

Finding out about the functional resume was quite a revelation. So another resume format exists? Heck yeah, it does! And you’re about to learn all about it in a few moments.
So you’re about to write a resume but you’ve just found out there’s more than one format.
What a nightmare!
Is it, though?
You can choose whichever format suits your circumstances best. How bad can that be?
With this article, you’ll find out more about the functional resume—the one that elevates your skill set above the competition’s.
This guide will show you:
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Sample resume made with our builder—See more resume examples here.
Grab a list of contents and jump into:
Suzanne Browning
Digital Marketing Specialist
416-473-9075
suzannebrowning@email.com
linkedin.com/in/suzannebrowning
suzannebrowning.com/portfolio
Objective
Innovative digital marketer that delivers design solutions exceeding expectations. Seeking to leverage digital marketing agency and freelance experience to bring the quality that wins awards. With proven social media marketing, creativity and writing skillset.
Skills Summary
Social media marketing skills
Creativity skills
Writing skills
Additional Skills
Screaming Frog, Google Search Console, Google Trends, Ahrefs, MailChimp, AdWords, Facebook Paid Ads.
Education
Bachelor of Marketing
University of Toronto, Toronto, ON
September 2011–June 2015
Experience
Social Media Manager
Freelance
September 2017–Present
Junior Digital Marketer
Les Digitales, Shawville, QC
August 2015–September 2017
Unlike a chronological resume, a functional resume emphasizes a candidate's skills. For this reason, it’s also known as a “skills-based” resume. It groups abilities and qualities into categories tailored to the role.
The functional resume is perfect for career changers and candidates with limited relevant experience. By focusing on your skill set, you can hope to hide any gaps in your professional history and still bring out the highlights of your career.
When making a resume in our builder, drag & drop bullet points, skills, and auto-fill the boring stuff. Spell check? Check. Start building a professional resume template here for free.
When you’re done, Zety’s resume builder will score your resume and tell you exactly how to make it better.
So you’ve had a hunch that a functional resume could look different from a chronological format, and you were right!
Let’s transform your hunch into an informed view.
Here’s a step-by-step guide to how to write a functional resume:
First things first.
No matter which resume layout you decide to go with, you should always create proper resume formatting to begin with. That way, you’ll ensure your resume doesn’t spill the contents outside set frames. And ATS will read it successfully.
Follow these resume formatting rules to guide you:
To make the most out of the functional resume, you’ve got to create the correct sections in the right order and give them the real estate they deserve.
So—
Add your contact information for recruiters at the very top of your resume in the heading. Include:
If you’re applying for a job requiring portfolios or examples of your work, add links to your website, too.
(The following deserves a separate paragraph, so:)
A professional email username and domain are a must. Don’t use your high school or SPAM handle that goes tallsarah@amore.com. It’s a downright no-go.
You’re about to change careers and there’s one if not a couple of reasons why behind it. Your employer wants to know what those reasons are and why they specifically are included in this plan.
To deliver, there’s a section called a resume objective. Fill it out with:
Write all that in two to three sentences, tops, not to bore the reader to death and just be concise.
Here’s an example of a resume objective in a functional resume:
Objective
Innovative digital marketer that delivers design solutions exceeding expectations. Seeking to leverage digital marketing agency and freelance experience to bring the quality that wins awards. With proven social media marketing, creativity and writing skillset.
You shouldn’t expect a simple skills list as in a traditional resume.
Nope.
Writing the skills summary section in a functional resume format involves grouping the skills into primary categories and giving proof in bullet points with achievement statements.
It seems like no piece of cake, but it really is easy.
First, scrutinize the job description looking for keywords related to the skills you need for the job.
Then, think of both soft and hard skills you’ve displayed throughout your academic and professional career and match them with the keywords you want to target. You’ll always hit the bull's eye with in-demand skills, but forget not about the transferable skills. They’re the ones that give you an advantage if you’re at the start of your career or changing paths.
Lastly, name three to five skill categories and follow them with several bullet points. They should describe the results that the skills have brought you.
Why don’t I show you how to write a skills summary with an example:
Skills Summary
Social media marketing skills
Creativity skills
Writing skills
Don’t lose precious room for your qualities and skills, and keep this section brief:
Unless your education is in any way relevant to the position, e.g., having graduated with a bachelor’s in commerce and applying for a job in sales, then don’t dwell on it.
Check how to write an education section for a functional resume:
Education
Bachelor of Marketing
University of Toronto, Toronto, ON
September 2011–June 2015
Your work experience won’t be the a-ha moment this time, too.
List only your titles, employers, and dates of employment in chronological order.
That’s it.
See the following example of a professional experience section in a functional resume:
Experience
Social Media Manager
Freelance
September 2017–Present
Junior Digital Marketer
Les Digitales, Shawville, QC
August 2015–September 2017
The functional resume is all about the qualifications and how skilled you are. So, what can give you more credibility than a sleek certifications and licences section?
There are actually several additional sections you can include in your application that add value:
Beware, though! Don’t bring up an SEO-magazine guest publication if you decide to go for a role in finance. You must stay relevant at all times.
Now that all the sections are ready, it’s time to match your functional resume with a gripping cover letter. .
A great cover letter that matches your resume will give you an advantage over other candidates. You can write it in our cover letter builder here. Here's what it may look like:
See more cover letter templates and start writing.
Take these home:
Thank you for reading my article!
Please tell us—
What is your opinion on functional resumes? Do you believe they’re as helpful in finding a job as chronological formats are? Which is easier to write?
Give us a shout in the comments! Let’s get the conversation rolling.
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