I remember when the functional resume template was recommended for job seekers who didn’t have much work experience, such as recent graduates.

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. More importantly, I’ll show you a better approach that will help you stand out—even if your work experience is limited.

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What is a functional resume?

You’re probably most familiar with the chronological resume format. This is when your work experience is listed near the top of your resume, starting with your most recent job and working 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.

Here’s an example of a functional resume template:

I can see why this format was once popular among recent graduates, career changers, or those with employment gaps. It allowed them to highlight their strengths without drawing attention to their limited experience.

While this may make sense, it turns out that recruiters really don’t like the functional resume format.

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Why don’t recruiters like the functional resume?

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. By putting skills front and center and pushing work experience to the bottom, this format makes it harder for recruiters to get a 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 don’t want to search for key details like job titles, dates, or career progression, which is exactly what a functional resume tends to bury. 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.”

Functional resumes can confuse the ATS

Another major reason why I don’t recommend the functional resume format is that it’s not ATS-friendly.

ATS stands for Applicant Tracking System. It’s computer software used by most companies today, including over 97% of Fortune 500 companies, to collect, sort, and analyze the hundreds of resumes they receive for each job opening.

Illustration with an ATS "robot" in between a resume and two hands shaking.

ATS scans the resumes they receive for information like job titles, employment dates, and keywords. Because a functional resume downplays work history and isn’t formatted traditionally, the ATS can struggle to properly interpret it.

This can result in your application being ranked lower, or worse, filtered out completely by the ATS before it even reaches a recruiter. Without a clear employment history for the system to scan, your skills may not be enough to get through an ATS.

If you want to learn how to make your resume ATS friendly, watch this brief video below:

Should you ever use a functional resume?

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. However, there are a few rare situations where it might still make sense.

For example, if you’re a recent graduate with zero work experience or if you’re making a complete career change, I might suggest using a functional resume. 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 beauty of the hybrid resume is that it gives you the best of both worlds. You can still highlight your key skills—just like a functional resume—but you also provide recruiters with the work history details they’re looking for, just like a chronological resume.

Based on my experience, most resumes job seekers create today are hybrid. Here’s an example of what a hybrid resume looks like:

An example of a hybrid resume.

PRO TIP: I created the above resume using the hybrid resume template in Jobscan’s free resume builder. This easy-to-use tool allows you to create and download an unlimited number of ATS-compatible resumes.

If you have limited work experience, the hybrid resume offers a chance to highlight your relevant skills while still providing the job titles and employment dates recruiters look for.

When I help people create hybrid resumes, I always recommend a few key tips to ensure the resume is both ATS-friendly and recruiter-approved:

How to write a hybrid resume
1
START WITH A STRONG HEADLINE

Your resume headline appears right below your contact information. It is a one-line summary of your value as a candidate.

2
WRITE A COMPELLING RESUME SUMMARY

After your headline, create a resume summary. This is a short paragraph that provides a snapshot of your key skills and experience.

3
HIGHLIGHT YOUR SKILLS

Create a skills section, tailored to the job you’re applying for, so that hiring managers can quickly see what you offer.

4
PROVIDE A CLEAR WORK HISTORY

Even if your work experience is limited, list your job titles, dates, and key responsibilities. This helps give recruiters the context they need to assess your background.

What if you don’t have any work experience?

A common question I hear is “But I don’t have any work experience. What should I put in that section?”

Don’t worry. There are several types of experiences you can include in your work history section that will still show your skills and value to potential employers. Here’s what you can focus on:

Internships and volunteer work

Even unpaid roles can demonstrate important skills and experience. List internships and volunteer work as you would any other job—include the organization name, your role, dates, and your accomplishments.

Be sure to highlight any specific skills or contributions that are relevant to the job you’re applying for. See the job description Here’s an example of how internships and volunteer work could look on your resume:

An example of how to list internships and volunteer experience on a resume.

Part-time or temporary jobs

Don’t discount part-time or temporary jobs. These roles can provide valuable experience, even if they aren’t directly related to your target field.

Here’s how you would list a part-time job on your resume:

Example of how to list part-time experience on a resume.

If you don’t have a lot of work experience, I recommend focusing on transferable skills like customer service, teamwork, and time management.

These are valuable skills that can be applied to any job, and hiring managers love to see them on resumes!

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Additional strategies if you lack work experience

I recommend the following ways to bolster your resume if you don’t have work experience. These wouldn’t be placed in your work history section but can still help you stand out.

Relevant coursework

If you’ve completed courses related to the job you’re applying for, list them in a “Relevant Coursework” section. This shows you’re actively building the skills needed for the role.

Here’s an example of what this section could look like on your resume:

An example of how to list relevant coursework on a resume.

The question you might be asking is, “Where do I include this section on my resume?” My advice is to include it before your work history section if you have very little work experience. This would be the case for many recent graduates. But if you have some work experience, place it after that section.

Certifications and training

I always like to see certifications or training on a resume because it shows a commitment to professional development and a willingness to keep learning.

Always list the certification name, the issuing organization, and the date earned. If you have several relevant certifications, include this section before your work history. Otherwise, it can come after your education section.

Here’s an example of how to list certifications:

An example of how to list certifications on a resume.

Read more: 75+ Free Certifications to Help You Land Your Dream Job

Extracurricular activities

When it comes to extracurricular activities, I always look for leadership roles, because this shows initiative and the ability to take charge. Highlight any leadership roles you’ve held in clubs, sports teams, or student organizations.

Here’s what this might look like on your resume:

An example of how to list extracurricular activities on a resume.

Key takeaways

  • The functional resume format is falling out of favor: While it was once popular for job seekers with limited experience, recruiters now tend to view it with suspicion, often assuming it hides gaps or lacks transparency.
  • Functional resumes struggle with ATS systems: Because they downplay work history and focus on skills, functional resumes can confuse ATS software, leading to lower rankings or even being filtered out.
  • Consider the hybrid resume format: The hybrid format blends the best of functional and chronological resumes, allowing you to showcase your skills while also providing a clear work history—making it more recruiter and ATS-friendly.
  • What to do if you have little work experience: Internships, volunteer work, part-time jobs, and freelance projects can all be included in your work history section to demonstrate your skills and value to potential employers.
  • Additional strategies for standing out: Highlight relevant coursework, certifications, and leadership roles in extracurricular activities to bolster your resume and show your commitment to professional growth.

FAQs

What are the different resume formats?

There are three basic resume formats:
• Chronological resume format
• Functional format
• Hybrid resume format

Who is the functional format of the resume good for?

Traditionally, the functional format has been used by:
• Job seekers with limited work experience
• Career changers
• Job seekers returning to the workforce
• Job seekers with employment gaps

What is the difference between a hybrid resume and a functional resume?

A functional resume puts the spotlight on your skills. The hybrid resume not only focuses on your key skills but also on your work experience.

Which resume format is best?

Among the three resume formats, recruiters prefer that you use the hybrid resume format.

Do employers like functional resumes?

Most employers and recruiters don’t like functional resumes because they downplay work history and can make it difficult to assess a candidate’s career progression. Functional resumes often raise red flags, as they may appear to hide gaps or lack of experience, and they also tend to confuse the ATS, which prefer more structured, chronological formats.

How long should a functional resume be?

Functional resumes are typically one page long, especially for early-career professionals. However, a two-page resume may be appropriate if you have a more extensive background.

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Kyle Law, Lead Recruiter

I’m Kyle Law, the Lead Recruiter at Jobscan. With over six years of experience in the recruitment industry, I’ve developed a deep expertise in sourcing, hiring, and placing technical and executive candidates. My background includes working with Fortune 100 and 1000 companies, including Microsoft and Amazon, where I helped fill critical roles such as software engineers, business analysts, and project managers.

Throughout my career, I’ve consistently demonstrated an ability to align recruitment strategies with business goals, ensuring that companies not only hire the best talent but also build strong teams that drive growth. I’ve been recognized for my ability to quickly adapt to the needs of start-ups and high-growth SaaS companies, contributing to their success by ensuring they have the right people in place at the right time.

Before joining Jobscan, I honed my skills at Arch Staffing and Lorien, where I specialized in technical recruitment for a variety of industries, supporting everything from software development to hardware engineering. My passion for seeing products hit the market and provide real value to customers fuels my drive to help companies grow and succeed through strategic hiring.

Outside of the tech world, I’m also the co-owner of Lacewing Cellars, a boutique winery in Walla Walla, Washington, which was named USA Today’s 2021 top wine region. Running the winery with my family has given me hands-on experience in entrepreneurship and operations, further broadening my understanding of business from the ground up. Whether in recruitment or winemaking, I’m passionate about building things that last and seeing them flourish.

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