Functional Resume Vs. Chronological Resume
For many years, almost all resumes were chronological resumes. Employers expected job-seekers to list their education and employment history in order. But as people developed more diverse career paths, other forms of resumes became popular. One popular format is the functional resume.
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Features
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All resumes usually start with a short statement of employment goal or objective. A chronological resume then summarizes education, listing most recent degrees first and going back in time. If you have a college degree or post-graduate degree, it is usually not necessary to list high school unless there is something significant about it. Then list jobs, again starting with current or most recent and going back in time. List the company, job title, date and summarize your job function. After this, list professional affiliations, related experience and references. A functional resume will follow the job objective with a list of qualifications and skills. These can be two lists or one, depending on how you word it and what your skills are. For technical and computer fields, list specific computer languages and programs and any certifications. This is followed by a brief listing of employment and education, usually just dates and names without descriptions.
Function
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The functional resume is a good choice when your work history jumps around among several types of jobs, if you are a new graduate looking for your first real job, if you've had jobs in which the title doesn't match the duties or if you are trying to change careers. A chronological resume shows clearly where you worked and when, in order, so it is easy for a prospective employer to follow.
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Benefits
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A chronological resume highlights the advancements you have made in your career. It shows your progress in a specific field or industry. This is a format that many personnel officers expect to see, and is especially good for conservative industries. A functional resume helps you downplay gaps in your work history or a career path that zigzags a bit. It avoids repetition when you've had similar jobs at different companies. It highlights your skills in a way that's not dependent upon how or where you learned them. This kind of resume is especially good for technical and computer fields. If the posting for the job opening lists specific certifications or computer languages or programs required, a functional resume may be a good way to display them.
Considerations
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The functional resume may not be a good choice for all situations since some employers don't like them. Minimize this possibility by including a brief employment history, with dates, along with a list of job skills. According to Morris Associates, a career solutions firm in Washington, D.C., many personnel officers will toss resumes that don't list employment history and dates. Use a chronological resume if you have an impressive education and a career in which each job has been an advancement in level from the previous job. If you have taken time off from working to raise children, a functional resume might be a good choice. Consider listing skills learned as a volunteer, from online courses or independent study. If you are unsure which format of resume is best, you might consider calling the personnel office and simply ask which format it prefers.
Significance
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The purpose of a resume is to show you are qualified enough to deserve an interview. The interview is when you sell them on why they should hire you. As such, you want your resume to show your best qualities and skills without making it appear you are trying to hide something. If your career path shows you are a rising star, use a chronological resume. If you have lots of skills and an uneven career path, a functional resume might be best for you. Whichever format you use, make sure you list past jobs and education, be brief but informative and check carefully for spelling and grammar errors.
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