Use a Hybrid Resume When Applying for a Hybrid Position

IT professionals are known for picking the right tool for the job. So if you’re pursuing a position that requires functional knowledge and great soft skills on top of technical expertise, a hybrid resume could be the handiest tool in your box.

hybrid fruitEssentially, a blended, combination or so-called “hybrid” resume combines the benefits of chronological and functional styles in a single document. It clearly communicates your prowess with the major technical and non-technical job requirements without forgoing the opportunity to showcase your stable work history, career progression and credentials.

Plus, a blended format is great for professionals who want to transition from a pure tech role into a hybrid position, since it lets you emphasize relevant skills and experience you’ve attained through various means and sources over your entire lifetime. Meanwhile, it helps you omit unrelated tasks and responsibilities.

For example, say you’re an SQL programmer who wants to become a marketing database analyst. You can highlight the marketing expertise you’ve acquired through online courses, by attending lunch and learns with the marketing folks, chairing fundraisers or handling other outreach efforts for community organizations.

Since a picture is worth a thousand words, here’s a sample of a hybrid resume for a marketing database analyst.

If you decide to stick with a more traditional chronological resume, give equal billing to your technical and non-technical skills. This can be challenging for professionals transitioning from a pure technical role, since they tend to emphasize their technical skills and forget to mention their other competencies.

If you’re changing careers, help the reviewer visualize the fit by providing context for your technical experience and emphasizing transferable skills that apply to the hybrid position. And, don’t forget to create a forward-looking resume. Here’s a sample of a chronological resume tailored toward a hybrid position.