I remember when the functional resume template was recommended for job seekers who didn’t have much work experience, such as recent graduates.
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.
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.
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.
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:
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:
Your resume headline appears right below your contact information. It is a one-line summary of your value as a candidate.
After your headline, create a resume summary. This is a short paragraph that provides a snapshot of your key skills and experience.
Create a skills section, tailored to the job you’re applying for, so that hiring managers can quickly see what you offer.
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:
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:
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!
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:
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:
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:
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
There are three basic resume formats:
• Chronological resume format
• Functional format
• Hybrid resume format
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
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.
Among the three resume formats, recruiters prefer that you use the hybrid resume format.
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.
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.