Where should the skills section go?

Below the summary if the posting is skills-heavy and you want them read early; otherwise after Experience. Either position parses fine.

Should I include a photo?

In the US and UK it is conventionally omitted, and an image adds parsing weight without adding evidence. Norms differ by country, so follow local convention.

Do I need a separate section for every role attribute?

No. Consistency is what matters: use the same pattern for employer, title, location, and dates in every entry.

Is a resume objective still worth including?

A short targeted summary is generally more useful than a generic objective, because it can carry actual evidence rather than an aspiration.

Best Resume Format for ATS

Direct answer

For most applications the safest format is reverse-chronological and single-column: contact details, a short summary, then Experience with employer, title, location, and dates for each role, then Education, Skills, and any certifications. This structure parses reliably and matches what reviewers expect, so nothing about your history has to be reconstructed. Functional or skills-first formats can obscure dates and progression, which makes them harder to parse and to trust. A hybrid, keeping full dated history but leading with a relevant skills section, is usually the better compromise.

Key takeaways

Reverse-chronological, one column, conventional headings is the reliable default.
Each role needs employer, title, location, and dates in a consistent pattern.
Skills-first formats that drop dates create doubt and parse poorly.
A hybrid keeps a full dated history while surfacing relevant skills early.
Format solves legibility; it does not substitute for evidence of the requirements.

The default structure

Name and contact details, in the body of the document.
A short summary that states the role you are targeting and your strongest relevant evidence.
Experience, most recent first, with employer, title, location, and dates on consistent lines, then achievement bullets.
Education, with institution, qualification, and completion date.
Skills, certifications, and licences, named plainly.

Comparing the three common formats

Format trade-offs
Format	Strength	Risk
Reverse-chronological	Clear progression, dates always visible, parses predictably	Gaps and short tenures are visible — usually better addressed than hidden
Functional or skills-first without dates	Groups capability regardless of when it happened	Reviewers cannot place the work in time; parsing often mis-attributes roles
Hybrid	Relevant skills appear early, full dated history preserved below	Can become repetitive if the skills block restates the bullets

Career changes and gaps

A career change is usually better served by a hybrid than by removing dates. Keep the chronology intact, and use the summary and an early skills or relevant-experience section to explain the through-line. A gap can be stated briefly and factually; an unexplained missing period invites the reader to guess.

What this does not mean

Frequently asked questions

Where should the skills section go?: Below the summary if the posting is skills-heavy and you want them read early; otherwise after Experience. Either position parses fine.
Should I include a photo?: In the US and UK it is conventionally omitted, and an image adds parsing weight without adding evidence. Norms differ by country, so follow local convention.
Do I need a separate section for every role attribute?: No. Consistency is what matters: use the same pattern for employer, title, location, and dates in every entry.
Is a resume objective still worth including?: A short targeted summary is generally more useful than a generic objective, because it can carry actual evidence rather than an aspiration.

See how your resume stacks up against the job you want.

This is Optimize Resume's analysis, not an employer ATS score or hiring prediction. Review AI suggestions for accuracy before using them.

Score my resume