Write your best CV! Trending 2026

The path to a better job also lies in how well we can showcase our skills and experience. How to Build a Good Resume in 2026

In the age of ATS systems, optimization of application documents and texts created with the help of artificial intelligence, experts continue to emphasize the importance of simple and transparent resumes. The most recommended format is PDF (53%), followed by DOCX (43%). It is also worth betting on a professional, elegant font in size from 10 to 16 pt. The suggested length of the resume is 1-2 pages, depending on the position for which the application is sent.

Advisors also pay attention to the issue of the photo in the resume. Not in all countries its placement is well seen, which is why this practice is not universal. When applying to a foreign company, it is therefore worth checking the standards in force in a given country. A photo, which is a natural element of a CV in Poland, will not necessarily be welcomed by a recruiter in another part of Europe or the world.

How to combine expert knowledge with an attractive presentation of their experience and skills, while taking into account the realities of modern recruitment, in which ATS systems play an increasing role?

Resume 2026: the best tips

Among the modern trends in creating resumes, it is worth noting three formats that can change the way you think about presenting your career.

If you are used to the classical form, chronology and describing subsequent positions in the traditional way, you may be surprised. Because not always the most detailed presentation of the entire professional path will be the best solution.

Here are three resume formats that you might find useful in 2026:

1. CV in reverse chronological order

This is the most classic way of presenting work experience. Its greatest advantage is clarity and order. The recruiter can quickly see what experience you have gained at the next stages of your career, and the document allows you to show professional development, change of positions or subsequent promotions.

But what if your career path didn't look like this?

There may be gaps in the CV - whether they were related to health reasons, a planned “gap year”, a trip or simply a period of job search. Depending on the position and industry to which you are applying, such a gap may affect the reception of your candidacy.

Another point is that the chronology of experience can sometimes distract from what is also crucial, namely skills and competencies. If the career history is expanded too much, the most important information can be overwhelmed by an excess of details.

Therefore, other CV formats come to the rescue, which allow you to highlight competencies and the most important achievements more strongly.

2. Functional CV

The functional CV does not focus primarily on the chronological course of the career, but on the skills, competencies and most important experiences.

For whom?

Such a format can work especially well for people working on projects, freelancers or consultants. It allows you to show the contribution of the candidate by combining specific skills with the results of his activities.

However, this does not mean that a functional resume will be ideal for everyone. For some, more linear career paths - especially in large organizations - the recruiter may want to see professional development over time, subsequent positions and scope of responsibility. For people whose work is primarily based on projects and specific tasks, and experience is at the same time a kind of portfolio, such a format can be a very good way to present your value.

3. Hybrid CV (combined)

The hybrid CV combines the most important competency-focused approach characteristic of a functional CV with a full representation of work experience in reverse chronological order.

Its advantage is the ability to highlight the most important areas of competence and experience where you can bring the most value, while maintaining a fuller picture of your professional career. It can also be more concise and specific than a classic chronological resume.

However, it should be borne in mind that it is usually more extensive than a typical functional resume. The unusual design can also make it more difficult for the recruiter to immediately understand what type of resume they are dealing with.

ATS: what is it and why is it important for your recruitment?

ATS, that is Applicant Tracking System, is a software to support the recruitment process, used today by many companies. System allows you to automate and organize the management of candidates' applications - from the moment they are submitted to the next stages of the recruitment process.

The goal of ATS is primarily to streamline recruitment and automate parts of tasks that previously required manual work. This allows recruiters to process a large number of applications faster, and the process itself can be more streamlined for both the employer and the candidate.

However, automation also has its limitations. If the ATS system uses algorithms that are too rigid, there is a risk of incorrect reading of the CV, especially when the document contains unusual formatting, complex graphic elements or information presented in a way that is difficult for software to read. Therefore, today, when more and more companies use ATS systems, it is worth taking care not only of the attractive appearance of the resume, but also of its readability for algorithms. Properly formulated experience, the right keywords and a clear structure can increase the chance that the resume will be read correctly and will go to the next stage of recruitment.

At the same time, the growing role of automation shows how important it is to maintain a balance between technology and the human factor. Even the best system should not completely replace a person's assessment, especially since behind every resume there is a specific person whose experience cannot always be reduced to a set of keywords.

summary

A good resume in 2026 should be above all legible, tailored to the position and consciously constructed. There is no one-size-fits-all format that will work for every candidate — it is crucial to adequately show what is most important in your experience.

In the next part of the article we will take a closer look at this, how to prepare a resume for the ATS system, what keywords should be used and what mistakes to avoid so that your application has a better chance of getting to the recruiter.

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