A functional resume can be a lifesaver for job applicants who don’t have a lot of experience in a particular industry. Follow our tips for writing an amazing functional resume.
It’s also typically best to use functional resumes for jobs that place a premium on skills rather than experience. when you’ll be able to physically hand your resume to someone, rather than submitting the resume to an automated system. Often, functional resumes don’t rank well with keywords, so they don’t work well for ATS systems and similar processes.
Different resume formats will work best for different job opportunities and individuals. Consider the job title you’re looking at, the specific requirements in the job description, and how they match up with your skills and employment history.
Typically, if you have a job history that aligns well with the job you’re looking for, you’ll want to use a chronological resume. If you don’t have a job history that aligns well with the job you’re looking for, use a combination resume or a functional resume. Our resume builder allows you to build whatever type of resume works best for your needs.
If you’re looking into changing career paths, the functional format resume is a good choice for your resume. That’s because your top skills will be front and center, which will help a potential employer understand why you’re the best person for the job, even if you haven’t worked in the industry yet.
It’s also a good idea to use a functional resume if you don’t have extensive experience, you can feature a skill set that works perfectly with the career you’re looking into, which compensates for lack of work history. Certifications and accreditations you already have for skills that are valuable in your new career are also good to showcase.
Your cover letter is the best way for you to elaborate on your skill set to hiring managers. That means you may need to highlight different abilities or qualifications based on the job you’re shooting for. Tailor your cover letter for every job application you submit by doing the following:
Soft skills (also known as intangible skills) such as communication and teamwork, as well as hard skills, which are specific technical skills you develop for a specific job, are both important to mention in your functional resume. Remember that you need to be able to back up your soft skills as much as your hard skills, so only list soft skills you know you’re truly good at.
A functional resume may not work as well as a chronological resume when it comes to applicant tracking systems (ATS) that employers often use to scan resumes. ATS essentially looks for keywords embedded within your resume and cover letter. Most ATS are familiar with chronological resumes, but some may find it more difficult to scan the functional format. To overcome this, use a clean, professional layout for your resume by choosing one of our resume templates.
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