question what does a functional resume highlight

What Is a Functional Resume? Example and Tips on How to Write Yours

Your resume should be tailored to the role you’re applying for. No sweat, right? The thing is, creating a customized resume for every job you have your eyes on is no easy task, especially if your work history isn’t an exact match for the position you want. Wouldn’t it be easier if you could just list all your skills out without having to worry about making your work experience look cohesive? Like, say, on a functional resume?

Below, we break down everything you need to know about a functional resume: what it is, when to use one, when not to, and, of course, how to write yours in a way that helps the hiring manager see how your unique set of skills matches their needs—and why you’re the ideal person for the job.

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What is a functional resume?

A functional resume, sometimes called a skills-based resume , places the focus on your skills and areas of expertise, rather than on the details of your work history. Instead of simply listing your recent jobs and corresponding duties in reverse chronological order (like you would on a more traditional chronological resume ), you’d select only the most relevant responsibilities from each of your past roles and combine them to paint a broader picture of your skill set.

Functional resume format

Like any other resume, a functional layout features your name and contact information at the top and lists your technical skills , interests, and education toward the bottom (unless you’re a recent graduate—in that case it may be closer to the top).

The difference is that the body of a functional resume highlights your most important skills—such as “administrative experience” or “customer service”—with three to five bullet points that show how you’ve applied those skills in various roles.

Then your work history would appear as a simple list below your skills section , where you’d only include your job title, the name of your employer, the city where you worked, and your dates of employment. (Check out our example functional resume below to get a sense of how that works.)

Because this layout places the primary focus on your relevant skills, functional resumes allow you to better tailor the content to a specific role you’re hoping to land, without having to worry too much about job titles that don’t sound relevant, gaps in employment, or an eclectic work history.

Functional resume vs chronological resume

In a chronological resume, you list your work history in reverse chronological order—from your most recent to oldest experience. This is the most common type of resume and is ideal for professionals with little to no employment gaps and relevant experience related to the job they're currently applying for.

That's exactly what differentiates a reverse chronological resume from a functional resume. While functional resumes focus on skills, reverse chronological resumes highlight employment history and relevant experience​​—where you worked and what you accomplished there.

Combination resume vs functional resume

A combination resume mixes elements of both functional and reverse chronological resumes. In this format, relevant skills are listed first, followed by employment history in chronological order, from newest to oldest experience. This type of resume is recommended for job seekers with diverse backgrounds and transferable skills relevant to the job opening.

Should you use a functional resume in your job search?

If you have other viable choices, probably not. Recruiters often see functional resumes as a red flag and might assume that the applicant behind the resume is trying to hide something, like a lack of qualifications. So although a skills-based resume might be an effective way to highlight your relevant experience, this resume format greatly decreases your chances of landing an interview .

Recruiters want to learn as much as they possibly can about an applicant from their resume, so they’re going to be looking to find out which companies you’ve worked at, your tenure in each role, and what you’ve achieved in each position. When you bury these details at the bottom of your resume (or exclude them completely), a recruiter is likely to assume that your background must not be a very strong fit.

Recruiters are also notoriously short on time, often reviewing hundreds of resumes a day. They don’t want to be forced to scour your resume for relevant details—your resume should, ideally, be very easy to scan. And because functional resumes aren’t terribly common, a recruiter might have a harder time making sense of an alternative format. (Instead, you might consider using a combination resume .)

When can you use a functional resume?

Red flags aside, there are times when a functional resume may still be your best option. For instance:

• When you don’t have recent experience: If it’s been a few years since you last held a traditional job, you may not want your less-than-recent work history to be the first thing a hiring manager notices on your resume. Leading with your skills could be a good way to pique a recruiter’s interest before they review your dates of employment.
• When you’re making a major career pivot: If you’ve collected an array of transferable skills throughout your work experience but have never used them in the context of a single role, a skills-based resume might allow you to demonstrate how your unique abilities will translate into the next act of your career.
• When you don’t have work experience: Functional resumes enable you to be a little creative with your work history and allow for some flexibility in the skills you choose to highlight. For example, you probably developed some great research skills as a student, solid scheduling experience when you headed the PTA committee, or exceptional customer service acumen that time you volunteered for that political campaign.
• When your work history is all over the place: If you’ve held a string of short-term positions or worked in a variety of roles (I’m looking at you, freelancers and temp workers—no judgment, I’m one, too!), using a functional resume may be a great way to organize your experience into a more cohesive story.
• When your relevant experience isn’t rooted in traditional work: Say you've volunteered at a soup kitchen for the past few years and now you want to land a job as a server. You’d probably want to feature the skills you’ve picked up as a volunteer, while also highlighting your other, more traditional experience. A functional resume could be a great way to bring it all together.

When not to use a functional resume?

In certain circumstances, the traditional reverse chronological resume is definitely the best option. For example:

• When you can demonstrate career growth: In most fields, recruiters put a lot of value in experience and achievements. So if you have years of experience in the field and your employment history clearly demonstrates professional evolution, it should have the spotlight.
• When your recent work experience is relevant: Let's say your last job was in the same position you're applying for right now, but other than that, you don't have much experience. In this case, ditch the functional resume and use the reverse chronological format.
• When listing past employment is important: In some industries—think medicine or education, for example—it's crucial to list your past employment. Recruiters often ask for reference or recommendations as well.

How to write a functional resume in 6 steps

Once you decide that the functional resume format is the best choice for your application, you want to make sure you build it correctly.

Writing a functional resume is much like any other resume style; it should still include your contact information , education , work or volunteer experience , and technical skills. The main difference is that your skills and achievements will be featured prominently in the body of the resume.

If it makes sense, you can separate your skills into subcategories to make it easier to read. You may also want to consider including a brief resume summary to tie everything together. Follow these steps:

Step 1: Write your contact information

The first piece of information on your resume should be your full name, followed by your contact information—which includes your email address, phone number, LinkedIn profile , and your address (limited to city, state, and zip code, for your safety).

Step 2: Craft a relevant resume summary

Writing a resume summary is optional, but when used effectively, this section provides recruiters with insights into who you are and what are your career aspirations. For instance, if you have an employment gap or are transitioning into a new field, the summary section can come in handy, so the recruiters don't have to figure it out by themselves.

You can also use this space to incorporate relevant skills and achievements using keywords from the job description, making it easier for the ATS to scan. Two to three sentences are enough to summarize relevant information about your education, skills, achievements, and objectives.

For sake of illustration, here's an example of a summary for a virtual assistant making a career pivot to social media:

Dedicated and detail-oriented virtual assistant with three years of experience working with clients worldwide online. Skilled in social media management, copywriting, image and video editing, data entry, Adobe Photoshop, Adobe Premiere, and Final Cut. Looking for a career pivot to social media management.

Step 3: Group your skills and achievements

The skills section is the most important section of a functional resume. Its goal is to help recruiters quickly understand how your skills match the job requirements. Instead of presenting a gigantic list of skills, it's a good idea to group them and use bullet points for each category.

For example, if you're applying for an entry-level social media position and you're skilled in writing, filming, and editing, your section skills might look like this:

RELEVANT SKILLS

Copywriting

• Wrote over 30+ blog posts for my school's website, driving a 5% increase in readers
• Wrote all posts and captions for the school's social media for two semesters, increasing followers by 10%
• Created the concept and wrote all posts for my personal blog and newsletter (www.greatsite.com) school events and interviews with students and professionals for social media content
• Created scripts, filmed, and directed educational videos for the school's website, increasing students engagement by 12%
• Used Adobe Premiere and Final Cut to edit and add special effects to videos for the school's social media and website
• Used editing tools such as Capcut to make short versions of videos for the school's TikTok page
• Used Adobe Photoshop to edit images for the school's social media and website, as well as for my own blog and newsletter

Step 4: List your education background

Include the name of your institution, degree type, year of graduation, and any relevant coursework or achievements, if applicable. If you have an impressive GPA, add that too. For example:

B.S. Computer Science, Carleton College

September 2007 – May 2011, Northfield, MN

Graduated magna cum laude; GPA: 3.6

Step 5: List your work experience

In a skill-based resume, work experience typically comes last, although you may also find functional resume examples where the education section is placed at the end. There's no right or wrong here—choose based on what information is most relevant to the position you're applying for.

You don't have to include all the details about your employment history—remember, that's not your main focus on functional resumes. Just mention your job title, employer, and the dates you worked there. For example:

WORK EXPERIENCE

Virtual Assistant

Assisting Inc. | June 2021—Present

Sales Manager

Great Store | May 2018 — March 2020

Step 6: Add your certifications or awards

If you have certificates relevant to your field or the one you're trying to enter, consider including a dedicated section for them. However, if your certifications aren't related to the job you're seeking, you can skip this section. Same goes for awards—only add them if they're relevant.

What’s a good functional resume example?

When putting all the steps above together, here’s what your functional resume could look like:

Download a Free Example Functional Resume

Bonus tips to write a functional resume

If you’re going to give drafting a functional layout a shot, keep in mind that the tried and true best practices of resume writing still apply. Here are a few pointers to keep in mind:

• Keep your resume to a single page (this is true for basically everyone except those decades into their careers—in which case a two-page resume isn’t out of the question).
• Include clear, concise headlines (like “Areas of Expertise” and “Work Experience”) to break up each section, thus making your resume easier to scan.
• Use compelling verbs to describe your skills and accomplishments (words like achieved, led, directed, streamlined, or solved).
• Attribute a tangible, measurable outcome to each job duty whenever possible.
• Tailor the content of your resume to the job you’re applying for, including relevant keywords where appropriate (this is for the hiring manager to skim and for the ATS to give you the thumbs up).

Functional resume FAQs

What does a functional resume highlight.

A functional resume highlights your skills. Unlike the reverse chronological resume format, where work experience comes first, in this format, the skills and achievements section stays right at the top of the page. This way, you make sure it's the first thing recruiters see when reviewing your resume.

When should you write a functional skills resume?

You should consider writing a functional resume if you lack work experience, have a diverse employment history, are making a career pivot, or have a significant employment gap.

Do employers like functional resumes?

Truth to be told, employers generally prefer the traditional resume format with reverse chronological order, and a simple, clean layout. However, this doesn't mean they'll discard a functional resume outright. For entry-level positions , for example, a resume that focuses more on skills, achievements, and education rather than work experience is often expected.

What best describes a functional resume?

A functional resume can be described as a skill-based resume because it prioritizes your skills as the most important information. This contrasts with the traditional reverse chronological resume, where employment history is considered more relevant.

In conclusion

Whenever possible, you should stick to a traditional resume to keep recruiters from making unfavorable assumptions about your experience. But if you know that a chronological layout won’t properly tell your story in a compelling way, a functional resume may help.

Just remember that you might be starting off at a disadvantage when it comes to your resume, so you’ll also need to have a strong networking plan, a consistent application strategy, and an exceptional cover letter . Amanda Cardoso contributed to the latest version of this article.

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Functional Resume Format: Examples, Tips, & Free Templates

Sections to include on your functional resume

Choosing the right format is one of the first and most important decisions you have to make when writing a resume . This guide will discuss the nuances of the functional format and the circumstances for using it. We'll also provide you with adaptable examples and plenty of other resources to help you choose the right type of resume.

A functional resume focuses on your skills and talents. It shows the reader how you can contribute to their organizational objectives from day one. It also helps to mask any issues with your employment history which a chronological resume may expose, such as limited experience or job gaps. We will discuss the pros and cons.

This guide will help you to confirm that a functional resume is the best choice for you, by teaching you the following:

• Introduce the functional resume as an option
• Show you how to create a layout for this type of resume
• What information to include in a functional resume
• How to organize each section

Why do many recruiters hate functional resumes? While a functional resume will be suitable for certain job seekers, as we will explore, we cannot escape the fact that recruiters dislike them. Functional resumes make it hard to understand when you accomplished specific things, there is little opportunity to understand the context of accomplishments and they automatically assume that the applicant is hiding something. If you have any career of note (3+ years) - think very carefully whether you want a recruiter to be feeling this way.

The functional resume: An introduction

The functional resume format is applicable for individuals with a great deal of education and training and/or a strong set of job-related skills. This includes new graduates or experienced workers transferring to a new industry where their skills and education will apply. It is also good for people who have worked for a limited number of organizations and whose skills are more important than the employers they have worked for.

A functional resume highlights your skills and talents and how they relate to the job you’re applying for. Often, the skills you have are the same ones described in the job posting. This type of resume is best for people working in technical or skill base professions, or who are transitioning into a new career .

There are 3 common resume formats: chronological, functional, and a combination. Here's how to choose the right one for you.

My career path hasn't been smooth. Should I hide it with a functional resume? Being open and honest about your career is the only choice. If you attempt to hide job hopping and career gaps with a functional resume, you guarantee an awkward barrage of probing questions in an interview (where you will have to tell the truth). Career gaps happen, mistakes happen and people get fired for no reason. Interviewers understand this - a bumpy career history doesn't mean that you won't do a fantastic job.

Format of a functional resume

The format of a functional resume is very specific. It is structured to enable recruiters to quickly determine your qualifications for the job and to encourage them to read the complete resume to learn more about you. An easy way to create your resume is to select a functional resume template which you can find online and simply insert your details into the appropriate sections, following the prompts provided by the functional resume template. However, you still need to know what the structure of a functional resume looks like.

The basic structure for a functional resume is:

• Name and contact information (email, phone and possibly the location, but never an address)
• Title – This should match the job title you are applying for
• Summary of applicable skills and any experience relevant to those listed in the job posting.
• Hard Skills – The emphasis is here. These are the skills directly related to the job
• Additional Skills – Soft skills which complement the job
• Education – Formal, vocational and subsequent training in specific skills (note – this may precede the Skills section if you are a recent graduate or have received recent training which would qualify you for the position)
• Experience – Brief listing of employers, dates, and title
• Industry related certifications
• Industry organizations
• Volunteer experience

Career change is a valid reason for a functional resume format. Having said that recruiters don't like functional resumes, when you are changing careers and wish to emphasize that you have the necessary skills to do your new job, a spotlight on functional skills and competencies is exactly what you need.

The basic content you include in your resume is similar for any resume format you choose to use. However, how it is organized and how much detail you provide for each section differs depending on the type of resume you are writing. Here are the content and organization recommendations for the functional resume .

Contact information

The resume starts with your contact information. This will allow the employer to reach out to you to invite you to an interview , which is the purpose of a resume. Your contact details should include:

• Phone number
• e-mail address
• LinkedIn profile URL

Each of these items could be at the top of each page of the resume so the employer will know whose resume they are reading. Your name should be slightly larger than your contact information. Your email address and LinkedIn URL can contain links which the employer can click on. Anything you can do to make it easier for the employer will help you land the interview.

Professional summary

The next item in your functional resume is a brief summary of your professional background. This enables the employer to begin to know something about you and encourages them to want to read the rest of your resume. It should be the same as your ‘ elevator pitch ’ or your answer to the infamous ‘ Tell me about yourself ’ interview question. It should summarize your skills, experience, and ability to contribute to the employer’s business objectives in 2-3 sentences.

(Adjective 1) and (adjective 2) (job title) who is passionate about (job duty) and offering (service provided by company) with efficiency and attention to detail. Excited to learn more about (field) from (company name) and be a part of achieving (goal.)

A resume summary is one of the most important components of any resume, and it’s probably the most challenging part to write.

This next section will include both ‘ hard skills ’ , which are directly related to the job you are applying to, and ‘ soft skills ’ , which are character traits. This latter category will demonstrate your ability to work well in the employer’s environment. They include things like communication, teamwork, attention to detail, and others.

When you opt for a functional resume , the skills section is the most important and you will spend more time on this section than you would in other types of resumes. The individual skills will be grouped in similar categories and described in much more detail. It may also contain examples of accomplishments related to the skills.  

Here is an example of the type of skills you could add to your own functional resume:

• Technical knowledge
• Personality trait
• Quality mentioned in job description

Similar to the skills section, the employment history or professional experience section of the resume will differ depending on the style of the resume you are using. For all formats, the basic information you include will be:

• Company name
• Dates employed

The positions is listed in reverse chronological order, starting with your most recent position and working backward. You should only list jobs going back for about 10 years. Anything prior to this either is no longer relevant to contemporary positions or the experience has already been described in more recent employment listings.

In the functional resume, this is all the detail you need to provide. The focus here is on your skills, which you have already described in detail.

• Your main job duty
• Your attitude towards customers and coworkers
• A skill you learned on the job
• Your biggest achievement

This section details both your formal and informal training related to the job you are applying to. The formal education is listed in reverse order, starting with the most recent or highest degree attained. The information you include is:

• Degree, with major and any minors if applicable
• School or institution
• Activities including offices held, organizations, key projects or publications

If you have had informal education related to the jobs you’ve held or are applying to, include it in your resume. The descriptions should include:

• Name of the class or certificate attained
• Instructional institution or issuing agency

These items should only be included if they enhance your qualifications for the job. If any education, training or certifications are listed as ‘Required’ in the job posting you are applying to, you may want to move this section to just below Skills and ahead of Experience. If you have a higher education degree, there is no need to list your high school on your resume.

• mm/dd/yyyy – mm/dd/yyyy: Degree name, University name, City, State
• Expected graduation mm/yyyy: High school name, City, State,

The best functional resume example

Check out our example of a great functional resume below. You can make one just like this in only a few clicks by using our easy-to-use resume builder .

Pros and cons of a functional resume

A functional resume poses certain advantages that can quickly help you get your career off the ground. However, it's not the right choice for everyone since the structure can be limiting in terms of work history. Let's explore the pros and cons of this type of resume.

Pros of a functional resume:

• Easy to create without much experience to go off of
• Allows you to highlight your personality traits
• A great option for students and recent grads
• Can be used to change careers and showcase transferrable skills
• The best way to highlight education and abilities with no work experience

Cons of a functional resume:

• No employment history section to highlight previous positions
• Can make you appear like an early-career candidate even if you're not
• Less ability to show hard skills or lessons learned on the job
• Not favored by employers for certain roles
• Stands out as a candidate who doesn't have experience in the field

Functional resume format for freshers

When you are leaving university it is unlikely that you will want your resume to focus on the various student roles that you undertook to earn some money for weekend socializing. 

The jobs in themselves are not important. It is the skills that you developed which matter.

Because it is likely that freshers will have do a whole range of casual work, the format of a functional resume allows them to pick out the specific skills that each role demands. Employers will understand the sense in avoiding a long list of roles in chronological order - they are interested in your assessment of whether you have what it takes to succeed.

What are the common mistakes found in a functional resume? The most common mistake in a functional resume is the lack of context for the skills that you listed. Every resume, no matter what the format, should be packed with quantifiable proof of your career story. By all means, put a lot of emphasis on your skills, but do not forget to outline exactly what value you have brought to previous employers.

What is a combination resume?

A functional resume is most useful in situations where you need to highlight skills and knowledge that can't be attributed directly to a previous position. But what about when you do have some experience? That's when the combination resume can be a great asset.

The combination resume takes elements of a functional format and adds a shorter work history section similar to the one found on a standard reverse chronological resume. Generally, the skills/experience section that comes from the functional resume will be placed at the top of the page and the employment history will come later. 

The combination resume is a great choice when you have some work experience to show but not enough to fully switch over to the chronological resume. It can also be a good idea to create a combination format if you work in certain creative fields where your skills are more important than previous employers. Freelancers also find this format useful because it focuses more on the services they offer while letting them highlight just a few impressive clients.

The combination (hybrid) resume is increasingly popular. A hybrid resume combines the skills focus of the functional resume with the context-laden career story of a reverse chronological resume. No employer can read too much into a one-word skills section, but a hybrid resume offers a dedicated space to explore the functional fit in more detail. 

Functional resume: Final thoughts

Most people are good at what they do for a living but find it difficult to describe it in writing. Luckily, there are many online resources available to help you design and write a resume . The key is choosing the right format for your particular situation and then filling it with the right content, written in the right way.

Once you select the format, you can either write the resume yourself or find a functional resume template you can use. These are available on the internet and make it easy to create a professional looking resume. You simply fill in your details in the appropriate section and then save or print the resume.

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Functional Resume: A Beginner’s Guide with Examples

In today’s competitive job market, it is essential to make a strong first impression on potential employers. However, traditional chronological resumes may not always be the best option for individuals looking to showcase their unique skills and experiences. This is where functional resumes come into play.

A functional resume focuses on a candidate’s skills and accomplishments rather than their work experience. Rather than listing job titles and specific duties, a functional resume emphasizes the candidate’s abilities and how they can add value to a workplace. It is especially useful for individuals who have gaps in their employment history, are changing careers, or have limited work experience.

Why Choose a Functional Resume

A functional resume can be an excellent option for individuals who want to stand out from other candidates. By highlighting their unique skillset, candidates can show potential employers that they have the necessary qualifications and can be an asset to their organization. Additionally, a functional resume can help applicants who have changed jobs frequently, as it emphasizes their transferable skills rather than their work history.

Benefits of a Functional Resume

There are several benefits to using a functional resume. Firstly, it allows individuals to focus on their strengths, making their application more compelling to potential employers. It can also help reduce concerns about gaps in employment by highlighting the candidate’s skills and experience rather than their work history. Additionally, by presenting their qualifications in a clear and concise manner, candidates may be able to attract the attention of hiring managers more effectively.

A functional resume can be an excellent option for individuals who want to showcase their unique skills and experience. By highlighting their strengths and minimizing perceived weaknesses, candidates can increase their chances of getting hired and landing their dream job.

Anatomy of a Functional Resume

A functional resume is a type of resume that focuses more on skills and achievements, rather than the chronological work history. This style of resume is perfect for job seekers who have significant gaps in their work history or who want to highlight their transferable skills.

Structure of a Functional Resume

The structure of a functional resume typically involves a few key sections, which include:

Header : This section includes your contact information, such as your name, email address, phone number, and address.

Summary/Objective : This section is a brief statement that highlights your top skills and experiences. This is where you can showcase your unique value proposition and communicate what you can bring to the company.

Skills : In this section, you list your relevant skills, such as technical skills, hard skills, soft skills, and language proficiency.

Experience : This section lists your work experiences and accomplishments, but it is organized by relevant skills rather than by job title or date.

Education : This section includes your educational background and any certifications or awards you may have earned.

Sections of a Functional Resume

All the sections included in a functional resume are designed to showcase your transferable skills and achievements. Unlike a chronological resume which is primarily focused on your work history, a functional resume is tailored to highlight your areas of expertise.

The Difference between a Functional Resume and a Chronological Resume

The key difference between a functional resume and a chronological resume is the focus on your work history. A chronological resume is organized by dates and job titles, while a functional resume is organized by skills and achievements.

A chronological resume is best suited for job seekers who have a consistent work history with minimal gaps. Meanwhile, a functional resume is ideal for job seekers with limited experience or those who want to highlight their transferable skills.

A functional resume is a powerful tool for job seekers who want to stand out from the crowd by showcasing their skills and achievements. The structure and sections of a functional resume are strategically designed to highlight your unique value proposition and communicate what you can bring to the company.

When to Use a Functional Resume

A functional resume is a great choice for certain job seekers depending on their work history, experience, and career goals. Here are some factors to consider when deciding whether to use a functional resume:

Who Should Use a Functional Resume

Functional resumes are ideal for job seekers who have gaps in their work history, have changed careers frequently, or have relevant skills from other work or life experiences. These types of resumes highlight those skills and experiences rather than focusing on specific job titles or employers.

Another scenario where a functional resume might be appropriate is for recent graduates who have limited work experience but have developed relevant skills through internships, volunteer work, or extracurricular activities.

It’s important to note that functional resumes may not be the best option for recent graduates who are applying to entry-level positions in their field.

Situations that Call for a Functional Resume

There are several situations in which a functional resume may be a better choice than a traditional chronological resume.

If you are returning to work after a long absence, such as raising children, taking care of a family member, or dealing with a personal health issue, a functional resume can help you emphasize skills and experiences gained during that time.

Job seekers who are changing careers may also benefit from a functional resume as it allows them to highlight transferable skills and show how they are relevant to the new industry or job they are seeking.

Finally, if you have had a lot of short-term jobs or freelance work, a functional resume can help you highlight your skills and achievements across those different roles rather than simply listing each job and its duties.

How to Know When a Functional Resume is Appropriate

If you are unsure whether a functional resume is the right choice for you, consider talking to a career counselor or professional resume writer who can help you assess your skills and experience in relation to the jobs you want.

You should also carefully consider the job listing and the employer’s needs. If the job posting emphasizes specific job titles or required experience, a traditional chronological resume may be a better choice.

A functional resume can be a great option for job seekers who have varied work history or skills gained outside of traditional employment. By emphasizing skills and experiences over job titles and employers, it can help you stand out to potential employers and showcase your strengths.

Preparing to Write a Functional Resume

Before you start writing your functional resume, it’s important to take the necessary steps to ensure that your final document is effective in highlighting your skills and qualifications.

Steps for Preparing a Functional Resume

Research the job description:  Start by reviewing the job posting or job description thoroughly. Highlight and make note of the skills, experiences, and qualifications that the employer is seeking.

Make a list of your own skills and qualifications:  Next, make a list of your own skills and qualifications, taking into account the job requirements that you have identified. This list should include both hard and soft skills, as well as any relevant experience, education or certification.

Evaluate your career history:  Take time to evaluate your career history and consider any significant achievements, projects, and experiences that demonstrate your strengths and key competencies.

Decide on resume sections and order:  Once you have compiled your list of skills and qualifications, you can start organizing your resume sections. Decide on the order of your sections based on what is most relevant and eye-catching to employers.

Identifying Your Skills and Qualifications

Hard skills:  These are specific, measurable technical skills that you have developed through education or experience. Examples include proficiency in a particular computer program or language, hands-on experience with a specific tool or machinery, or certification in a particular discipline.

Soft skills:  These are personal attributes that reflect how you interact with others and contribute to an organization’s culture. Examples include communication skills, time management, problem-solving, and leadership skills.

In a functional resume, you will want to prioritize your skills and qualifications above your experience. This way, any potential employer can quickly see what you bring to the table and how you can benefit their organization.

Choosing the Right Format for Your Functional Resume

There are three main formats to consider when writing a functional resume: chronological, hybrid, and functional.

Chronological:  In a chronological resume, your experience is listed in reverse chronological order, with your most recent job at the top. Skills and qualifications are typically listed in a separate section below the experience section.

Hybrid:  A hybrid resume combines elements of both a chronological and functional resume. The top section of the resume highlights your skills and qualifications, followed by a chronological listing of your work experience.

Functional:  In a functional resume, your skills and qualifications take center stage. This format de-emphasizes your work history, but still includes a brief summary of your career achievements, along with a list of relevant work experiences.

When choosing the right format for your functional resume, consider the job requirements and the employer’s preferences. By using the appropriate format and putting your skills and qualifications front and center, you can create a winning functional resume that effectively markets your talents and experience to employers.

Writing a Successful Functional Resume

A functional resume is a great way for job seekers to showcase their skills and experiences without emphasizing their job history. By highlighting your professional accomplishments and qualifications, you can create a powerful resume that will capture the attention of potential employers.

Here are some writing tips to help you craft a successful functional resume:

Writing Tips:

Start with a strong summary statement that highlights your skills and qualifications.

Use bullet points to organize your achievements and skills.

Use action words to describe your achievements and skills, such as “created”, “managed”, “designed”, etc.

Be concise and clear with your language. Avoid using overly complicated industry jargon or long sentences.

Use a standard, easy-to-read font and format your resume consistently throughout.

Next, it’s important to consider what keywords to include in your functional resume.

Keywords to Include in a Functional Resume:

Using relevant keywords can help your resume get through automated applicant tracking systems (ATS) and improve your chances of getting noticed by human recruiters.

Here are some common keywords to include in a functional resume:

• Industry-specific skills and qualifications
• Software and technical skills
• Professional certifications and licenses
• Project management experience
• Leadership and team management skills

Remember to include any relevant keywords that match the job description, as this can increase your chances of getting selected for an interview.

Lastly, here are some common mistakes to avoid when writing a functional resume:

Common Mistakes to Avoid When Writing a Functional Resume:

Not including specific achievements or accomplishments.

Listing irrelevant work experience.

Using a generic summary statement that doesn’t match the job description.

Using buzzwords or industry jargon that may not be understood by recruiters outside of your field.

Focusing too much on job duties and not enough on accomplishments and skills.

By following these tips and avoiding common mistakes, you can create a functional resume that showcases your unique talents, accomplishments, and qualifications. Remember to highlight your skills and experience and tailor your resume to each job description to increase your chances of landing your dream job.

Examples of Functional Resumes

Functional resumes are an excellent option for job seekers who want to draw attention to their skills and abilities instead of their work history. Here are three examples to help you understand how to structure a functional resume:

Example 1: Functional Resume for a Recent Graduate

[Your Name]

Recent Graduate | Seeking Entry-Level [Industry/Position]

Motivated and enthusiastic recent graduate with a [Degree/Major] from [University/College]. Strong academic foundation in [relevant coursework/skills]. Passionate about [industry/field] and eager to apply knowledge and skills in a professional setting. Excellent communication, problem-solving, and teamwork abilities.

• [Relevant Skill 1]
• [Relevant Skill 2]
• [Relevant Skill 3]
• [Relevant Skill 4]
• [Year of Graduation]
• Relevant coursework: [Coursework 1], [Coursework 2], [Coursework 3]
• [Project 1]: [Brief description and key achievements]
• [Project 2]: [Brief description and key achievements]
• [Project 3]: [Brief description and key achievements]

Intern, [Company/Organization]

• Assisted with [specific tasks/responsibilities].
• Conducted [research/analysis] to support [project/initiative].
• Collaborated with team members to [achieve goals/outcomes].

Volunteer, [Organization]

• Contributed to [specific tasks/responsibilities].
• Assisted in organizing [events/activities].
• Demonstrated strong [skill/ability] in a team environment.

Additional Skills

• Proficient in [Software/Applications]
• Strong written and verbal communication skills
• Detail-oriented with excellent organizational abilities
• Adaptability and willingness to learn

Certifications

• [Certification 1]
• [Certification 2]
• [Certification 3]
• [Language 1]: Native proficiency
• [Language 2]: Intermediate proficiency

Example 2: Functional Resume for Experienced Worker

Experienced Professional | [Industry/Position]

Results-driven and accomplished professional with [number of years] of experience in [industry/field]. Proven track record of success in [specific areas/achievements]. Strong leadership, problem-solving, and communication skills. Committed to driving [goals/objectives] and delivering exceptional outcomes.

Professional Experience

[Current/Previous Position], [Company/Organization]

• [Key Responsibility/Achievement 1]
• [Key Responsibility/Achievement 2]
• [Key Responsibility/Achievement 3]

[Previous Position], [Company/Organization]

Additional Experience

[Related Experience 1], [Company/Organization]

[Related Experience 2], [Company/Organization]

• Strong leadership and team management abilities
• Excellent problem-solving and decision-making skills
• Detail-oriented and highly organized

Formatting Your Functional Resume

When it comes to formatting your functional resume, there are key design and layout decisions you must make to present a well-organized, polished document that will catch an employer’s attention. Below are some important design guidelines, font and layout considerations, and tips for creating a professional look.

Design Guidelines

Make sure to choose a clean, easy-to-read design that is visually appealing. Use a standard paper size and keep margins at 1 inch all around. Avoid too much white space, which can make the resume look sparse, but don’t clutter the page with too much text or graphics. Sticking to a one-page format is ideal, but ensure that all relevant and important information is included.

Fonts and Layout Considerations

Your choice of font is important, as it can impact the readability of your resume. Choose a font for headings that stands out, such as Arial or Times New Roman, and use a slightly smaller font size for body text. Avoid fonts that may be harder to read, such as script or cursive styles.

In terms of layout, use bullet points to make information easy to scan and digest. Avoid long, dense paragraphs. Use headings and subheadings to organize content and lead the reader through the document. Additionally, use bolding, italicizing, or underlining to highlight important information, but use these effects sparingly.

Creating a Professional Look

In addition to adhering to design and font guidelines, there are other steps you can take to create a professional look for your functional resume. First, make sure that you have consistent formatting throughout the document. Use the same font, font size, and spacing throughout the body of the resume. This helps create a cohesive, polished look.

Secondly, don’t forget the importance of proofreading. Spelling errors, inaccuracies, or other mistakes can detract from the overall impression of your resume. After drafting your functional resume, take time to review and proofread it thoroughly to ensure that it is error-free.

Finally, consider tailoring your design and format to the job you are applying for. Review the job posting and consider the industry or company you are applying to. Adjust the layout or design elements to fit the desired “feel” of the position or organization.

By following these guidelines and tips, you can create a professional, well-organized functional resume that effectively showcases your unique skills and experience.

Tailoring Your Functional Resume to a Job Posting

When it comes to job hunting, tailoring your functional resume to a job posting is crucial. A functional resume is designed to highlight your skills and accomplishments, rather than just your work experience, which makes it a great choice for those who have gaps in their job history or who are changing careers. However, to really make your functional resume stand out, you need to tailor it to the specific job you’re applying for.

Job Posting Analysis

Before you start tailoring your functional resume, you need to carefully analyze the job posting to understand what the employer is looking for. Look for keywords and phrases that are repeated throughout the posting. Pay attention to the qualifications and requirements that the employer is looking for. Think about how your skills and experience match up with what they’re looking for.

Targeted Functional Resumes

Once you’ve analyzed the job posting, it’s time to start tailoring your functional resume. Start by creating a master resume that includes all of your skills and work experience. From there, you can create targeted functional resumes for each job you apply for. Use the keywords and phrases you found in the job posting to highlight your skills and accomplishments that match up with what the employer is looking for.

As you’re creating your targeted functional resume, keep the job posting in mind. Customize your objective statement to align with the position you’re applying for. Use the same language and terminology that the employer uses in the posting. Highlight your skills and accomplishments that are most relevant to the position.

The Importance of a Tailored Functional Resume

Tailoring your functional resume to the job you’re applying for is important for a few reasons. First, it shows the employer that you’ve taken the time to research the position and understand what they’re looking for. Second, it highlights your skills and accomplishments that are most relevant to the position, which makes you a stronger candidate. Finally, it helps you stand out from the other applicants who may be using a generic functional resume.

Tailoring your functional resume to a job posting is a crucial step in your job search. By analyzing the job posting, creating targeted functional resumes, and highlighting your most relevant skills and accomplishments, you can increase your chances of standing out from the crowd and landing the job you want.

Cover Letter Writing Tips for a Functional Resume

When it comes to job hunting, a functional resume can be an effective tool to showcase your skills and qualifications. However, it’s important to remember that your cover letter also plays a crucial role in the application process. In this section, we’ll discuss some tips on how to incorporate your functional resume into your cover letter, highlight your skills and qualifications, and address any employment gaps.

Incorporating Your Functional Resume into Your Cover Letter

Your cover letter should complement your functional resume and not simply repeat information. Therefore, it’s important to think about how your skills and qualifications can be integrated into your cover letter. One effective approach is to use specific examples of how your skills and experience match the requirements of the job you’re applying for.

For example, if you’re applying for a marketing position and your functional resume highlights your experience in social media management and content creation, you could mention specific campaigns you’ve managed in your cover letter. This shows the hiring manager that you have the skills they’re looking for and have experience applying them in a professional context.

Highlighting Your Skills and Qualifications in Your Cover Letter

Your cover letter is a chance to really highlight your strengths as a candidate. Rather than simply listing your qualifications, take the opportunity to explain how your skills and experience make you a good fit for the position.

For example, if you’re a recent graduate with limited work experience, you could focus on your academic achievements and any relevant coursework or projects. Alternatively, if you have years of experience in a particular field, you could explain how that experience has given you a unique perspective on the job you’re applying for.

Addressing Employment Gaps in Your Cover Letter

If your functional resume includes employment gaps, it’s important to address these issues in your cover letter. Rather than trying to hide or explain away the gaps, be honest about what you were doing during that time and emphasize any skills or experience you gained.

For example, if you took a break from work to care for a family member, you could explain how that experience taught you valuable communication and organizational skills. Alternatively, if you pursued a personal project during your employment gap, you could highlight how that experience gave you new perspectives or taught you new skills.

Your cover letter offers a chance to expand on the information in your functional resume and showcase your skills and qualifications. By incorporating specific examples and addressing any employment gaps, your cover letter can help you stand out as a strong candidate for any job.

Submitting a Functional Resume

When it comes to submitting a functional resume, there are several tips and strategies that can help increase your chances of landing an interview. Additionally, it’s important to be prepared to follow up on your application and deal with rejection if necessary.

Tips for Submitting Your Functional Resume

Here are some tips for submitting your functional resume:

Customize your resume for each job application. Your functional resume should be tailored to the specific job you’re applying for. Highlight the skills and experiences that are most relevant to the position.

Use keywords from the job description. Many companies use applicant tracking systems (ATS) to scan resumes for relevant keywords. Make sure you include keywords from the job description to increase your chances of passing the ATS screening.

Focus on achievements rather than duties. Instead of listing your job duties, highlight your accomplishments and how you added value to your previous roles. This will help the employer see the impact you can make in their organization.

Keep it concise and easy to read. A functional resume should be no longer than two pages, with clear headings and bullet points to organize the information.

Following up on Your Functional Resume

After submitting your functional resume, it’s important to follow up on your application to demonstrate your interest and enthusiasm for the position. Here are some tips for following up:

Wait a week before following up. Give the employer a chance to review your application before reaching out.

Send a brief email. Keep your follow-up email short and to the point. Thank the employer for their time and express your interest in the position.

Showcase your skills and experience. Use your follow-up email as an opportunity to highlight your relevant skills and experience, and why you’re a good fit for the job.

Be persistent but polite. If you don’t hear back after your initial follow-up, it’s okay to send another email or make a phone call. However, remain polite and professional in your communication.

Dealing with Rejection

Unfortunately, rejection is a part of the job search process. Here are some tips for handling rejection:

Don’t take it personally. Rejection doesn’t mean you’re not a qualified candidate or that you’ll never find a job. It’s simply part of the hiring process.

Ask for feedback. If possible, ask the employer for feedback on why you weren’t selected for the position. This can help you improve your resume and job search strategy moving forward.

Keep a positive attitude. It’s important to maintain a positive attitude and stay motivated during the job search process. Surround yourself with supportive friends and family, and focus on the opportunities that lie ahead.

Submitting a functional resume can be an effective way to showcase your skills and experience to potential employers.

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The Functional Resume Format: Tips & Examples (2024 - Updated)

Table of Contents

Tips and tricks for writing a functional resume.

Generally, there are three types of resume formats, each with its own benefits and drawbacks. There is no one-size-fits-all template, but the resume-verse does have something for everyone. In order to avoid the resume blackhole , you need a layout that helps you stand out. 

That might sound strange, but many professions prioritize a seasoned expert with cultivated skills. One just needs to know how to use a functional resume to catch the eye of potential employers . Here at Qureos, we plan to teach you exactly that.  ‍

1. What Is a Functional Resume?

The functional resume is also known as a skill-based resume. That is because it focuses on marketing the applicant’s skills rather than work experience. It is the ideal format for those who have curated a highly diverse and effective skill set, which would be greatly productive in any job setting. 

Compared to the chronological or combination resume, this format is targeted towards a set group of employers who require a refined skill set rather than a history of professional work experiences. This resume showcases your ambitions relevant to the job, rather than what you have already accomplished.

‍ 2. What Is the Functional Resume Structure?

Let us guide you on how to make an impressive resume . To help you visualize it, this is what the standard functional resume should look like:

1. Contact Information

Your information should include your full name, city and country, telephone or mobile number, and email address. It can also have links to any professional websites or portfolios, like LinkedIn, Behance, or your personal e-portfolio. 

This is a necessary step because many employers will use your information to get back to you. Make sure to add this in your header, with your name in a larger font.  ‍

2. Resume Summary 

Though a solid cover letter executes this role in detail, a resume summary or objective is necessary to highlight your capabilities as a candidate. A brief yet straightforward passage must explain how you are the perfect fit for this role. If you lack work experience, a resume objective works better on a skills-based CV. Remember to be professional, keeping it relevant to the role you have applied for.

3. Skills Section

Here, you can experiment with that displays your skills in the most attractive, strong way. 

Usually, functional resumes start off with the first skills sections, called ‘summary of qualifications’, ‘relevant skills’, ‘technical skills’, and more. In bullet point format, list down all skills relevant to your job description . To further diversify your resume and intrigue your employer, you can mention self-taught skills on your resume as well!

Remember to give examples of where, when, or how you’ve implemented said skills. 

‍ 4. Professional Skills

Here, you are required to hone in on the important skills that are most likely to secure your acceptance. In a bulleted list, highlight two or three crucial skills that the employer will not be able to turn away. Then, detail when, where, and how you implemented said skills and what you achieved. 

Additionally, to further strengthen your resume, mention metrics, statistics, or any number that validates your accomplishments. Data evidence will give credibility to your skills, which is necessary. 

‍ 5. Work Experience, If Any 

In case you have any work experience, a functional resume has the space to include that. Below are your skills, like your professional history in reverse-chronological order. Start from the latest position held and describe your roles, skills, and achievements during that period. 

On the other hand, if you don’t have any experience – that’s fine! A functional resume is specifically designed to market your skills over everything else. 

‍ 6. Education

Lastly, write your educational background. Your college and degree are the most important to mention. It's not important to mention your GPA unless it is specifically asked for. Also, you can add any certifications, honors, or important medals you have received. However, ensure they are all appropriate for the job you have applied for.  

After curating your resume, it’s best to run it through a resume score calculator. This will further strengthen your profile and give you an added level of reassurance.

‍ 3. Who Should Use a Functional Resume?

For some, functional resumes can be a holy grail. It is vital to create a killer portfolio that guarantees acceptance, so it’s best to see if the functional resume meets your requirements before creating one. 

Of course, this resume is perfect for those job positions that value skills over practical experience. The format allows for your most valuable skills to shine up upfront, allowing potential employers to screen that section immediately.

Secondly, if you’re someone who has frequently switched careers, has worked in various departments, or lacks a career niche, the functional resume helps you stand out. For those with an unstructured career trajectory, this format encourages them to highlight their learning and skill development.

Thirdly, the functional resume is a highly useful format for fresh graduates or students who do not have work experience or are currently in school. Don’t fret, as one’s education and college experience are sources of skill-building that is of value to hiring managers. 

Additionally, the uniqueness of the functional resume intrigues employers. Therefore, this format is excellent for those who have employment gaps. Aside from focusing on your talents and capabilities, it adds another level to your application. 

Lastly, if you’re aiming for a drastic career shift into a different field, this format is for you. You can showcase how your pre-existing skills are flexible and generalizable to every environment. The functional resume can present you as an adaptable and multi-talented individual who can fit into any field!

However, in some cases, the functional resume may not be the right fit. Firstly, if you do have work experience that spans three to ten years and is relevant to the job. Or, if you want to display a steady career trajectory with advancements. In such a case, draft a combination resume or chronological resume. 

‍ 4. Functional Resume VS Chronological Resume?

A noticeable difference is that of formatting. A functional resume begins with your contact details, followed by a detailed outline of your capabilities, and any certifications. Lastly, it ends with relevant job experiences and educational background. 

Whereas the chronological resume starts off with identification details, followed by a resume summary, and a list of your work history. The latter is featured in reverse-chronological order. Unlike the functional resume, this format displays your education, certifications, and skills very briefly, at the end.

Secondly, while some may reject functional resumes for being disjointed or incomplete, some hiring managers prefer candidates who can work in any industry. While, chronological resumes are generally preferred, especially for job positions that require specific expertise and experience. 

Lastly, the functional resume enhances your skills as it does not prioritize what you have or have not done. It is future-focused that portrays you as a flexible candidate with holistic skills, able to succeed in any field, despite minimum work experience. 

However, a chronological resume values your work history, using it to craft a story that is appealing to employers. It focuses on showcasing accomplishments and your evolution as an employee. 

5. Functional Resume VS Combination Resume?

While we’ve mentioned the functional resume’s format, a combination resume is structured differently. It opens with contact information, a resume summary or objective, a bulleted skills list, and a chronological work experience section, ending with educational background. Unlike the functional resume, it bequeaths equal importance to skills and professional history, suitable for mid-level experienced employees. 

While a functional resume is received as an unexpected and non-traditional application, combination resumes are more creative and diverse. Though, this varies from employer to employer.

Finally, while a functional resume is focused on emphasizing your skills, a combination resume bequeaths equal importance to skills and professional history, suitable for mid-level experienced employees. 

This comprehensive guide on functional resumes is enough to kickstart you on your journey of designing an eye-catching resume. There are several brilliant resume templates available online – so don’t wait and land your dream job today!

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How and when to write a functional resume (with examples)

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What is a functional resume?

When should you use a functional resume over a chronological resume, building your functional resume, 5 tips for creating an impactful functional resume, functional resume templates & examples, how to discuss employment gaps and career changes in an interview, prepare for your career move with functional resume help.

If you have limited work experience in your desired field, you could benefit from creating a functional resume. This resume type can show off your personal achievements and strengths, regardless of your employment history. This gives you a chance to demonstrate why you’re a good fit for a role, even if you don’t have relevant experience.

A traditional resume format might work best if you’ve held similar jobs in the past. But there are situations where using a functional resume format just makes sense. To get an employer’s attention, you’ll need to understand

A functional resume is a type of resume that focuses on relevant skill sets and qualifications rather than work experience. Also called a skills-based resume , this resume format doesn’t focus solely on your employment history. Instead, it highlights how your hard skills and soft skills make you a good match for a specific role. 

Traditional resumes often follow a chronological resume format. This makes your work experience and employment dates the main focus of your resume. Chronological resumes highlight your professional skills within each job description rather than pointing them out separately.

Functional resumes should include the following content:

• A brief summary of your unique skills and how they relate to the role
• Your career objectives , especially if you’re switching careers
• Key skills , abilities, and accomplishments
• Your education
• A short work history section
• Your contact details
• Optional professional reference

Functional resumes are a better fit for the following circumstances: 

• Career changes: You’re changing professions mid-career or starting a new career later in life and have little to no relevant work history 
• New grad: You recently graduated from your college or university program and haven’t yet attained experience in your desired field 
• Big career break or sabbatical: You’re reentering the workforce with large career gaps that might look worrisome on an application (e.g., going back to work after maternity leave )

When to use a chronological resume

Certain scenarios are better served by a chronological resume. Consider using a chronological resume when the following is true:

• You have plenty of relevant experience
• You can demonstrate career growth in your field
• You’ve worked for prestigious companies that might impress a hiring manager
• You’ve worked with previous employers for a long time

When to use a combination resume

Combination resumes, which are a hybrid of functional and traditional resumes,  give hiring managers the most well-rounded understanding of your experience. These resumes should be used when you have relevant experience and certain skills you’d like to spotlight.

Learning how to craft a good resume is an integral part of the job search. According to Indeed, employers only look at a resume for an average of six or seven seconds . This short scan could make or break your chances of landing an interview. That’s why understanding resume dos and don’ts is critical to your job search success.

When building your functional resume, make sure the following details are covered:

• Your phone number
• Your location
• A summary statement
• Education details
• Any relevant certifications
• Soft skills (i.e., communication and organization)
• Hard skills (i.e., proficiency in software like Microsoft Office or project management tools )
• Relevant volunteer experience (if applicable)
• List of previous employers, job titles, and dates of employment

As you create your skills-based resume, make sure to align your specific skills with what the potential employer is looking for. Doing this could make it easier for recruiters to make a decision about your resume and remove any guesswork or misinterpretation they may have.

Now that you know what to include in your functional resume, it’s time to start writing. Here are five tips for building an effective document.

1. Utilize action verbs

Action verbs are words that describe how you’ve used your skills in a professional or personal setting. These powerful verbs are important for resumes because they’re more likely to create an impact and attract attention. They also make your sentences clearer and more concise.

Here’s an example of how the tone of a sentence can shift by using an action verb:

• Original resume bullet: I was a supervisor for a team of seven employees
• New resume bullet: Supervised a team of seven employees

The second bullet says the same thing as the first but cuts out four unnecessary words. It also sounds more direct but still emphasizes that you managed an entire team.

2. Use quantifiable achievements to showcase results

Data should be used to maximize your resume’s impact. Research on resume statistics shows that using numbers on your resume can increase your chances of getting an interview by up to 40%.

For example, rather than simply saying you “increased sales,” add more context to highlight your work. You could write something like: “Increased sales by 63% in one year, adding $50,000 to the company’s monthly recurring revenue.”

When you make claims about your accomplishments, be sure to include any data that backs them up.

3. Match keywords to job requirements to optimize for ATS

An applicant tracking system (ATS) is a tool used by employers during the hiring process to help screen job applications. To ensure your application makes it to a hiring manager, you need to know about applicant tracking systems and how to optimize your resume for them. This makes it more likely that your resume will make it through to a human.

According to JobScan, more than 97% of Fortune 500 companies use applicant tracking systems . Smaller organizations are also starting to jump on board. 

One way to optimize your functional resume for an ATS is to include keywords from the company’s job description. Here’s an example:

• Job description: “We’re looking for a detail-oriented project manager who excels in data analysis and has experience with Asana. This person will ideally have a background in manufacturing within the tech industry.”
• Keywords you could include in your resume:
• Detail-oriented
• Project manager
• Data analysis 
• Manufacturing
• Tech industry

Tailoring your document to each specific job posting is necessary to make your resume stand out among the competition. (With that said, make sure you always keep a tracker of which resume you send to which potential employer.)

4. Prioritize readability

Considering hiring managers may only spend seconds looking at your resume, it’s important to make it easy to read. You can do this by formatting your document with the following:

• Clearly labeled section headings
• Consistent font size throughout the document
• Using bold text to point out important areas of relevance
• Leaving white space where possible
• Using black text on a white background
• Keeping it short (ideally one page for a functional resume)
• Using a simple, easy-to-follow layout

5. Proofread and edit

Once you’ve finished writing your functional resume, read it carefully to ensure it’s free of mistakes. These could include typos, grammatical errors, and misspellings. These errors can come across as unprofessional, especially if writing will be part of your job. 

If you don’t feel confident in your proofreading skills, consider asking a friend or using a tool like Grammarly to catch mistakes. 

If you feel stuck trying to get started, don’t panic. Consider using a resume builder or ChatGPT to write your resume draft. You can also use an existing functional resume template. 

The key sections of a functional resume and example templates are included below.

Contact information

Put essential details like the following in the top right-hand corner of your resume: 

• First and last name
• A work-appropriate email address
• Phone number
• Your city and country
• Links to your website or portfolio
• Links to up-to-date professional social media, like a LinkedIn profile

Summary statement

Include a two- to four-sentence statement about your professional identity and why you’re applying for the position. Consider adding a personal value statement to stand out to the hiring panel. Make sure to personalize this to each job ad and organization. 

Here are a few professional summary statement templates for functional resumes:

Recent graduate 

Recent graduate of [program name] from [university name]. Experience with [list skills acquired through internships or other experiences]. Knowledge of [areas of study that apply to the job description]. Strong attention to detail and a resourceful problem solver [or other soft skills listed in the job description]. 

Why it works: Highlights experience and demonstrates basic knowledge relevant to entry-level jobs .

Career change 

Results-driven [or other soft skill] [field or job role] with over [number] years of experience in [industry]. In-depth knowledge of [ hard skills ]. Strong [ soft skills ] with a commitment to [value]. Recipient of [certification or award]. Achieved the [name a specific example of an accomplishment with stats, if possible]. Ability to thrive in a fast-paced environment . 

Why it works: Places strong emphasis on hard and soft skills that are transferable to the desired company or industry. 

Significant gaps on functional resume

[Job title] with [number] years of experience. Seeking to [goal] at [company name]. Have [most significant/relevant work accomplishments with stats]. Spent the last [number of years] developing my [2–3 soft skills]. 

Why it works: Explains what this person did during the career break and reflects accomplishments or acquired skills, like being a new parent or babysitter .

Skills section

Skills and qualifications are the center of any resume. Carefully read the job description, study the company’s core values and mission statement , and align your language to both.

Outline three hard and soft skills that are required or valuable to the job role. Be specific about how you acquired and used those skills with action verbs and statistics.

Imagine you’re transitioning from sales to a project manager role. Highlight commonalities between the roles. Use examples from your previous position to show proficiencies outlined in the job ad. Here’s an example of relevant resume bullet points.

Sales management:

• Acted as a liaison between clients and the sales team. Managed five accounts for tech development companies and led and organized more than 10 employees.
• Implemented digitized sales interface and increased team productivity by 25% and turnover by 45%, resulting in $2.5M in sales.
• Increased sales quota by 230%. Exceeded sales quotas for six consecutive years.

Education section

Use this space to outline degree specifics while listing honors and awards , personal achievements , or relevant courses and certifications. If you recently graduated, consider including your GPA on your resume .

Employment gaps and career changes are common. Nearly 70% of U.S. workers have an employment gap on their resume . Among these job seekers, 60% believe that their career gap has made it harder for them to find work.

While career gaps are not as taboo as they once were, you should always be ready to explain them in an interview. Here are a few tips to help ensure that conversation goes smoothly:

• Be honest about the reason for your career gap
• Make your explanation brief and then move on 
• Highlight something new you learned during your gap or any new certifications you received 
• Make it a positive story about how ready you are to jump back into the workforce
• Be confident and keep a positive attitude

Career changes can also be tough to explain, especially when they’re done later in life. Here are some tips to prepare for a career change conversation:

• Briefly describe why you want to make the switch (maybe your previous career wasn’t as fulfilling as you’d like, or you felt it didn’t fully exercise your skills)
• Explain why you’re passionate about the new career you’re exploring
• Talk about your objectives within your new career path and how this position can help you achieve them
• Compare the two career paths by explaining any transferable skills or responsibilities

Functional resumes offer many benefits for those lacking a strong work history. They’re ideal for people making career changes or post-grads seeking purpose after college . They can highlight your strengths while minimizing your weaknesses. This enables you to put your best foot forward.

If you’re preparing for a big career move, consider working with a career coach. Career coaching can help you present your strengths in a compelling way and give you helpful job-hunting tips . This can position you to excel in your career with both confidence and clarity. Find your career coach .

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Elizabeth Perry, ACC

Elizabeth Perry is a Coach Community Manager at BetterUp. She uses strategic engagement strategies to cultivate a learning community across a global network of Coaches through in-person and virtual experiences, technology-enabled platforms, and strategic coaching industry partnerships. With over 3 years of coaching experience and a certification in transformative leadership and life coaching from Sofia University, Elizabeth leverages transpersonal psychology expertise to help coaches and clients gain awareness of their behavioral and thought patterns, discover their purpose and passions, and elevate their potential. She is a lifelong student of psychology, personal growth, and human potential as well as an ICF-certified ACC transpersonal life and leadership Coach.

CV versus resume? Demystify the differences once and for all

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How to Write a Functional Resume [4 Free Templates Included]

Struggling with your resume because you just graduated from university and don’t have much work experience?

Or maybe you’re switching careers, and aren’t sure how to make your past position relevant for the new field?

Whichever the case, the solution is pretty simple:

Use a functional resume format!

• What’s a Functional Resume?

When to Use a Functional Resume?

How to write a functional resume.

• What Are Some Other Resume Formats (and When To Use Them)

What is a Functional Resume?

A functional resume, also known as the skill-based resume, is a resume format that focuses on your professional skill test as opposed to work experience.

If you were to create a traditional resume, you’d list out your work experience in reverse chronological order as follows:

Whereas, in the case of a functional resume , you list out each of your skills, and then back them up by highlighting how you’ve practically applied them in the past:

It’s better to use a functional resume in the following situations:

• You’re a recent graduate with no work experience. As the functional resume focuses on skills rather than experience, it can be very helpful to students.
• You’re switching careers . If you have some work experience, but the said experience isn’t relevant for the position you’re applying for, you can use a functional resume to highlight how your skills make you the right candidate.
• You have a long history of unemployment (or gaps between jobs). Since the functional resume format focuses on skills, you can use it to downplay your work experience gaps.

That being said, in around 90% of cases, we don’t recommend using a functional resume .

While it does have its perks (e.g. standing out as a recent graduate), it also comes with significant downsides.

First off, it’s nowhere near as popular as the traditional resume format, and in certain parts of the world, recruiters might not even know that the functional format is a thing.

In addition, some recruiters might find the lack of work experience in a resume suspicious because it can hint the candidate isn’t being truthful (e.g. red flags, being fired from previous employment, etc.).

These 2 disadvantages combined make a compelling case against the functional resume format.

So, if you do decide to create a functional resume, weigh the pros and cons and proceed at your own risk!

Want to also learn how to create a traditional resume ? Check out our guide!

First things first - pick a compelling resume template to get started. We recommend using our Functional Resume template:

Then, create the following sections on your resume:

• Contact Information
• Resume Summary
• Skill Summary

If you have additional space once you’re finished with these sections, you can fill it up with some optional sections (which we’ll explain a bit down the line).

Now, let’s walk you through each of these sections and explain how to do them right:

#1. Contact Information

While it might sound elementary, there’s a ton of tid-bits you need to know about getting the contact information section right.

Here’s what you need to include in the contact information section:

• First and last name
• Current job title
• Email address
• Phone number
• City and country you’re based in

Optionally, you can also include links to relevant social media profiles. For example:

• If you’re a writer, you can link your portfolio page or website.
• If you’re a developer, you can link your GitHub profile.
• If you’re a marketer, you can link your Instagram or Twitter page.
• Your LinkedIn profile link (if it’s up-to-date).

#2. Resume Summary

The next section on your functional resume is the “resume summary.”

This section goes right under your contact information, and looks something like this:

In a nutshell, a resume summary is a 2-4 sentence recap of your biggest professional achievements and career highlights.

The goal of this section is to show the recruiter (in one glance) that you’re qualified for the position you’re applying for.

Here’s what a well-written resume summary would look like:

• Professional executive assistant with experience in supporting high-level CEOs and other executives for over 5 years. Experienced in customer support, data entry, and scheduling meetings. Skilled in time management, MS Office, and Adobe Photoshop.

#3. Skill Summary

This one’s going to be the bulk of your functional resume.

In a skill summary section, you mention the top 3 skills required for the position you’re applying for and then provide information on how you’ve gained the said skills right under them.

Let’s say, for example, you’re a recent graduate applying for a role in marketing. Here’s what your skill summary could look like:

Copywriting

• Wrote over 20+ well-researched papers for my university.
• Worked at the university news media as a journalist, interviewing interesting university alumni and publishing their stories on the website.
• Created and published high-quality tech articles on my personal blog (www.exampleblog.com).
• Participated in a university project for a real-life company (Company X), where we had to come up with ideas for expanding to a new market.
• With the help of my team, came up with 5 ideas, out of which 3 were actually implemented by the company.
• Came up with 100+ topic ideas for content on my personal blog, some of which got over 50 shares when published.

Project Management

• Acted as a team leader for most of my university projects, ensuring that they were completed on time, and that every group member contributed.
• Was part of the Startup Weekend organizational committee. Helped source speakers, organize the event, find sponsors, and overall ensured that the event went smoothly.

#4. Education

The next section on your functional resume is Education , and this one’s actually pretty straightforward.

Here, list out the following information:

• Name of the degree (e.g. B.A. in Computer Science)
• Name of the university and dates attended (e.g. Boston State University, 2012 - 2016)

Optionally, you can also include the following as part of your education section :

• GPA. If you had an impressive GPA in your university (3.5 - 4.0), you can list it in your resume. Most companies, however, don’t really care about your grades all that much .
• Honors. E.g. Cum Laude, Magna Cum Laude, etc.
• Academic Achievements. Your thesis, interesting or noteworthy research papers you’ve written, etc.
• Courses Attended. If you’ve taken some very impressive classes (and they’re related to the role you’re applying for), you can mention them in your education section.

#5. Optional Sections

Still have some space left on your resume? Here are some other sections you can include:

• Projects - In our opinion, this one’s the most underrated resume section. Here, you can include any kind of personal or university project you’ve worked on. E.g. blog you’ve started, a piece of software you coded, etc.
• Extracurricular Activities - If you’re a recent graduate, you can include a section about the extracurricular activities you’ve participated in during university.
• Languages - Knowing an extra language or two can always come in handy. When filling these out, though, make sure to include your level of understanding (Beginner, Intermediate, Advanced, Fluent, or Native).
• Work History - Yep, you CAN include work history on your functional resume. If you decide to do this, though, your resume will be a combination resume and NOT the functional one.

Other Resume Formats

There are 2 other resume formats in addition to the Functional one:

• Reverse-Chronological Resume Format
• Combination Resume Format

Here’s what they’re about:

#1. Reverse-Chronological Resume Format

This one’s the most common resume format out there and it’s what most people have in mind when they refer to a “resume.”

This resume format simply lists out work experiences in reverse-chronological order and backs them up with other essential resume sections (skills, education, etc.).

Unless you have specific reasons to use either of the other resume formats (combination or functional), we recommend you stick with this one.

#2. Combination Resume Format

The combination resume is almost the same thing as a functional resume, with a small twist.

In addition to the skill summary section on the resume, you also add a work history section (which helps even out the downsides that come with a functional resume).

Usually, the combination resume is used by senior professionals with a decade’s worth of work experience.

4 Free Functional Resume Templates & Examples

Want to get started with your functional resume?

All you have to do is pick one of our free templates and you’re good to go!

#1. Functional Resume Template

Our functional resume template adds a dash of style to the traditional black-and-white resume.

Use this template to present your skills and talents in the best way possible!

#2. Combination Resume Template

This combination template allows you to showcase your skills without having to cut down on work experience.

#3. College Resume Template

Our College resume template is perfect for recent university graduates, allowing you to emphasize your skill-set over your work experiences.

#4. Professional Resume Template

Looking for something a bit more professional? This resume template is a prime favorite for job-seekers who are serious about their careers.

Key Takeaways

And that just about sums up everything you need to know about functional resumes!

Now, let’s do a small recap of everything we’ve learned so far:

• A functional resume format is a type of resume that focuses more on skills rather than work experiences.
• You can use a functional resume if you’re a recent graduate with little work experience or if you’re switching careers.
• To create a compelling functional resume, you want to get your skill summary section just right.
• Functional resumes, however, are not that common in most parts of the world, so we recommend sticking to a conventional resume format to most job-seekers, instead.

Discover More Resume Templates

• One Page Resume Templates
• 2 Page Resume Templates
• Google Docs Resume Templates
• Word Resume Templates
• Chronological Resume Templates
• Creative Resume Templates
• Minimalistic Resume Templates
• High School Resume Templates

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Functional Resume: Examples And Tips

• Combination Resume
• Chronological Resume
• Functional Resume
• Creative Resume
• Infographic Resume
• Resume For Graduate School
• Federal Resume
• Skills Based Resume
• Scrum Master Resume
• Plain Text Resume

How To Make A Video Resume

• What Is A Resume Website?
• How To Write A Resume For A Part-Time Job
• Career Change Rresume

There are a few different ways to write your resume . Most commonly, you’ll see resumes written in reverse-chronological order , where work history is listed from most recent to oldest.

Sometimes the chronological resume doesn’t quite cut it. Depending on your current professional situation and the circumstances of your current job search , a functional resume may benefit you best.

Key Takeaways:

A functional resume focuses on your skills and achievements rather than your work experience.

A functional resume can be used by those who have extensive qualifications or for those with little relevant professional experience.

A functional resume should organize skills and qualifications by theme.

Focus on accomplishments and quantifiable results in your functional resume.

A functional resume differs from a chronological resume in its focus.

What Is a Functional Resume?

When to use a functional resume, how to write a functional resume, functional resume tips, functional resume example, should i use a functional resume, functional resume vs. traditional resumes, are functional resumes bad.

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Unlike a traditional resume , a functional resume does not highlight your work history in chronological order. A functional resume is unique because it focuses on your developed skills and abilities that fit the requirements of the job application.

This gives you the ability to emphasize your skills over your experience. You might start with your qualifications and support them by then listing your skills and examples of those abilities in practice.

A functional resume is typically used by job seekers who are looking to switch career paths or have gaps in their work history . The functional resume works so that the recruiter or hiring manager’s focus is not on work experience with explanations of each job, but rather on the skills you can actually bring to the table for the job you are applying for.

The functional resume can be used regardless of how long you’ve been in the workforce, what type of job titles you’ve held, or the different industries in which you have worked. This layout helps applicants with limited experience or with non-traditional career paths get noticed for the jobs they want.

The other types of resumes you can choose from are the chronological, mentioned above, or a combination resume. The combination resume mixes chronological and functional resumes together, focusing first on skills and abilities, followed by chronological experience.

This layout is ideal if you do not have a ton of work experience related to the job you are applying for. This is also a great format for those who are in the midst of a career change or those with gaps in employment. The functional resume is also called “ skills-based format ” and it’s exactly what it sounds like.

Due to it not being organized with your employment upfront, this format can work perfectly for those just entering the workforce for the first time or after a period of time away. This could apply to recent graduates, stay-at-home parents entering the workforce, or caregivers.

Additionally, if you are chasing a career change, the functional resume can work in your favor as well. This layout gives you the chance to articulate how certain skills in one industry can transfer in an ideal way to the new job and career you are applying for.

Once you decide on the functional resume format, it’s time to design your resume layout. While every resume will look unique, but still contain the same basic sections to articulate your experience in the best way possible.

In order to put forward the best resume possible, you should consider including the following:

Open with a concise resume summary. Include a resume summary at the beginning of your resume. A resume summary should be a brief statement highlighting your most relevant qualifications.

This can be an optional step but can be a nice addition to give your hiring manager or recruiter a better idea of who you are. In this section, you can include your most relevant experience, skills, and career goals. This is especially important in a functional resume, because it gives you yet another chance to showcase your skill set from the get-go.

Highlight your contact information. Every resume should include your contact information, regardless of the layout you use. Your contact information should be easily identifiable and, most importantly, checked to make sure it’s correct.

Organize skills and qualifications by theme. Depending on the amount of work experience you have, you may have different abilities in different industries or types of work. Typically, it’s best to present these in buckets or themes.

For example, you may want to group your skills under “Customer Service Experience” or “Retail Experience.”

When you group your abilities together, it makes it easier for the reader. Your potential employer can easily see if you have the right transferable skills for the job you’re applying for, even if your actual work history isn’t directly applicable.

Use keywords directly from the job description. This is a tip that can be used on any resume, regardless of layout. Scan the job description you are applying for and pull out a few keywords or phrases that relate directly to the job. Use them as a jumping-off point when you begin compiling your resume.

Consider using keywords as the titles for your skill headings or scatter them within the bulleted lists you create describing your abilities in further detail. This will stand out to the hiring manager or recruiter when they read your resume.

Mention all relevant projects and accomplishments that relate to the job. Be sure to include any personal or professional projects or assignments you have worked on that might be relevant to the job at hand.

Include your employment history. This will go at the end of this resume, but it’s still important to include your full work history , despite any career changes or work gaps. However, because this is at the end of your resume, it will give less emphasis on any of the aforementioned things you may be worried about.

List the organizations and your key contributions. It is also possible to list these things and leave off specific dates, just including a year instead.

List your education history. Include this only if your education is relevant for the job you are applying for. Include the school, area of study, and any relevant skills or achievements you may have obtained during your time there. If it’s not relevant to the job, feel free to leave it off entirely.

If you do decide that a functional resume is the right choice for you, be sure to keep these tips in mind:

Focus on accomplishments , not duties. Hiring managers and recruiters are rarely impressed by a candidate’s day-to-day job responsibilities. Worse than that, it doesn’t really help them make a decision any more than just writing your job title or skills.

Use numbers . Hiring managers and recruiters love numbers because they translate well with the minimal context required. If you write that you saved the company 10% on material costs, the recruiter instantly appreciates the value of that achievement.

Tailor your resume . Resumes these days are typically parsed by an applicant tracking system before they ever reach a human reader. With that in mind, it won’t due to send the same resume to each and every company.

Keep your resume to one page. There’s a good chance that you’re opting for a functional resume because you lack the experience required for the job. That’s okay, but that means that your resume should never exceed one page — otherwise, you’d have plenty of content without needing to resort to a functional resume in the first place.

The functional resume will look different for everyone. As mentioned above, you do not need to include a resume summary statement if you so choose, nor do you need to specify exact dates of employment or education, if it is not relevant to the job you’re applying for.

Angela Puglisi 345 State Street, Little Rock, AK | 235-123-6454 | [email protected] Summary Retail representative with over four years of experience in customer service, team management, and marketing initiatives. Passionate about providing exceptional customer experiences and selling value-add products to customers in need. Area of Experience Retail sales, retail marketing, team training, employee training, team management, payroll management, complaint resolution, negotiations, fluency in Spanish Skills Retail Marketing Created a basic marketing plan for our grocery store products on the cash register shelves. Developed testing between four products to see which did best under which marketing copy. Gathered data to improve sales at the register, with a 28% increase in those product sales. Team Training Developed cash register training across the team of new employees and established benchmarks for them to hit across 30, 60, 90 day periods. Negotiations Maintain the point-person role for all negotiations for new vendors. This included contract negotiation and budget negotiation. Developed and maintained relationships with all vendors across my time with this grocer . Experience Shop Rite 2018 Customer service manager and training lead: Managed customer inquiries and frustrations. Led the training program for all new employees who joined the team full-time. Helped implement new processes as well as new marketing initiatives. Education The University of Arkansas 2009-2013 Bachelor of Arts in English

In the vast majority of cases, no, you should not use a functional resume format. The main benefit of a skills-based resume which we’ve been touting is that it allows you to cover up gaps in employment or a lack of industry experience. Recruiters and hiring managers to know this better than anyone, so when they see a functional resume format, they’re immediately suspicious.

Employers hire for fit, and that usually means taking on employees who have had relevant experience that naturally suits them for the open position. They assume that someone with that experience will also have the requisite skills to succeed in that role, which is why a brief skills section in a chronological resume suffices to confirm that belief.

Plus, applicant tracking systems place heavy emphasis on years of experience, and when you try to obfuscate this information, it could end up with your resume being tossed about before reaching a human reader . Whatever format you choose, always make sure that your resume is ATS-friendly .

To reiterate, the folks who may consider a functional resume include:

Those with employment gaps. Hide a few months or even years outside of the professional world by focusing on skills rather than work history. Like we’ve said though, recruiters are wise to this. Instead, try to pepper in volunteer experience into your work history, to avoid any substantial gaps of activity.

Career changers. Some skills are relevant across fields and industries — a functional resume serves to emphasize that you have the right stuff, even if you haven’t applied it in the way the employer hopes a candidate has.

Those with little or very varied experience. Whether you lack much work history or the history you do have is a mess of different occupations, a functional resume can help make more sense of your professional life.

The traditional resume is also known as a chronological resume, and is the resume you likely think of when you hear the term “traditional resume.”

The chronological resume works in many instances, emphasizing work history as its focal point. It includes a list of your work experiences. For every job, there are associated start and end dates, your job title or titles as well as an explanation of what you accomplished and learned at each position.

Traditional resumes list work experience in reverse chronological order, starting with your most recent position and working backward.

This format is beneficial if you have had a steady job in the same industry. Ideally, it will highlight the progression of your professional work in a positive light. However, not everyone has followed a traditional career path.

The traditional resume format is also easily scannable by applicant tracking systems, which parse application documents for relevant qualifications before a hiring manager even sees them.

If you have held jobs in multiple industries with employment gaps for any given reason, the chronological format may work against you.

A functional resume is not bad, however it does have its drawbacks.

Functional resumes are good for people who either have extensive qualifications and want to focus on their most important skills, or conversely, for people who lack experience and need to highlight their transferable skills.

Unfortunately many applicant tracking software (ATS) systems and parsing methods do not effectively pick up the information found in the resume. This means your resume can get lost in the process if you are not careful. To avoid this problem, the best solution would be to ensure your resume is read by an actual person.

Still, some recruiters and hiring managers still do not like the functional resume because the format is different than what they are used to, which can slow them down.

If you are deciding to use a functional resume, consider these drawbacks. It doesn’t mean you shouldn’t use one, but you want to use it properly.

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Caitlin Mazur is a freelance writer at Zippia. Caitlin is passionate about helping Zippia’s readers land the jobs of their dreams by offering content that discusses job-seeking advice based on experience and extensive research. Caitlin holds a degree in English from Saint Joseph’s University in Philadelphia, PA.

Don Pippin is an executive and HR leader for Fortune 50 and 500 companies and startups. In 2008, Don launched area|Talent with a focus on helping clients identify their brand. As a Certified Professional Resume Writer, Certified Digital Career Strategist, and Certified Personal Branding Strategist, Don guides clients through career transitions.

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Creating a Functional Resume in 7 Easy Steps

When it comes to creating a functional resume that will land you interviews, there are several different formats to choose from, each with their own unique advantages. According to a recent poll, roughly 96% of workers want to change careers this year! As a professional resume writer helping lots of career changers, my go-to format is the functional resume. The functional resume style focuses on highlighting your relevant skills and achievements rather than emphasizing your work history.

In this article I’ll walk you through, step-by-step, how to go about creating a functional resume that not only highlights your transferable skills, but that is also directly targeted toward your new career goal.

Functional resume template word

To give you an idea about what a functional resume template looks like, here’s our best-selling functional resume template:

What is a functional resume?

If you’re making a career change , re-entering the workforce after a career pause, or you’ve got limited work experience, you can likely benefit from creating a functional resume. A functional resume enables you to emphasize your skills, accomplishments, and qualifications that are relevant to your targeted job while also de-emphasizing your work history.

It’s important to note that some functional resume styles and templates don’t include a work history. I never recommend for job seekers to leave the work history completely off their resume. De-emphasizing is fine. But omitting your work experience will likely raise red flags.

What is a combination resume?

A combination resume, or hybrid resume, is a mix of both a functional style of resume and also the more traditional chronological style. Where it gets confusing is that the terms “functional resume” and “combination resume” get used interchangeably. For example, I usually use the term “functional” even though I am actually referring to a combination resume because more people recognize the “functional” term. Confused yet?

A combination style resume will typically feature a skills section or similar toward the top of the resume that emphasizes relevant strengths and achievements (the functional component), with the work history (the chronological component) minimized and listed beneath.

What is a chronological resume?

A chronological resume typically features a candidate’s work history in reverse chronological order. The work history is front and center on a chronological resume. Therefore, this type of resume style works best for candidates who have several years of experience and are applying for jobs within their current or prior field (i.e. not making a career change).

Functional resume vs chronological

Wondering which resume style you should use? If you are changing career fields (for example, switching from teaching to real estate) and you don’t have any related experience in your targeted field, I suggest considering creating a functional resume. Using a functional resume will allow you to market transferable skills that are applicable in both your prior field and also your new targeted field. For example, skills like oral and written communication, attention-to-detail, and problem-solving.

Are you a student applying for your first internship or job? A functional or hybrid resume will help you market your academic skills and achievements while minimizing your limited work history. Do you have an employment gap or have you done lots of job hopping? A functional resume can help minimize gaps and job switching by accentuating your achievements and minimizing your choppy work history.

Do employers like functional resumes?

I have had hundreds of clients land interviews using our functional resume template . I’ve also heard from hiring managers on career forums that they dislike the functional resume style because it makes it harder for them to figure out where a candidate got their skills and qualifications. Recruiters also talk about how they hate it when candidates leave off their work history (this goes back to my recommendation to not omit your work experience).

At the end of the day, the choice is up to you whether or not you use a functional or hybrid resume or a more standard chronological resume style. If it’s done right, I believe you can create a compelling functional resume that showcases your biggest and most relevant skills and accompishments in a clear and easy-to-comprehend way.

Unlock Your New Career

Creating a functional resume

Step 1: write a targeted summary.

Begin your functional resume with a compelling and targeted summary . This section should showcase your biggest strengths and passions in relation to your targeted job. You can think of your summary as an introduction, providing recruiters and employers with an overview of your expertise and what you bring to the table.

Here is an example of a functional resume summary:

“Dynamic professional with over 10 years of experience in education, demonstrating exceptional communication, interpersonal, and organizational skills. Adept at fostering relationships and creating a trusting environment, skills honed through a successful teaching career. Eager to leverage my expertise in client engagement and curriculum planning to deliver exceptional service in the real estate industry. Brings a strong commitment to understanding client needs and delivering tailored solutions, underpinned by a proactive approach and a passion for community development. Excited to contribute to a forward-thinking real estate team by providing insightful, client-focused service and support.”

Step 2: Identify your transferable skills

The next step in creating a functional resume is identifying your key skills and strengths. Think about how they align with the requirements of the job you’re targeting. Print out the job posting of your targeted position. Next, take a pen or highlighter and highlight the key skills and experiences that are listed. Make sure these are also skills that you possess. I never recommend for candidates to list skills they don’t have.

Once you’ve identified key strengths and skills, you can create a section on your resume titled something like “Relevant Skills & Experience.” In this section, you can list three to four key skill categories that align with the job posting. Here’s an example below of a job seeker who is targeting a customer service role:

Relevant Skills & Qualifications :

Problem-Solving

• Utilized creativity and flexibility to quickly and diplomatically resolve customer issues.
• Write another phrase that demonstrates your ability to solve problems.

Time Management

• Created customer report delegation system, saving roughly 20 hours per day of employee time.
• Write another phrase that demonstrates your ability to manage time effectively.

Oral Communication

• Actively listened and demonstrated empathy with customers, eliciting an average of 4.9 out of 5-star ratings over one-year period.
• Write another phrase that details your oral communication style and how it enables you to provide stellar customer service.

These skills can be derived from your work experience, education, certifications, or even volunteer work.

Make sure to also highlight your accomplishments and achievements that demonstrate your capabilities and showcase your value as a potential candidate. Focus on quantifiable results whenever possible, using metrics, percentages, or specific examples to add credibility to your resume.

Step 3: Include Your Professional Experience

I always encourage my clients to include a work history when creating a functional resume. While a functional resume allows you to minimize your work experience, at a minimum I suggest listing your previous job titles, company names, and employment dates. This section can go underneath the relevant skills section. You can also include a brief description (one or two bullets) of your responsibilities and accomplishments that directly relate to the skills required for your targeted position.

Step 4: Include Relevant Education and Certifications

Another step in learning how to write a functional resume is thinking about your schooling. It is very important to highlight your educational background and relevant certifications. You can also include any specific coursework or training that enhances your qualifications for your desired role. If you have limited work experience, placing this section near the top of your resume can help strengthen your candidacy.

Step 5: Consider Additional Sections

Additional sections to include when creating a functional resume are: relevant projects, professional affiliations, language proficiency, or volunteer work. To keep your resume short and concise, I suggest only including sections that are directly relevant to the position and that add value to your application.

Step 6: Use a Professional, Clean Style

The content of your resume is important, but if the layout looks like crap, you will not make a great first impression!

While crafting your functional resume, make sure it’s clear, concise, and easy to read. Use bullet points to highlight key information and avoid lengthy paragraphs. Use a consistent format and style throughout.

Check out our functional resume template to help you quickly format your resume!

It’s also important to proofread your resume. I recommend printing out your document and proofreading the hard copy. It’s very difficult to catch grammar and formatting errors while looking at a screen!

Step 7: Tailor Your Resume to Each Job

As a professional resume writer for over 20 years, my biggest piece of advice is to tailor a different resume to each job. This includes carefully reviewing the job description and identifying the specific skills and qualifications the employer is seeking. Adapt your resume accordingly, emphasizing the most relevant experiences, skills, and achievements that align with your targeted job. Believe it or not, most applicants don’t do this. Therefore, using this targeted approach will make you stand out to hiring managers and recruiters.

In Conclusion

Creating a functional resume may seem daunting at first, I hope this article has provided a solid foundation for you to get started! As you’ve learned, writing a functional resume is a great strategy to use in order to highlight your skills and achievements, especially if you have employment gaps , limited experience, or are transitioning to a new career . By following these step-by-step guidelines and tailoring your resume to each job application, you’ll increase your chances of landing more interviews . Good luck!

Frequently Asked Questions

What defines a functional resume.

A functional resume highlights a candidate’s skills and abilities rather than focusing on the chronological order of their work experience. This resume style allows job seekers to emphasize their relevant skills and achievements, making it ideal for career changers or job seekers who have employment gaps.

What is one disadvantage of a functional resume?

Since a functional resume focuses more on skills and experiences rather than chronological employment history, it might lead employers to question what you might be omitting or trying to hide. This format might also make it difficult for hiring managers to understand your career progression and assess your experience level for specific roles.

Is creating a functional resume easy?

To create a functional resume, start by including a concise summary or objective statement at the top highlighting your career goals and key qualifications. Then, organize your resume by skill categories instead of listing your work experience chronologically. Within each category, provide specific examples and achievements that showcase your abilities.

What is the difference between functional and standard resume?

The main difference between a functional resume and a standard (chronological) resume lies in how information is organized and presented.

A functional resume emphasizes skills and abilities over chronological work history. This format is used to showcase particular competencies that are relevant to the job one is applying for.

A chronological or standard resume style prioritizes a clear, chronological list of jobs and educational experiences. This format emphasizes the progression and stability in a candidate’s career.

Lee Cristina Beaser

Lee brings over two decades of expertise in guiding individuals towards career success. Having helped thousands of professionals in a wide variety of industries, she has a deep understanding of the intricacies of the job market. Lee founded The Career Counter, a platform dedicated to providing busy people, especially moms returning to the workforce, with tools and services tailored to their unique career goals.

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What is a functional resume?

It is a resume format used by professionals who want to highlight their skills over experience.

Before we dive-deeper into the use and meaning of a functional resume, we need to understand the types of resume formats available to us.

There are 3 standard resume formats used by professionals from different industries. This blog will help you understand how and when to choose a functional resume for your job application.

The following questions will be answered in the article:

• What is a Functional Resume Template?
• Difference between Chronological vs Functional Resume
• Why do we use a Functional Resume Template?
• Pros & cons of functional and chronological resume formats
• Who should use a Functional Resume Template?
• How to make a Functional Resume?
• How to structure a Functional Resume Template?
• Tips to write a Functional Resume

Types of Resume Format

There are three different types of resumes that are accepted within the industry. These resume templates are:

Reverse Chronological Resume Layout

In which your information starts from your current/last-held profile and dates back to the beginning of your education. It includes all your major achievements and information listed along with important dates.

The resume template examples follow the below-mentioned structure:

• Contact information
• Resume summary or resume objective
• Work experience
• Additional Sections

Combination Resume Layout

It is a combination of the reverse chronological resume format and the functional resume format. It allows a candidate to showcase their skills and achievements with evidence from their professional experience.

The points on this format of the resume are grouped based on the skills highlighted.

The resume template examples follow:

• Skills Summary
• Additional Skills
• Work Experience

What Is a Functional Resume Template?

Functional resumes are essentially skill based resumes, wherein professionals expand and highlight their relevant skills rather than their work experience.

This format is recommended by resume experts for people with gaps in their employment history or for ones who have changed their jobs a lot.

To help you understand better, here are a few pointer about functional resume:

• It focuses on your skill set rather than your work experience
• It works best for when your work history is not related to your targeted job
• It works in favor for professionals with gaps in their employment history or those who have frequently changed jobs

The ideal structure of the resume template is:

• Resume objective

Also Read: What is the best type of resume format?

Functional Resume vs Chronological Resume

Functional Resume Template: Why Do We Use It?

People who benefit from a functional resume are:

• Professionals joining creative industries - because your portfolio matters more than your resume.
• Professionals transitioning Industry - as a detailed job descriptions could be too difficult for unfamiliar recruiters to comprehend.
• Overqualified or Under-qualified Candidates - who are joining mid-level jobs.

A few key points about the functional resume format:

• The functional resume can be used by candidates to focus on skills and avoid the work history.
• Since the focus is on the skills, it helps mask the job shifting trait of the candidate.
• The functional resume format is not parsed by most ATS since the ATS only looks for points under the relevant work experience.
• The functional format is not a well accepted resume format as it raises suspicions in the minds of the recruiters that the candidate is trying to hide something.

Functional Resume Template: Who Should Use It and When?

A functional resume template is particularly useful for job-seekers who:

• Have frequently changed jobs
• Have gaps in their work history
• Are reentering the workforce
• Are transitioning into new careers
• Under-qualified or Overqualified for particular job posts

The reason functional resumes work well for these people is that most of our acquired skills are transferable despite our careers not standing well.

For example , if you have been a sales manager, you were possibly responsible for training, coaching, and customer relations. These skills could even be used in your functional resume for a Public Relations Manager.

In a chronological resume , this information might not appeal to a recruiter. Essentially you did not hold the title of Public Relations Manager. However, the functional resume format showcases that despite your job profile you have dealt with PR-related issues.

Eventually it comes to how you illustrate yourself. If you give the employers the same information in an improved package you are bound to increase your chances for an interviews. Functional resumes describes more than just background and experience.

How to Make a Functional Resume?

Before we move on to making a functional resume, first we need to understand the format of a functional resume.

How to Format a Functional Resume?

• Strategically group your key skills into different categories
• Keep the employment section brief
• List your previous designations along with the company in your employment section
• You can omit selective information due to non-compliance with the target profile

Structure of a Functional Resume Format

Follow the order given below to make your resume using the Functional Format:

Contact Information

• Qualifications Summary
• Relevant Skills
• Professional Experience (dates optional)
• The Additional Section

Key Sections In a Functional Resume

Functional resume summary.

Here are a few pointers to keep in mind while drafting a functional format summary:

• Spend maximum time on crafting your functional resume summary
• It should be the last section that you write in your resume
• Highlight your key skills and achievements that align with your target profile
• Limit your summary to 3-4 lines
• Avoid writing boring and elaborate summary, keep it concise and relevant

Also Read : How to write a resume summary

In functional resumes, the candidate’s skills are more important than their work history.

The skills section in a functional resume template should include at least three skills that are significant to the target job. For each skill, group 3 or 4 points which can provide evidence for the same.

Quantifying your skills in your functional resume instills confidence in the employer. It showcases that you are able to fulfill the requirements of the position.

In a functional resume template, skills come after your personal details and before your professional or academic experience. To best highlight your functional resume skills list ensure a combination of

• Skills listed in the job description
• Skills you possess

Although adding your contact information looks like the easiest part of the resume writing process yet many functional resumes manage to miss relevant contact details. Include your:

• Phone number
• E-mail address
• Home address (city and state)

You may even include your LinkedIn URL but do not redirect the recruiter to an empty profile.

Your name should ideally be the largest text on the page between 20-24 pt. font size. The rest of your font may correspond to the font style and size of the rest of the page.

Professional Experience

In functional resumes, the professional experience section showcases your experience without prominent display. This shifts the focus on the skills and other qualifications you have for the position.

To conceal your missing work experiences:

Label your period of unemployment

You may have been unemployed for legitimate reasons like being a parent or doing an independent study or being a full-time student. You may describe yourself in the following ways to label your period of unemployment:

• Full-Time Student
• Independent Study
• Full-Time Parent
• Family Management
• Adventure Travel
• Personal Travel

You must always demonstrate on your functional resume that you were doing something during your gaps in employment. Refrain from explaining them as a result of:

• Rehabilitation, or

Refrain from specific dates

In the functional resume examples you might notice minimal mention of the periods of employment. This creates the impression that even if you were unemployed during the middle of the year 2010, it appears as though you have been consistently working.

This is an acceptable way of “fudging” in functional resumes.

Drafting the education section of functional resume is similar to reverse chronological format resume.

• Include the name of the university along with the location
• Name of the course along with the GPA
• Date of enrollment and graduation

However, if your educational experience corresponds to the job you are applying for then you must mention the skills you have acquired in due process.

In case your degree is not relevant to your field, keep this section short. You may also consider changing the headline to "Training and Education" to incorporate more volume of relevant skills.

Functional Resume Format Template Sample

An example of a free functional resume sample template is attached for a better understanding of how you can proceed with writing your resume.

Tips for Crafting a Functional Resume

• Employ professional or sans-serif fonts such as, Arial, Verdana, Trebuchet MS, Century Gothic, Calibri, Lucida Sans, Tahoma, etc. over serif fonts
• Maintain the font size larger than 10 pts. but smaller than 12 pts. for the section points
• Maintain the font size larger than 12 pts. but smaller than 14 pts. for the section headings
• Stick to the same date format. The standard date format in functional resumes is (mm/yy)
• Follow the current trends. Resume examples 2019 may differ from resume examples 2022
• Refrain from cramming your resume with gimmicky graphics
• Leave more white space for your recruiters to have a comfortable read
• Do not include pictures in your functional resumes
• Do not try to fit every important information on a one-page resume. Do not, however, exclude key details about your career

Functional Resume or Chronological Resume: Which Should You Use?

Pros & cons of using a reverse chronological resumes.

Pros of using a reverse chronological resume

• It provides a clear view of your career trajectory
• This format is widely accepted by recruiters
• It works in your favor if you have an extensive work history related to your targeted job

Cons of using a reverse chronological format

• It highlights your career gaps in your resume
• Showcases unrelated work to your targeted job

Pros & Cons of Using Functional Resumes

Pros of using a functional resume format

• It helps in hiding career gaps in employment history
• It is advantageous for fresher who have no work experience
• It is the best choice for professionals changing their career trajectory

Cons of using a functional resume format

• It send a message to the recruiters that you are hiding something
• It is not ATS compliant
• It doesn't cover your entire work history

Why do Recruiters Dislike this Format?

Recruiters usually skip to the work history to figure out what you might be hiding. In the process, if you manage to impress with your skills, you are good to go.

• Within the context of skills and accomplishments, it gives you a better opportunity to make yourself stand out despite having significant experiences.
• Recruiters are familiar with that fact that the functional resume format covers gaps in the applicant’s experience.

Use with Caution

Although a functional resume might sound like it could suit your situation yet you must be conscious of the few drawbacks to this approach.

Excluding the dates or titles can raise the recruiter's suspicions that you might be trying to hide something.

It can be frustrating for recruiters to figure out where you performed a particular accomplishment.

So carefully evaluate your situation, weigh the pros and cons and if you consider the functional resume template an the advantage which outweighs the drawbacks you may go ahead with it. The skills-based resume could present you in the best light.

Key Takeaways

• It is critical to choose the best resume format for the job application. The best best format should ideally employ all the necessary keywords .
• Picking a proper format ensures focusing on either of the two - your skills or your career progression
• Make sure that your resume format do not make your recruiters suspicious of your achievements.
• Your resume format should address two points - how well you can you do the job and If you the company can work with you?
• Opt for a functional resume template if you have frequently changed jobs or have gaps in their work history
• Quantify your work experiences with your achievements using the Cause Effect formula
• Write a strong skills section and boast any certifications or awards you have received

Hiration does not recommend the use of functional resumes.

Go to Hiration's career platform which has 24/7 chat support and get professional assistance with all your job & career-related queries.

You can also write to us at [email protected] .

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The Functional Resume: What It Is & When To Use It (Spoiler: Never)

3 key takeaways

• What a functional resume is
• How using this resume format might put you at a disadvantage
• How to use Teal's resume templates (+ functional resume examples)

Considering a functional resume format because your skills outweigh your work experience?

A functional resume focuses on specific skills rather than roles and companies—moving away from a traditional or chronological resume layout. And while it sounds like a good strategy if you're looking to highlight certain abilities, using a functional resume still requires some consideration. 

What is a functional resume?

A functional resume (sometimes called a skills-based resume format) focuses on the skills that qualify you for a role. This resume format prioritizes the tools and aptitudes you've used to do the job over where and when you've done it. 

Teal Note: We can provide guidance for building a functional resume, but this resume template doesn't exist in the Teal platform.

As the workforce evolves, functional resumes have become increasingly popular—but not universally accepted; the trend toward functional resumes is more prevalent among job seekers than hiring professionals. Here's why:

By emphasizing transferable skills and abilities, a functional resume allows anyone with a non-linear career path or limited work experience to present areas of strengths and potential rather than a job history.

But while the core of a functional resume emphasizes skills and competencies, it doesn't focus on:

• Comprehensive work history 

Recruiting expert and Teal Social Media Manager Leah Dillon says:

"Anyone can list a skill, but just listing it doesn’t add value. It’s about showcasing that skill through experience, whether at a company or independently: How do you know it? How did you use it to have an impact alongside other skills?"

The elements above are critical for hiring professionals to assess your qualifications, especially during the initial screening. Direct, relevant experience, reflected through a clear timeline and job titles, is crucial to many job requirements.

Dillon echos this sentiment:

"Companies are looking for people to help drive the business forward, and those who showcase they’ve helped drive initiatives along tend to have higher interview rates."

Disadvantages of a functional resume

• Lack of familiarity:  Recruiters may find a functional resume less intuitive, making it harder to extract critical information quickly.
• Potential for skepticism:  The absence of a chronological work history can look like an attempt to hide gaps in employment or a lack of specific experience.
• Difficulty establishing career progression:  Demonstrating professional growth over time is often key to emphasizing the evolution of roles and responsibilities.
• Limited skills showcase: Functional resumes miss the opportunity to show the breadth of your abilities. A range of skills throughout your resume will help align your experience with a job's requirements. Merely listing skills without showing how they've been applied collectively to have an impact undermines the effectiveness of your entire resume.

Functional resumes vs. other resume formats

Chronological resume.

A chronological resume (or reverse-chronological resume ) is the most widely accepted resume format—presenting your work history in reverse chronological order.

It offers a straightforward view of your career progression, highlighting your work experience and making it easy for hiring managers and recruiters to see your background, achievements, and how you've used your skills to have an impact over time.

View our full selection of free reverse-chronological resume templates to find a style and presentation that suits your career.

Combination resume

The combination resume , or hybrid, blends elements of both functional and chronological resumes while still offering a clear and easy-to-read layout. It typically starts with a professional summary, followed by a section for hard or technical skills, and then a reverse chronological listing of your work history. 

When to use a functional resume

If you've made it this far and still feel the best resume format is a skills-based resume, here are the best use cases.

Career pivoters

Suppose you're transitioning to a new industry or career path. In that case, a functional resume can help highlight transferable skills relevant to your new field—regardless of where you've acquired them.

Those with employment gaps

If you have a gap in your employment, you can use a functional resume to emphasize your skills, highlighting what you bring to the table rather than focusing on your employment history.

Reentering the workforce

If you're returning to work after a significant break, a functional resume can help you highlight your relevant, valuable skills.

First-time job seekers

If you're a job seeker creating a resume with no work experience , a functional resume format focuses on skills rather than a non-existent or thin work history.

For applications that request this format

Some job postings might request a functional resume. In these cases, sticking to this format shows you can follow directions and understand the specific preferences of your prospective employer.

How to write a functional resume

Before you choose a resume format, you need the  right  tool to store your skills, achievements, and more. 

The Teal  AI Resume Builder  is a free platform to house all these details in one central location. 

Now, it's time to write your functional resume.

1. Start with your contact information

You want prospective employers to contact you, so you're going to need to give them those details as clearly as possible.

Your resume contact information should include:

• Phone Number
• Professional email address
• LinkedIn profile URL 
• Portfolio or personal website URL (if applicable)
• Your target title

2. Add a professional summary

Below your contact information, write a 3-5 sentence professional summary. Consider this your highlight reel—zeroing in on top achievements, skills, and qualifications while generating enough interest to keep the hiring manager or recruiter reading the rest of your resume.

Pro Tip: If you want to save time writing your professional summary, try Teal’s AI Resume Summary Generator to write tailored, position-specific summaries in seconds.

3. List relevant skills

Next up, list your skills. Because you're using a functional resume format, this section will change each time you apply for a specific role.

The skills in your resume (regardless of format) should  always  align with the job description of the role you're applying to.

Resume skills example: 

If a job description says,

"3 years of experience in an SEO, Growth Ops, or Marketing Ops role, ideally in a startup environment for a B2C audience with strong knowledge building and owning workflows as it relates to SEO, content production, and publishing."

Then, your resume's "Skill" section should focus on at least three skills listed. 

• Content Production

Not sure which skills matter most? Teal's got you covered. The Teal AI Resume Builder pulls the top skills as keywords from any job description, so you know which ones matter most.

Once you've identified the top three skills in the job description, add three to five bullet points beneath each to showcase  how  you used that skill to have impact.

Using the job description above, here's a functional resume example of how this might look.

• Orchestrated a growth ops strategy, successfully improving SEO workflow efficiency by 25%
• Led a team in implementing growth op practices, increasing web traffic by 35%
• Redesigned growth op workflows, improving content production and publishing by 20% 

4. Add optional sections

Once you have your primary skills and the impact of those skills, add job history, an "Education" section, and certifications to support them.

4 tips for writing a functional resume

Now that you understand how to write a functional resume let's go over some best practices that'll help guide you.

• Only emphasize relevant skills : Identify the skills most relevant to the job you’re applying for and provide specific examples of how you used those skills.
• Quantify your achievements : Wherever possible, use numbers, metrics, and data to show the impact of your work. Think efficiency improvements, revenue growth, etc.
• Use a clear, organized layout : Ensure your resume is easy to read. Use headings, bullet points, and consistent formatting to make your skills and achievements stand out.
• Tailor your resume : Customize your target title, resume summary, skills, and bullet points—ensuring your content aligns with what an employer is looking for.

Functional resume format

The functional resume layout differs significantly from other traditional formats. Here's how to do it:

• Contact details
• Your resume summary
• A clear "Skills" section with achievements relevant to the role

If you include an employment history, place it after the skills section. Education and any other relevant details (certifications or volunteer experience) should come last.

3 tips for formatting a functional resume

• Provide clarity: Use a clean, easy-to-read layout. Opt for bullet points to describe your skills and achievements, making the resume scannable.
• Use consistent formatting : Your resume content should stick to one font style and size, with clear and slightly larger or bolded headings to distinguish each section.
• Balance white space and text: A well-balanced layout avoids clutter, making your resume clear and easy to read.

Functional resume examples

A functional resume example can help guide your process—giving you a clear idea of how to create a compelling functional resume.

Data analyst functional resume example

Software engineer skills-based resume sample

Project manager functional resume example

Functional resume templates

A free functional resume template can be a valuable tool in writing your resume.

Functional resume templates provide a structured layout so you can effectively showcase your skills and their impact.

Websites like Teal, Canva, Google, and Microsoft offer a variety of resume templates . These platforms are user-friendly, and their simple resume templates cater to different career needs and styles.

How to use skills-based resume templates

1. Copy the template into your editing software : Copy and paste (or download the template) in your preferred editing software.

2. Customize each section : Replace any placeholder text with your own details. Focus heavily on the skills section, making sure to highlight only skills that are 100% relevant to the job you're applying for.

3. Adjust the design : While the template provides a basic structure, feel free to make minor adjustments to the design. (This could include changing font sizes or styles, adjusting the layout of sections, or adding a small pop of color. Just be mindful to keep it easy to read.)

4. Proofread and edit : Make sure your resume is free of errors like placeholder text and the information is current and accurate.

Skills-based resume templates

Below are some free skills-based resume templates that provide a solid foundation for you to start from. Use them as a guide for showcasing your unique skills and experiences effectively.

Student skills-based resume template

[Full Name]

[Contact Information]

[Target Title]

Professional Summary

[Highly motivated and detail-oriented student] pursuing a [Bachelor's/Master's] degree in [Field of Study] with a strong foundation in [Key Skills]. Experienced in [mention any relevant internships, part-time jobs, or projects with impact] and passionate about [specific interest within the field].

[Relevant Skill]

• Achievement with impact

[Bachelor's/Master's] in [Field of Study]

[University Name], [Expected Year of Graduation]

Coursework (Optional)

[Course] - [Brief description]

Recent graduate functional resume template

[Energetic and motivated recent graduate] with a [Bachelor's/Master's] degree in [Field of Study] from [University Name]. I have excellent [Key Skills] and am eager to apply academic knowledge and [internship/academic project with results] experience to contribute effectively to [industry/role]. Strong [relevant soft skills] and a quick learner, ready to excel in a [specific field/role].

[University Name], [Year of Graduation]

Projects (Optional)

• [Project Title] - [Brief description and outcome]

Career pivot skills-based resume template

[Experienced professional in [previous career] with a strong foundation in [relevant skills] and a passion for [new career/industry]. Seeking to leverage [transferable skills] to transition into a [target role/industry]. Accomplished in [mention at least one relevant achievement with impact] and committed to achieving success in [new career/industry].

Certifications

[Certification] - [Organization]

Professional Experience

[Previous Job Title] | [Previous Company], [Years of Experience]

• [Any relevant achievements]

Create and manage your resume with Teal

While functional resumes showcase specific skills, they also have limitations.

Their format, which deviates from the traditional chronological layout, is less familiar and more challenging for hiring professionals to navigate. This unfamiliarity may lead to difficulty in quickly assessing what you bring to the table—leaving you at a disadvantage compared to other candidates.

A chronological or hybrid resume might be a better option if you're looking for a more easily recognized approach. These formats are more familiar and provide a clear, linear view of your skills and how you used them over time to have an impact.

If you're ready to grab (and hold!) the attention of hiring managers and recruiters with a holistic view of your skills and experience—one they can easily follow and appreciate—it's time to get started:

Frequently Asked Questions

Do employers like functional resumes.

Employers typically don't prefer functional resumes because they can obscure chronological work history and specific job titles. Unless a functional resume format is specifically requested, try to use a chronological or combination resume format instead.

What is a functional skills resume?

A functional skills resume focuses on skills and experiences rather than chronological work history, highlighting your top competencies.

When should you not use a functional resume?

You should not use a functional resume when applying to roles that require a clear understanding of your work history and progression.

Kayte Grady

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Functional Resume: What It is and When to Go for It

You know the drill: a great resume should detail your “marketable” skills , work experience, and accomplishments . That’s not new information.  What many people don’t know is that they can choose how that information is presented. Yes! You have the power to format your resume in a way that paints you in the best light. For many people, the functional resume format is the better choice. 

What is a Functional Resume

If you are unfamiliar with the term “functional resume”, you may have heard of a skills resume. These are both the same thing. 

A functional resume is meant to emphasize your core competencies and skills instead of your work history. Here are some of the most common elements that you will find in a functional resume:

• Your skill set in the form of a list or table.
• An abbreviated work history that ties directly to your skillset.
• Brief summary of your Education and professional training. 

When to Use a Functional Resume 

The functional resume is one of the popular resume formats , coming second to a “standard” reverse chronological resume. 

But HRs will generally prefer a chronological resume over this option. So what situations call for a functional resume?

• You are going for a career change . A chronological resume may not be the best option when you are eyeing a new career path. This format will emphasize your lack of experience. A functional resume, on the contrary, lets you place the transferable skills and core competencies in the limelight. 
• Your work history raises red flags. Hiring managers tend to get concerned when they see job hoppers aka people who held multiple jobs in a short time. The same is true if you’ve taken on a variety of roles or simply don’t have much experience at all. A functional resume helps conceal gaps in your employment and highlight your portfolio of skills, rather than linear career growth. Thus, it works well for temp workers and freelancers.
• Your key skills don’t come from your work experience. What if your most marketable skills are the result of a long-term hobby, volunteer work, internships, or academic research? Again, a functional resume could help you tell a better story. 

How to Make a Functional Resume

If you’ve never written a functional resume before, you’ll need to set aside some of your perceptions about how a resume should be formatted. These tips will help you center your resume around your capabilities instead of your work history.

Organize Your Skill Set Into Logical Sections

First, prepare your list of skills. To make the thought process easier, organize them by groups such as:

• Technical skills 
• Leadership skills 
• Interpersonal skills 
• Analytical skills
• Management skills 

Try to come up with a well-balanced ratio of hard and soft skills — 60% vs 40% is a good combo. 

Next, take a functional resume template and place similar skills next to one another. Then, come up with a descriptive name for each group of skills. Imagine you are pursuing a job at a radio station. Here is an example of the skills groupings you might create:

• Announcing and Broadcasting : Interviewing, News Reading, On-air commentary, Play by Play, Presentation.
• Sales and Marketing : Advertiser outreach, Social media marketing, Account management, Street team.
• Technical: Audio production, board operation, remotes, AVAIR.

Make Your Employment History Work For You

It’s okay to use a functional resume if you don’t have an extensive employment history. However, you can’t skip the “employment section” altogether. 

What you can do though is tweak this section to your advantage. Here are several quick tips:  

• Group related short-term jobs together. For example: ‘Freelance Web Designer; Multiple Clients — January 2017 to Present’
• List jobs without giving much more detail, letting skills “do the talking”.
• Format jobs with a bulleted list of duties and accomplishments, illustrating the skills you have listed.
• Bolster a thin employment history by adding in academic research, volunteer work, and internships.

Sell Your Talents With a Professional Summary

Toss a standard career objective and use a professional summary instead.  A good resume summary should emphasize two to three of your most marketable skills. Which ones? Get back to the original job post and read the “Candidate Requirements” section once again. See if you have a “match” in your skills list and bring that up in your summary. 

Functional Resume Examples

So, what does a functional resume look like IRL? Here are several resume examples you can use as “scaffolding” when writing: 

• Functional nanny resume example with extra writing tips. 
• A resume that has been written for an inexperienced fresher in search of their first job. 
• This example of a resume for a first-time job seeker shows to substitute the lack of experience with volunteer and internship entries.

If your work history isn’t extensive, or simply doesn’t exist, a functional resume may give you a better shot for landing the job. By drawing attention to your capabilities, you show employers that you still have something valuable to bring to the table.

Elena runs content operations at Freesumes since 2017. She works closely with copywriters, designers, and invited career experts to ensure that all content meets our highest editorial standards. Up to date, she wrote over 200 career-related pieces around resume writing, career advice... more

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As she is poised to be the Democratic nominee, here are 5 facts about Kamala Harris

Jeongyoon Han

Vice President and Democratic presidential candidate Kamala Harris speaks at her campaign headquarters in Wilmington, Delaware, on Monday. Erin Schaff/POOL via Getty Images hide caption

For more on Biden's decision and the now open 2024 race, head to the NPR Network's live updates page .

Just one day after President Biden threw his support behind Vice President Harris for the 2024 Democratic presidential nomination after dropping out of the race, Harris secured enough delegates to win the nomination, according to the Associated Press.

While she has not officially become the nominee, if she does when the DNC holds its virtual roll call on Aug, 7, Harris will become the first woman of color to be a major party presidential nominee.

Harris, the daughter of immigrants from Jamaica and India, has had a career with many firsts: She became the country's first Indian American senator when she was inaugurated in 2017. She is California’s first female and South Asian attorney general. In 2021, she became the first woman to become vice president, in addition to being the first Black or Asian American person in the position.

And, if she were to win the general election against former President Donald Trump, she would become the first woman president of the United States.

Here are five things to know about Harris:

1. She ran for president in 2020 but didn’t get very far.

Senator Kamala Harris holds her niece Amara as she and her husband Douglas Emhoff wave to the crowd after hosting her first presidential campaign rally in her hometown of Oakland, California, on Sunday, Jan. 27, 2019. Gabrielle Lurie/The San Francisco Chronicle via Getty Images hide caption

Harris announced in 2019 she would run for the White House, and while Harris notably pushed Biden on his previous record over desegregation and busing, that was the high point of her run. Most of her bid, in fact, was riddled with campaign hiccups and minimal momentum.

She was criticized for how she championed tough truancy policies when she was the attorney general for California, which some said perpetuated inequities in the criminal justice system and disproportionately affected families of color . Harris later said she regretted the " unintended consequences " that law had on families.

More broadly, Harris failed to distinguish her positions on key issues, in ways that her competitors, such as Massachusetts Sen. Elizabeth Warren and Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders, were able to. In the months following, Harris failed to gain steam with limited funds and little excitement behind her campaign, and she dropped out by December 2019.

2. She has a mixed legacy in criminal justice

California Attorney General-elect Kamala Harris holds a press conference top discuss the hard fought Attorney General race. The vote tally took over a month to decide the outcome, with each side leading at various times. Harris finally won with approximately 50 thousand vote lead. Ted Soqui/Corbis via Getty Images hide caption

During her 2020 presidential bid, Harris ran to the left of Biden on several criminal justice issues, like ending solitary confinement and implementing a national standard on the use of deadly force.

But her “tough on crime” track record as a prosecutor, district attorney, and attorney general in California during the 1990s and 2000s is a clear reminder of her complicated and sometimes contradictory legacy on the criminal justice system . 

On the one hand, she established a reentry program in the early 2000s that was seen as a form of restorative justice. She supported legislation that would expand voting rights to those serving felony sentences. She also opposed the death penalty — and stood by that when she did not seek the death penalty against a gang member who killed a police officer in 2004. But when the opportunity came to get rid of the death penalty in California, Harris appealed that ruling . Then, when California Gov. Gavin Newsom put a moratorium on the death penalty in 2019, Harris praised Newsom for the decision, and subsequently called for a federal moratorium on executions .

It took her years as San Francisco’s district attorney to adopt a defendant’s rights policy known as the Brady doctrine, even though her staff recommended the policy to her in 2005 . As state attorney general, she rejected the use of advanced DNA testing in the case of a Black man who was — and still is — on death row for a notable murder case, though she has since said she felt “ awful ” about that decision. She also did not go after cases that involved killings by the police in San Francisco shortly after the 2014 killing of Michael Brown in Ferguson, Mo., which brought on the ire of protesters in Oakland. The year after, she declined to support a bill that would have her office investigate officer-involved shootings, and she did not back statewide standards over body cameras worn by police officers.

3. She is known for high-profile grillings early in the Trump administration

Sen. Kamala Harris, D-CA, listens to Christine Blasey Ford, the woman accusing Supreme Court nominee Brett Kavanaugh of sexually assaulting her at a party 36 years ago, testifying before the US Senate Judiciary Committee on Capitol Hill in Washington, DC, September 27, 2018. Saul Loeb/AFP via Getty Images hide caption

It was 2018. Harris was still a relative newcomer in the Senate. And yet, she made a splash when she grilled Brett Kavanaugh, Trump’s then-nominee for the Supreme Court.

“Can you think of any laws that give government the power to make decisions about the male body?” she asked Kavanaugh in a question pointedly about reproductive rights.

After Kavanaugh struggled to give an answer, Harris repeated the question. Kavanaugh’s final response: “I'm not thinking of any right now, senator.”

That was one of several viral moments of Harris as she went after officials and politicians tied to the Trump administration, including former Attorney General Jeff Sessions, former White House chief of staff John Kelly, and former Attorney General William Barr .

While Trump called her “ nasty ” for how she questioned Kavanaugh, her line of questioning piqued Trump’s interest when she was freshly nominated by Biden to be his running mate in 2020, showing him and Republicans she was capable of going after them.

4. It took a while to find her footing as VP, but when she did, she focused on issues that are key to younger voters

U.S. President-elect Joe Biden, center right, wife Jill Biden, right, U.S. Vice President-elect Kamala Harris, center left, and husband Douglas Emhoff hold hands while wearing protective masks during an election event in Wilmington, Delaware, U.S., on Saturday, Nov. 7, 2020. Sarah Silbiger/Bloomberg via Getty Images hide caption

Despite Harris’ underwhelming performance in the 2020 Democratic presidential primary, Biden nominated her to be his running mate, making her the first Black woman and person of Indian descent to be nominated by a major party for national office. The announcement was celebrated by many in the party: She had been seen as a rising leader among Democrats, and capable of leading an increasingly diversifying party and country.

But things went off to a rocky start when she entered the White House. She misstepped in an interview with NBC’s Lester Holt when answering why she had not yet visited the border at the time, had turnover in her staff, and had consistently low approval ratings early into her tenure as vice president.

Although Harris was initially seen as uncomfortable in the role, she quickly grew into the job. Harris said the Supreme Court’s overturning of Roe v. Wade in 2022 galvanized her, and she rewrote an entire speech she was supposed to deliver at an event about maternal health that day. She became the primary messenger on abortion and reproductive rights. Additionally, she campaigned aggressively for gun safety, has tried to connect with more women and people of color during her tenure, and was praised by progressives for her forceful call for a ceasefire in the Israel-Hamas war.

5. Her race and gender have made her subject to sexist and racist attacks

US Vice President and Democratic Presidential candidate Kamala Harris speaks at West Allis Central High School during her first campaign rally in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, on July 23, 2024. Kamil Krzaczynski/AFP via Getty Images hide caption

While many women in politics are often victims of sexist remarks and verbal abuse, a 2020 study tracking more than 300,000 instances of gendered abuse and disinformation against 13 women political candidates found that Harris was the target of such attacks 78% of the time.

Nina Jankowicz, who researches disinformation targeting women in politics and is the co-founder and CEO of the American Sunlight Project, said harmful narratives are “part of the criticism and abuse that women in public life frequently receive.”

The attacks against Harris in particular have often come from many on the right, including Trump and his running mate, Ohio Sen. JD Vance. Trump advanced a birtherism conspiracy theory about Harris that falsely stated she was not qualified to run as vice president back in 2020. Trump also called Harris “ crazy ,” and often ridicules the way she laughs — yet another display of hyper-criticizing women’s voices.

And Jankowicz said that it’s important to call out the sexist and racist online trolling against Harris that’s only grown since Biden’s announcement on Sunday.

“And I just think it's really important at this historic moment that we label these narratives and lies as what they are: an attempt to undermine Kamala Harris' public service and her record of public service because of her gender, her background and her skin color,” she said.