Functional Resume Format: 18 Free Templates & Examples

A functional format for a resume is used if you wish to focus more on your skills than on your chronological work history. Using this format for the resume allows the recruiters and hiring managers to easily see all your technical and soft skills as a candidate.

Though your chronological work history is not required, a hiring manager will still want to see your qualifications, work experience, and all the transferable skills that you possess. Ensure that the skills you include in your resume are relevant to the job you are applying for. With this resume, you should aim to emphasize your skills by categorizing them under “experiences” instead of job titles.

You can have different categories such as “summary of qualifications,” “experiences,” and “professional skills.” Under these categories, ensure you highlight each skill in a way that will impress the recruiter. The resume should also highlight examples of your skills and experiences to help the hiring manager understand your qualifications better. You can include both work and life experiences; however, ensure that they are relevant to the job.

Be sure to concentrate primarily on how your skills can help you complete the tasks and responsibilities that come with the job position, even if you have a variety of experiences to draw from. 

Customizable Templates

Free Downloadable Functional Resume Sample 01 as Word File

Free Downloadable Functional Resume Sample 02 as Word File

Free Downloadable Functional Resume Sample 03 as Word File

Free Downloadable Functional Resume Sample 04 as Word File

Free Downloadable Functional Resume Sample 05 as Word File

Free Downloadable Functional Resume Sample 06 as Word File

Free Downloadable Functional Resume Sample 07 as Word File

Free Downloadable Functional Resume Sample 08 as Word File

Free Downloadable Functional Resume Sample 09 as Word File

Professional Printable Functional Resume Sample 10 as Word File

Professional Printable Functional Resume Sample 11 as Word File

Professional Printable Functional Resume Sample 12 as Word File

Professional Printable Functional Resume Sample 13 as Word File
Professional Printable Functional Resume Sample 14 as Word File

Great Comprehensive Functional Resume Sample 15 for Word Document

Great Comprehensive Functional Resume Sample 16 for Word Document

Great Comprehensive Functional Resume Sample 17 for Word Document

Great Comprehensive Functional Resume Sample 18 for Word Document

    When and Who Should Utilize a Functional Resume

    This type of format is suitable for only certain types of job candidates. That is why you need to understand who should use this format and how best to prepare it to ensure you maximize your chances of getting the job. For example, when you are changing careers, that is, moving from one industry to another, or when you have employment gaps, that is, long periods without employment, this is the resume for you.

    In addition, you can use this resume when you want to focus on your specific professional skills. It is also best to use this resume when you have a set of skills that you have learned from school and through mentorship. When the job you have applied for requires you to focus on your skills rather than your experiences, emphasize all of the skills you have that will distinguish you from other applicants.

    You can also use a functional resume if you have recently graduated and lack professional experience. Additionally, if you consider yourself a creative individual, an overqualified job candidate, or a military transitioner, you should consider using a functional format for your CV.

    How to Create a Functional Resume?

    If you want to learn how to create a resume in a functional format, here are the seven steps you should observe when creating a functional resume:

    Step 1: Provide your personal information

    Ensure that you start by providing your personal information. This entails your name, your current job title, and contact details such as your phone number and email address. Your address is not required on the resume. However, you can include your personal website and LinkedIn profile if they are relevant to your prospective job. It is important to type your name in a font larger than the rest of the text; however, ensure that you use a professional font.

    EXAMPLE

    Emmanuel Peters
    Financial officer
    333-333-3332
    petersemmanuel34@gmail.com

    Step 2: Write an introduction or summary

    The next step is to write an introduction that summarizes your skills. The idea is to prepare a compelling introduction that will make your resume interesting and capture the recruiter’s attention. The summary should be compelling and include details about your most relevant skills, achievements, responsibilities, and career goals. You can either write this section in a paragraph or as bullet points.

    You should not only include about three examples of your most relevant skills but also use keywords as highlighted in the company’s job listing. These keywords will make your resume more noticeable and ATS-friendly, guaranteeing you a chance in the next stage of the job application process.

    EXAMPLE

    I am a financial officer with five years of work experience in overseeing financial transactions, developing budgets, and preparing financial reports. I have strong accounting and analytical skills and solid knowledge of procedures that guarantee a 10% increase in proficiency in the financial and accounting departments if I am hired.

    Step 3: Group and list your proficient skills

    The third step in writing this resume is the grouping and listing your most proficient skills. Your skills section should expand on the three skills that are most important for the prospective job, with roughly three or four bullet points under each to show that you are proficient in that particular skill.

    It is essential to add numbers, such as percentages, dollar amounts, time saved, or even the number of people you worked with, to emphasize your proficiency and expertise. And assure the recruiters that you can deliver tangible results. Also, ensure that the information in your CV is truthful and is intended to impact the company positively. It is also important for you to express this information in a way that is appealing to the hiring manager.

    EXAMPLE

    Analytical ability

    Have a high aptitude for analyzing financial documents so as to prepare understandable and complete financial analyses.

    • Ability to create budgets that can save the company up to 15% on raw materials by establishing legal, efficient, and affordable suppliers.
    • Educate the finance department team on how to forecast the company’s profits and losses so as to prepare proper financial reports.

    Attention to detail

    • Proficient in Mathematics and digital tools, thereby being able to spot any mistakes in the company’s financial documents.
    • Accurate and excellent in terms of preparing contracts and analyzing financial calculations.
    • Ability to identify any discrepancies in the company’s financial documents and data.

    Advanced MS Excel skills

    • Able to use the MS Excel computer program to organize financial data into a digital format.
    • Can prepare spreadsheets to determine the company’s revenue, prepare payrolls, calculate
    • taxes, and forecast the company’s future performance.
    • Ability to transfer data from a different source(s) and rebuild it in MS Excel in a way that is up to 6% faster, saving the company’s time and resources.

    Step 4: Outline your professional history 

    The next step is to outline your work history. This section should be short and concise, as it includes a list of all companies you worked for and your job titles. This information does not need to be listed in any particular order because a functional resume does not emphasize your career history. Also, this section is only important if you have the skills and work experience for the job you have applied for.

    EXAMPLE

    ABC Company        XYZ Company
    Avenue Road           Goodwill Street
    (2015-2016)            (2017-2021)
    Financial Director  Financial Officer

    Step 5: Give your relevant educational background 

    It is also important to include your educational background. You should include the name of your university, the address of this institution, the degree you received, and your GPA, if it is above 3.5.

    EXAMPLE

    B.A. in Finance                                M.B.A with Management Specialization
    St. Peters University, 2014         Charles University, 2018

    Step 6: Highlight your professional accomplishments 

    The next step is to highlight your professional accomplishments. Mention any awards or honors that you have earned, especially if they are relevant to the job you are applying to. Such accomplishments help you stand out among others as they represent a qualified job candidate who will benefit the company. You can mention these accomplishments under the section ‘Awards’.

    EXAMPLE

    Attendee at the World Economic Forum and Global Agenda Councils, 2017-2019
    Winner of the 2019 Best Finance, Accounting and Management Category

    Step 7: Describe your additional skills

    In case you have any other skills apart from those listed in your summary section and skills section, you should mention them in this last section of the resume. You can also mention any skills that you may have gained through internships, personal projects, or volunteer positions. These additional skills are meant to increase your chances of being hired

    EXAMPLE

    • Volunteered at the local weekly community kitchen
    • Basic proficiency in French, and German
    • Have excellent communication and interpersonal skills

    You can write a proper and compelling functional resume by following all seven of the aforementioned steps.

    Tips for Writing a Great Functional Format Resume

    If you want to write an effective resume, you should follow the guidelines listed below: 

    Make your summary an elevator pitch

    The summary of your resume is an important section that is meant to capture the attention of a hiring manager. You should therefore write it like an elevator pitch. This means that you need to make a good first impression by keeping it short and positive. Your top qualifications and best skills should explain why you are the best candidate for the job. The focus is on convincing the recruiter that the skills you offer will benefit the company.

    Organize your skills by theme or topic

    It is also important to organize your skills by theme or topic to make it easier for the recruiter to identify all your professional accomplishments. Some of these categories include  “Summary of Qualifications”, “Relevant or Professional Skills,” “Soft Skills,” or “People Skills” etc. Under the heading “summary of qualifications,” you should highlight your three most relevant and primary skills. For professional skills, you should focus on the abilities you gained from your education, internships, and work experience.

    Briefly state only relevant work experience

    You can also briefly include any relevant work experience in the resume. For this, you only need to include your job title, workplace, and years of employment. This makes a functional format different from a chronological one, which would have included an extensive work history with a detailed explanation of responsibilities. 

    Be concise

    The most important tip is to always be concise. Your resume should be concise, to the point, and a maximum of one page long. This ensures that the recruiter can review your entire resume in a short period of time. 

    Key Takeaways

    • A functional resume is meant for job candidates who do not have a traditional work history or lack the required work experience.
    • With this format, such job candidates can prepare a resume that focuses on all the relevant skills and qualifications they possess in regard to the job position.
    •  You need to observe all the tips and include all the required information in your resume for you to have a compelling resume that will interest recruiters.
    • You can use our functional resume templates to effortlessly prepare your resume for the job you want to apply for.

    About This Article

    Adam M.
    Authored by:
    Resume Writing, Career Counseling, LinkedIn Professional
    Adam M. stands as a seasoned expert in the realm of resume writing and career counseling, boasting an impressive track record that spans over 18 years. Throughout his esteemed career, he has meticulously crafted 5,500+ resumes and optimized 2,000+ LinkedIn profiles, ensuring that each one resonates with recruiters and stands out in the competitive job market. Holding a Master's degree in Career Counseling, Adam's holistic approach goes beyond mere resume writing; he delves deep into an individual's career trajectory, offering invaluable guidance to navigate the professional landscape successfully.

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