Sweet friends, one of the most common questions I hear is:
“What kind of resume should I use for remote jobs?”
There isn’t one perfect resume for everyone, but there are a few main types. Knowing the differences helps you choose the format that puts your strongest qualities first, and that matters, because many remote jobs get hundreds of applicants and recruiters often spend just seconds on each resume.
First, Meet the Robots
Before a person ever reads your resume, it usually goes through an Applicant Tracking System (ATS): software that scans resumes and ranks them for the recruiter. If the ATS can’t read yours, it may never reach a human. The good news? Every format below can be ATS-friendly when it’s built with a clean layout, standard headings, and no tables, columns, or graphics.
The 5 Main Types of Resumes
| Resume Type | Best For |
|---|---|
| 1. Chronological (Reverse-Chronological) | Steady work history. Lists your jobs from most recent to oldest. |
| 2. Functional (Skills-Based) | Gaps in employment or limited experience. Leads with your skills instead of dates. |
| 3. Combination (Hybrid) | Strong skills and solid history. A skills summary first, then your work history. |
| 4. Targeted | Applying for a role you really want. Tailored to one specific job posting and its keywords. |
| 5. Career Change | Moving into a new field. Shows how your past skills transfer to the new role. |
1. Chronological
The classic. Your most recent job comes first, and each job lists what you did and what you achieved. Recruiters love it because it’s easy to follow. Best if: you’ve worked steadily in the same field or a related one.
2. Functional
This one puts your skills front and center, grouped into themes like “Accuracy and Detail” or “Customer Support,” with a short work history at the bottom. Best if: you’re just starting out, returning to work after time away, or have gaps you’d rather not lead with.
3. Combination
The best of both worlds: a strong skills summary at the top, followed by a full work history. Best if: you have a few years of experience and skills worth showing off.
4. Targeted
A targeted resume is written for one specific job. You mirror the posting’s keywords and highlight only what matters most for that role. Best if: you’ve found a job you really want and are willing to customize. (Honestly, a little targeting helps every resume. Even pulling three to five keywords from the posting makes a difference.)
5. Career Change
Moving from retail to healthcare claims, or from security to customer service? A career change resume opens with a short summary of the skills that carry over, then shows your experience in a way that connects to the new role. Best if: you’re switching fields and want employers to see your potential, not just your past job titles.
Nanna’s Recommendation for Most Remote Job Seekers
- Chronological if you have steady work history in the field
- Combination if you want to highlight both skills and experience
- Functional or Career Change if you’re new, returning, or switching fields
Whichever you choose, keep it clean, clear, and easy to read. A well-organized resume will serve most remote job seekers better than a flashy one.
What About Creative Resumes?
Infographic and highly designed resumes can look beautiful, and in creative fields like graphic design, illustration, or marketing, your resume can double as a portfolio piece. For most remote roles, though, the robots reading resumes don’t care how cute your fonts are. Fancy columns, icons, and graphics can confuse an ATS and get your resume skipped. Save the glitter for your thank-you cards, sweet friend.
Ready to Build Yours?
Nanna’s resume templates are professional and ATS-friendly, written for specific remote roles at Beginner, Intermediate, and Advanced levels:
- Beginner: new to the field or changing careers (Functional format)
- Intermediate: 1 to 3 years of experience (Combination format)
- Advanced: 4+ years of experience (Chronological format)
Browse Nanna’s resume templates
You don’t need a perfect resume. You need a clear one that makes it easy for the employer to see why you could be a good fit.
Remote Jobs, Brighter Days!
Nanna
