Functional resume templates and tips for job seekers

If you’ve just graduated from university and don’t have much work experience, or if you're switching careers and unsure how to make your past positions relevant, you might feel stuck when crafting your resume.

But there’s a straightforward solution:

Try using a functional resume format!

This format highlights your skills and competencies rather than focusing on work history, making it ideal for showcasing your qualifications even without extensive experience.

What is a functional resume?

A functional resume is a type of resume format that focuses on showcasing your skills and abilities rather than your work history.

Instead of listing job titles and duties in reverse-chronological order, this format organizes information by highlighting key skills or qualifications at the top, making it ideal for candidates looking to emphasize what they can do rather than where they’ve worked.

When to use a functional resume?

A functional resume is ideal for specific situations where you want to highlight skills rather than a traditional job history. Here are some of the best scenarios for using a functional resume:

Career changers

• If you’re switching industries or roles, a functional resume allows you to emphasize your transferable skills rather than unrelated job experiences. It helps focus the employer’s attention on abilities that can apply to the new field.

Employment gaps

• For those with significant breaks in their work history, a functional resume helps downplay gaps by shifting the focus from timeline-based job descriptions to a skill-centric format.

Freelancers or Consultants

• If you’ve done freelance work or have been self-employed, a functional resume allows you to group your skills and project-based work without needing to list every short-term position.

Entry-Level candidates or recent graduates

• New graduates or individuals with limited professional experience can use a functional resume to highlight academic achievements, relevant coursework, and skills acquired through internships or volunteer work.

Individuals with diverse job experiences

• If your work history spans different industries or positions, a functional resume helps consolidate the most relevant skills for the specific job you’re applying for.

Using a functional resume format ensures that you’re presenting yourself in the best light, especially when traditional resume formats might not accurately reflect your strengths.

How to write a functional resume

A functional resume is organized to prioritize your skills over your work history. Here's a breakdown of how to structure it:

Contact information

• Standard Details: Include your full name, phone number, email address, and location (city and state).
• Optional Links: Add links to your professional LinkedIn profile, personal website, or an online portfolio if relevant to the role.

Example

Resume Summary

A resume summary is a brief statement (2-4 sentences) that highlights your key skills, professional experience, and career goals.

• Focus on Skills: Since this is a functional resume, highlight your top skills.
• Tailor for Each Job: Customize the summary to match the job you’re applying for, emphasizing relevant abilities.

Skill Summary

The skill summary section replaces the traditional work experience section. Organize your top skills into categories and back them up with relevant achievements.

• Organize by Skill Sets: Group similar skills under headings such as "Project Management," "Data Analysis," or "Customer Service."
• Use Bullet Points: List achievements or examples under each skill set, focusing on results or measurable impact.

By following this structure, you can create a strong functional resume that emphasizes your strengths, making you a standout candidate, especially for roles where specific skills are essential.

Education

For the education section, use a simple format like the one in the template above. If you graduated with honors, such as magna cum laude, be sure to include it. However, if your GPA was on the lower side and you have extensive work experience, it’s best to omit the GPA.

Some of the tips are:

• Keep It Simple: List your degree(s), institution name, and graduation date (or expected date). If you’ve attended multiple schools, only include the most relevant or highest level of education.
• Include Relevant Coursework: If you're a recent graduate or transitioning to a new field, include key courses or academic projects that demonstrate skills applicable to the job.
• Highlight Honors and Awards: Mention any academic achievements like "Dean’s List," scholarships, or honors that can boost your qualifications.

Example:

By not focusing on job history, this section keeps the emphasis on qualifications that are directly useful to the employer.

Optional sections

In a functional resume, optional sections can further strengthen your qualifications. You can include any of the following:

• Certifications: Highlight relevant certifications that validate your skills. For example, if you’re in tech, mention certifications like "AWS Certified Solutions Architect" or "Certified Data Analyst."
• Volunteer Work: This is especially helpful for candidates with employment gaps or those new to the workforce. Volunteering can demonstrate soft skills like leadership, teamwork, and communication.
• Technical Proficiencies: If the job requires technical skills, list software tools, programming languages, or other technical proficiencies that align with the position.

Example:

Including these optional sections in your functional style resume offers a more well-rounded picture of your skills and qualifications beyond traditional job titles.

Other resume formats

While a functional resume emphasizes skills, there are other popular formats that may be more suitable for different job seekers. Here’s a quick overview of the two most commonly used alternatives to the functional resume:

Reverse-Chronological Resume Format

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The reverse-chronological resume format is the most widely used type of resume. It highlights your work experience in reverse order, starting with the most recent job and working backward. This format places a strong emphasis on a consistent work history, making it ideal for those with continuous employment and a clear career progression.

• Differences from a Functional Resume:
  • The reverse-chronological resume is focused on your job titles and timelines, while a functional resume highlights your skills.
  • It’s best suited for candidates with a stable work history, whereas the functional format is better for those with gaps or career changes.
  • In a chronological format, each job has detailed responsibilities and accomplishments, while the functional resume consolidates relevant skills across all experiences.

Combination Resume Format

A combination resume format blends the best of both functional and chronological styles. It starts with a skills summary (similar to a functional resume) but also includes a reverse-chronological listing of your job history. This format is ideal for candidates who have strong, relevant skills and also want to showcase a solid work history.

• Why Some Candidates Prefer a Combination Format:

Example:

A project manager switching to marketing might use a combination resume to highlight relevant marketing skills upfront, while still listing their project management roles chronologically.

• It allows you to emphasize your skills while still providing context through job experience.
• It’s particularly useful for career changers, freelancers, or professionals with diverse experience across different industries.

By understanding these alternative formats—reverse-chronological and combination resumes—you can choose the one that best suits your career situation. The functional resume remains a great option for those focused on emphasizing their skills rather than work history.

5 Free Functional Resume Templates & Examples

If you're ready to create a functional resume, using a well-designed template can make the process faster and easier. Below are four free functional resume templates that cater to different needs and career stages. Each template is designed to be ATS-friendly, ensuring your resume passes through applicant tracking systems with ease.

Functional resume template

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This template is designed with a clean layout, focusing on your skills and qualifications rather than your work history. It’s perfect for career changers or candidates with employment gaps.

• ATS-Friendly Design: Optimized for easy parsing by automated systems, ensuring your resume isn’t discarded by applicant tracking systems.

Combination Resume Template

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The combination resume template merges both the functional format and the reverse-chronological format. It allows you to highlight your skills while also listing your work history in reverse order.

• Why It's Great: Ideal for candidates who want to emphasize skills but still showcase a solid work history.
• ATS-friendly with a professional look, making it one of the best functional resume templates for ATS compliance.

College Resume Template

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This template is geared toward recent graduates and students with limited work experience. It emphasizes academic achievements, relevant coursework, and any internships or volunteer work that demonstrate key skills.

• Perfect for Entry-Level Job Seekers: Helps new grads showcase their abilities even without a robust job history.
• Includes clear sections for skills, education, and relevant projects.

Professional Resume Template

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Designed for experienced professionals, this template allows you to focus on your most relevant skills and accomplishments, downplaying lengthy job history.

• Tailored for Mid-Level or Senior Professionals: Highlight advanced skills and leadership experience.
• Works well for professionals making a career shift, allowing you to market transferable skills.

Each of these templates can help you craft a winning resume that not only highlights your skills but also stands out in a competitive job market. By using an ATS-compliant design, you ensure that your resume gets through the initial screening process and into the hands of hiring managers.

How it differs from chronological and combination resumes

• Chronological resume: This format highlights work experience in reverse order, starting with the most recent job. It emphasizes job history over skills, making it best for those with a solid, continuous work experience.
• Combination resume: This format blends both skills and chronological job listings, allowing candidates to showcase key skills while also demonstrating a clear work history.

The functional resume format is particularly useful for career changers, those with employment gaps, or individuals looking to emphasize specific skill sets. It puts skills front and center, helping the resume stand out, especially for roles where specific competencies are key.

Conclusion

A functional resume is an excellent choice for job seekers looking to emphasize their skills and abilities over their work history. It’s especially useful for career changers, individuals with employment gaps, and those entering new industries. By focusing on your strengths and qualifications, you can present yourself as the ideal candidate for the role.

Whether you're a recent graduate or a seasoned professional, using the right functional resume format can significantly improve your chances of landing an interview. Remember, an ATS-friendly resume is crucial in today’s job market to ensure your resume gets through initial screenings.

Discover More Resume Templates

• Sun · Simple resume template
• Fire · College resume template
• Breeze · MINIMALISTIC RESUME TEMPLATE
• Tree · Creative two column resume template
• Water · Modern Resume template
• Ice · Classic resume template
• Sky · Creative Resume template

Call to Action: Don’t wait! Download our free functional resume templates today and explore ATS-friendly options that can help you stand out to potential employers.