How to Write a Combination Resume

Creating a resume that effectively showcases both your skills and experience can sometimes feel like a balancing act. A combination resume, also known as a hybrid resume, might be the perfect solution if you're looking to highlight both what you can do and what you've done. In this guide, I'll walk you through building a combination resume that stands out. Combining insights from traditional chronological and functional formats will help tell your professional story in the best way possible.

Why Choose a Combination Resume?

Before we jump into the how-to, let’s quickly discuss the why. A combination resume allows you to put the spotlight on your skills while also providing a chronological work history. This can be incredibly useful if you're shifting careers, have gaps in your employment, or simply want to emphasize specific strengths. Essentially, it merges the best of both worlds by offering the structure of a chronological resume with the focus on abilities found in a functional resume.

Let's say you’re transitioning from teaching to project management. A combination resume lets you highlight your organizational and leadership skills at the top, followed by a timeline of your teaching roles, so employers can see both your capabilities and your work history.

Structuring Your Combination Resume

The structure of a combination resume is pivotal to its effectiveness. Here’s a layout that tends to work well:

1. Contact Information: Your name, phone number, email address, and LinkedIn profile.
2. Summary Statement: A brief overview of who you are professionally and what you bring to the table.
3. Skills Section: Highlight your core skills, emphasizing those that are relevant to the job you’re applying for.
4. Work Experience: List your employment history in reverse chronological order, focusing on achievements and responsibilities that utilize your key skills.
5. Education: Provide details about your academic background.
6. Additional Sections: Consider adding sections for certifications, volunteer work, or projects.

This format allows your skills to shine while also providing employers with the context of your professional journey.

Crafting an Effective Summary Statement

The summary statement is your elevator pitch. It should capture who you are, your career highlights, and what you aim to achieve in your next role. Here’s how you can craft a solid one:

• Be Concise: Aim for no more than three sentences.
• Personalize: Tailor it for each job application to match the employer‚Äôs needs.
• Highlight Achievements: Focus on your most impressive accomplishments.

"Experienced project manager with over 5 years of experience leading cross-functional teams to deliver complex projects on time and within budget. Skilled in stakeholder management and process improvement, seeking to leverage expertise in a new challenging role."

This example succinctly conveys the applicant's experience, skills, and career goals.

Showcasing Your Skills

Now, onto the meat of your combination resume: the skills section. This is where you get to shine a spotlight on what you do best. Consider these tips for creating an impactful skills section:

• Be Specific: Avoid generic terms like "good communicator." Instead, say "Excellent public speaking skills with experience in delivering presentations to large audiences."
• Use Bullet Points: They make information easy to digest.
• Focus on Relevance: Tailor your skills to align with the job description.

- Project Management: Managed over 10 projects simultaneously, resulting in a 15% increase in efficiency.
- Leadership: Led a team of 20 to successfully launch a new product line, increasing revenue by 30%.
- Data Analysis: Utilized data-driven strategies to reduce operational costs by 25%.

These examples demonstrate not just skills but the tangible results of those skills.

Detailing Your Work Experience

Even though the focus is on skills, your work experience is still crucial. When detailing your employment history, aim to connect your past roles to your skills. Here’s how:

• Use Action Verbs: Words like "led," "managed," "created," give a dynamic quality to your achievements.
• Quantify Achievements: Whenever possible, use numbers to show your impact.
• Relate to Skills: Highlight experiences that used or developed your key skills.

Project Manager, XYZ Corp., 2018-Present
- Spearheaded a project that automated reporting processes, saving the company $500k annually.
- Improved team productivity by 20% through the implementation of agile methodologies.

In this section, the use of action verbs and quantifiable achievements paints a clear picture of the candidate's impact.

Highlighting Your Education

Your educational background provides additional context to your professional capabilities. When listing education, keep it straightforward:

• Include Relevant Details: Such as degrees, majors, and schools.
• Add Honors or Awards: If applicable, as they highlight your academic achievements.
• Consider Adding Coursework: Especially if it directly relates to the job you're applying for.

Bachelor of Science in Business Administration
University of Somewhere, 2014-2018
- Graduated with Honors
- Relevant coursework: Project Management, Business Analytics

This section adds depth to your resume, showing employers that you have a solid educational foundation.

Additional Sections: What Else Can You Include?

Depending on your background, you might want to include sections for certifications, volunteer work, and projects. These can provide further evidence of your skills and experience:

• Certifications: Especially if they are industry-specific or enhance your skill set.
• Volunteer Work: Demonstrates a well-rounded character and additional skills.
• Projects: Particularly if they show your ability to apply skills in real-world situations.

Certifications
- Certified Scrum Master (CSM), 2020

Volunteer Work
- Volunteer Coordinator, Local Food Bank, 2019-present

Projects
- Developed a community app connecting local businesses with consumers, resulting in a 10% increase in local sales.

These sections can be especially helpful if you're early in your career or changing fields, as they highlight diverse experiences and skills.

Formatting Tips to Make Your Resume Shine

The content of your resume is crucial, but so is its appearance. Here are some formatting tips to ensure your combination resume is both professional and easy to read:

• Use a Clean Layout: Avoid clutter and make sure there's plenty of white space.
• Choose a Professional Font: Such as Arial or Times New Roman, and stick to a readable size (11 or 12 point).
• Consistent Formatting: Ensure headings, bullet points, and spacing are consistent throughout.
• Use Bold and Italics Sparingly: Only to highlight key sections or achievements.

A well-formatted resume not only looks professional but also makes it easier for hiring managers to pick out essential information quickly.

Proofreading: Catching Errors Before They Catch You

Typos and grammatical errors can undermine your professionalism. Here’s how to avoid them:

• Read Aloud: This helps catch awkward phrasing and errors.
• Use Grammar Tools: Software can catch mistakes you might miss.
• Get a Second Opinion: Have a friend or mentor review your resume.

Interestingly enough, even with all these steps, a fresh set of eyes can often catch what you’ve overlooked. And if you’re using Spell, real-time editing means you can catch and correct errors as you draft, saving you time and ensuring a polished final product.

Tailoring Your Resume for Each Job Application

One of the best things you can do for your job search is to tailor your resume for each application. It might sound tedious, but it’s worth the effort. Here’s how you can do it efficiently:

• Analyze the Job Description: Identify the skills and experiences the employer values most.
• Adjust Your Skills Section: Highlight the most relevant skills for each job.
• Rework Your Summary Statement: Reflect the language and priorities of the job description.
• Prioritize Relevant Experience: Reorder bullet points to emphasize the most applicable achievements.

With Spell, you can make these adjustments quickly and easily. Just tell the editor what changes you need, and it’ll help you refine your document on the fly.

Final Thoughts

Creating a combination resume that effectively highlights both your skills and experience doesn't have to be overwhelming. By following the steps outlined above, you can craft a resume that stands out to potential employers. And remember, using tools like Spell can streamline the process, helping you go from a blank page to a polished document in no time. Happy job hunting!