly.
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