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

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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:

reverse chronological resume example

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:

functional resume sample

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:

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:

resume summary

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.

job search masterclass

#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

functional resume template example

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

combination resume template

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

#3. College Resume Template

college resume sample

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

professional resume example

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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Lifehacker

When to Use a 'Functional' Resume Instead of a Traditional One

W hen you pull up a resume template, it’s pretty straightforward: Your past jobs are listed in reverse chronological order near the top, dating back about 10 years or so. But you may need a “functional” resume sometimes, even if templates for it are a little harder to find.

What is a functional resume?

A functional resume is one that leads with your work-related skills and abilities listed right after your contact information. Most of the time, per Indeed , this is done in a bulleted list. You can have a list for skills you’ve acquired in past positions, in school, or during job training, as well as any awards you’ve gotten.

The goal here is not to show a hiring manager what you’ve done in the past, but what you’re prepared and equipped to do for their company. Leading with your talents and accomplishments shows that you’re competent and capable, not just that you’ve had jobs before or have gone to school.

When to use a functional resume

There are a few times to use functional resumes, as well as a few times to stay away from them. Try one out if you’re any of the following, according to Novoresume :

  • A recent graduate lacking work experience
  • Switching industries and looking for an entry-level job
  • If you’ve held a variety of titles with little relevance to each other and/or the job you’re looking for now

Keep in mind, however, that these are pretty rare and in most cases, traditional resumes are more welcome by hiring managers. Using an unorthodox formatting can show your skills, but could also give the impression you’re trying to hide something, like a gap in your resume. If you’re looking to obscure an employment gap or other blemish in your history, don’t. You need to explain those and be honest with hiring managers . Only use a functional resume if you really want to lead with your talents and potential over your experience and past deeds, but not if you’re angling to be a little deceitful. Keep using a chronological resume when you’re staying in your current industry or have a clearly defined career path that you’re happy to stay on.

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  1. Functional Resume Tips and Examples

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  2. Functional Resume: Template, Examples + Writing Tips

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  3. Free Functional Resume Template Of Free Resume Template Downloads

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  4. FREE 9+ Functional Resume Templates in PDF

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  1. Why is resume important in job search?

COMMENTS

  1. Functional Resume: Definition, Tips and Examples

    Combination The mix of chronological and functional resumes results in the "combination" resume. Skills and abilities are listed first, followed by chronological experience. This resume format is good for emphasizing specific skills and abilities of professionals with diverse backgrounds and creative applicants like designers or artists.

  2. How To Write a Functional Resume for a Career Change

    A functional resume is a nontraditional resume format that emphasizes a job candidate's skills, rather than their professional experience.

  3. Q&A: When Should You Write a Functional Resume? (With Examples)

    A functional skills resume is a resume format that focuses on skills and abilities instead of writing out experiences chronologically.

  4. The Ultimate Guide To Functional Resumes

    A functional resume is a personal document that focuses on an individual's experience, abilities and skills rather than their chronological work history. You can use it if you have a work history that is not related to the job you are applying for, if you have gaps in your employment history or if you are changing careers.

  5. Chronological vs Functional Resumes: What is the Difference?

    Structure The most obvious difference between chronological and functional resumes is their physical appearance. A resume's format dictates what information is included and how it is positioned within the document.

  6. How To Create A Functional Resume & Showcase Your Skills

    How To Create A Functional Resume & Showcase Your Skills | Indeed Career Tips - YouTube Hey, everybody. 0:00 / 13:42 Get expert resume help: https://go.indeed.com/MZ7GKAIt may seem...

  7. Free Online Resume Builder

    1 Build Build a resume using our expert tips and advice or get a head start by uploading an existing resume. 2 Find Find the job that best matches your resume by searching the world's #1 job site.* *Comscore, Total Visits, September 2021 3 Apply Apply to your job with your customized resume or set your resume to public and let employers find you.

  8. How to Write a Functional Resume (Tips and Examples)

    1. Include your contact information You can begin your resume by listing your contact information. This may include your phone number, email address, first and last name and your current job title. It's beneficial to have your name as the largest text at the top of the page.

  9. How to Use a Functional Resume Template in Word (With Tips)

    1. Set the margins appropriately The standard margin size for a resume is typically between one and one and a half inches. If the margins on your resume are too small or large, your resume may appear crowded or lack enough space for all the information you want to include.

  10. Functional Resume Defined I Indeed Career Quick Tips

    Functional Resume Defined I Indeed Career Quick Tips - YouTube 0:00 / 0:18 Download the Indeed mobile app: https://go.indeed.com/3XTKG3In this career advice video, Sinead explains what...

  11. Functional Resume: Template, Examples, and Writing Guide

    A functional resume is a common resume format that focuses broadly on your professional skills, rather than each job you held and when you held that job. It's sometimes referred to as a skills-based resume.

  12. How to Write a Career Change Functional Resume (Plus Sample ...

    Here are eight steps you may follow to write a functional resume: 1. Analyse the new field. You may start by investigating your new career to help you understand what employers in that field look for in the job description. This allows you to write a resume that suits the position you're applying for.

  13. How to Write a Functional Resume with Examples

    Steps for writing a functional resume. Start with your name and contact information. Like with other resume styles, you'll want to include your first and last name, your address, your phone number, and your professional email at the top of the resume. Write a resume summary.

  14. Functional Resumes: Tips, Steps, Sample and Advantages

    1. Create your header In many professional documents, especially resumes, it is important to have a header with your full name in clear, bold letters. This enables employers and hiring managers to identify and keep track of your application package easily.

  15. What Is a Functional Resume?

    Career Development Resumes & Cover Letters What Is a Functional Resume? What Is a Functional Resume? Indeed Editorial Team Updated 8 April 2023 If you have limited or no relevant experience needed for a job, applying with a functional resume is an excellent strategy.

  16. What Is a Functional Resume? Template, Examples, & Tips

    A functional resume is the best solution for you if you're switching careers, have employment gaps, or just graduated with not much work experience. Thanks to the functional resume format, you can effectively deal with a winding work history. And it's easier to write than you think!

  17. Free Professional Resume Templates

    Find the best resume template for your job search and use Indeed's free resume builder to create a resume that shows why you're a fit. Choose from hundreds of resume examples, customize your resume with Indeed's format and fields, and apply on the world's #1 job site.

  18. What Is a Functional Resume, and When Do You Use One?

    Similar to a traditional resume, a functional layout should still include your contact information, education, work or volunteer experience, and technical skills. The main difference is that your skills and achievements will be featured prominently in the body of the resume. If it makes sense, you can separate your skills into subcategories to ...

  19. How To Write A Functional Resume For A Career Change

    Full-time jobs Remote jobs Urgently needed jobs View more jobs on Indeed What Is A Functional Resume For A Career Change? A functional resume for a career change highlights skills that may be useful when transitioning to a new career.

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

    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. Name of the university and dates attended (e.g. Boston State University, 2012 - 2016)

  21. The Ultimate Guide To Functional Resumes

    A functional resume is a personal document that focuses on an individual's experience, abilities and skills rather than their chronological work history. You can use it if you have a work history that is not related to the job you are applying for, if you have gaps in your employment history or if you are changing careers.

  22. Functional Resume

    A functional resume is a resume format that focuses on highlighting skills and qualifications instead of work experience. Your abilities are grouped under various skill sections, such as "Summary of Qualifications" and "Professional Skills," where you explain what it is you can do.The goal of a functional-style resume is to show the employer that you have the skills to get the job done ...

  23. Chronological Resume vs. Functional Resume (With Tips)

    Functional resume formats use a different outline. They typically begin with your full name and contact information, then provide a section for you to outline your professional abilities and skills. You can write this overview as a paragraph, but it's advisable to use bullet points to make the work more organized and easier to read.

  24. When to Use a 'Functional' Resume Instead of a Traditional One

    A functional resume is one that leads with your work-related skills and abilities listed right after your contact information. Most of the time, per Indeed, this is done in a bulleted list. You ...