functional resume for a recruiter

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11 Top Recruiter Resume Examples That Worked in 2024

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• Recruiter Resume
• Recruiter Resumes by Experience
• Recruiter Resumes by Role

Writing Your Recruiter Resume

When it comes to reviewing resumes, you can spot a great candidate in record time. Although you’ve reviewed hundreds of resumes for the roles you help fill,  writing your own resume  can be intimidating (not to mention writing a  recruiter cover letter ).

Your recruiter resume needs to quickly demonstrate your skills while at the same time being succinct and aesthetically pleasing. It’s a tall order, but we know you’re up to the task!

These free recruiter resume examples are proven to help you put your best foot forward  and impress the hiring manager(s) with your expertise. Use our  expert resume tips  and advice to help you land that first interview and snag the job of your dreams in 2024!

Recruiter Resume Example

or download as PDF

Why this resume works

• If you have limited work experience, consider including a  resume objective , volunteer experience, internships, projects, and even hobbies and interests. 
• Bonus: always include any relevant certifications and licenses you may have!
• Read the job posting carefully, and see if you can discern keywords you can incorporate. Don’t copy and paste, of course, but do your best to make your resume mimic the wording of the job description without being an exact copy.

Entry-Level Recruiter Resume

• An objective conveys your excitement for the role, your skills, and your goals for the future, all in two to three sentences.
• If you do use an objective,  always tailor it for each job . Use the title you’re seeking, the name of the company you’re applying for, and skills mentioned in the job description. Also, try to think about what you offer the company and how you’ll benefit them rather than how they’ll help you. 
• Relevant skills are the ones that are mentioned explicitly in the job description. These can include employee onboarding, LinkedIn sourcing, and any software you use on the job.
• Transferable skills are usually soft skills that you can either put in your skills section or (better yet) put in your work experience bullet points. Examples of transferable skills include communication, organization, inventory management, and scheduling.

Senior Recruiter Resume

• We recommend including quantitative metrics on at least 60 percent of your bullet points. These can include the number of people you worked with, percentages related to efficiency or retention, and anything related to revenue.
• It’s deceptive because it feels easy. Scanning your resume for typos? No problem! The problem is that you’ve read your resume frequently, so you’re liable to miss things. Plus, sometimes it’s not easy to know how to fix things like passive voice and weak verbs.
• We recommend running your resume through a spellcheck system  and  asking a trusted friend or colleague to review your resume. Be humble, accept corrections, and know that you’re improving your resume!

Sorority Recruitment Resume

• Mention hobbies that reveal your artistic side to back up your ability to think differently.

Recruiting Coordinator Resume

• For example, having HR experience shows that you understand the end-to-end hiring process, from sourcing to onboarding. This comprehensive knowledge can help you identify which candidates might be a strong fit from the start.

Technical Recruiter Resume

• Choose a clear layout or structure that’s easy to read at a glance.
• Don’t overwhelm your resume with too much text. Keep it short and sweet with plenty of white space
• Keep your font big enough to read (we’d recommend keeping your font at any size bigger than 10 pt.).
• Showing off your impressive work first (which is likely your most recent role)
• Helping the ATS read your resume
• Applying to standard resume conventions (which makes it easier for recruiters and hiring

HR Recruiter Resume Example

• First, read the  recruiter job description . Highlight phrases and keywords that you can work into your resume.
• Then adjust your skills section to include some of the keywords you found.
• Alter your work experience bullet points to echo some of the phrases you found. If this requires a complete rewrite, focus on adding more skill keywords.
• Lastly, if you have an objective or summary, mention the company name and the job title you’re seeking.
• Add some color to your headers to help hiring managers find information quickly.
• You can also mix up your font styles. Prefer something more modern looking? Use a sans serif font. Feeling fancy? Use a tried-and-true serif font.

Scientific Recruiter Resume

• For example, suppose you mention competitive cycling as an activity of interest. If the hiring manager asks about it in your interview, you could discuss how your cycling demonstrates your commitment and dedication. Who knows, the employer might be a competitive cyclist! 
• Just make sure that you can elaborate on the relevance of anything you list on your scientific recruiter resume. 
•  We’ve heard from many hiring managers that applicants were rejected because they used unprofessional email names, such as “ [email protected] .”
• If you don’t have another email address, it’s time to make one. We’d recommend using some iteration of “ first name.last name ” and maybe a number.

Corporate Recruiter Resume

• This is an optional section where you can give a short, two to three-sentence synopsis of your career. Try to mention specific skills/achievements and quantifiable metrics to make it unique and memorable.
• Always tailor this section to each job description by including the company’s name, the job title you’re seeking, and relevant keywords.
• It can be tempting to be unique and follow a less traditional  resume format , but hiring managers prefer the industry standard. Plus, reverse-chronological is easiest for the ATS to read, which means you’re closer to getting an interview by just tweaking the layout!

Medical Recruiter Resume

• Definitely include any medical skills you possess in your  resume’s skills section . Are you a whiz at medical terminology? Amazing at handling patient documentation? This is the perfect place to mention it!
• Read through the job description and highlight any keywords you find. Then try to (naturally) incorporate them into your skills section and work experience.
• The key is to not stuff your resume with keywords, but rather help you stand out to the hiring manager by referencing the job description. Be relevant, but not a cookie-cutter copy!

University Recruiter Resume

• If you’ve networked online, including any technology you’re familiar with. Social media and job boards are great inclusions that can help hiring managers know your skillset. 
• Whenever you can, explain your impact. How many students applied to your company after you talked to them? Did you get more website conversions after pushing a campaign on LinkedIn? Use numbers (aka metrics) to demonstrate this for the best effect.
• For example, if a company wants you to help train new hires or increase recruitment numbers, include specific achievements relating to those things in your resume.
• Our advice? Find skills and responsibilities in the job description, then find a way to incorporate most of them in  both  your skills section and work experience bullet points.

Related resume guides

• Receptionist
• Operations Manager
• Office Assistant
• Human Resources

It’s no wonder that the HR occupation is so desirable. According to the US Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS),  the median salary  for an HR manager is $126,230 per year, and the demand for these roles is expected to grow seven percent annually (faster than average).

Specifically, people flock to recruiting because it allows them to leave a tangible mark on the company. Whether you’re working at an agency or internally at a company, recruiters have a knack for matching the right people to the right jobs. 

More than that, recruiters manage the interview process (for both the candidate and company), work with hiring teams to determine their hiring needs, create job descriptions, and manage offers and negotiations for each person brought into the company.

How can you include all of those responsibilities on a single-page resume? You have so many valuable attributes that it’s a challenge to limit your resume to just one sheet of paper.

These tips will help you cut through the noise and make your resume the strongest it can be for any recruiting role. As a recruiter, you know people are more than their resumes, but a good resume makes a positive impression and gets the hiring manager interested in you.

In short, here’s what you need to do:

• Include the right skills to get past ATS filters and appeal to the hiring manager.
• Get the format right. Your resume has to be readable even at a glance.
• Quantify your impact to prove your demonstrable impact.
• Tailor your resume for each job application to make the case that you’re the right recruiter for the job.

Highlight your recruiter skills

You likely already know this process, but we’ll just recap the steps of a typical resume review process:

• Companies apply filters in their applicant tracking system (ATS) to weed out applicants based on specific keyword matching.
• The hiring manager (an HR leader) reviews the resumes that make it through the ATS filters and reaches out for preliminary phone interviews.

So the goal of the  skills section on your resume  is to get past both of these steps.

If you were just going to get past the ATS, you would stuff your resume with all of the keywords in the job description. Sadly, that wouldn’t help you pass the second step, since keyword-stuffing raises many red flags for the hiring manager. What do you do?

First, read the  recruiter job description . Read their required skills, and if you have those skills, then you should include them. The key here is to include a majority of hard skills, not soft skills.

Soft skills without context fail to offer any new information to the resume reviewer. Hard skills demonstrate your prowess and are more measurable. 

However, if you’re just starting out, you can include more soft skills to make up for your lack of technical expertise (you can learn these skills on the job).

Recruiter skills to include on your resume

• Microsoft Excel, Powerpoint, Word
• HR information systems (Workday, Oracle HCM, Zoho, SAP)
• ATS (Greenhouse, Lever, Workable, Breezy HR, BambooHR)
• Sourcing tools (LinkedIn Recruiter, TalenNest, Connectifier)
• Full-cycle recruiting, intakes, sourcing, screening, and evaluating talent
• CRM (Hubspot, Marketo, Hootsuite)

When you’re deciding what to include in your skills section, ask yourself, “Would I be comfortable being interviewed about that skill? Can I demonstrate my abilities?” If the answer to both is “no,” then leave that skill off your resume.

One last thing to note: we’re sure you’ve seen your fair share of candidates embellish skills on their resumes. This is a quick way to get blacklisted from potentially working for that employer, so  always be honest about your proficiencies . If you’re not an expert, don’t claim you are; instead, demonstrate your willingness to learn that skill when you create a cover letter .

Make sure your resume format is correct

You know that recruiters have to scan through dozens of resumes before they find the candidates they need. On average, a recruiter spends  just over seven seconds reviewing any given resume .

So, make your resume as easy to read as possible. It will help recruiters see that you’re a strong candidate for the role and deserve a phone interview.

How can you do that? Here are some quick tips:

• Keep your resume to one page.
• Break up text into smaller, consumable bullet points.
• Make your resume computer-readable. Avoid using images, icons, or fancy formatting that is hard for a computer to scan.
• Put the title of the role you want under your name. So if you’re applying for a senior recruiter role, you should make your title “senior recruiter.”
• Leave out the objective or summary unless you’re an entry-level candidate (objective) or you have more than a decade of experience (summary)
• Check your resume  multiple times  for spelling or grammar errors.

All of these points serve one goal:  make the job of the person reviewing your resume as easy as possible.  Try this experiment—which work experience entry is easier to read quickly?

WRONG—big blocks of text

Ed-tech Company May 2018 – Present, New York NY Recruiter

• Identified gaps in the interview funnel and recommended proactive improvements, improving average time-to-hire by 18%. Reported on the usage of LinkedIn Recruiter across junior recruiters and guided them on enhancements resulting in a message to interview rate improvement of 9%. Collected job requirements and posted job descriptions on internal site and job boards like Indeed and Glassdoor, leading to 6 full-time hires.

RIGHT—break long text into bullet points

• Identified gaps in the interview funnel and recommended proactive improvements, improving average time-to-hire by 18%
• Reported on the usage of LinkedIn Recruiter across junior recruiters and guided them on improvements, resulting in a message to interview rate improvement of 9%
• Collected job requirements and posted job descriptions on internal site and job boards like Indeed and Glassdoor, leading to 6 full-time hires

Obviously, the second one is easier to scan and absorb in a shorter period of time. Bullet points are the way to go!

Now let’s cover an age-old resume issue: figuring out the objective and summary.

Recruiter resume objective

What’s the difference between a resume objective and a resume summary?

• Resume objective: A way to concisely demonstrate your passion and goals regarding a given role or company.
• Resume summary: A summary of your qualifications (hence the name) for the role to which you’re applying.

We recommend you omit a  resume summary  unless you have at least 10 years of work history.

You should only include a resume objective if you have a passion for the role or company you’re applying to or are undergoing a career change. If you’re using the same resume objective for multiple applications, you should just exclude it.

You’ve likely seen it when reviewing resumes—a  resume objective  or summary that’s generic and provides no new information about a candidate’s qualifications.

Objectives and summaries like this take up valuable real estate that could be used for work experience. Don’t waste space by providing generic, unconvincing information.

WRONG—generic, uninformative resume objective

Looking to utilize my extensive experience in full-cycle recruiting to improve the hiring practice of a people-first company.

RIGHT—customized, specific resume objective

Looking to leverage my experience with Greenhouse and LinkedIn Recruiter to help recruit top engineers to serve Stripe’s mission of making payments easy and accessible for small businesses worldwide.

Quantify the impact of your work

our work experience makes or breaks the case for you to get a phone interview . How do you get it right?

Be descriptive and tie your work to demonstrable outcomes for the business where you worked. The best way to make your case that you’re a great fit for a role is through numbers. 

The first step is being descriptive. You shouldn’t mention every single task you did, but do be sure to avoid sweeping generalities about your contribution to a project.

For example, saying “worked to improve interviewing efficiency” is not nearly as compelling as “implemented more robust first-stage candidate screenings, increasing the on-site offer rate by 17%”.

WRONG—avoid vague statements

Tech Company May 2018 – Present, New York NY Recruiter

• Reviewed applications for all engineering hires
• Conducted initial phone screens
• Sourced new candidates when our applicant funnels were under-performing
• Created job descriptions to use on our website as well as job boards like Indeed

RIGHT—specific contributions with outcomes

• Conducted a thorough review of applications for all engineering hires, resulting in a total of 26 full-time hires in 2019
• Improved the initial phone screen process, improving the on-site interview-to-offer rate by 17%
• Monitored candidate funnels and efficiently sourced engineering candidates using LinkedIn Recruiter when they were underperforming, resulting in 11 full-time hires
• Worked with hiring teams to create robust job descriptions and propagate them on job boards like Indeed and Glassdoor, resulting in 6 full-time hires

You’ll notice a formula when talking about work experience.  Generally, you should mention the specific work you did and follow it up with a tangible outcome for that work .

Ways to quantify your impact as a recruiter

• How much you improved time-to-hire
• Number of candidates that you reviewed, sourced, or interviewed
• How much you improved the efficiency of the interview process through new processes or screening procedures
• How much you increased employee retention
• How much you improved the candidate interview experience
• How much money you saved by identifying under-performing candidate acquisition channels

Making a case with numbers (even if they’re estimates) is always more convincing, so strive to quantify your impact whenever possible.

Entry-level recruiter resume projects

What should you discuss on your resume for entry-level recruiters who don’t have work experience yet?  Anything that will make a convincing case that you’ll be a strong recruiter.  

Demonstrate the skills you need to be a great recruiter. Did you do something where you had to organize large groups of people? Coordinate efforts across different groups? Recruit volunteers?

Sample resume projects for entry-level recruiters

• How many people did you connect with and engage in follow-up conversations? Talk about that.
• Recruiters practically live on LinkedIn, so mention your methodology and your performance metrics.
• As a recruiter, you need the ability to organize groups of people. Talk about how you convinced people to join the club.
• Talk about how you were able to recruit volunteers and demonstrate the outcomes of your volunteer efforts.
• Social media capability can be a massive asset for a recruiter! How much interaction did you get on that page? Did you drive any customers to the business?

If you lack relevant projects, then now would be a great time to get involved with one. The projects listed above should inspire you.

Before we move on, we’d like to reiterate our last point:  avoid  spelling or grammar errors.  When recruiters review hundreds of resumes, they’re looking for a quick reason to say “no.” A spelling or grammar error is the fastest, most avoidable reason to get your application rejected.

Don’t let a minor mistake be the reason you don’t get hired, so always  check your resume  before hitting “submit.”

Customize your resume for each job

We can already hear you groaning about this step; trust us, we know it’s a pain. It’s a lot of work to tailor your resume for each job. 

However, we’ve seen time and time again that recruiters get more interviews when they customize their resumes for each application.

How exactly do you customize your recruiter resume, though?

First, read the job description. When reading the job description, do any past projects you’ve worked on come to mind? Even if they’re tangentially related, you’ll stand out amongst the sea of applicants by including them.

Then, include any skills you have relevant to what they’re looking for in the job description. Based on the type of job you’re applying for, you want to make your experience relevant to that particular job.

Here are some ways you might do that for various recruiter job titles.

Technical recruiter resume tips

• Have you worked on sourcing or evaluating for roles that require some type of technical knowledge?
• Try to highlight the technical skills required for jobs you’ve done previously.
• Demonstrate your interest and knowledge in the engineering field. Did you learn some basic programming? That would be a huge asset for technical recruiter roles.

Corporate recruiter resume tips

• Demonstrate that you understand how hiring works from end to end within one company.
• As opposed to a staffing recruiter, you want to show off your breadth of recruiting experience across all aspects of hiring.
• Highlight your work across various aspects of the hiring process. From drafting job descriptions to sourcing to screening, you want to show you can own the recruiting cycle for roles within a single company.

Staffing recruiter resume tips

• Companies typically hire recruiting agencies to help them with their hard-to-fill roles.
• How did you find candidates for these roles? Talk about your methodology and outcomes.
• For example, if you have an extensive network of accountants, talk that up on your resume.

Recruitment manager resume tips

• If you have management experience already, talk about the size of the teams you managed and the outcomes for your team while you were in charge.
• Be aware that good companies want to hire managers who take an interest in their employees’ career progressions. Can you demonstrate this?
• For example, as opposed to saying “worked on projects XYZ,” say something like “owned the development and implementation of project XYZ”

Key takeaways

There you have it.  You’ve read some proven recruiter resume examples to help you put your best foot forward in the application process!  Here’s a quick summary of the expert resume tips you should follow:

• Include a majority of hard skills in the “skills” section, and only include those you’d be comfortable talking about in an interview.
• Keep your resume to one page. Avoid fancy formatting that would be hard for a computer to read.
• Don’t use a resume objective or summary unless you can customize them to the role for which you’re applying.
• Be specific when talking about your contribution and quantify, whenever possible, the outcome of that project.
• Customize your resume for each job application.

Applying for jobs can be a soul-draining process at times, and with a great resume comes great responsibility. So congrats—you took a huge first step by researching how to create your resume!

The next step is creating your resume, which you can do using our  resume builder  which allows you to adjust formatting and get AI-powered tips. Once your resume is finished, use our  resume checker  to scan for errors and suggest improvements. You got this!

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.

Get that resume out there! Browse open jobs on The Muse and find your dream job »

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-based 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 are 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 to 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.

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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Should You Use a Functional Resume Template?

The functional resume format deemphasizes work history and puts skills and accomplishments front and center. Unfortunately, recruiters hate the functional resume format because of this.

Customers Interviewed by:

Are you a recent graduate, a career changer, or someone with limited work experience? If so, you may have heard it’s best to use a functional resume template to showcase your skills and abilities.

Not so fast. Although a functional resume showcases your skills, it deemphasizes your work history. And recruiters hate this.

In this guide, you will learn about the functional resume format and what recruiters say about it. You will also learn which format recruiters prefer and how you can jumpstart your resume .

Table of contents

• What is a functional resume?

How to write a functional resume

Functional resume template.

• Why recruiters hate the functional format
• What recruiters want you to do
• Use Jobscan’s resume builder
• Functional resume examples 

Frequently asked questions

Want to create a resume that recruiters approve of? Here’s a free resume builder you can use. 

What is a functional resume format?

The functional resume format focuses on skills and abilities, not work experience. That’s why it’s also called a skills-based resume. 

In this format, your work experience is listed with minimal detail at the bottom of the resume.

When to use a functional resume format

A functional resume can be used in the following instances:

• You’re a recent graduate with no employment experience . 
• You’re making a career change . 
• You have a long history of gaps between jobs . 
• You are returning to the workforce.
• You have limited work experience.

Here’s how you write a functional resume:

• Start with your contact information (name, phone number, email address, and LinkedIn profile.)
• Write a professional summary .
• List your key abilities in a skills summary . Put them in different categories relevant to the job.
• Include your work experience. Mention your job title, name of employers, and employment dates. You should outline these in reverse-chronological order. 
• Add an education section.
• Include relevant volunteer experience , certifications, training, awards, and other relevant achievements.
• Tailor your functional resume to the job description .

Here is an example of a functional resume template you can download .

Why recruiters dislike the functional resume

We talked with a recruiter and this is what he said: “ Recruiters hate the functional resume format . It’s a waste of time.”

Recruiters dislike functional resumes for two main reasons: 

1. It conceals information

“You’re taking information out of context [in a functional resume],” said the recruiter. “It’s easier to BS your way through to make things sound glamorous.”

The functional resume format raises suspicion among recruiters. This is because some job applicants may use it to:

• Cover gaps in their employment
• Bloat their skills.
• Hide their lack of experience. 

This is easy to do because the main focus of a functional resume is on skills rather than career history. 

2. The meat of the resume (i.e., the experience and education sections) is not featured at the very top

The expert told us a story from his own job search history to illustrate what he meant. He used a functional resume template to make the jump from sales to the HR industry:

“I actually paid someone to do [a functional resume] for me. Whenever I would hand it to someone who was screening at a job fair, I would watch their eyes. They would skip right past everything at the top of the resume. Then they would go straight to my work history and look at the job titles. I would repeatedly watch them do this. Then I finally got myself into the HR industry where I was screening resumes, and I do the exact same thing .”.

The functional resume format covers up gaps in an applicant’s experience. And recruiters know it. They will skip straight down to the work history to try and figure out what you’re hiding.

Here’s what recruiters want you to do

A study revealed that recruiters only spend six seconds reviewing your resume. Because of this, you need to:

• Give recruiters a quick overview of what you bring to the table at the top of your resume. 
• Highlight your work experience, include measurable results, and provide context.

“I definitely want to see everything laid out in context,” said the expert. 

Recruiters want to have a better idea of the context of every skill and accomplishment. And the functional resume doesn’t offer this.

Use the hybrid resume format instead

The hybrid resume blends the best elements of the functional and reverse-chronological resumes. That’s why it’s also called the combination resume.

Here’s how you format a hybrid resume:

First, you show your key skills and achievements at the top of your resume, like a functional resume. 

And like a reverse-chronological resume, you then emphasize your employment history. To strengthen your resume, you need to outline key responsibilities and measurable accomplishments.

This way, recruiters can see the expertise you bring to the table and have a clear view of your work history.

Hybrid resume example

Here’s an example of a hybrid resume:

In this example, the job seeker started with a professional summary followed by a list of her core skills. She then outlined her work experience in reverse chronological order. She also included measurable accomplishments in her work history. 

A recruiter reading this resume will get a clear picture of whether the candidate is fit for the role.

Want some help to jumpstart your resume? You can use our resume builder to create your own ATS-friendly hybrid resume.

We also have resume examples to guide you and free templates you can download and use.

Use Jobscan’s free ATS-friendly resume templates and start building your resume that gets noticed by recruiters!

Hybrid resume formatting tips

Whatever stage you are as a job seeker, we recommend that you use the hybrid resume format.

Additionally, we recommend that you:

• Write a compelling resume summary that will hook the recruiter’s attention.
• Include your core hard and soft skills and competencies.
• Include measurable resume accomplishments and tangible results in your work experience section.
• Use strong action words .
• Tailor your resume to the specific job posting.
• Incorporate resume keywords in your skills section and work experience section.
• Optimize your resume for applicant tracking systems (ATS). The ATS is a software recruiters use to filter hundreds of applications. 

If you want to check how well your resume is optimized for the ATS, use Jobscan’s resume scanner . It analyzes your resume against the job description and gives you a list of keywords and ATS tips to help increase your chances of getting interviews.

Create a hybrid resume with Jobscan’s resume builder

Want to create a great resume the free and easy way? 

With Jobscan’s resume builder , you can have a great resume that impresses recruiters!

Here’s how you use Jobscan’s resume builder in three easy steps.

Step 1. Choose one of our many ATS-friendly hybrid resume templates.

Step 2. Fill in each field.

Step 3. Download your resume as a PDF, save it as a base resume, or begin optimizing it for a particular job.

Functional resume examples

We don’t recommend using the functional resume format. However, here are some examples for you if you decide to use it.

Functional resume example for recent graduates

For recent graduates, here’s what you can include in your functional resume:

• Resume objective detailing what you have to offer despite your limited work experience
• Your degree and GPA (if it’s impressive)
• List of relevant skills
• Internships and volunteer experience (include relevant accomplishments)
• Awards, training, certifications, and other accomplishments from extracurricular activities

In this example, the job seeker started with a summary of his academic background. He then outlined his technical skills that are relevant to the job. He also mentioned his bachelor’s degree, GPA, projects, internship experience, and work experience.

Functional resume example for career changer

If you are switching careers, here’s what you can include in your functional resume:

• Resume summary of your professional background (include years of experience)
• List of relevant skills that qualify you for your target industry
• Work history section with employment dates
• Awards, training, and certifications

In this example, the job seeker is transitioning from sales to human resources. To prove that she fits the role, she added transferable skills such as customer service. She also included her work experience in sales, followed by an education section. She then shared about her volunteer experience as an HR assistant and ended with more skills.

Functional resume example for job seeker with employment gaps

If you have employment gaps, here’s what you can include in your functional resume:

• Resume summary of your professional background and expertise
• List of relevant professional skills
• Internships and volunteer work (include relevant accomplishments)

The job seeker outlined specific skills directly relevant to the job. She then included relevant projects, certifications, and publication. She also mentioned her employment history. Even with her employment gaps, this job seeker managed to put the spotlight on her skills and talents.

Functional resume example for job seeker re-entering the workforce

If you are returning to the workforce, here’s what you can include in your functional resume:

• Resume summary of what you can bring to the company
• Summary of your skills and abilities
• Work experience with measurable accomplishments
• Volunteer experience, projects, awards, and certifications

In this example, the job seeker mentioned her eight years of experience and her readiness to work again. She then emphasized her key skills, qualifications, volunteer experience, courses, and certifications.

Functional resume example for job seeker with limited experience

If you have limited experience, here’s what you can include in your functional resume:

• Resume summary of hard and soft skills you can bring to the company
• Summary of your skills and abilities relevant to the job
• Education section

In this example, the job seeker showcased her commitment to the firm in her summary. She then outlined her key skills relevant to the job. She also included her education, some relevant coursework, and internship experience. She also outlined her academic awards.

There are three basic resume formats : • Chronological resume format • Functional format • Hybrid resume format

The functional format is good for: • Job seekers with limited work experience • Career changers • Job seekers returning to the workforce • Job seekers with employment gaps

A functional resume puts the spotlight on your skills. The hybrid resume not only focuses on your key skills but also on your work experience.

Among the three resume formats, recruiters prefer that you use the hybrid resume format.

More expert insights on this topic:

Convert Your Resume to an ATS-Friendly Format

How to Add Work Experience to Your Resume in 2024

How to Tailor Your Resume Job Description (With Examples)

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Click here to directly go to the complete Functional resume sample.

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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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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What Is a Functional Resume and Is It Right for You?

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Forage puts students first. Our blog articles are written independently by our editorial team. They have not been paid for or sponsored by our partners. See our full  editorial guidelines .

A resume is mandatory to apply for almost every job you’ll ever want. And while you know a resume is a summary of your skills and work history , how you format your resume can play a crucial role in whether or not you’re selected for an interview.

A functional resume is a type of resume that emphasizes your skills over your work history. It’s the right kind of resume for some jobs seekers but not for most. Here’s what you need to know about functional resumes:

What Is a Functional Resume?

• What Recruiters Think of Functional Resumes

When to Use a Functional Resume

What to use instead of a functional resume, functional resume template and examples.

A functional resume, also known as a skills or skills-based resume, “emphasizes skills over experience,” says Katherine Kelley, CPRW. Unlike a chronological resume, which lists your jobs in reverse chronological order, a functional resume lists your skills, grouping them by category. 

For example, on a chronological resume, the first thing under your contact information is Job X. That would include the dates you held the job, your title, and several bullet points highlighting your accomplishments.

But on a functional resume, the first thing under your contact information is a category of skills, such as “Interpersonal Skills.” Under that header, you’ll include several bullet points about your various interpersonal skills and how you applied them in either one job or several.

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The main difference is that a chronological resume emphasizes your work history. It’s clear where you worked, what you did, and how long you held the role. A functional resume, however, places the emphasis on your skills and deemphasizes where and when you worked.

What Recruiters Think of Functional Resumes 

As a general rule, recruiters only spend six to seven seconds scanning your resume. You want to make it as easy as possible for them to understand why you’re a good fit for the role in those few seconds. Functional resumes make it difficult for a recruiter to do that for three reasons.

1. Can Be a Red Flag

The problem with chronological resumes is they highlight how long you held a job and how long you may have gone between jobs. While attitudes around long-term unemployment are changing, people worry that a gap in their employment history makes them a less desirable candidate — and with good reason.

Though there are many valid explanations for stepping away from paid work, studies show that candidates with resume gaps are less likely to get the job. As far back as 2011, researchers found that people who were unemployed, no matter the reason, were seen as less competent than their employed counterparts.

A 2018 analysis of applications found that people who weren’t currently employed were less hireable than those who were working. And finally, in 2021, even though many people were unemployed for a long stretch due to the pandemic, 77% of job seekers and an astounding 83% of employers agreed that it’s easier to get a job when you already have one . What’s more, the same survey found that 41% of employers say employment gaps affect hireability.

Many candidates are aware of the challenges they face when they have a gap in their employment history, so they turn to a functional resume to highlight their skills and abilities over chronological work history. But this can also cause problems. Recruiters will instantly recognize you’re using a functional resume. “Depending on the recruiter, this format could be seen as a red flag or that the candidate is trying to hide something,” says Kelley.

2. Hard to Connect the Dots

Even if functional resumes weren’t a red flag, most recruiters don’t like them. “It can be more difficult for a recruiter to see where candidates gained the experience in a functional resume format. I have heard that a bunch of times from recruiters!” says Kelley.

Though a functional resume highlights your skills, the formatting doesn’t give you an easy way to connect your skills and experience to a specific job. That makes it hard for the recruiter to figure out where you picked up the skill or when you used it.

So, if “ conflict resolution ” is one of your categories, the recruiter has no way of knowing if you learned those skills at job A, B, or C. More importantly, they have no idea if you actually used those skills at job A, B, or C. It’s far easier for you to claim you possess a skill when you don’t have to use it in relation to a specific role.

3. Doesn’t Trace Your Path

Recruiters like to see your job history in a chronological format first because it gives them an idea of what your career path has been. Have you moved up the ladder? Taken on additional duties and responsibilities? Did you pivot or change careers? It’s hard to deduce this on a functional resume, and that can be frustrating to the reader.

>>MORE: What Is Career Planning?

So, is there any time you should use a functional resume? Kelley says that functional resumes can have their place when “you have been in the same field or similar field of work and are showcasing this to the recruiter.”

Another time could include when you’re making a significant career change and want to highlight your transferable skills over where you worked (think: an account manager who wants to bake cakes). In that case, you may need to highlight skills you picked up as a hobby or volunteering instead of in a paid position.

Most people, though, shouldn’t use a functional resume. They tend to stick out, are harder to read, and will frustrate the recruiter. But, if you think a chronological resume isn’t right for you, consider using a hybrid (or combination) resume instead of a functional resume.

A hybrid resume combines the best of a chronological resume with the best of a functional resume. It allows you to place more focus on your skills while still including a chronological work history that gives the recruiter a sense of what you learned and where you used your skills. It also helps show increasing responsibility or how your career path makes sense.

If you decide a functional resume is the right way to go, here’s how to format it.

The very top of the page is your contact information. At a minimum, that’s your name, email, and phone number. You can also include your LinkedIn profile , any social media handles you think are professional and relevant to the role, and a link to your digital portfolio (if you have one).

Under that is a summary of qualification. This is two to five sentences that explains who you are as a professional and why you’re qualified for the role.

The next section is the skills section, where you group your skills by categories. It looks like this:

Customer Service

• Handled inbound calls at a rate of 7 per hour
• Assisted multiple users via email
• Educated customers about products and successfully upsold warranties
• Worked with customers to find an agreeable solution to their concern
• Published three 1500+ word articles on site each week
• Self-edited articles to ensure copy was error-free and met style guidelines
• Conducted interviews to ensure each piece had a unique perspective

Under that is your work history. But instead of including details about the job, you simply list the name of the company, your title, and the dates you worked there.

Below that, you can include other sections, like volunteer work, awards, or education.

Here’s a downloadable functional resume example you can use as a template:

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Image credit: Tapanakornkaow / Depositphotos.com

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