Functional Resume Template: Should You Ever Use One?

I recall when the functional resume template was suggested for job seekers with little work experience, like recent grads.

The idea was to highlight your skills and downplay your lack of experience.

But I’ve noticed that the functional resume has fallen out of favor recently. Hiring managers now view them with suspicion.

In this article, I’ll explain why the functional resume has lost its appeal. I’ll show you a better way to stand out, even with limited work experience.

What is a functional resume?

You’re probably most familiar with the chronological resume format. List your work experience at the top of your resume. Start with your latest job and go backward.

The functional resume takes a very different approach. Instead of your work experience, your skills take center stage at the top of your resume. Meanwhile, your job history is pushed to the bottom with minimal detail.

This format shows your skills and achievements, especially those gained from non-traditional ways. This includes coursework, personal projects, or volunteer roles. Career changers, recent graduates, and those with gaps in their work history often use it. This format shifts the focus from timelines to the value you offer in a new role.

Here’s an example of a functional resume template:

I see why this format attracted recent grads, career changers, and those with job gaps. It allowed them to highlight their strengths while their limited experience stayed in the background.

Recruiters often dislike the functional resume format, even if it seems sensible.

How to write a functional resume

This format highlights your skills instead of listing work experience first. It’s great if you gained experience from projects, internships, school, or volunteering. This format can highlight your transferable skills. But you need a strategy to show your value clearly.

Here’s how to structure it:

1. Start with your contact information

Write your full name at the top. Then, add your professional email, phone number, and your city and state. If applicable, include links to your LinkedIn profile or online portfolio.

Make sure your contact info is up-to-date, professional, and matches your online profiles. This helps prevent confusion. Avoid using a street address for privacy, and double-check for typos.

2. Write a tailored resume summary

Craft a 3 to 4 sentence paragraph or bulleted summary that highlights:

Highlight your job-specific and transferable skills here. This is important if you’re changing careers or have gaps in your experience.

3. Create a skills summary section

This is the core feature of a functional resume. Group your skills into 3 to 5 categories that fit the job. Examples include project management, digital marketing, and customer relations.

Under each category, list 3 to 4 bullet points that show measurable achievements, not just duties. For example, “Implemented a new onboarding system, reducing training time by 30%.” Tailor every skill to match the language used in the job description.

Jobscan’s resume builder has a feature that easily lets you add skills to your resume. Under “Core Skills,” you type the skill you want to add, hit enter, and it’s instantly on your resume in the right section. You can add categories as well this way.

4. List your work experience

While your skills are important, add a brief section for your work history. This should include your job title, company name, and the years you worked there.

Place emphasis on roles that relate to your skill categories above. Keep it short and sweet so the recruiter’s focus stays on your competencies, not employment gaps.

Below is an example of a work experience section.

5. Add your education

List your educational background clearly. You can mention any coursework, certifications, or projects that relate to the role.

This part is key if you have little formal experience. Use it to show your transferable skills and knowledge in the subject area. Focus on academic achievements that reinforce your skill sets or industry focus.

6. Include optional sections

Add any extra credentials that show your qualifications. This can include certifications, awards, important projects, or leadership experience.

Create separate sections for each entry. Also, integrate them into your education or skills categories.

This is a great way to enhance your resume. If your work history is short or unusual, it shows your value clearly.

Why don’t recruiters like the functional resume template?

In my experience, hiring managers and recruiters can be skeptical when reviewing resumes. That’s why they tend to shy away from functional resumes.

The problem is, functional resumes often feel like they’re hiding something. This format puts skills first and work experience last. This makes it harder for recruiters to see the full picture of your career.

“Some recruiters see a functional resume and immediately think, ‘What are they hiding?'” says professional resume writer Clair Levy. “It’s like showing up to a first date in sunglasses indoors—it might make you look cool, but it also raises some eyebrows.”

Recruiters avoid digging for key details like job titles, dates, or career paths. A functional resume often hides this information. When recruiters have to work harder to find what they need, they’re more likely to move on to the next candidate.

One recruiter I spoke to put it bluntly, “Recruiters hate the functional resume format. It’s a waste of time.”

Should you ever use a functional resume template?

If everyone’s saying “Don’t use a functional resume,” you might wonder if there’s ever a time when it’s actually a good idea.

Honestly, in most cases, I would say the answer is no. But, there are a few rare situations where it might still make sense.

If you’re a recent graduate or are changing careers, a functional resume could be a good fit. But even then, I believe there’s a better alternative.

Use the hybrid resume format instead

If you don’t have a lot of work experience, I recommend using a hybrid resume format instead of the functional format. (The hybrid is sometimes called the combination resume).

The beauty of the hybrid resume is that it gives you the best of both worlds. You can showcase your key skills, like a functional resume. You also give recruiters the work history details they need, such as a chronological resume.

The best and easiest way to create a hybrid resume is to use Jobscan’s free resume builder.

With the resume builder, you can create and download as many resumes as you need. There are no hidden fees…just unlimited access to professional resume-building tools.

First, you choose from our expertly designed templates to guarantee your resume can be read by an Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS).

Choose a template. You can then create a new resume, upload your current one, or import your LinkedIn profile.

The resume builder also has features like the resume summary generator and was created based on recruiter input. This tool will help your ATS-friendly resume be found by hiring managers.

Key takeaways

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