Resume Help

Choosing the Right Resume Format:

Many survivors have gaps in work history, career changes, or a mix of traditional and non-traditional experience. The right resume format can help highlight strengths while minimizing challenges. Below is a breakdown of common resume types and their best uses.

1. Chronological Resume

Best for: Consistent work history, career progression, and traditional job applications.

Lists work experience in reverse-chronological order (most recent job first).
Highlights career stability and upward growth.
Works well for industries that value experience and longevity (corporate jobs, healthcare, education).
Not ideal for survivors with significant work gaps or career changes.

Chronological Resume Example and Template

2. Functional Resume (Skills-Based)

Best for: Work history gaps, career changes, freelance or consulting work, non-traditional experience.

Focuses on skills and accomplishments instead of job history.
Groups experience by skill categories rather than listing jobs in order.
Works well for survivors with gaps in employment, those re-entering the workforce, or those with a mix of jobs (gig work, advocacy, lived experience).
Best for roles where transferable skills matter more than a traditional job history (consulting, social services, advocacy, creative work).

Functional Resume Example and Template

3. Combination (Hybrid) Resume

Best for: Survivors with work history gaps who also want to show employment experience.

Blends skills and work history by listing skills at the top and a concise job history below.
Allows survivors to emphasize abilities gained through lived experience, training, and informal work.
Works well for industries like nonprofit work, customer service, advocacy, and peer support.

Hybrid Resume Example and Template

4. Targeted Resume

Best for: Survivors applying for a specific job and tailoring their experience for that role.

Customized for each job by emphasizing the most relevant skills and experience.
Can be either chronological, functional, or hybrid, depending on what fits best.
Works well for competitive positions where a strong alignment with the job description is key (corporate, government, high-level nonprofit roles).

5. Curriculum Vitae (CV)

Best for: Academic, research, fellowships, or grant applications.

A detailed document listing education, research, publications, and professional experience.
Typically used for higher education, research, policy work, or major funding applications.
Not usually necessary for general job applications.

Which Resume Format is Best for You?

For survivors, the functional or hybrid resume is often the best choice because:

It shifts focus away from gaps in employment.
Highlights skills gained through advocacy, training, and lived experience.
Works well for roles in nonprofit work, consulting, public speaking, and community organizing.

Choose the resume type that best presents your strengths while addressing any challenges in work history. Need help formatting your resume? Start with a functional or hybrid template and tailor it as needed!

See all of our resume examples and templates below:

***Please note that all of these examples and templates are saved on Google Drive under "View Only" so to use this for yourself please click the "Save a Copy" option and save your copy to edit. ***

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