Functional Resumes
written by UltraJob
Functional resumes are best used in situations where specific skills and accomplishments gained through experience or academic qualifications will demonstrate the candidate's competency. Your skills should be listed in order of their importance.
The functional resume is ideal if you're looking for a complete career change. This resume is ideal for students who have no previous work experience and are applying for their first job.
Avoid the functional resume when you are applying for traditional jobs, especially positions within government entities or private institutions.
A functional resume's categories are based on :
- Personal Details
- Career Objective
- Professional Experience
- Work Experience(optional)
- Professional Affiliations
- Education
- Awards
Work Experience
This is where you have to list your former jobs. Also include any unpaid or voluntary work that you've done.
This is optional Your work history isn't strictly required in a functional resume although listing it will show potential employers that you have nothing to hide.
If your work history is irregular, there may well be more disadvantages than benefits by listing it, in which case, skip this part.
Include: year start - year finish, job title , name of organisation , job description in each of your work history items.
This is where you have to list your former jobs. Also include any unpaid or voluntary work that you've done.
This is optional Your work history isn't strictly required in a functional resume although listing it will show potential employers that you have nothing to hide.
If your work history is irregular, there may well be more disadvantages than benefits by listing it, in which case, skip this part.
Include: year start - year finish, job title , name of organisation , job description in each of your work history items.
- Professional Affiliations
List any relevant, active professional affiliations in this section. If you are in doubt as to whether an affiliation will help get the contract signed, don't list it.
- Educational Qualifications in your Resume
Here you should include the highest qualification you've gained & any special courses that you think will help you secure the position.
- Awards
List any relevant awards in this section.
Graduates can also add some personal information in their resume.
Advantages and Disadvantages of a Functional Resume
Advantages
- Shows skills that would be hard to see in a chronological resume.
- If you have an irregular career this format will 'make more sense of things'.
- New graduates can use this format to highlight their skills rather than their experience.
- Useful when changing careers.
Disadvantages
- Some employers find the functional resume difficult to interpret and are more interested in the actual organizations you have worked for and the positions you've held. Employers need this information to determine the level of responsibility that you previously had.
- Leaving out dates and job titles can raise recruiters suspicions.
