How To Write A Functional Resume: A Comprehensive Guide

A functional resume is a strategic and effective way to showcase your skills and qualifications,
especially if you're looking to change careers or have gaps in your work history. Unlike a
chronological resume, a functional resume focuses on your abilities and accomplishments rather than
the timeline of your work experience.

What is a Functional Resume?

A functional resume is structured around your skills and achievements, allowing you to highlight
your strengths and relevant qualifications for the job you're applying for. It's particularly useful when
you want to emphasize specific abilities or if you have a varied work history.

Key Components of a Functional Resume

1. Contact Information: Include your name, phone number, email address, and LinkedIn
profile (if applicable).
2. Objective or Summary: Write a concise statement that summarizes your career goals and the
skills you bring to the table.
3. Skills Section: Highlight key skills relevant to the job, using bullet points for clarity.
4. Professional Experience: Focus on achievements and skills rather than listing job
responsibilities. Use specific examples to demonstrate your impact.
5. Education: Include your educational background, mentioning degrees, institutions, and
graduation dates.
6. Certifications and Training: Showcase any relevant certifications or additional training that
enhances your qualifications.
7. Achievements and Awards: If applicable, include any notable achievements or awards that
demonstrate your success in previous roles.
8. Relevant Projects: Discuss projects you've worked on that showcase your skills and
accomplishments.
9. Volunteer Experience: Include any volunteer work that aligns with the job you're applying
for.

Tips for Writing a Successful Functional Resume

1. Tailor it to the Job: Customize your functional resume for each job application by
highlighting skills and experiences most relevant to the specific role.
2. Use Action Words: Start each bullet point with a strong action verb to convey your
accomplishments more powerfully.
3. Quantify Achievements: Whenever possible, use numbers and statistics to quantify your
achievements and demonstrate the impact you've had.
4. Keep it Concise: Aim for a two-page resume and prioritize the most important information.
Be concise and focus on quality over quantity.
5. Proofread: Check for typos, grammatical errors, and formatting issues. A well-polished
resume reflects attention to detail and professionalism.

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Whether you have intentionally taken time out of the workforce or have been out for unintentional
reasons, you may want to consider a functional resume. Interviewers understand this - a bumpy
career history doesn't mean that you won't do a fantastic job. Your old work history won’t get a
focus here, and rather you skills will be focused. This format, while not advocated often, I believe
would serve you well. A functional resume focuses on your skills and talents. List each of your roles
in reverse chronological order, starting with the most recent. To learn more about the services offered
by Distinctive Career Services visit. This includes consulting a career services office and consulting a
professional resume writer. The action you just performed triggered the security solution. This image
is not licensed under the Creative Commons license applied to text content and some other images
posted to the wikiHow website. If the functional resume type is recommended for your career
situation, as mentioned above, go ahead and use it. Use the all-important contact info in the body of
the resume. Resume elements Summary, objective Employment history Skills Education Hobbies.
This could include software or language skills, volunteer work, or additional training. A functional
resume is used most often when a candidate lacks direct experience in the area they’re applying to
but wants to emphasize the transferable skill sets they have that would still make them a good fit for
the role. Professional summary The next item in your functional resume is a brief summary of your
professional background. Plenty of options are available, from your own Word program to free
functional format resume samples online. What if you’re eliminating work-related stress and
switching from an accountant role in logistics to a college French teacher. Yet, the writing process
still requires you to reconsider the career history and recollect your key accomplishments that relate
to the target position. She is a Founding Partner of the Systemic Coach Academy of New Zealand.
Hiring managers and prospective employers reviewing a functional resume can see what a job
seekers skills are without having to sift through a bunch details about prior jobs since these details
are usually omitted. If your skills and accomplishments are an exact fit for the job position, a
functional format will convey that at first glance. For this reason, it can often be a good choice
format for a career changer. You can focus on the skills you've developed rather than having to list
each individual job with specific details. You should also add a skills section that mentions any
relevant skills you have. Uses Of A Functional Resume It’s best to use a functional resume when you
want to change a job and at the same time the job role and domain too. Hence, functional resume
writing when done tactfully can help one switch job roles, change job domain, and cover up for old
problems in your professional career. Read our Terms and Privacy Policy to learn more. Got it. If you
don't want to use one of the basic templates in your word processing app, you may find another
online that works for you. But when your career history isn’t steady or you’re changing fields, your
professional goals might not be obvious.
Ensure yourself that you make a good resume of this job. This is widely used by those people who
are new in carrier path or else they are eager to change their carrier direction from one sphere to
other. This includes consulting a career services office and consulting a professional resume writer.
Sample Functional Resume Template pcc.edu Details File Format PDF Size: 7 KB Download
Functional Resume Example power-careers.com Details File Format PDF Size: 24 KB Download
Why Do We Need Functional Resume Template. 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. Communicate those effectively in a way that’s concise and easy to understand. Tips
To Create Functional Resume Template The tips are very simple. Additional improvements
References Languages Proofreading International resumes What is a functional resume format and
who should use one. Today, our resume experts will throw light on this resume type and explain
when you should be using it. Freelancers also find this format useful because it focuses more on the
services they offer while letting them highlight just a few impressive clients. I hope that presenting
your candidacy in a new way improves the impact of your search and helps you land the career
position you need. In normal resume, it is found that the educational qualifications along with
professional highlights are maintained in a chronology. Use the all-important contact info in the body
of the resume. This can also be used for developing a crisp and clear image about anyone’s carrier
path. Career changers, especially those who are trying to enter a very different profession, have a
need to emphasize transferable qualifications. Professional summary The next item in your functional
resume is a brief summary of your professional background. Then, create a heading at the top of the
page that includes your name, address, and contact information. If you are in the middle of preparing
for your job qualification documents you mig. Using a strengths-based approach, she supports her
clients with job search and career advancement. It doesn’t matter with functional resume formats if
you most recently worked as a waiter. Functional Resume Sample dayjob.com Details File Format
PDF Size: 69 KB Download Personal history, reception duties and It skills are the some other
features that are summarized in this template so that anyone can imagine how the applicant is. This
format, while not advocated often, I believe would serve you well. In such cases, your old work
experience may be a hindrance for the new job. In recent years functional resumes have lost much of
their traditional appeal. Younger professionals can include such skills as time management, ability to
meet deadlines, and even familiarity with office etiquette rules for employees. This is the primary
focus of the resume and can span anywhere from several bullet points to several paragraphs. At the
top of your page, type your full name, address, phone number, and email address. This image is not
licensed under the Creative Commons license applied to text content and some other images posted
to the wikiHow website. She is the host of Resume.io’s podcast, The Roadmap, where she interviews
HR professionals and career coaches on their biggest tips for today’s applicants. Writing your job-
winning resume has never been this easy.
Anything prior to this either is no longer relevant to contemporary positions or the experience has
already been described in more recent employment listings. If you are interested in working
overseas, use research to familiarize yourself with an employer’s expectation regarding resumes,
CVs, and additional information. It shows the reader how you can contribute to their organizational
objectives from day one. Just remember to be honest if the interviewer asks you about it.
ResumesBot provides classy resume writing services that are working for you right now. But, do you
know the most important thing you must do before you propose yourself to the company? The
resume. If you’re switching from a finance consultant to a creative field such as public relations or
copywriting, your expertise with accounts payable and receivable will be redundant to say the least.
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. It also helps to mask any issues with your employment
history which a chronological resume may expose, such as limited experience or job gaps. To learn
more about the services offered by Distinctive Career Services visit. Every resume, no matter what
the format, should be packed with quantifiable proof of your career story. Some interesting and
useful formats for the Sample Resumes are given here. Hiring managers and prospective employers
reviewing a functional resume can see what a job seekers skills are without having to sift through a
bunch details about prior jobs since these details are usually omitted. Functional Resume Template
PDF writing.colostate.edu Details File Format PDF Size: 95 KB Download This template is little bit
different and ensures that, adult care experience and child care experience are taken into the account
when anyone is using this kind of template. This is widely used by those people who are new in
carrier path or else they are eager to change their carrier direction from one sphere to other. Another
paragraph could discuss your professional experience. If a quick glance reveals a lack of organization
and clarity, they are likely to send it to the bottom of the stack. If you have a degree and experience
in the study of sea creatures, and you are applying for a related position, your resume should state
your professional title as “Marine Biologist.” Rather than providing a reverse-chronological timeline
of your job history, as you would do if using a chronological resume format, in a functional resume,
you highlight what you have accomplished thus far in your career. A variety of formats can be
utilized for preparing a functional resume. Resume elements Summary, objective Employment history
Skills Education Hobbies. Please include what you were doing when this page came up and the
Cloudflare Ray ID found at the bottom of this page. Underneath your heading, include sections on
your employment history and education experience. Yet, it means that the descriptions of your skills
and accomplishments should give the recruiter the right amount of details and context. This image is
not licensed under the Creative Commons license applied to text content and some other images
posted to the wikiHow website. For example, the first might describe your recent accomplishments
in your career field. When selecting the best resume format for your CV, it’s important to understand
the benefits and disadvantages of each in order to ensure the best results. You may have a master
resume that includes all of your skills, education, and experience. As such, it can make a powerful
impact that gets you noticed. Whereas a functional resume often includes a very brief or even no
description of day-to-day responsibilities, detailing only the job title, company name, and dates of
employment. If you have specialized skills that only a few people in your industry possess, it is
important to emphasize this to prospective employers.
Given, most employers are curious about where you have worked and for whom. Employment
history is the second part that needs to be highlighted in this template as well after this professional
experience is described clearly. Functional Resume Example ymcacambridgekw.ca Details File
Format PDF Size: 124 KB Download The functional resume example is a ready-made resume as a
model that you may see to know how you can also make a functional resume for yourself. Just
remember to be honest if the interviewer asks you about it. What skills and experience do you bring
to the table that make you a good fit for the role. The functional resume example shown below
illustrates. Please log in with your username or email to continue. We offer timely delivery according
to the deadline specified by you and unlimited changes within a 2-week revision period. Seeking a
hospitality role with a company looking for increased customer satisfaction, strong organizational
skills and work ethics. Here is an example functional resume for an auto technician. A CV is often
longer and more detailed than a resume. Here are some examples of targeted resumes written for a
career changer, styled in the functional format. This image is not licensed under the Creative
Commons license applied to text content and some other images posted to the wikiHow website.
Once you select the format, you can either write the resume yourself or find a functional resume
template you can use. This isn’t usually the way to make the best first impression. Rather than being
repetitive, if your entire career has been in a very similar type of role, a functional format might be a
good choice. The formal education is listed in reverse order, starting with the most recent or highest
degree attained. This image is not licensed under the Creative Commons license applied to text
content and some other images posted to the wikiHow website. She is a Founding Partner of the
Systemic Coach Academy of New Zealand. As such, it can make a powerful impact that gets you
noticed. But the primary reason is that this format is often used to “hide” or “mask” something less-
than-desirable in a job seeker’s background. When to Use a Functional Resume Free Functional
Resume Templates Functional Resume Format Examples Your resume’s main job is to emphasize
your accomplishments, your talents and your professional history. And creating a strong ATS resume
is our top priority. When selecting the best resume format for your CV, it’s important to understand
the benefits and disadvantages of each in order to ensure the best results. Some interesting and
useful formats for the Sample Resumes are given here. The following is a useful functional resume
template. Examples of transferable skills could include relationship building, communication,
management experience, or public speaking. Alyson Garrido is an International Coach Federation
accredited Professional Certified Coach (PCC), Facilitator, and Speaker. 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. It also prevents errors from being accidentally introduced if the hiring
manager opens your resume or prints it out.
Has over 12 years of experience in resume, LinkedIn profile writing and editing. Resume Help 26
min read How to make a resume for a first job Career 18 min read The great resignation letter
generator Job Interview 7 min read Skype Interview Browse All. Functional Resume Format
marquette.edu Details File Format PDF Size: 194 KB Download In this Functional Resume
Template Word, qualification summary, experience and job qualification category are clearly enlisted
here. However, it's not the right choice for everyone since the structure can be limiting in terms of
work history. Being open and honest about your career is the only choice. Functional resumes are
effective when making a career transition, when a job-seeker has worked in a variety of different
fields, or had numerous responsibilities at prior jobs. You should make a functional resume for
showing off your talents and skills and would like to talk of all that you are good in, your
accomplishments, and individual achievements, etc. But when your career history isn’t steady or
you’re changing fields, your professional goals might not be obvious. Create a separate skills section
that speaks to each of these. This image is not licensed under the Creative Commons license applied
to text content and some other images posted to the wikiHow website. Once you select the format,
you can either write the resume yourself or find a functional resume template you can use. List only
those that may be useful, and avoid skills that are unrelated to a professional setting, such as stamp
collector. 5. Professional Experience Sometimes people call the functional resume the chrono-
functional resume format because it does contain an element of the chronological resume. This will
not talk about what you did earlier, and would rather focus on what you can do, and what you are
good at. This functional resume example shows how this format can be the best choice in some
cases. Here are the content and organization recommendations for the functional resume. Conclusion
Sometimes your work history does not speak for itself, and in those cases, formatting you resume
according to your skills and achievements makes sense. Its creation is very simple by choosing any of
these and it ensures that user can edit those as per their requirements as well. Your first step is to
select a free template that looks attractive and appropriate. Underneath your heading, include
sections on your employment history and education experience. This example of the functional
resume highlights the exact skills needed for an office support role, and gives the recruiter the right
amount of number and accomplishments. This is the primary focus of the resume and can span
anywhere from several bullet points to several paragraphs. For example, if you use bullet points in
one section, you should use them in all sections. But writing these details requires a bit of thought as
well. You could then include bullet points detailing your work in student government, organizing a
rally for a nonprofit organization, or working as a camp counselor. 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. SEE THE RESUMES BOT GUIDE: What Size Should a Photo Be on a
Resume How Many Jobs Should I Put on my Resume How useful was this post. A compromise
between the functional and chronological resume is known as the chrono-functional, combination or
hybrid resume. Free Functional Resume Templates When you use one of the free templates available
online for your functional resume, you can save lots of time while ending up with a professional-
looking product that presents you at your best. Best to you. If you purchase a product or register for
an account through a link on our site, we may receive compensation. Another relevant skills and
special knowledge areas are the some other different parts that are included in the template as well.
Thus, the system won’t be able to identify contact information and will send your resume to trash.
Our resume tips below will show you how to achieve it. Your old work history won’t get a focus
here, and rather you skills will be focused. Since this resume type doesn’t assume job descriptions
and you list relevant skills only, you can easily show your value, competencies and accomplishments
without adding the second page. In our opinion a functional resume, or even a chrono-functional
resume should only be used if. In other words, functional resumes are effective for people who are
not specialists. The formal education is listed in reverse order, starting with the most recent or
highest degree attained. If you’re switching from a finance consultant to a creative field such as
public relations or copywriting, your expertise with accounts payable and receivable will be
redundant to say the least. Practical Resume is used to highlight your work experience and specific
characteristics. The hybrid resume still emphasizes skills but provides some context around their
current and previous work experience. We will also share some insights on how to create a
professional resume, avoid the most common resume mistakes and share a great example of a
functional resume. Resume formats Functional resume Summary, objective Employment history
Skills Education Hobbies References Languages Proofreading International resumes Read full guide
Get started now Make your job-winning resume easy and fast with our top resume builder. This rule
mostly applies to tech professionals, such as programmers, web developers, engineers, and more. The
following is a useful functional resume template. Anything you can do to make it easier for the
employer will help you land the interview. 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. Just make
sure you back them up with concrete examples that demonstrate that trait. For example, the first
might describe your recent accomplishments in your career field. It shows the reader how you can
contribute to their organizational objectives from day one. Rather than presenting each role
separately and needing the hiring manager to figure out how each role built on one another and
worked together to create the candidate you are today, the functional resume format allows you
more freedom on telling that story. This enables the employer to begin to know something about you
and encourages them to want to read the rest of your resume. This image is not licensed under the
Creative Commons license applied to text content and some other images posted to the wikiHow
website. Try to achieve a bullet point or two from each role, again, described based on the
transferability of those experiences to where you want to go next. Interviewers understand this - a
bumpy career history doesn't mean that you won't do a fantastic job. The material on this site may
not be reproduced, distributed, transmitted, cached or otherwise used, except with the prior written
permission of Advance Local. A variety of formats can be utilized for preparing a functional resume.
But, there are some cases where you would want to include them. This is the primary focus of the
resume and can span anywhere from several bullet points to several paragraphs. Look for a template
that is simply organized to present a clear snapshot of your qualifications. Try to limit yourself to no
more than three sentences in each of your four or five paragraphs.