15 Current Resume Trends for 2026 + Examples

Q: What is the most popular resume format in 2026?

The most popular resume format in 2026 is the chronological format, but combination resumes are also popular for showcasing skills and experience. While chronological formats are for highly experienced candidates, the combination format is ideal for candidates with diverse career paths or those transitioning into new roles, as it balances a clear timeline with a focus on relevant qualifications.

Q: How often should I update my resume?

Update your resume at least every six months or after significant milestones, such as completing a project or earning a certification. Regular updates ensure you don’t forget important achievements and align your resume with current job market trends.

As seen in 1

In our dynamic global economy, the job market and the expectations for resumes are constantly evolving.

A resume that worked five years ago may no longer catch the attention of recruiters or even pass an applicant tracking system (ATS).

Staying current on the latest resume trends is critical for applying for jobs.

15 current resume trends you will want to know include:

ATS optimization
AI resume building
Emphasis on skills over education
Personal branding
Quantifiable achievements
Clean, minimalistic layouts
AI literacy
Inclusion of digital portfolios
Focus on remote work skills
Customization for every job
Continuous learning
Strategic use of keywords
Soft skills and emotional intelligence
Social media integration
Transferable skills for career changers

Let's explore these in more detail.

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ATS Optimization

With the majority of employers using applicant tracking systems (ATS) to screen resumes, ensuring your resume is ATS-friendly is no longer optional; it's necessary. Resumes that aren't optimized for ATS may never reach a human recruiter otherwise!

What to do

Use standard professional fonts and proper formatting to keep your resume simple and clean. Also, avoid unnecessary graphics or text boxes that ATS systems can't process.

Using an ATS-friendly resume template is a great way to avoid problems; however, that is not all you need to do.

Include relevant keywords from the job description, such as required skills, tools, or certifications, to boost your chances of passing ATS filters, but make sure they are used organically to avoid keyword stuffing.

Finally, structure your resume with clear headings and bullet points. This will make it easier for both ATS and hiring managers to read.

Pro tip

Use our ATS Resume Checker to see how your resume would score against most applicant tracking systems and get suggestions for improvement.

ATS-friendly resume example

Create your resume

AI Resume Building

In 2026, AI is best viewed as a resume-building assistant, not a replacement. Consider it a tool that helps you work smarter while keeping your voice and unique professional story at the forefront.

What to do

Use AI as a starting point rather than a finished product. Give it the job description and provide a rough draft of your resume or even a list of all your skills, experiences, and other professional information.

From here, it can help you organize your information, draft sections, and insert keywords from the job posting. You can even use AI to review your resume and see how it all holds up.

Just remember, AI and LLM services can make mistakes, so always review the final product yourself before submitting. Watch out for hallucinations and double-check formatting, clarity, and keyword alignment.

Employers still expect resumes to reflect real experience, accuracy, and a clear understanding of the role.

Emphasis on Skills Over Education

Employers are increasingly prioritizing what candidates can do over where they studied. In today's skills-based hiring market, showcasing your abilities effectively can make you a top contender—even without a degree or extensive experience.

What to do

Highlight hard and soft skills prominently in your resume with a dedicated skills section and integrate these skills throughout your work experience.

Add credibility to your skills with examples of how you've applied them to achieve results.

For instance, instead of simply listing "project management," mention how you "led a cross-functional team to complete a project 15% under budget." Showcasing skills with real-world examples makes your resume more compelling and relevant.

Personal Branding

A strong personal brand distinguishes you from other candidates and helps employers understand your unique value.

What to do

Write a compelling professional summary or objective statement highlighting your top skills, achievements, and career goals. This section should be tailored to each role, reflecting what makes you the ideal candidate.

Additionally, link to your professional digital presence, such as your LinkedIn profile or personal website, to reinforce your expertise and credibility. Aligning your resume with your personal brand creates a consistent and memorable impression.

Pro tip

Try our AI Resume Summary Generator if you need help creating a compelling profile. Even if you want to change it to an objective statement, our generator will create a personalized branding statement that helps make your resume unique.

Quantifiable Achievements

For many hiring managers, numbers speak louder than words. Employers want to see evidence of your impact, and including measurable results on your resume makes your contributions more tangible and credible.

What to do

Use metrics and data to highlight your achievements in previous roles, especially in your job history section.

For example, instead of saying "improved team performance," write "boosted team productivity by 20% through streamlined workflows."

Whether it's revenue growth, cost savings, increased efficiency, or other accomplishments, quantifiable achievements showcase your value in concrete terms and help you stand out to recruiters.

Quantifiable achievements resume example

resume example that has quantifiable achievements

Create your resume

Clean, Minimalistic Layouts

A cluttered resume can overwhelm recruiters and fail to make a good impression. Clean, minimalist layouts improve readability, helping both hiring managers and ATS systems quickly find the information they need.

What to do

Use consistent formatting, standard fonts, and ample white space to make your resume visually appealing and easy to read.

Structure your sections logically, with clear headings and bullet points to break up text. Avoid unnecessary graphics, colors, or fancy designs that might distract from your qualifications. A simple, professional layout ensures your resume stands out for the right reasons.

Pro tip

Our simple resume templates are a great place to start making your resume easy to read.

AI Literacy and Ethics

Showing AI literacy on your resume signals adaptability, strong judgment, and comfort with modern workflows.

What to do

AI tools are quickly becoming part of everyday work, and employers value candidates who understand how to use them responsibly.

If AI tools are relevant to your field, include them the same way you'd list any other job-related tool or technology.

Keep it honest and specific. Mention the tools you've used and connect them to outcomes. For example, speeding up research, improving documentation, streamlining analysis, or supporting customer communications.

Also, remember to make it clear that you review and refine outputs to ensure accuracy and quality. This demonstrates that you are using AI to improve your workflow in a way that helps others, such as your employer or customers.

Inclusion of Digital Portfolios

Digital portfolios showcase your work in ways a traditional resume cannot. They're especially valuable for creative and technical fields like design, writing, or software engineering, where employers often want to see concrete examples of your skills.

What to do

Add links to your personal website or a cloud-based portfolio to provide a deeper look at your work. For example, a designer might include a portfolio of completed projects, while a writer could link to published articles.

Ensure your portfolio is well-organized and professional and highlights your best work. A polished digital portfolio demonstrates initiative and helps you stand out in a crowded job market.

Focus on Remote Work Skills

With remote and hybrid work environments becoming the norm, employers seek candidates who excel in virtual collaboration. Highlighting your remote work skills shows you can adapt to these new workplace dynamics.

What to do

Emphasize your proficiency with tools like Zoom, Slack, Trello, or Microsoft Teams and traits like self-motivation, time management, and strong communication.

These skills demonstrate that you can succeed in remote or hybrid roles, which are in high demand.

Pro tip

Read listings on job sites that focus on job openings for remote and hybrid positions to get an idea of what type of skills and experience you will want to include.

Remote work resume example

resume trends example for a remote worker

Create your resume

Tailor Your Resume

Generic resumes often fail to grab a recruiter's attention. Employers want to see how your skills and experience align with the specific role they're hiring for, and tailoring your resume shows that you've put in the effort to meet their needs.

What to do

Create a targeted resume by emphasizing the skills, accomplishments, and experiences most relevant to the job. Use the job description as your guide—highlight keywords, required qualifications, and preferred skills to align with what the employer is seeking.

Customization makes your resume more impactful and helps you pass ATS filters.

Continuous Learning

The modern job market evolves rapidly, and employers value candidates who are adaptable and committed to growth. Highlighting your continuous learning efforts shows you're proactive about staying current in your field.

What to do

Include recent certifications, workshops, or courses relevant to the role you're applying for. Platforms like Coursera, LinkedIn Learning, or Google Certifications are great options for building in-demand 21st-century skills.

For example, mention completing a "Data Analytics Certification from Google" or an "Advanced Project Management Course on Coursera." This adds credibility and positions you as a candidate who invests in self-improvement.

Strategic Use of Keywords

Resume keywords are essential for passing ATS filters and catching the attention of hiring managers. They ensure your resume aligns with the job description and effectively highlights your qualifications.

What to do

Carefully review the job posting and incorporate relevant keywords naturally into your resume. Focus on skills, tools, and qualifications mentioned in the description.

Avoid keyword stuffing; instead, strategically place these terms in your skills section, work experience, and summary to enhance relevance and readability.

Soft Skills and Emotional Intelligence

Employers are placing increasing value on interpersonal skills and emotional intelligence. These traits are key to fostering collaboration, building relationships, and leading effectively in the workplace.

What to do

Highlight soft skills like communication, problem-solving, leadership, and teamwork throughout your resume. Use specific examples to illustrate these skills in action.

For instance, instead of saying "good team player," write, "Collaborated with cross-functional teams to launch a product ahead of schedule." By providing context, you show recruiters how your soft skills drive success in real-world scenarios, making your application more compelling.

Social media platforms like LinkedIn can provide recruiters with a deeper understanding of your professional background and skills. A well-maintained profile adds credibility and reinforces the qualifications listed on your resume.

What to do

Include links to your professional social profiles, such as LinkedIn or a personal website, in your resume. Ensure your profiles are up to date and consistent with the information on your application.

For example, your LinkedIn profile should include detailed work experience, endorsements for key skills, and professional achievements. Avoid linking to personal or unprofessional accounts to maintain a polished image.

Transferable Skills for Career Changers

Transitioning to a new career can be challenging, but including transferable skills demonstrates how your previous experience applies to your target role. Employers value versatility and adaptability, especially when job seekers enter a new industry.

What to do

Identify skills from previous roles that align with the new position's requirements. For example, project management, communication, and problem-solving are often transferable across industries.

Use your work experience section to reframe your past responsibilities in a way that highlights their relevance. For instance, a teacher transitioning to a corporate training role might say, "Designed and delivered engaging training programs for diverse audiences, resulting in a 20% increase in knowledge retention."

Transferable skills resume example

Create your resume

5 Tips for Using New Resume Trends

Don't feel the need to follow every trend. Instead of trying to implement every new idea, focus on incorporating trends that align with your industry, role, and personal brand.
Research your industry. Stay informed about what resume formats and styles are most valued in your field.
Update your resume regularly. Refresh your resume every six months to reflect new achievements or skills.
Focus on demonstrating your relevant value. Highlight skills, accomplishments, and experiences that showcase your unique value and relevance to the specific job you're applying for.
Add a cover letter. A tailored cover letter complements your resume, providing an opportunity to explain your qualifications and enthusiasm for the role in greater depth.

More Examples of Current Trends

Look at our library of resume examples to help you write a great resume using the latest trends.

With multiple options for all types of industries and professions, you can find a sample that fits your needs.

See the range of popular resume designs applied to jobs such as:

Key Takeaways

Balance ATS optimization with human readability.
Use keywords and clean formatting to ensure your resume makes it past automated filters and impresses recruiters.
Emphasize skills over education.
Highlight your hard and soft skills prominently, using examples to demonstrate how they apply to the role.
Show measurable results.
Quantify your achievements with data to make your impact clear to potential employers.
Leverage personal branding.
Create a compelling summary or objective that reflects your unique value proposition and aligns with your professional profiles.
Stay current.
Update your resume regularly with new skills, certifications, and achievements to keep it relevant in a competitive job market.
Use AI responsibly.
Never submit a resume you created using AI without thoroughly reading it first to ensure it accurately represents your career profile.

Templates for Popular Resume Trends

Take a look at our entire collection of resume templates to help you stay up to date with current trends.

In particular, check out our modern templates, expertly designed to balance contemporary resume styles with traditional formats!

FAQ

Last Updated: January 16, 2026

Current resume format trends include minimalistic layouts, combination resumes, and the inclusion of digital portfolios. These formats prioritize readability and professionalism, allowing job seekers to showcase their unique qualifications.

The most popular resume format in 2026 is the chronological format, but combination resumes are also popular for showcasing skills and experience. While chronological formats are for highly experienced candidates, the combination format is ideal for candidates with diverse career paths or those transitioning into new roles, as it balances a clear timeline with a focus on relevant qualifications.

Update your resume at least every six months or after significant milestones, such as completing a project or earning a certification. Regular updates ensure you don't forget important achievements and align your resume with current job market trends.

Conor is a Certified Professional Resume Writer (CPRW) and member of the Professional Association of Resume Writers & Career Coaches dedicated to helping job seekers excel in their careers.