What worked on resumes last year might not work this year.
Hiring is evolving. AI is changing how resumes are screened. Remote work has reshaped expectations. Skills-based hiring is finally becoming real, not just a buzzword.
If your resume looks the same as it did in 2023, you're probably leaving interviews on the table.
Of resumes rejected by ATS
Before a human recruiter ever sees them
Source: Jobscan Research, 2024
This guide covers the resume trends that actually matter in 2026—what's in, what's out, and how to stay ahead.
The Big Picture
- Skills-first formatting is beating chronological for many roles
- AI literacy is becoming expected, not impressive
- Shorter is better — one page unless you're truly senior
- ATS optimization is non-negotiable
- Soft skills are weighted more than ever before
Trend 1: Skills-First Format Goes Mainstream
The hybrid/combination resume format is winning in 2026.
For years, the chronological format dominated. But with skills-based hiring on the rise, leading with skills (rather than burying them after experience) significantly improves your chances.
2026 Resume Order
- Contact Info
- Professional Summary (skill-focused)
- Skills Section ← Move this up
- Experience (with skill demonstrations)
- Education
- Optional sections
Why? Because:
- ATS systems scan the top third heavily
- Recruiters scan in F-patterns (top-left gets most attention)
- Skills-based hiring means skills are the filter, not just job titles
Info
This is especially important for career changers and those with non-linear career paths. Leading with skills helps bridge experience gaps.
Trend 2: AI Literacy Is Expected
In 2024, listing "proficient in ChatGPT" felt cutting-edge. In 2026, it's baseline.
AI skills are becoming like Excel skills—expected for many roles, not differentiators.
What to Include
AI Skills Worth Listing
- Specific tools: ChatGPT, Claude, Midjourney, Copilot, Jasper
- How you've applied them: 'Used AI to reduce content creation time by 40%'
- AI-adjacent skills: prompt engineering, AI workflow design
- Industry-specific AI: coding assistants, marketing AI, design AI
Tip
Don't just list "AI skills." Show application: "Leveraged AI tools to automate report generation, saving 10 hours weekly."
Trend 3: ATS Optimization Is Non-Negotiable
This isn't new, but it's more important than ever. ATS systems are getting smarter, and so are the candidates who understand them.
The 2026 ATS Checklist
ATS Must-Haves
- Standard fonts (Arial, Calibri, Helvetica)
- No graphics, tables, or text boxes
- Keywords matching job posting (exact phrasing)
- Clean section headers (Experience, Education, Skills)
- PDF or .docx format
- Tested with ATS scanner before sending
Check your ATS compatibility
Our Keyword Scanner shows exactly which keywords you're missing—and how to add them.
Try Keyword ScannerSee our complete ATS Optimization Guide for full details.
Trend 4: Soft Skills Get Serious Weight
With automation handling more hard skills, human skills are differentiating factors.
Of hiring managers
Say soft skills are as important or more important than hard skills
Source: LinkedIn 2024 Hiring Report
Most In-Demand Soft Skills for 2026
- Communication — still #1, and still poorly demonstrated
- Adaptability — especially post-pandemic working models
- Problem-solving — critical thinking over task execution
- Collaboration — cross-functional, remote, async
- Emotional intelligence — the soft skill that enables all others
Tip
Don't just list soft skills—demonstrate them. "Strong communication skills" is weak. "Presented quarterly strategy to C-suite, securing $5M budget approval" is proof.
See our full Soft Skills for Resume guide for examples.
Trend 5: One Page Is (Still) King
The two-page resume debate continues, but the verdict in 2026:
One Page Is Best If...
- You have under 10 years of experience
- You're early-to-mid career
- You're changing industries
- The job doesn't require extensive qualifications
Two Pages Okay If...
- You're truly senior (15+ years, director+)
- Academic/research roles requiring publications
- Technical roles with extensive project portfolios
- Government or federal positions with strict requirements
Warning
If you do go to two pages, page one must stand alone. Many recruiters never flip. Your strongest content goes on page one.
Trend 6: Quantified Everything
Numbers have always mattered. In 2026, they're expected on nearly every bullet.
| 2024 Acceptable ❌ | 2026 Expected ✅ |
|---|---|
| Improved sales performance | Increased sales by 35% ($500K in new revenue) |
| Managed social media | Grew following from 10K to 75K across 3 platforms |
| Led team projects | Directed cross-functional team of 12 on 6 product launches |
See our How to Quantify Achievements guide for 30+ examples.
Trend 7: Remote Work Experience Matters
Employers hiring for remote/hybrid roles want to see you can work remotely successfully.
How to Highlight Remote Experience
- Include "(Remote)" after relevant job titles
- Mention remote collaboration tools: Slack, Zoom, Notion, Async communication
- Highlight self-management: "Independently managed pipeline of 50+ accounts"
- Note timezone flexibility if applicable
Example
Senior Product Manager (Remote) | Acme Inc | 2022-Present
- Led distributed team of 8 across 4 time zones using async-first communication
Trend 8: Personal Branding Basics
Your resume doesn't exist in isolation anymore. Recruiters will check:
Personal Brand Checklist
- LinkedIn profile matches resume (and is complete)
- GitHub/Portfolio linked for technical roles
- Consistent narrative across platforms
- Professional headshot on LinkedIn
- No conflicting information between resume and profiles
Tip
Include LinkedIn URL on your resume. A well-optimized profile reinforces your candidacy.
Trend 9: Micro-Credentials Gain Weight
With traditional degrees becoming less predictive, certifications and specialized credentials are valued more.
High-Value Credentials in 2026
| Field | Valuable Credentials |
|---|---|
| Tech | AWS, Google Cloud, Azure certs; specific framework certs |
| Marketing | Google Analytics, HubSpot, Meta Blueprint |
| Project Mgmt | PMP, Scrum Master, Six Sigma |
| Data | Google Data Analytics, IBM Data Science |
| HR | SHRM-CP, PHR |
Info
Include credentials in both your Skills section (for ATS) and Education section (for humans). Spell out AND abbreviate: "Project Management Professional (PMP)"
Trend 10: Less Creative, More Clean
The ultra-designed resume trend has peaked. For most roles in 2026, clean > creative.
What's In ✅
- Clean, scannable layouts
- Strategic use of white space
- Clear visual hierarchy
- Subtle accent colors (one or two)
- Modern fonts (Inter, Roboto, Calibri)
What's Out ❌
- Heavy graphics and icons
- Multiple columns that break ATS
- Busy, cluttered designs
- Skill bars and pie charts
- Photos (in US/UK)
Exception: If you're applying for design roles, your resume is a portfolio piece. Then creative makes sense.
What's OUT in 2026
Officially Outdated
- Objective statements — replaced by professional summaries
- References upon request — assumed, don't waste space
- Full address — city/state is enough
- High school education — if you have a degree
- Skill bars/ratings — subjective and meaningless
- Dense paragraphs — bullets only for experience
- Functional format — raises red flags about gaps
Industry-Specific Trends
| Industry | 2026 Priorities |
|---|---|
| Technology | AI skills, cloud certs, GitHub links, system design |
| Marketing | Data/analytics skills, ROI metrics, specific tool proficiency |
| Finance | Compliance awareness, advanced Excel, automation experience |
| Healthcare | Telehealth experience, EHR proficiency, license clarity |
| Sales | Revenue numbers, CRM proficiency, remote selling experience |
Your 2026 Resume Action Plan
- 1
Audit your current resume
Check against trends above. How many boxes do you tick?
- 2
Update your skills section
Move it up, add AI tools, ensure ATS keywords are present
- 3
Quantify every achievement
Add numbers to at least 75% of your bullets
- 4
Test ATS compatibility
Run through scanner, fix any parsing issues
- 5
Align your LinkedIn
Ensure consistency and completeness
The Bottom Line
Resume best practices evolve. What worked in 2023 may hurt you in 2026.
The core principles remain: clear, quantified, tailored. But the emphasis has shifted toward skills-first presentation, AI literacy, and rigorous ATS optimization.
Stay current, or get filtered out.
Build a 2026-ready resume
Our AI-powered builder incorporates all the latest best practices—ATS optimization, modern templates, and smart suggestions included.
Start Building FreeRelated Resources
- Resume Optimization Guide — Complete ATS and formatting guide
- Technical Skills for Resume — Skills that matter by industry
- Soft Skills for Resume — Demonstrating human skills
- Single vs Double Column — Choosing the right layout
- ATS Keywords by Industry — Industry-specific keyword lists
Frequently Asked Questions
What's the biggest resume trend in 2026?
Skills-first formatting. With AI screening and skills-based hiring on the rise, leading with a strong skills section—rather than burying it at the bottom—significantly improves your chances.
Are one-page resumes still best in 2026?
For most candidates, yes. Senior professionals with 10+ years can go to two pages. But even then, the first page must be strong enough to stand alone.
Should I include AI skills on my resume in 2026?
If relevant to your role, absolutely. AI literacy is increasingly expected. Include specific tools you've used (ChatGPT, Claude, Midjourney) and how you've applied them professionally.
Is the traditional resume format dead?
Not dead, but evolving. The core structure remains, but emphasis has shifted toward skills, measurable outcomes, and ATS optimization over creative design.
How important is ATS optimization in 2026?
Critical. With 75%+ of resumes filtered by ATS before human review, optimization is no longer optional. Use standard formatting, match keywords, and test with ATS scanners.
Should I include a photo on my resume?
In the US and UK, no—it can trigger bias concerns. In parts of Europe and Asia, photos are standard. Research norms for your target region and industry.
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