How to Prepare a Functional Job Resume
A functional resume focuses on experience and skills instead of listing jobs in chronological order. Job seekers with minimal experience and people changing careers can benefit from this format. A functional resume is also good for disguising employment gaps. If you haven't created a functional resume before, it helps to review examples and have a basic outline.
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Instructions
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Create a contact information section. This section should appear at the top of your resume. Name, address, email and phone number should be included in this section. Read this information carefully to make sure there aren't any errors. An error could cost you an interview.
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Create a functional job objective. This objective shouldn't be longer than three sentences. It should focus on the job functions you're looking for in a career. For example, you might be seeking a position where you can use management and accounting skills.
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Create job function sections. Unlike a traditional resume, a functional resume is broken into several different "job function" paragraphs. For example, you might have a paragraph for management, one for accounting and another for auditing experience. There isn't a paragraph for each job. Instead, there's a paragraph for each function you have experience handling.
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Focus on using actionable words. When writing your resume, focus on using words such as managed, led or organized. These words will catch the reader's attention better than general statements. Also, focus on results when possible. Give concrete examples of achievements. For example, under the management section, a candidate might discuss how he led his team to boost sales by 75 percent over six months.
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Customize your resume. Avoid a one-size-fits-all approach when writing a functional job resume. Read the description of the job you are applying for carefully. Then, tailor your resume to the job. For example, if the job requires management skills, you might elect to leave off your auditing experience. Perhaps the job requires the ability to write detailed reports. Create a new section that focuses on writing skills.
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Tips & Warnings
Some industries aren't crazy about functional job resumes, according to Quint Careers. If you're applying for jobs in law, banking or finance, consider using a chronological resume.
Don't forget to solicit the help of a proofreader. Spelling and grammar errors can be an instant turnoff to potential employers. Avoid these errors by asking a friend or coworker (with strong grammar skills) to proofread your resume.
