resume examples functional format

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

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

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

Whichever the case, the solution is pretty simple:

Use a functional resume format!

• What’s a Functional Resume?

When to Use a Functional Resume?

How to write a functional resume.

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

What is a Functional Resume?

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Then, create the following sections on your resume:

• Contact Information
• Resume Summary
• Skill Summary

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

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

#1. Contact Information

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

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

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

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

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

#2. Resume Summary

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

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

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

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

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

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

#3. Skill Summary

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

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

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

Copywriting

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

Project Management

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

#4. Education

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

Here, list out the following information:

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

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

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

#5. Optional Sections

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

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

Other Resume Formats

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

• Reverse-Chronological Resume Format
• Combination Resume Format

Here’s what they’re about:

#1. Reverse-Chronological Resume Format

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

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

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

#2. Combination Resume Format

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

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

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

4 Free Functional Resume Templates & Examples

Want to get started with your functional resume?

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

#1. Functional Resume Template

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

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

#2. Combination Resume Template

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

#3. College Resume Template

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

#4. Professional Resume Template

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

Key Takeaways

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

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

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

Discover More Resume Templates

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

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• Resume Tips

What is a Functional Resume Format: Template & Example

10 min read

Are you struggling to create a compelling resume that effectively highlights your skills and qualifications? Look no further than the functional resume format. In this article, "What is a Functional Resume Format: Template & Example," we will guide you through the ins and outs of this unique resume format and show you how it can significantly enhance your job application. 

While most employers expect to see a reverse-chronological resume that emphasizes your career history, there are times when the functional resume format is a better option. Because it focuses on showcasing your abilities, achievements, and relevant experiences, this resume format can be an ideal choice for job seekers with non-linear career paths or those seeking to emphasize specific skills. 

When is a functional resume the best option?

To understand a functional resume, it’s a good idea to compare it to the two other commonly accepted formats – the reverse-chronological and combination. The format you choose can make a significant difference in how your qualifications are presented. Let's take a closer look at what sets the functional format apart and why it may be the perfect fit for your needs.

The functional resume format is skill-based, focusing on your abilities, achievements, and qualifications rather than emphasizing a chronological work history. It allows you to highlight your relevant skills and experiences upfront, capturing the attention of potential employers. 

The functional resume has a resume summary at the top and a skills section, just like a chronological and combination resume, but it adds something akin to a “transferable qualifications” section before it dives into work history and education.

A chronological resume emphasizes a progressive work history that showcases experience and job stability. 

The combination (sometimes called hybrid) resume : is a mixture of functional and chronological formats. 

When you don’t have a solid work history – perhaps you’re a recent graduate or have had an extended leave away from work – the functional resume format is going to be your best option. Since it allows you to focus on what you know rather than your career history, prospective employers can see right at the top what you bring to the table for their team. 

Creating a functional resume

So, a functional resume highlights skills. Great! How do you make one?

Creating a functional resume involves organizing key sections such as contact information, profile summary, skills, transferable qualifications, work history, education, and additional relevant sections. On top of that, you'll want to remember that, just like with any other resume format, you want to highlight achievements and tailor the resume to different jobs. When you do these things, you'll create a compelling functional resume that showcases your skills and qualifications to potential employers and sets you apart from other job seekers.

Let’s start by defining the sections of a functional resume:

Contact information 

Begin your functional resume by providing your full name, professional email address, and phone number. You can include your current location, but it's generally unnecessary to include your full address – in fact, there have been instances of discrimination against job seekers based on their address. Make sure your contact information is easily visible at the top of the resume, but don’t use the header function of your word processing program. Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS) can’t parse information from headers.

Profile summary

Immediately after your contact information, include a concise profile summary. This section serves as a snapshot of your professional identity and key qualifications. Write a compelling paragraph highlighting your relevant skills, experiences, and career goals. Tailor this section to match the job requirements and catch the reader's attention.

Your skills section isn’t meant to be a dumping ground for everything you know how to do. List the skills that are most relevant to the job you're applying for. Categorize your skills into specific areas, such as technical skills, software proficiency, project management abilities, or language fluency. Use bullet points to present the skills clearly and concisely.

Transferable qualifications

In the functional resume format, transferable qualifications take the place of a traditional work history section. This section focuses on highlighting specific achievements and experiences that demonstrate your suitability for the desired role. Select accomplishments that showcase your skills and are relevant to the job requirements. Emphasize quantifiable achievements and include specific examples to provide context.

Work history

While the functional resume format does not prioritize a detailed work history section, it's still important to include relevant professional experience. Create a condensed work history section where you list the roles you’ve held, the names of companies, and your employment dates. While you can include a bullet or two on each one if there is some transferable skill or achievement you want to call attention to, you would normally exclude bullets in the work history section of a functional resume. 

Include your educational background, such as degrees, diplomas, or certifications. State the name of the institution, the degree obtained, and the dates of attendance. If you recently graduated or if your education is highly relevant to the job you're applying for, consider placing this section before the work history section.

Depending on your circumstances, you may include additional sections to enhance your functional resume. These could include volunteer work, professional affiliations , publications, languages, or relevant training courses. Choose sections that align with the job requirements and emphasize your unique qualifications.

Highlight achievements

Even though the functional resume is for people who are recent graduates with no experience or someone who is returning to the workforce after being away, prospective employers still want to know what you’ve achieved. It’s the only metric they have for determining if you’re a good fit for their team. 

For a new graduate or someone returning to work after an extended absence, focusing the resume on achievements may seem daunting due to limited or less-than-recent professional experience. However, there are strategies to highlight accomplishments effectively:

Emphasize academic achievements: As a new graduate, showcase your academic accomplishments such as GPA, honors, relevant coursework, research projects, or thesis work. Highlight any significant achievements or awards received during your education.

Highlight internships or relevant projects: If you have completed internships, gone through co-op programs, or participated in relevant projects during your studies, emphasize the responsibilities, outcomes, and skills gained from those experiences. Include any positive feedback or recognition received from supervisors.

Showcase transferable skills: Identify the skills you have developed through extracurricular activities, volunteer work, or personal projects that are relevant to the job you're applying for. These skills could include leadership, teamwork, problem-solving, communication, or project management. Provide specific examples of how you applied these skills and achieved positive outcomes.

Include relevant certifications and training: If you have obtained certifications , completed relevant courses, or attended workshops or seminars during your absence from the workforce, mention them in your resume. Highlight the skills and knowledge gained from these experiences.

Quantify achievements whenever possible: Whenever you can quantify your achievements, do so. For example, if you led a team or organized an event, mention the number of team members you managed or the attendance or funds raised for the event. Numbers provide concrete evidence of your accomplishments and help employers gauge your potential.

Focus on soft skills: In addition to tangible achievements, emphasize your soft skills and personal attributes that are valuable in the workplace. These could include adaptability, problem-solving, leadership, teamwork, creativity, or resilience. Provide examples of situations where you demonstrated these qualities and achieved positive results.

Functional resume template

Understanding the aspects of a functional resume and seeing one first-hand are two different things. So, let’s put the theory of a functional resume into practice. This template, with its “Areas of Strength” section, provides the perfect balance of skills and achievements. Hiring managers will have no problem finding your value. 

Memphis, TN | Mobile: 123.456.7890| Email: [email protected]

CAREER PROFILE

An experienced social media strategist expert at digital and entertainment industry trends; new media platforms; social media influencers; online communities; online behavior; digital content; and audience analysis. With a deep understanding of the relationships between social media content to TV viewership, TV Ratings, VOD (Video-On-Demand) streams, site or mobile traffic, and general content consumption.  A strong ability to manage sizable teams, mentoring, and providing guidance to community managers, digital producers, and designers in the broadcast, television, and media industry. Fusing a unique obsession with general Arabic pop culture, classical TV drama, cinema, retro music, and theater. As well as new contemporary Western entertainment, new content themes, memes, viral media, internet radios, podcasts, mobile apps, and digital culture.

CORE COMPETENCIES

Bilingual: Arabic & English

Coaching: Individuals & Teams

Broadcast, Media & Communications

UX-Driven Digital Marketing

Operations Management

Content Development Strategies

Social Media Management

Employee & Stakeholder Relations

KPIs & Business Intelligence

AREAS OF STRENGTH

COMMUNICATIONS: DIGITAL MARKETING & ADVERTISING, (10+ Years)

Via collaborated of teamwork, Middle East Broadcast Center (MBC) was awarded for the “Best Social Media for Organizations” in MENA by His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai at the Arab Social Media Influencers Summit in Dubai (ASMS 2015).

Analyzed performance and quantified value of social content, demonstrating each piece’s role in driving awareness, intent to consume TV media, and conversion, at MBC.

At MBC, demonstrated an expert-level competence for operating social media monitoring, listening, and analytics software tools; optimizing tools for performance measurement and KPI tracking; and customizing dashboards for business intelligence and reporting needs.

ORGANIZATIONAL LEADERSHIP, (6+ Years)

Experience managing sizable teams (+70), mentoring, and providing guidance to community managers, digital producers, and designers in broadcast, television, or media industry at MBC.

While at MBC, delivered expertise and proficiency creating creative, inspiring, solution-driven stories that communicate complex concepts simply left-and-right brain thinker who draws energy from analytical and creative thinking.

Led MBC social media team, including community managers, supervisors, and team leaders; oversaw the creation of original social content on MBC social channels to ensure content aligned with brand guidelines and engaged audiences in new and unique ways.

BRAND STRATEGY & OPTIMIZATION, (9+ Years)

Increased the total footprint of all 20 TV channels by 750% organically, reaching a total of 390 million fan-base combined at MBC.

Boosted MBC-owned VOD service Shahid in its rebranding phase, which caused Shahid’s social media assets to increase by 1.9M in only 2 months.

Successfully crafted over 43 winning online brand strategies for top-notch brands in Egypt and the Middle East, (e.g., Coca-Cola Egypt, Mobinil, P&G, CIB, Close-Up, Bonjorno, Heinz, Kit-Kat, Savola, Nestle, Garnier, L'Oreal, Al Maraai, Mini Cooper, BMW, Samsung, and more). 

Led the whole social media marketing process, from setting the brand KPIs to building online brand equity, at TechnoWireless Digital Agency (TWDA).

WORK HISTORY

THE MIDDLE EAST BROADCASTING CENTER GROUP, Dubai, United Arab Emirates Social Media Manager, October 2013 — Present

DIGITAL MEDIA SCIENCE, LLC, Cairo, Egypt Board of Directors, Advisor — Social Research & Intelligence, October 2013 — Present

TECHNOWIRELESS DIGITAL AGENCY , Cairo Governorate, Egypt Social Media Director, January 2011 — October 2013

HEART2HEART CONSULTING AND HUMAN DEVELOPMENT, New Cairo, Egypt Social Media Manager (Part-Time), January 2009 — January 2011

SUPERMAMA.ME, LLC , Cairo, Egypt Consultant, Marketing, PR & Communications, Month? 2012 — Month? 2013

EDUCATION & CERTIFICATIONS

MISSISSIPPI STATE UNIVERSITY Master of Science, Clinical Mental Health w/a focus on Counseling

MISSISSIPPI STATE UNIVERSITY Bachelor of Science, Psychology

NATIONAL CERTIFIED COUNSELOR (NCC) National Board for Certified Counselors

LICENSED PROFESSIONAL COUNSELOR (LPC) Mississippi Board of Examiners for Licensed Professional Counselors

Functional resume format frequently asked questions 

Most, if not all, resume writers will tell job seekers to avoid using the functional resume format for a couple of reasons. And while there are really only two main reasons to avoid this format, they’re pretty big ones. 

1. Is there a stigma surrounding job hoppers?

One drawback of the functional resume format is the stigma associated with it, as it has been used by some job hoppers to try to hide their frequent job changes. Employers are cautious when they see a functional resume, suspecting that the candidate is attempting to downplay their job-hopping history. If we’re talking plainly, prospective employers hate functional resumes for this very reason. It’s a big red flag, and instead of glancing at your resume to see if you’re qualified for a role, they’ll jump right to the work history to see if you’re hiding gaps. 

This means that the first impression you’ve made is that you may not be able to be trusted – even if you’re not using the functional resume to hide job-hopping. The other negative first impression you now have to overcome is that the hiring manager thinks you lack career progression. Employers value a sense of growth and advancement within a candidate's professional journey.

2. Is the functional resume ATS compatible?

You’ve probably heard that somewhere in the neighborhood of 90% of employers use ATS . It cannot be overstated how important it is to build a resume that is compatible with these scanning programs. Resume rejection is one of the number one reasons job seekers get ghosted by companies. Human hiring managers have no idea (without some digging) how many resumes were rejected by the ATS – this means if your resume is rejected, the company doesn’t know you exist. 

3. What type of resumes do employers prefer?

While you do have some discretion on the format you choose based on your industry, the company you’re applying to, and specific job requirements, the most commonly preferred resume format is the reverse-chronological. It clearly defines your career history and trajectory and is easy to follow. On top of that, it is the number one ATS-friendly format there is. 

Address functional resume issues in your cover letter

If you end up choosing a functional resume, be sure to leverage the power of a cover letter to address any potential red flags employers may have. Provide context, explain career transitions or employment gaps, and bring the employer back to your passion. Take this opportunity to really highlight what you bring to the table and why you’re the perfect fit for their open position. 

Your resume will have a lasting impact on your career journey

Armed with information about the structure, benefits, and what employers don’t like about a functional resume, you are ready to write your way into a new job! Remember to focus on achievements and quantify your accomplishments every chance you get.

As you navigate your career path, always remember that your resume is just the beginning. It opens doors, but it is your skills, passion, and determination that will truly set you apart. Embrace every opportunity, seize each moment, and let your authentic self shine through.

Take control of your career destiny and unlock your full potential by harnessing the expertise of our professional resume-writing services today.

Recommended reading:

Resume Format Types: Examples & Which Option Is Best?

How to Deal with Employment Gaps on Resume (+ Examples)

Top 50 Resume Dos and Don’ts (50 Expert Tips)

Marsha Hebert, Professional Resume Writer

Marsha is a resume writer with a strong background in marketing and writing. After completing a Business Marketing degree, she discovered that she could combine her passion for writing with a natural talent for marketing. For more than 10 years, Marsha has helped companies and individuals market themselves. Read more advice from Marsha on ZipJob's blog .

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Functional Resume: Formatting, Examples, and Templates

A functional resume is an efficient way to balance your work history with your skills on your resume - find out how to create yours!

If your career journey has taken some unusual turns, a traditional chronological resume may not be right for you. It might expose some career gaps that may jeopardize your resume’s chances of success, or it might not leave you with enough room to cover the wide range of skills you’ve acquired across multiple roles. If any of this applies to you, you may be wondering how best to present yourself as a candidate.

That’s where the functional resume comes in! It’s an efficient way to balance your work history with your skills on your resume, without relying on a chronological list of what you’ve done in the past. If you’re making a career change, or if you’re looking for a way to obscure a career break, this format could be perfect for you.

To help you out, we’ve written this guide to the functional resume format. On this page, we’ll cover the following points:

• What a functional resume actually is
• Why you might opt for a functional resume
• How to write a functional resume
• Which templates work best for a functional resume
• An example of a great functional resume

What is a Functional Resume?

A functional resume is a resume format that prioritizes your skills over a chronological outline of your work experience. It’s designed to call attention to your transferable skills, instead of focusing on a laundry list of roles that may not be relevant to the job you want. You might also have heard it described as a skills-based resume.

A good functional resume will tie your relevant skills to a non-chronological list of the roles where you’ve used them. This ensures that both your skills and your work history remain visible—just in a slightly unusual format. It shouldn’t hide any relevant information! Instead, it should arrange the information in a way that shows you at your best.

This resume format can be contentious among hiring managers, because it can be harder to skim-read than other formats. As such, it’s a good idea to opt for a standard reverse-chronological resume format if you can. But if you have a strong, compelling reason to choose a functional resume, it might just be worth the risk for you.

Why Might You Choose to Create a Functional Resume?

There are two main reasons why you might choose to create a functional resume. The first is that you have one or more career gaps that might ring alarm bells for a hiring manager on a reverse-chronological resume. The second is that you’re making a career move—or have made one in the past—which has left you with a lot of work experience that may not be relevant to the jobs you’re applying for now.

You could also consider a functional resume if you have a history of freelance work, which has allowed you to build up a lot of skills without also building up a coherent or consistent work history. These conditions often apply to creative workers, whose portfolio of past work is usually more important than their actual work experience.

Candidates who are overqualified for the job they want may also benefit from a functional resume, which focuses more on skills than educational background or comprehensive work history. This can help these candidates to brush over highly-specialized positions that may raise red flags for hiring managers, focusing instead on the skills relevant to the position they want.

It’s worth keeping in mind that a functional resume is a highly specialized resume format, and it will only work for a very limited number of job searchers. Most people will get more out of a reverse-chronological resume format than a functional resume format. In particular, you should avoid the functional resume format if you have no work experience at all!

But if you have an unusual work history or a compelling reason to focus on your skills over the specifics of your experience, a functional resume will give you the tools you need to make a successful application. As long as you approach it carefully, it’s a great resource for job searchers with a less conventional background.

How to Write a Functional Resume

If you’re going to write a functional resume, you need to know how to do it right! A standard functional resume will contain all of the following sections, usually in this order:

• Your name, job title and contact information
• Your resume summary, focusing on your skills and achievements
• A skills section, which will be the longest and most substantial section of your resume
• A work experience section, which can be omitted
• An education section, featuring your highest academic qualification and your most recent certifications or licenses

As a matter of course, your name, job title and contact information can form a header for your resume as a whole. It’s important to note, though, that you should omit a job title if you’re making a career change! Otherwise, it may confuse the hiring manager who reads your resume.

Your resume summary should focus on your biggest professional achievements and how they have required you to use your skills. Remember, this type of resume should be all about your skills, so make sure you refer to them here! If you’re making a career change, you can also incorporate an objective statement into your resume summary—this can help hiring managers to get a sense of where you hope your career will take you in the future.

The skills section is the centerpiece of a functional resume, so you need to make sure it shines! To start, look through the job description and identify the skills needed for the position—these will usually appear in a list. Then compare them to your own strongest skills. Wherever these lists of skills overlap, you have a skill that can be included in your skills section.

For each skill you list—and you should aim to list between 3 and 4 skills—include 3 or 4 bullet points. Each bullet point should contain evidence that you have used these skills in the past. We’ll give an example of this section later in the article, so you can see exactly what this looks like in practice!

If you decide to include a work history section, it doesn’t have to be long, and it doesn’t have to include bullet points as it would on a reverse-chronological resume. Select two to three items from your recent work history and list them from the most recent to the oldest—including your job title, your dates of employment, the company where you worked, and the location of the company. If your recent work experience involves a career break of over a year, you can list that as well, along with an indication of the reason for your time away from work.

Lastly, your education section shouldn’t differ much from the education section on a reverse-chronological resume. If you’re a recent graduate or a current student, you can list achievements like academic prizes and honors that you’ve earned while studying. Otherwise, list your highest qualification and any recent certificates you’ve earned—you don’t need to do more than that.

Functional Resume Template

At VisualCV, we pride ourselves on our versatile resume templates. Any of our templates will work with a functional resume format! But it’s worth keeping in mind that hiring managers may struggle to skim-read a functional resume—so ideally, you should choose a template that will make it as easy as possible for them to read.

That means choosing a template that’s fairly stripped-back, without too many distracting design flourishes. Here are some of our favorite templates that work well with a functional resume format.

This ATS-optimized template is one of the most simple, clean templates we offer—which makes it ideal for a functional resume. All you’ll need to do is switch the Work Experience section out for the Skills section, and the rest will be taken care of for you. And when you submit your application, this template will be readable enough to limit the risks of using a functional resume format at all.

This is another streamlined, uncomplicated template that makes a point of being easy to read. From the fonts to the color choices, it’s geared toward presenting you in the most elegant and professional way possible. And you can arrange the sections of this template in whatever order you need, so you can choose what to focus on and what to minimize on your resume.

If you’re looking for a template that makes subtle but stylish design choices, without being impossible to read, Monte is a great choice. The key is that its eye-catching fonts are still very readable, and the pops of understated color don’t distract from what you’re saying in the body of your resume. That makes it an ideal option for you to present your functional resume in an aesthetically satisfying way.

Functional Resume Example

Want a head start on your functional resume? Here’s a great example of a functional resume, to show you how it all comes together:

Gail Edwards Freelance Writer [email protected] | New York, NY

Summary Dedicated and self-motivated copywriter with a BA in Marketing from New York University. Experienced in writing, editing and researching for both print and digital media, with a strong track record of increasing clients’ visibility. Strong time management skills, with a history in project management. Enthusiastic about leveraging my skills and experience in a full-time career in advertising.

Skills Copywriting

• Produced groundbreaking and innovative digital copy for a range of major brands and clients, working to specific briefs
• Developed and enacted a framework for the successful production of print copy, in collaboration with graphic designers and artists and in close communication with clients
• Met and exceeded company KPIs every quarter while employed at Content Solutions Ltd

Copy Editing

• Edited all drafts of written copy before submitting work to clients, ensuring a high standard of quality across all work produced
• Supported junior colleagues by offering editorial assistance on an ad-hoc basis, helping Content Solutions Ltd to maintain its high standards of client satisfaction
• Performed meticulous and in-depth market research for each new client, ensuring that all new copy responded directly to the needs of each campaign
• Sought out relevant statistics to support all print and digital copy, positioning clients as trustworthy thought leaders in their fields

Work Experience Freelance Writer | Content Solutions Ltd, New York 2021-present

Career Break | Parental Leave 2019-2021

Administrative Assistant | New York University, New York 2015-2019

Education Bachelor of Arts in Marketing | New York University, New York 2012-2015

Copyright © 2024 VisualCV

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

Table of Contents

Tips and tricks for writing a functional resume.

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

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

1. What Is a Functional Resume?

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

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

‍ 2. What Is the Functional Resume Structure?

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

1. Contact Information

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

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

2. Resume Summary 

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

3. Skills Section

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

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

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

‍ 4. Professional Skills

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

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

‍ 5. Work Experience, If Any 

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

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

‍ 6. Education

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

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

‍ 3. Who Should Use a Functional Resume?

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

‍ 4. Functional Resume VS Chronological Resume?

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

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

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

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

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

5. Functional Resume VS Combination Resume?

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

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

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

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

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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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