The functional resume format is one that is used to assert a focus to relevant skills that are specific to the type of position being sought. This format directly emphasizes specific professional capabilities and utilizes experience summaries as its primary means of communicating professional competency. In contrast, the chronological resume format will briefly highlight these competencies prior to presenting a comprehensive timeline of career growth via reverse-chronological listing with most recent experience listed first. Individuals with any of these conditions may effectively consider a functional resume:
A mixed career background with a collection of jobs not specific to the type of position being sought.
Someone returning to a previous profession, where the most recent experience is not as directly applicable as transferable to the job currently sought.
Someone ready to develop a professional career from less than full-time experience, either from part-time or pastime related experience while ones full-time occupation differs from the previous full-time background.
Job seekers returning to the workforce after a considerable lapse in employment.
The outline for a functional resume will generally follow this type of pattern:
Name and Address Header
Opening Headline, Objective or Occupational Title
Summary of Qualifications
Experience Highlights
Work/Employment History
Education and specific Computer, Software or Equipment Skills or Training
Breakdown: The functional resume format uses a summary introduction section followed by a detailed description of the job seekers skills and expertise in specific functional areas. This "functional" section serves as the main area of content. Work History will be listed below (usually in reverse chronological order). Work History is represented as a simple listing and does not include descriptions of the job. Education and other sections are listed below.
Functional Resume Example
The Chronological or Reverse-Chronological resume
The chronological resume (also referred to as reverse-chronological) format is by far, the most common resume layout in use. In using this format, the main body of the document becomes the Professional Experience section, starting from the most recent experience going chronologically backwards through a succession of previous experience. This resume works to build credibility through experience gained, while illustrating career growth over time.
Individuals with any of these conditions may effectively consider a chronological resume.:
A successive career background in the field or of similar distinction to the next job being sought after.
Someone with limited work history, however, gaining experience in areas of competency applicable to the sought position through some previous work.
Job seekers with a steady track record, without significant lapses in employment.
The outline for a chronological or reverse-chronological resume will generally follow this type of pattern:
Name and Address Header
Opening Headline, Objective or Occupational Title
A brief Summary of Qualifications
Professional Experience as main body of the document
Education and specific Computer, Software or Equipment Skills or Training
Breakdown: This resume format starts with a brief summary or objective section. Qualification Highlights sections are optional and are considered to be part of the summary section. Experience is then listed to follow the summary. Job descriptions are listed in reverse chronological order starting from most recent experience to least recent experience. The education section is next and then can be followed with additional sections such as: Publications, Professional Affiliations, Awards, Honors, Volunteer Work, etc.
Reverse Chronological Resume Example
Resumes Templates - Writing Guides and Format Information
Resume Templates - online resume builder free trial to help you get started building your resume. Resume Templates can be used to give you a quick start to creating your resume.
Articles Directory - Published by career experts to provide advice on resume writing, cover letter writing, job search, job interviews ,salary negotiation, severance pay, career disasters and unemployment.
Resume Format - Definition and analysis of functional and reverse-chronological format with guidelines to help you select the most appropriate format based on your particular career level and job experience.
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Cover Letter Examples - Resume cover letter examples for professionals in multiple industries. You will find sample cover letters for applying to job positions, cold job leads and responding to job ads.
Cover Letter Writing - Provide helpful tips for preparing a winning cover letter that can help you introduce your interest in a job position. Use these tips along with our cover letter examples.
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Resumes Templates - Writing Guides and Format Information
Resume Templates - online resume builder free trial to help you get started building your resume. Resume Templates can be used to give you a quick start to creating your resume.
Articles Directory - Published by career experts to provide advice on resume writing, cover letter writing, job search, job interviews ,salary negotiation, severance pay, career disasters and unemployment.
Resume Format - Definition and analysis of functional and reverse-chronological format with guidelines to help you select the most appropriate format based on your particular career level and job experience.
Online Resumes - Quick tips for building online resumes and optimizing ASCII text, HTML and PDF format. Guidelines for reorganizing text and posting the document on the web.
Power Verbs - Having trouble finding the right verb to describe an action? Check out this list of power verbs that can be used to help you construct statements that help describe your tasks and achievements.
Cover Letter Samples and Letter Writing Guides
Cover Letter Examples - Resume cover letter examples for professionals in multiple industries. You will find sample cover letters for applying to job positions, cold job leads and responding to job ads.
Cover Letter Writing - Provide helpful tips for preparing a winning cover letter that can help you introduce your interest in a job position. Use these tips along with our cover letter examples.
Thank you Letters - Guide for creating and effectively utilizing thank you letters to send to employers during the post job interview process.
Follow up Letters - Learn how to create a follow up letter to check the status of job position and further market your skills after you have submitted your resume to an employer.
Letter of Recommendation - Instructions for preparing a letter of recommendation. The Letter of Recommendation can be a powerful addendum to job search documents.
Use the following information to format your resume. Generate a list of information to include on your resume, then compile the details to format your resume into a customized resume to send to employers.
Review sample resumes and a resume template you can use to create a resume.
Resume Format
Your Contact Information
First Last Name
Street Address
City, State, Zip
Phone (Cell/Home)
Email Address
Objective (optional)
What do you want to do? If you include this section it should be a sentence or two about your employment goals. A customized objective that describes why you are the perfect candidate for the job can help your resume stand out from the competition.
Career Highlights / Qualifications (optional)
A customized section of your resume that lists key achievements, skills, traits, and experience relevant to the position for which you are applying can serve dual purposes. It highlights your relevant experience and lets the prospective employer know that you have taken the time to create a resume that shows how you are qualified for the job.
Experience
This section of your resume includes your work history. List the companies you worked for, dates of employment, the positions you held and a bulleted list of responsibilities and achievements.
Company #1
City, State
Dates Worked
Job Title
Responsibilities / Achievements
Responsibilities / Achievements
Company #2
City, State
Dates Worked
Job Title
Responsibilities / Achievements
Responsibilities / Achievements
Education
In the education section of your resume, list the colleges you attended, the degrees you attained, and any special awards and honors you earned.
College, Degree
Awards, Honors
Skills
Include skills related to the position / career field that you are applying for i.e. computer skills, language skills.
References available upon request
There is no need to include references on your resume. Rather, have a separate list of references to give to employers upon request.
Customize Your Resume
In all cases, be sure to personalize and customize your resume, so, it reflects your skills and abilities and connects them with the jobs you are applying for.
Review Resume Samples
Review sample resumes so you can incorporate your resume template information into an appropriate format.
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Alison Doyle
