Functional Resume

Showcase your skills -- the Functional Resume

The functional resume, also called the "skill" resume, is a type of Resume Format.

What separates it from the rest is that the functional resume does not depend on a timeline of work experience. Rather than show the employer "when I did what", the functional format works to exhibit the candidates skills and potential, or the "what I can do". Although it may sound logical for an employer to want an applicant with extensive experience, it is surprising to find that many employers prefer the functional resume. The reason for this is as follows, "a long career doesn't necessarily mean a prosperous one."

Until now, everything about the functional resume has been great. However, there is one problem. For every employer that prefers skill over experience, there is another who prefers experience over potential. This leads us to the main weakness of the functional resume; which is that due to the lack of a timeline based work history, the candidate's resume seems less reliable and credible. Many have resorted to the combinational resume to strengthen that weakness; however, this has lead to new weaknesses.

For candidates without a long career, or with work experience not related to the job position in question, then the functional resume is a good choice to utilize.

For more information on the functional resume and other types of resume formats, check out our resume format section as well as the sites provided below.

So be sure to check out our pages on Resume Tips, writing a Resume Cover Letter, Resume Objectives, and Free Resume Samples elsewhere on this site.