Functional resume example & writing guide

Why use this functional resume example?

This type of resume focuses more on your skills and abilities instead of providing a chronological sequence of your work history. It’s also a good resume to use if you’re switching industries or relocating to a new region and starting fresh.

How to write a great functional resume

A functional resume starts with your name and contact details. Next comes in the resume title, which should match the job you’re applying to. For instance, if you’re applying for a content writer role, your resume title should be content writer.

Right after your contact details, you need to add a short summary statement to pique the reader’s interest and encourage them to keep reading. This section should include only two to three sentences that explain why you’re the right fit for the role. A good rule is to focus on your professional goals and key accomplishments.

After the summary statement, the next section should focus on your skills. This is the heart of a functional resume. Remember, all the skills you list in this section should align with the skills required for your target job. You should include a combination of soft skills (communication, leadership) and hard skills such as technical abilities (proficiency in different software solutions) and specific job-related knowledge (SEO copywriting for a copywriting job).

In the next section, briefly cover your professional experience. This includes the names of the organizations you’ve previously worked at along with your job titles. You don’t have to explain your day-to-day job duties and accomplishments, and you don’t necessarily need to include dates of employment if they’re longer than ten years ago. Do include recent employment dates when possible, since not doing so may raise a red flag with hiring managers.

Towards the end of the resume, you can add a section on your education. Make sure to list your highest college degree on top. If you have a strong education and weak employment history, you can mention your educational qualifications first, and then talk about your professional experience.  

Tips for writing a functional resume

• Try to be specific with your accomplishments. Instead of just mentioning how you contributed toward an organization’s bottom line, enter specific figures.

• Organize your skills by their order of relevance. If you have certain skills that are not in line with the job you’re applying to, it’s okay to leave them off the resume.

• Consider writing a cover letter with your functional resume and sending them both to the employer. The cover letter is your opportunity to talk more about your skills and how you will benefit the organization.

• Identify the keywords in the job description and make sure to incorporate them on your resume exactly as written. If you try to alter the keywords, your resume might not make it past the ATS (automated tracking) tool that looks for them.

• Keep your functional resume to one page. Since you’re not delving into the details of your employment, it’s best to focus on your skills and keep the resume on point.

Functional resume example