pros and cons of functional resume

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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.

Functional Resume: Everything You Need to Know

In This Guide:

What is a functional resume format, 3 benefits of the functional resume format, when to choose the functional format & 5 resume examples, pros and cons of the functional resume format, how to write a functional resume step by step, free functional resume template, other resume formats, key takeaways.

Ever felt like your diverse skill set was getting lost in the traditional resume format ? Maybe you’re not using the right structure to make your strengths truly shine. When you need a format that highlights your skills and expertise, rather than just listing your job history, the functional resume is your go-to. It organizes your talents into categories, making it easy for recruiters to see your qualifications at a glance.

The functional resume format is perfect for career changers or those with gaps in employment. It puts the spotlight on what you can do, not just where you’ve been.

This article will help you discover the benefits of the functional resume and see how others have successfully used it in their job searches. Or, if you’re ready to get started, you can check out our expertly designed functional resume templates.

Let’s dive in.

The functional a.k.a. a skill-based resume format is designed to focus on your skills and abilities, which is why it’s called ‘functional.’ Instead of emphasizing your chronological work history, it underlines what you can do and how well you can do it.

This format typically follows this general flow:

Resume header

• Career statement
• Skills section  (grouped by relevant categories)
• Work experience  (supporting your skills)
• Optional — any other relevant sections such as certifications, projects, volunteering, or languages that enhance your application.

The functional resume is a favorite among job seekers who are changing careers, those with gaps in their employment history, or individuals with a diverse range of skills. It allows them to present their strengths and accomplishments upfront, making a strong impression on recruiters right away.

One of its biggest assets is flexibility — you can tailor it to your unique qualifications and experiences. We’ll dive deeper into customizing this format later in the article.

Wondering how to make your resume stand out in a sea of applications? Here’s why a functional resume might be your secret weapon:

• Highlights relevant skills : The functional resume format allows you to showcase your most relevant skills and abilities right at the top. This is particularly beneficial for career changers or those with varied backgrounds, as it directs the recruiter's attention to what you can do rather than where you've worked.
• Minimizes employment gaps : If you have gaps in your employment history, a functional resume can help downplay these gaps by focusing on your skills and accomplishments instead of your chronological work history. This makes it easier to present a coherent and compelling narrative about your qualifications.
• Aligns with job requirements : With a functional resume, you can tailor your skills and experiences to match the specific job you're applying for. By organizing your resume around key skill areas, you can make a stronger case for how your background aligns with the job requirements, increasing your chances of catching the recruiter's eye.

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As a stay-at-home mom trying to get back into my position as an accountant, I was really worried that my career gap would overshadow my skills. I kept thinking recruiters would just see the time I was away and not all the new capabilities I’d developed. Switching to the functional resume format helped me showcase my strengths more confidently, focusing on what I can bring to the table now. It turned my anxiety into an opportunity to shine.

Rose Williams, Enhancv customer

The functional resume format can be a game-changer for many job seekers, especially when your career path doesn’t follow a traditional trajectory. Here’s a closer look at when you might want to give this approach a try, together with some functional resume examples:

First-time job seekers

Starting your career journey can be daunting, especially when you lack professional experience . A functional resume allows you to underscore your skills, education, and any relevant volunteer work or internship roles . Instead of a sparse work history section, you can present the abilities that make you a strong candidate, giving recruiters a clear picture of what you bring to the table.

Get more expert tips on the topic in our article How to Write Your First Resume .

Career changers

If you’re switching careers , a functional resume can help you make a compelling case for your new direction. This format focuses on your transferable skills  and accomplishments. By organizing your resume around your relevant abilities, you can show potential employers that you have the necessary qualifications for your new career, even if your work history is in a different field.

Work returners

Whether due to personal reasons, health issues, or other circumstances, employment gaps  can make traditional resumes look choppy. A functional resume downplays these gaps by emphasizing your skills and achievements instead. This helps you present a more cohesive and positive narrative, demonstrating that your time away from work hasn’t diminished your professional capabilities.

If you’re a back-to-worker struggling to explain your career gap on your resume, you might find our special employment gap guide  useful.

Stay-at-home parents

Reentering the workforce after spending time as a stay-at-home parent  can be challenging. A functional resume lets you focus on the skills you’ve maintained and developed during your time at home, such as organization, multitasking, and managing household finances. By highlighting these strengths, you can reassure employers that you’re ready to step back into a professional role with confidence and competence.

Transitioning from military service to civilian employment  often requires translating military skills into civilian terms. A functional resume helps veterans showcase their leadership, discipline, and specialized training without being tied to a chronological job history. This format can effectively communicate your value to potential employers, bridging the gap between military and civilian work environments.

One of the biggest mistakes people make when choosing the functional resume format is not understanding when it’s appropriate to use it. Many opt for this structure to mask gaps in employment or a lack of direct experience, which can sometimes lead to more suspicion rather than reassurance from employers.

Despite this, the skill-based format does have its advantages and disadvantages. Here's a look at them:

• Highlights skills:  Emphasizes skills and abilities over chronological job history, useful for career changers.
• De-emphasizes gaps:  Helps minimize the focus on employment gaps or short-term jobs.
• Focus on achievements:  Allows candidates to showcase relevant accomplishments that align with the job they’re applying for.
• Flexibility:  Offers flexibility in presenting an experience that might not fit a traditional job progression.
• Lack of context:  Not listing detailed employment history can make it harder for employers to understand your career progression.
• Employer suspicion:  The functional resume can raise red flags for employers who may suspect you’re hiding something. Also, it’s not preferred by employers in traditional or conservative industries.
• ATS issues:  Often less compatible with ATS which scans for chronological data.
• Verification difficulty:  Makes it more challenging for employers to verify work experience and job performance.

Understanding when and how to use the functional resume format can make a big difference in the job application process. While it can be a powerful tool for certain situations, it's crucial to weigh these pros and cons before deciding if it’s the right choice for your specific circumstances.

A functional resume doesn't mean you're leaving out the experience section entirely. Instead, it shifts the focus away from your work history because it might not be very relevant or is limited. Even with this format, it's essential to quantify your skills and accomplishments  with specific data and numbers. This way, you can effectively demonstrate your capabilities and the impact you've had, making a stronger case for why you're a good fit for the job.

The skill-based resume format is quite different from conventional resumes and this can help you stand out. With the education or work history section towards the end of your document, it allows employers to thoroughly see the light of your professional expertise first before getting into the other sections later. Let’s explore how you build a functional resume:

The resume header  is the section at the top of your resume serving as the first point of contact for recruiters. You can personalize it with contrasting colors  and a larger font size  to attract attention. It should contain the following details:

• Contact information : State your name, job title, and location. Make sure it also includes a professional email address.
• Links : Add a link to your portfolio  or your LinkedIn profile .
• Resume photo : Generally, it’s best to omit photos  to maintain focus on your qualifications and avoid potential biases.

Look at this example taken from a real-world NICU nurse resume :

Resume summary or objective

The next part of your functional resume is the resume profile , which should briefly overview your previous experience, skills, and future goals related to a specific job opening. We normally distinguish between two types—a career summary  and an objective statement. Here’s how to write yours:

• A short paragraph : For a summary, write 3-5 sentences that highlight your best qualities, skills, and career goals. However, in your case, it might be a better idea to opt for an objective statement . It’s shorter, up to 3 sentences, and more suitable for entry-level candidates and career changers.
• Choice of words : Use strong adjectives  to describe yourself and start each sentence with a dynamic verb. Avoid writing in the first-person perspective , as you don’t want to be perceived as arrogant.
• Finish up strong : Use the final sentence to reinforce your message. Make recruiters want to learn more about you.

Here’s how an aspiring store manager’s resume  objective can look:

Skills section

With the functional format, the skills section  is the most crucial part of the resume.

Start by identifying and grouping your skills into categories.

• Pick out 3-5 of your most relevant and strongest skills and consider if they fall into the soft skills  or the hard skills  group.
• Research the skills in demand for the job you’re applying for and align them with your strengths. Always tailor your resume  skills to the job you’re targeting. The success of your functional resume depends on its relevance score.
• Last but not least, simply listing the skills won’t cut it. It's essential to support them with quantifiable results, whether they're in a dedicated skills section, the summary, or the work history section of your resume.

If you’re applying for a Java developer position, here’s how your skills can be listed:

This skills section makes a great addition to a functional resume because it not only lists relevant skills but also provides specific, quantified achievements that demonstrate the candidate's proficiency and impact. Contextualizing each skill with real-world applications highlights the candidate's capabilities and contributions, making a compelling case for their suitability for the job.

Enhancv’s resume builder  offers great flexibility for customizing and rearranging your skills. You can list them in an achievements or additional experience section, and even change titles and icons to suit your preferences. This approach enhances your resume by highlighting your abilities and accomplishments, rather than merely listing skills.

Work experience section

The work experience section  on a functional resume is still important because it provides context for your skills and achievements. Even though the main focus is on your skills, this section helps employers see where and how you've applied those skills in real-world situations.

This is how your experience entries should be listed:

• Job title and company : Clearly state your most recent position and the company you worked for.
• Dates of employment : Include the month and year you started and ended each job.
• Job description : Optionally, add a short description of your role in the company , especially if it was a startup—recruiters will need more context about it.
• Bullet points : Write 3-5 bullet points about your main tasks, duties, and contributions. Whenever possible, include numbers or statistics to illustrate your impact (e.g., increased sales by 20%, managed a team of 10).
• Action verbs : Start each bullet entry with an action verb to showcase your initiative.

Here’s how an experience section can look for someone who’s looking to rejoin the workforce after a sabbatical.

• • Immersed in diverse architectural styles and techniques to broaden design perspectives and expertise.
• • Participated in workshops and collaborated with renowned architects and artists to refine creative and technical skills.
• • Conducted a comparative study of historical and contemporary architectural works across various regions of Spain.

Education section

Your education section should also be tailored to the job you're applying for. If you've completed coursework  that developed specific skills, be sure to highlight it to boost your chances of getting noticed. The more relevant your education is to the job, the higher it should be placed on your resume.

Here’s how to list your educational background:

• Degree : Start with the highest degree you’ve obtained (e.g., Bachelor’s, Master’s, Ph.D.) and your major or field of study .
• University or college : Include the name of the institution where you earned your degree.
• Location : Mention the city and state (or country, if international) of the institution.
• Graduation date : Provide the month and year of your graduation. If you’re still studying, indicate your expected graduation date .
• Honors and awards : If applicable, list any honors, awards, or distinctions you received (e.g., summa cum laude , Dean’s List ). If you’re fresh out of school, your GPA might come in handy, but only if it’s above 3.5.
• Certifications : Certifications can often be more valuable than a degree. If you have a certification that's highly relevant to your target job, make sure it's prominently displayed. This is especially important for hands-on roles, like the one shown below:

Additional sections

Add any other relevant sections that highlight your results-driven value and how you can help the organization achieve its goals. For example:

• Projects : To showcase specific projects  where you've applied your skills successfully.
• Volunteer work : This can demonstrate your people skills and commitment.
• Awards and honors : Highlight any recognition you've received for your work.
• Language skills :  Proficiency in multiple languages can be a great asset, especially if you’re looking for a job in an international company.
• Client testimonials : Include testimonials, especially from reputable individuals, to support your skills and experience.

As with any other resume format, what you put on your resume should align with the job posting. A well-targeted functional resume  quickly demonstrates your suitability for the role, increasing your chances of standing out in a competitive job market. By tailoring your resume to highlight the most relevant skills and experiences for the specific job, you make it easier for ATS  to recognize your qualifications. Plus, it also piques recruiters' interest by directly addressing their needs.

Here is a sample template to help you effectively highlight your skills and achievements. For more inspiration, you can go through our functional resume template examples.

[Your name] [Job Title] Email: [email address] Location: [location] Phone: [your phone number] LinkedIn: [Your LinkedIn Profile URL]

Objective [Write a brief summary of your career goals and the value you can bring to the target job. Focus on your skills and achievements.]

Hard Skills

• [Skill 1]: [Brief description or achievement related to this skill]
• [Skill 2]: [Brief description or achievement related to this skill]
• [Skill 3]: [Brief description or achievement related to this skill]
• [Skill 4]: [Brief description or achievement related to this skill]

Tech Skills

Soft Skills

[Job Title] [Company Name] [Location, Year(s)]

• [Brief description of your responsibilities and achievements in this role]

[Degree, Major] [University Name, Graduation Year]

• [Relevant coursework or achievements]
• [Language 1]: [Proficiency level]
• [Language 2]: [Proficiency level]

There are two other formats that suit the different needs of individuals with more substantial work experience.

• The reverse chronological resume  is the most common type. It underlines your work history in order, starting with the most recent position, making it ideal for showcasing a steady career progression. This format is especially effective for demonstrating growth and consistent employment in a particular field. It’s also a recruiter's favorite as it allows them to easily see your current and relevant roles, which immediately grabs their attention. Additionally, this format is highly compatible with ATS .
• The combination (or hybrid) resume  blends elements of both the reverse chronological and the functional formats, highlighting skills and achievements at the top, followed by a detailed work history. This format is great for showcasing relevant skills while also providing a clear employment timeline. It’s best for roles in project management, marketing, graphic design, and software development where a mix of technical and interpersonal skills is essential.

The table shows you how the three formats compare to each other.

The functional resume, while less traditional, offers a unique way to underscore your skills and experiences. Here’s what it does best:

• Highlights skills over chronology:  This format focuses on your abilities and achievements, making it ideal for showcasing what you can do rather than when you did it.
• Great for career changers:  If you're transitioning into a new field, a functional resume emphasizes your transferable skills, helping you present yourself as a strong candidate despite a different background.
• Minimizes employment gaps:  This format downplays gaps in your work history, allowing you to focus on your strengths and relevant experiences.
• Ideal for varied experience:  If your work history includes diverse roles and industries, a functional resume consolidates your skills, providing a cohesive narrative.
• Helps new graduates:  For those with limited work experience but strong skills and academic achievements, this format highlights what you bring to the table.
• Showcases volunteer work and projects:  If you have significant volunteer experience or side projects, a functional resume allows you to underline these contributions effectively.

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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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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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What is a Functional Resume?

When to use a functional resume, tips on writing a functional resume, 1. start with a summary, 2. organize by theme, 3. incorporate keywords, 4. include relevant projects, 5. highlight employment history, pros and cons of a functional resume, functional resume template, additional resources, functional resume.

A resume format that emphasizes an individual’s set of skills

A functional resume is one that emphasizes an individual’s set of skills. It is one of three other types of resumes, which include reverse-chronological and a combination of the functional and chronological. The chronological type is the one that highlights a person’s professional experience, starting with their latest position.

While the chronological resume is ideal for persons with few gaps in professional experience, a functional one is often better suited for individuals with such employment gaps. The functional resume shifts the emphasis from job titles to the applicant’s skills.

Job seekers can choose among several resume formats. Given that a functional resume emphasizes an individual’s skill set over other things such as length of employment, it’s perfect for applicants with a few gaps between jobs. For example, if the applicant is a student, they may only have internship-based experience.

However, a functional resume is less popular than the chronological one that stresses the candidate’s work background. The reason for this is that most recruiters and interviewers prefer such a resume. Thus, unless there’s a specific reason for using the functional resume, one should stick to the traditional chronological resume. With a combination resume, the candidate’s skills are outlined first, followed by their work history.

When writing a functional resume, it’s a good idea to incorporate a summary at the beginning. This section should summarize all the skills the individual possesses, particularly ones relevant to the position he’s applying for. That way, the employer gets a vivid picture of who the applicant is at first glance.

Another good tactic in creating a functional resume is to structure the resume by themes. The themes are chosen based on expertise or the qualifications for the position being sought. Examples of themes are “Recruiting Experience” or “Customer Service Experience.” Grouping skills in this manner enables the employer to easily identify and assess the applicant’s skills.

A job seeker should always include keywords that were used in the job description. One of the best ways to do this is by incorporating keywords into subheading titles. Alternatively, one can include them as a bulleted list, listing skills and achievements in a more detailed way. This helps the potential employer to match one’s skill set with specific job requirements.

Highlight relevant projects to showcase your accomplishments. Whether the projects are personal or professional, they can help prove to potential employers that you are someone who can deliver results.

Even though the functional resume focuses on one’s skills, that doesn’t mean that one shouldn’t include work experience at all. Employment history can be added at the bottom of the resume or worked into the skills listings. For example, one might put employer names in boldface type: “Created advertising campaign for Envy Clothing Inc.”

There are many benefits of using functional resumes. They include the following:

• It provides applicants with a good strategy for covering periods of unemployment.
• Individuals with minimal experience — such as new graduates and career-changers — have a nice way of showcasing themselves.
• It comes in handy for applicants who are entering the workforce after a long period of time away. For example, people who leave corporate work temporarily to do mission work find functional resumes beneficial.
• A functional resume can be used to outline project-based or contractual work experience that one has gained by working with different companies.
• It emphasizes the most relevant work experience, particularly if the applicant has a long work history with a lot of different employers.
• Potential employers get a snapshot of the applicant’s expertise in the advertised position.
• It places focus on diverse functions, skills, knowledge, and expertise.
• It can be very effective for applying for unconventional roles.

Unfortunately, using a functional resume also poses certain challenges, such as the following:

• If it fails to adequately explain gaps in employment, it may give an employer the impression that one has an unstable work history.
• It likely does not reveal a clear career path.
• It may highlight skills and expertise of the candidate but without providing a reference to how the abilities were acquired.

With a functional resume, an individual’s work experience is explained by highlighting his skills and abilities. The skills are often grouped into themes, appearing above chronological work history. The functional resume format is beneficial for applicants who are changing careers and those with minimal experience.

Curriculum Vitae vs. Resume

How to List Skills on Your Resume

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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.

Stand out from the crowd​

Craft a winning resume with Forage’s Resume Writing Class..​

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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Pros and Cons of each resume format and when to use them

If you are looking for a new job or want to update your resume, you might be wondering which resume format is best for your situation. There are three main types of resume formats: chronological, functional and hybrid. Each one has its own advantages and disadvantages, depending on your work history, skills and career goals. In this blog post, we will explain the pros and cons of each resume format and when to use them.

• Chronological resume format

A chronological resume format lists your work experience in reverse chronological order, starting with your most recent job and going back to your earliest one. This format is the most common and preferred by most employers, as it shows your career progression and achievements clearly. It also makes it easy for recruiters to scan your resume and see if you have the relevant experience and qualifications for the job.

• Some of the pros of using a chronological resume format are:

- It highlights your work history and accomplishments

- It shows your career growth and stability

- It demonstrates your skills and abilities in context

- It is easy to read and follow

- It is suitable for most industries and professions

• Some of the cons of using a chronological resume format are:

- It may emphasize gaps in your employment or frequent job changes

- It may not showcase your transferable skills or potential

- It may not be the best option if you are changing careers or have limited work experience

• When to use a chronological resume format:

- You have a solid and consistent work history in the same or related field

- You want to highlight your career progression and achievements

- You are applying for a job that requires specific experience and qualifications

• Functional resume format

A functional resume format focuses on your skills and abilities rather than your work history. It groups your skills into categories that are relevant to the job you are applying for, such as communication, leadership or technical skills. It also provides a brief summary of your work history at the end of the resume, but does not include dates or details of each job.

• Some of the pros of using a functional resume format are:

- It showcases your transferable skills and potential

- It highlights your strengths and achievements

- It masks gaps in your employment or frequent job changes

- It is flexible and adaptable to different situations

- It is suitable for changing careers or entering a new field

• Some of the cons of using a functional resume format are:

- It may raise questions about your work history and credibility

- It may not show your career growth and stability

- It may not demonstrate your skills and abilities in context

- It may be harder to read and follow

- It may not be preferred by some employers or recruiters

• When to use a functional resume format:

- You have gaps in your employment or frequent job changes

- You have limited work experience or are a recent graduate

- You want to highlight your skills and abilities rather than your work history

- You are changing careers or entering a new field

• Hybrid resume format

A hybrid resume format combines elements of both chronological and functional formats. It starts with a summary of your skills and qualifications, followed by a detailed work history in reverse chronological order. This format allows you to showcase both your skills and achievements, as well as your work history and progression.

• Some of the pros of using a hybrid resume format are:

- It balances your skills and work history

- It highlights your strengths and accomplishments

- It is versatile and suitable for different situations

• Some of the cons of using a hybrid resume format are:

- It may be longer than other formats

- It may be redundant or repetitive

- It may not mask gaps in your employment or frequent job changes

- It may not be the best option if you have limited work experience or are changing careers

• When to use a hybrid resume format:

- You have a strong and consistent work history in the same or related field

- You want to showcase both your skills and achievements

- You are applying for a job that requires specific experience and qualifications In conclusion, choosing the right resume format depends on your work history, skills, and career goals. The chronological resume format is the most common and preferred by most employers, while the functional resume format focuses on skills and abilities rather than work history. The hybrid resume format combines elements of both and is versatile for different situations. It's important to consider the pros and cons of each format and choose the one that best represents your qualifications and makes a strong case for why you are the right candidate for the job. Ultimately, a well-crafted resume can help you stand out and land the job you want.  

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Chronological vs Functional Resumes

Posted on 29 jun 2021.

There’s more than one way to write a resume. While you may be used to writing your resume chronologically (aka the reverse chronological resume), it may surprise you to know that there’s a different resume type, called the functional resume. Each type serves a different purpose, and one works better than the other depending on the applicant’s life circumstances. Let’s take a look at the difference between a chronologically and functionally written resume, and when it’s best to use one over the other.

Get to know the difference: chronological vs functional resume

As the name suggests, chronological or reverse chronology resumes follow a timeline. This type of resume prioritizes the applicant’s work experiences and arranges these from the latest to the earliest. It’s the most common type of resume, not to mention it’s also fairly easy to write, as long as you’ve kept track of your work history.

A functional resume on the other hand, highlights the applicant’s skills and achievements, taking the attention away from other elements that may reduce an applicant’s chances of getting hired, such as limited work experience, lengthy unemployment or inconsistent work history.

Ultimately, the difference between a chronological and functional resume all boils down to format. The sections of a chronologically formatted resume generally follows this sequence:

• Heading and personal info

• Summary statement

• Work experience

• Skills and training

• Education

• Awards, citations and certifications

As you can imagine, a functionally written resume is organized differently, with the Skills section preceding Work Experience, which is intentionally kept very brief. Often, the functional format resume only includes the last job held. Aside from this major change, the rest of the sections remain largely identical.

When to use a chronological resume

If you have a strong work history—meaning, you have been regularly employed in a particular industry—a chronologically written resume will work best for you. Here are other considerations when chronological writing will be the ideal type to use when applying for a job.

• You’ve always held the same job or similar.

• You are highly experienced in your field.

• You’re seeking a new job similar to the one you have or had.

• You have worked your way up in your career.

A chronological vs functional resume allows recruiters to track your career easier, so if your work history ticks these boxes, that’s a good indication that a chronological resume format is the one you should use.

Pros and cons of chronological resume

As with any type of resume, even the popular chronological resume has its advantages and disadvantages. Let’s enumerate the chronological resume’s pros and cons.

• Simple and straightforward format

• Easy-to-read layout

• May not be ideal for your career situation

• Can highlight negative career choices such as job hopping and/or lengthy unemployment

When to use a functional resume

Although most employers prefer a chronologically written resume, a functional format resume is still welcome, especially if you can relate to the following:

• You’ve had some spells of job-hopping.

• You’ve changed career paths multiple times.

• You’re looking to change your career track.

Frequently switching from one job to another can be glaringly obvious in a chronological resume, and it gives the impression of a lack of commitment, leaving a negative impression on hiring managers. On the other hand, if you plan on forging a new career track and leave your old one, a functionally written resume will be better for you as well.

Pros and cons of functional resume

The functionally formatted resume is especially helpful in hiding poor career choices, while ensuring that you appear as a highly qualified applicant based on your skills and expertise. That said, it also has its share of pros and cons, as you can see below.

• Allows for better matching of skills to match the job criteria

• De-emphasizes a spotty work history

• Can be difficult to follow

• Provides an incomplete picture of your employment

To ensure that your functionally written resume is as easy to read as a chronological one, you can have a trusted resume writing service like Resumeble write your resume for you. Not only that, a professionally written functional resume will attract the right attention and land you that elusive job interview, as services like Resumeble come with an interview guarantee.

Are there other resume formats I should know about?

A functional format resume is not the only alternative to a chronologically formatted resume. Other resume formats include a CV format and combination resume. Below are their definitions.

CV – short for curriculum vitae, is the application document submitted for jobs in academia, medicine, and scientific laboratories. Unlike traditional resumes that focus on experience and skills, CVs focus on credentials, providing potential employers with a comprehensive list of the applicant’s education, certification, academic experience, and affiliations.

Combination resume – combines a chronologically and functionally written resume, with the skills and qualifications listed first, followed by employment history. This format works best for job seekers who want to emphasize their skills, but have been required to include their work history in their resume by a potential employer. Likewise, this type of resume is also recommended for those who have employment gaps or worked unrelated jobs in the past. A combination resume is also known as a chrono-functional resume.

Choosing the right resume format

Choosing the perfect resume format for your application requires some serious evaluation and preparation on your part. And it all begins with identifying your application goals before you begin the resume writing process. With your goals in mind, use the tips and suggestions in this article to help you decide on the right resume format to use. Check out Resumeble’s sample resumes for ideas and inspiration.

Having trouble choosing the right resume format?

Should you write a chronological vs functional resume? It certainly helps to have a bona fide expert guiding you through the resume writing process. By choosing Resumeble , you will have a professional resume writer working with you one-on-one to build your resume and develop it into an application that showcases your qualifications in the best way possible. Get in touch with us today or send in your resume for a free, no-obligation evaluation.

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Advantages & disadvantages of a functional resume.

Whether you've been out of work for a while or you're a recent college graduate without a long work history, a functional resume can work for you because you're primarily writing down your most relevant work experiences rather than arranging your work history by date. For example, if you're writing your resume as a college graduate and most of your experiences consisted of internships and volunteer work, you should include mainly the jobs that are relevant to the job you're applying to. If you're applying for a secretary position with a local law firm, you can mention that you interned with city hall as a public relations assistant.

With a functional resume, you trim down any unnecessary information and stick to your most important work experiences if you have a long work history and held many different positions. If you worked as a waitress, restaurant manager and head chef in a 10-year period and you're applying for a job as the manager of a wholesale restaurant supply store, you can narrow your resume by focusing on your experiences as a restaurant manager.

Disadvantages

A disadvantage of having a functional resume is that it will look as if you lack a steady and stable work history because of possible gaps in this type of resume. Because of this, potential employers may assume that you're a "job hopper" who lacks the discipline and commitment to stick to a certain job for a long period of time. And because some functional resumes may not reflect a certain type of work history for a specific job, this could hinder your chances of landing an interview.

Before writing your resume, compile a list of all the jobs you held and determine whether a functional or chronological resume would be the best fit for you. You may also be able to write a combination resume, which blends aspects of both the functional and chronological resume. According to CareerBuilder, a combination resume can help you if you're trying to change careers but you don't have enough experience in the new career you're choosing.

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Thea Theresa English is a freelance writer who lives in New Orleans. She has written articles on career development, maintaining healthy relationships, politics and cultural issues. She is currently a graduate student at Tulane University where she will receive her Master of Liberal Arts degree.

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Functional VS. Chronological Resume

Resumes come in various formats, and the job you're applying for will dictate which resume format you use. In fact, the wrong format could mean an instant ‘pass’ from a hiring manager because it doesn’t communicate your experience in a way that’s right for the job posting. 

As you grow your career and accumulate experience and skills, your resume will become more advanced. With more experience to sift through, veteran job seekers need to be intentional with how they present their resume. 

When drafting your resume, there are a few formats to consider: a functional resume, chronological resume and combination resume. In this article, we will primarily focus on a functional resume vs a chronological resume and when to use the two. 

Read on to learn how to utilize both resumes in your job search. 

What is a chronological resume?

You’re probably familiar with the chronological resume (also called reverse-chronological resume ) format. A chronological resume lists your most recent job first, followed by the rest of your past jobs, going in reverse chronological order. It’s the resume format that young professionals are introduced to and most used among job seekers. 

If you have a strong work history, multiple promotions to highlight or have worked for a high-profile company (or multiple high-profile companies), the chronological resume format is best for what you want to display to a hiring manager. They get a clear picture of your career and your professional drive. 

The chronological resume is the most popular resume format, however, popular doesn’t always mean the best, as there are both pros and cons to writing a chronological resume.   

Chronological resume pros

There are many reasons why people choose to use a chronological resume template for their standard resume. The biggest reason is that it is compatible with applicant-tracking systems (ATS), which filter through candidates that best match the job. 

Here are some other reasons to use a chronological resume:

• This format shows your work history clearly and quickly.
• Hiring managers see work promotions right away. 
• Preferred format for applicant tracking systems. 

Chronological resume cons

If you have desirable skills or gaps in your job history, a chronological resume may bury those skills and make your work gaps more noticeable. You want your resume to show all the positive traits you bring to a role and minimize any potential negatives. 

Here are some other reasons to pass on a chronological resume:

• A chronological resume prioritizes the when and where over your skills. 
• Any gaps in your work history are obvious to the hiring manager.
• If you are changing industries, this format does not show how your skills transfer.

What is a functional resume?

A functional resume focuses on skills and experience only. Where and when you did the work is not important for this resume format. Instead, a functional resume’s goal is to show hiring managers you have the skills and experience to execute the job. 

Instead of centering your job history, think about what you’ve done over the course of your career. Highlight the skills, certifications and accomplishments that show you are the best candidate for the job, as opposed to companies, job titles and time spent in a particular role.

A functional resume is the best choice for candidates that are switching industries, work across industries and/or have skills and accomplishments that align with the job position. For example, contract workers that rely on specialized skills to complete a job will most likely utilize this resume format. A functional resume puts a spotlight on these unique traits, which helps hiring managers envision how you will handle the potential opportunity. 

Functional resume pros

If your career is skills-heavy, a functional resume highlights those skills and focuses on your career experience and accomplishments. A functional resume also minimizes obvious career gaps, instead prioritizing what you know over when and where. 

Here are some other reasons to use a functional resume:

• A functional resume highlights only your skills and experience, making it easier to transition into industries. 
• This format helps hide large gaps in your work history. 
• You get to show what you can do, instead of what you did and where you did it.

Functional resume cons 

If your career isn’t skills and accomplishment driven, a functional resume may not be the right fit. This resume format is only recommended for candidates that have impressive skill sets or are transitioning into a new industry and want to highlight transferable skills. 

Here are some other reasons to pass on a functional resume:

• Recruiters are sometimes suspicious of functional resumes because they easily hide work gaps. (Make sure your skills are stronger than your gaps.)
• Promotions are difficult to see on a functional resume. 
• A functional resume is more personalized, which means you will need to adjust it for each job application. 

In more cases than not, you will utilize the chronological resume format. But if you have impressive skills and data to back up those skills, a functional resume is your best bet. 

How to decide which resume to use 

If you have a strong promotion history or recent experience with high-profile companies, a chronological resume will best highlight those career features. In a chronological resume, your job titles and company history stand out the most. Additionally, chronological resumes are preferred by recruiters and hiring managers, and can help you get past an ATS. 

For highly specialized workers, however, chronological resumes gloss over the most important information: What you can do. If a job requires a certain skill set or certification, your resume should put those front and center. 

If you have an impressive and sought-after skill set, a functional resume could be more your style. Hiring managers are always looking for the best person to execute the work, however, not everyone is equipped with the knowledge that skilled workers have to complete certain tasks. Remember, dates and companies are not the most important details. They take a backseat to the skills, experience and knowledge you carry. 

Need a visual? Check out our collection of example resumes to get a better feel for different resume formats and styles to see figure out the best presentation for you.

Combination format

If you’ve gone back and forth and can’t decide between a functional resume and a chronological resume, consider using the combination format, which is the best of both worlds. Like the functional resume, it puts your skills and qualifications first, and lists them separate from your job history. And, similar to both formats, only include your most relevant skills and job experience. Create a combination resume by splitting your resume in two. The top half is devoted to your skills, accomplishments and certifications, while the bottom half lays out your work history. 

There’s an easier way to build your resume 

Starting a resume from scratch is a daunting task. Who hasn’t sat staring at a blank screen for minutes on end? Luckily, you don’t have to go it alone anymore. Teal's AI Resume Builder makes it easy to create multiple resume templates, including function, chronological and combination resumes. 

The free tool is installed as a Chrome extension and stores all your key work details in one place. No more going back to previous resumes, all you have to do is drop the information in and build your resume based on your dream opportunity.

Frequently Asked Questions

Who should opt for a functional resume over a chronological one, can a functional resume be disadvantageous in certain job applications, how can i effectively combine elements of both functional and chronological resumes.

Lindsay Patton

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The pros and cons of different resume formats.

When deciding which resume you should use, it is beneficial to understand the value of each and also the drawbacks. 

This by no means should be taken as gospel; however, after reading, researching and seeking feedback from many employers and industry professionals regarding resumes, the below post summarises some key pros and cons of different resume styles.  If drafting a resume, keep these points in mind to ensure you present yourself in the best way possible.

The Traditional/Chronological Resume –   A chronological resume is appropriate to use to showcase your employment history and progression.  It is widely accepted and in most instances, the safe bet if you are unsure which resume to use.  It is advised to use a chronological resume if you are applying within government and more  traditional employers.  It can be advantageous to use a traditional resume if you have strong and steady work history and can highlight your stability and currency within your chosen field. The disadvantage of a chronological resume is that it can easily show gaps in your work history and raise ‘red flags.’

The Functional Resume –   A functional resume is a useful way to overcome the obstacles of  ‘career gaps’ mentioned above.  A functional resume focuses on your ‘skills’ and the key experience and attributes obtained from each role.  It highlights your key achievements and service offering.  Rather than structuring your resume in a chronological, year to year format, you are focusing more on your projects, functions and outcomes in each role.  The disadvantages of a functional resume is that it is not the most accepted format and it can still raise questions around your work history, timeframes and currency.

The Hybrid Resume  – The hybrid resume is a mix of the chronological and functional (skills) resume.  This format attempts to address both concerns around work gaps and putting forward your strengths.  A functional resume has morphed into one of the most accepted resumes if structured correctly.  This can be one of the disadvantages…  There is no ‘set’ way to structure a hybrid resume, since, in its very nature, it is a mix of styles.  This can turn off certain employers who lean toward more structured and traditional formats.

The Career Snapshot  – This is a condensed version of your resume and typically includes your key highlights and selling points, ideally as a one page summary.  This could be used for prospective employers, unsolicited expressions of interest or to take to career fairs or other networking events as a promotional tool.  The advantage is that this is a succinct way to showcase your skills and can also appeal to time-poor recruiters. The disadvantage of this style of resume is that it should not be used for specific applications that require a full resume.  Also, it is not the most common format of presenting yourself and might not be received well. However, some may argue that this could also be a benefit by stepping outside the box.  One other disadvantage is that you need to pick your content well.  Since it’s only a ‘snapshot’, you want to ensure you use this opportunity well and include the most relevant content.

The Design Resume – The design resume showcases design elements such as logos, creative formats and layout.  This is ideal for design related roles or possibly more contemporary positions.  The design resume can be a refreshing change from the standard, traditional resume and can also help make a lasting impression.  However, a few drawbacks include the fact that design resumes can be rejected by ‘Applicant Tracking Systems’ (ATS).  ATS are computer programs that screen resumes based on text and rely on keywords.  Logos and creative aspects of a design resume can be rejected by ATS.  In addition, design resumes might be seen as a fancy way to cover up ‘red flags’, might be too over the top or could be seen as ‘unnecessary fluff’ by a traditional, corporate employer.

The Video Resume – With the plethora of social media and the tight labour market, job seekers are finding new ways to catch employers’ attention.  Video resumes are growing in popularity and, with the introduction of new technologies that make it easier to create impressive packages, more and more job seekers are resorting to submitting video resumes.  The clear advantage is that it showcases initiative, creativity and can make a compelling pitch if done right.  The drawbacks can include negative reception from a poorly created video resume and, in addition to this, some employers might not be as receptive to such a style.  For example, a video resume would not suit government applications.  In addition, it could be a risk submitting a resume in a format that the potential employer might not have the technology to read or open.

Again, while this is not a full list of resumes and their pros and cons, it is an overview to some of the most used formats and their traits.

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8 pros and cons of the functional resume format

The functional resume format is skills-based. It emphasizes the skills listed in categorized sections, rather than listing information chronologically. Work experience has more of a diminished place on a functional resume.

Pro: The functional resume format is ideal for candidates with career gaps.

Pro: If you are returning to work after a prolonged time off, the functional resume format is just the thing for you.

Pro: It takes attention away from your limited work experience if you are a recent graduate or a newbie in the field.

Pro: The functional resume format helps you emphasize valuable skills.

Pro: It is ideal if you are applying for jobs in a new location due to spouse relocation or your family moving.

Con: It does not emphasize upward career mobility at all.

Con: the functional resume format deemphasizes long-term experience.

Con: It is not at all suitable for candidates without transferrable skills or relevant skills for the job.

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