Why Might You Choose To Create A Functional Resume

Tips That Will Help You Land A Job Using A Functional Resume

Given the reality of today’s economic environment, finding a job can be challenging. That is why it is so important to have a functional resume that stands out and really showcases your best talents and experience.

This article will guide you through the process of writing a functional resume we also provide an example of a functional resume. This kind of resume is ideally suited to individuals with gaps in their employment history, college/university students just entering the job market, people with limited employment backgrounds but significant volunteer experience, overqualified candidates, older workers looking to deemphasize a lengthy job history, individuals transitioning out of military careers into civilian careers, individuals changing careers, or any other situation where soft/transferable skills can be used to meet the requirements of the job specifications.

Why You Should Consider Functional Resume Writing

Individuals who are creating a functional resume are probably under a lot of pressure. They could certainly use some functional resume help. The functional Resume Editing Service employs some of the top writers in their field. Work experiences in particular industries that are related to a position can be played up. For instance, if an individual worked with computer software while they were in an office, this bares mentioning. Professional writers will always make these special little additions.

The Hybrid Resume Format

Theres a name for this. In the space between the functional resume and the reverse-chronological resume is the hybrid resume, also known as the combination resume.

Like the functional resume format, the hybrid resume has space at the top of the page for skills and accomplishments. Unlike the functional resume, it leaves the bottom half of the resume for a more traditional approach to the work history, where each position is accompanied by a blurb that outlines responsibilities and accomplishments.

Here is a hybrid resume example:

Hybrid Resume Template. Click to Enlarge.

For job seekers changing careers or industries, the hybrid resume is a safer bet than the functional resume. That said, this versatile format isnt just for applicants with a non-traditional work history. Hybrid resumes seem to be growing in popularity among applicants of all backgrounds. Most of Jobscans free resume templates are hybrids.

The dedicated skills sections found on both functional and hybrid resume formats can also be beneficial when it comes to making sure you have the right resume keywords for applicant tracking system searches. Find out whether your resume is optimized for the jobs youre pursuing with one click:

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Cons Of A Functional Resume

You would be wise to use a functional resume if you are a recent college graduate or if you have large gaps in your work history. However, there are several reasons not to use this type of resume.

While some employers love functional resumes, some are suspicious of the unconventional format. To avoid evoking suspicion, provide a brief summary of your work experience at the end of the resume, listed under a title such as professional history. This way you are revealing the information in question, but you are doing so after proving yourself competent in the first portion of the resume. But a few job boards wont accept a functional resume.

Some hiring managers find functional resumes to be confusing and visually unappealing. It can be tough to describe specific achievements since you may need to summarize duties performed at several different companies in one skill category.

When in doubt, we recommend you hire a top resume writer to help you.

Fonts Margins & Spacing

• Employ professional or sans-serif fonts such as , Arial, Verdana, Trebuchet MS, Century Gothic, Calibri, Lucida Sans, Tahoma, etc. over serif fonts
• The ATS is often unable to process 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.
• You should not compromise formatting and legibility of the text to limit it to the required page size.
• Maintain a 1-inch margin on all sides.
• Maintain single-spaced spacing for your resume.
• Ensure a line break after each section.

HIRATION PRO TIP: Before sending your resume across, print it to see how it looks on paper.

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Best Cv Format For The Uk

Choosing the best CV format for the UK can be more difficult if youre an international applicant and are used to the North American or continental European job markets. Here are only some of the differences between a United States resume and a United Kingdom CV:

• A 2-page CV format is more acceptable in the UK than in the U.S. . One-pagers do exist, but its also common to have your CV printed on BOTH sides of the sheet.
• Cover letters are often used in the U.S. instead of that 2nd page of the UK CV.
• British CVs can have a bit more personal flair, interests or character in certain industries since there is a strong focus on teamwork and workplace culture.
• Custom sections are slightly more common in UK CV formats.

Keep in mind though that these differences can be seen as subjective/debatable and will vary depending on region, city, company and so on.

Heres a take from the perspective of an American with CV experience in the United Kingdom:

Or a more formal/expert take from the Financial Times :

At the end of the day, the best CV format for UK jobs is entirely dependent on the situation. Always analyze the employer and job position. In creative industries, you may add more flair and personality. For entry-level jobs a one-page CV may be more than enough. The best CV format in the UK will change with the circumstances just as in any other country.

Europass Curriculum Vitae Format

The Europass curriculum vitae system is a well-intentioned initiative to standardize the paperwork that people use to look for jobs in Europe. Its a web-based system for producing a free electronic document that contains your contact info, work experience, education and other credentials that qualify you to obtain employment.

It should be said that not many European job seekers use it, for various reasons:

• The format is unattractive with a wasteful use of space in the design.
• The interface is difficult, with inefficient editing and software bugs.
• Most employers will wonder why you didnt create a better option.

There will always be organisations that will request a Europass CV , but unless it is requested, avoid this CV format at all costs.

Dont be afraid to try different formats. Certain job application processes may require more information on skills, while others will want to dig deeper into your work experience. Dont feel that you are obligated to stick with the same CV format for every role. When you use a CV builder, the possibilities of playing around with the formats are unlimited. Go with your gut in terms of what feels right.

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Pros And Cons Of A Functional Resume

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 applicants 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.

Two Deciding What To Ephasize

Identifying your primary career objective helps you decide which skills and experiences to emphasize and which ones to omit when composing your resume. Some of you have already identified your career/job objective. Those of you who have not done so, may want to contact the counseling center for assistance with this process.

Ideally, each resume you produce will be tailored to fit the specific job that you are applying for. In circumstance where precise tailoring is not possible, construct your resume so that it is targeted towards your primary career/job objective. You can then use your cover letter to call attention to or add job-specific skills.

• My primary career objective is
• The principal abilities, skills, attributes, and experience that employers in this field look for are

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Youre Considering A Major Difference And A New Direction In The Journey Of Your Career

Are you making a drastic change from one industry to another?

If you are a career-changer, you can test between using either a combination or a functional resume to see which has a higher response rate. If you have a lot of experience in a strong correlation to the new job position youre applying for, its more ideal for employers to see a combination resume. But if not, you can use the functional format.

Group Your Skills By Type

If you use a functional resume format, the skills on your resume are more emphasized than your work history.

What this means is that typically the skills section of a functional resume is about the same size as the work experience section of a chronological resume.

When writing the resume skills section on your functional resume, choose at least three skills that are applicable to the job youre applying for. For each skill, add 34 bullet points that prove that skill.

Additionally, adding numbers to those bullet points gives employers confidence that you can fulfill the job requirements. Include at least one bullet point with numbers for each skill to catch the hiring managers attention.

Heres an example of what a functional resume skills section looks like:

Skills on a Functional Resume

CUSTOMER SERVICE

• Receive a +95% on customer service feedback surveys on a consistent basis by providing a friendly in-store environment
• Enhance the customer experience by providing quality assistance and in-depth product knowledge
• Educate customers on up-and-coming brands and the latest fashion trends

SALES

• Exceeded sales goals an average of 10% for 5 straight months
• Upsell customers through the recommendation of products that meet their specific needs
• Process 30+ customer transactions a day and factored sales, discounts, and promotions into the final price

MERCHANDISING

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When To Use This Resume Format

You should use it only when its really needed, and in other cases, create a standard resume. Particularly, the functional format may be needed in the following situations:

• You need to highlight the specific skills required for the job position
• There are gaps in work history
• You do not have enough work experience relevant to the position

Three Pulling It All Together

The next step is to put all this information together in an attractive format that focuses on the job that you are trying to get, looks professional can be easily read, documents your key skills & qualifications and stresses accomplishments & results. These features of a good resume are known as the Five Key Principles of Resume Writing.

Five Key Principles of Resume Writing

Use the information about yourself and the information that you have discovered about the job or opportunity to build a resume that is specifically tailored to fit the job for which you are applying.

A Professional image is achieved by making sure your resume is attractively arranged on high quality paper, using standard fonts. Your resume must contain no misspellings or typographic errors and it must be logically organized so that your most important skills and accomplishments stand out. Use a positive tone that conveys confidence. Avoid negative statements or explanation of problems.

“Easily Read” means, “Easily Scanned.” Most managers tell us they spend no more than 20 to 30 seconds scanning a resume during the initial screening process. During those few seconds, they decide whether to reject the applicant or too place her resume in a stack that will be evaluated in greater detail. Your first challenge is to make it into that short stack.

Sample Action Words

• Trained
• Wrote

The Chronological Format

The Functional Format

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How To Format A Functional Resume

In functional resumes you require to strategically group key skills into different categories. Doing this shall determine a candidate’s qualifications for a particular job. This is a skills-based focus which allows you to emphasize your strengths and digress from an absent employment record.

Some sample functional resume on the website showcase that in case you are applying for a sales management position, you might choose categories such as “Sales and Marketing Experience””Foreign Language Fluency” and “Team Building and Leadership Expertise” for your headings, listing appropriate skills and accomplishments beneath each one.

The employment section of functional resumes is typically brief. It simply lists the positions held along with company names and employment dates at the bottom of page. Occasionally selective information is intentionally deleted due to non-compliance with the target job profile.

Four Putting It On Paper

You know what employers are looking for. You know what your skills and accomplishments are and how they relate to the world of work, and you have selected the general format you are going to use. Now, lets get started. Regardless of the format you have chosen, the following information should be included in your resume in some form:

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When Should You Avoid Using A Functional Resume

Through, its a great one for teens, students, and graduates, who lack work experience, but have their education, internships, projects, volunteering or campus work on their back, its still the most tricky resume type. The functional format might not work as it just throws your job history out. If youre a fresher looking for a summer or entry-level job its your choice to show up. But if you already have some achievements under your belt, your experience section would be presented only by a tiny list of your past employers at the bottom of the resume, and thats not what you need.

List Your Relevant Educational Background

Unless the education section of your resume directly relates to the job youre applying for, only include the name of your university or organization, the city and state, the degree you received, and your GPA .

Heres an example of how to list your education background on a functional resume:

Education History on a Functional Resume

B.A. / Primary EducationSan Jose State University, May 2012

National Board of Professional Teaching StandardsMultiple Subject Teaching Credential, March 2013

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Functional Resume Example & Template

Read below for an example of a functional resume. This example includes a resume summary statement, which is a great way to quickly demonstrate your skills and abilities. It also includes a concise list of experience and a detailed list of skills.

While this resume includes a work history section , it provides only brief details about the jobs held. It also includes this information near the bottom of the resume, to avoid highlighting it.

Download the functional resume template or see below for more examples.

CAREER OBJECTIVE

Experienced and versatile professional with strong urban planning as well as people, management, and research skills seeks a position in urban planning and environmental impact analysis with a major city or Fortune 500 company.

CORE QUALIFICATIONS

• Background managing direct transportation planning and programs
• Adept at managing urban planning programs and people
• Able to anticipate and project organizational change
• Background as administrator of office operations

EXPERIENCE AND SKILLS

• Environmental Impact Mitigation and Research
• Urban Planning
• Computer Software Tools
• Scientific and Business Grant Writing

Administrative: Lead coordinator for the daily processing of thousands of checks for payment and the mailing of confidential reports, meeting strict deadlines, and avoiding late fees.

Management: Oversaw operations of an expanding research lab, providing expertise, commitment, and quality control during a time of significant transition.

EDUCATION

When Should You Avoid Using Combination Resume

Combination resumes dont work well when you dont have much work experience or your duties werent specified. Also, if you didnt get any promotions, awards or achievements over the course of your career dont go for the hybrid resume. You should better use a chronological resume structure. However, if you eventually got one, do not forget explain and emphasize each of them.

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Choosing The Proper Resume Structure

In most cases, you will want to use a traditional format for your resume. Only use a functional resume if you are a recent college graduate or have employment gaps to explain.

Here is a functional resume sample

Notice how this functional resume takes the focus off any gaps in your job history and places a heavy emphasis on your experience.

You Have Transferable And Applicable Skills Or Experience For The Next Job Vacancy You Desire

Do you have a lot of experience not in one particular field, but on the scale of a broad variety of different roles youve taken on in the past?

Rather than attempting to stitch and put all those pieces together, the skills-based format will help you have a clean resume. Its more neatly organized for your reader since the information is more put together and isnt completely scattered everywhere.

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