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Functional Resume: Template, Examples, and Writing Guide

If you have non-traditional work experience — or a lack of relevant work experience entirely — the functional resume format may be the right choice for you. Learn how to write your own, and use our template and examples to help you get started.

What is a functional resume?
A functional resume is a resume format that focuses more on your professional skills rather than each job you held and when you held that job.
Looking to emphasize your skills rather than your career progression? The functional resume format is the ideal choice for you. And if you’re a career changer, job seeker with employment gaps, or someone with a highly developed skill set, the functional resume format gives you the best chance of impressing a hiring manager.
The biggest difference between a functional resume and the standard chronological resume is that a functional resume groups your experience under skill categories instead of job titles. Under each skill category, bullet points are used to highlight examples of your skills, and those examples can come from both work and life experiences.
Here’s what a functional resume looks like:
Structure of a functional resume
Should i use a functional resume.
Yes, you should use a functional resume in the following situations:
- You have long periods of unemployment .
- You’re switching to a new industry . In particular, you’re leaving the industry where you’ve built up most of your work experience.
- You want to highlight specific professional skills rather than your experience.
Functional resume template and examples
Here’s a functional resume template that you can copy and paste into Google Docs or Microsoft Word and fill in with your own information:
Functional resume template
1. Resume Heading
FIRST AND LAST NAME
Email: [email protected] | Phone: 895 555 555 | Address: 4397 Aaron Smith Drive Harrisburg, PA 17101 | Linkedin: linkedin.com/in/yourprofile
2. Resume Summary
Skilled [industry] professional with [# of years] years of experience. Seeking to leverage my expertise in [relevant skills] to fill your [position name] position. An intuitive worker aiming to help achieve [Company’s Name] ’s goals and take on more responsibility as quickly as possible.
3. Relevant Skills
First Skill
- Include a bulleted list of accomplishments related to this skill
- Make sure you quantify (add numbers to) these bullet points
Second Skill
- List any accomplishments or responsibilities that demonstrate this skill
- Assuming you no longer perform a task, make sure you use past tense verbs to describe the experience
- Be as specific as possible. Mention the actual names of software or tools you’ve used
4. Work History
Most Recent Job Title Employer Name / Location / Start Year – End Year
Earlier Job Title Employer Name / Location / Start Year – End Year
5. Education
Degree Name / Major University, Location | Start Date – End Date
6. Additional Resume Section
- Here’s where you can add any other relevant information
- For example, this section could be for any of the following: publications, languages, volunteer experience, or relevant hobbies
Not sure what your functional resume should look like? Here are a couple different functional resume examples that you can download and use as a reference when writing your own:
Example 1: substitute teacher

Substitute Teacher Resume (Text Format)
Certified substitute teacher with a proven track record of improving the progress of struggling students and increasing class text scores. Recognized for ability to increase student participation and motivation in learning through engaging lessons. Adept with Microsoft Office and SMART Board Lesson Development.
RELEVANT SKILLS
LESSON PLANNING
- Write comprehensive reports to regular teachers regarding lessons and student progress
- Collaborate with regular teachers in developing long-term plans for struggling students, as well as designing new activities to enhance learning engagement of students
- Designed and implemented lesson plans that increased student engagement by 47%
STUDENT DEVELOPMENT
- Regularly engaged students in open discussions and other team building activities that increased class morale and created a more energized learning environment
- Effectively helped three struggling students to improve their reading ability — all three achieved grade-level targets within the first year
- Instruct Math, Art, and English to classes ranging between 13 and 24 students, Grades 2 to 5
- Incorporate digital technology for learning activities, including software applications and a SMART board — leading to implementation by the full-time teacher
- Adhered to strict school policies and procedures regarding students with disciplinary issues
B.A. / Primary Education
San Jose State University, May 2016
National Board of Professional Teaching Standards
Multiple Subject Teaching Credential, March 2017
WORK HISTORY
Broadway High School, San Jose, CA
Substitute Teacher
January 2020 – Present
Britton Middle School, Morgan Hill, CA
February 2017 – March 2018
Download This Resume Template
Example 2: customer service

Customer Service Resume (Text Format)
RESUME SUMMARY
- Proven track record of boosting month-to-month sales figures by +10%
- Strong customer service skills: Predict, evaluate, and meet the specific needs of customers
- Interpersonal skills: Expert at getting product from the backroom to the floor in a cost-effective and timely manner
- Awarded “Employee of the Month” for consistently receiving positive customer feedback
CUSTOMER SERVICE
- Receive a +95% on customer service feedback surveys on a consistent basis by providing a friendly in-store environment
- Enhance the customer experience by providing quality assistance and in-depth product knowledge
- Educate customers on up-and-coming brands and the latest fashion trends
- Exceeded sales goals an average of 10% for 5 straight months
- Upsell customers through the recommendation of products that meet their specific needs
- Process 30+ customer transactions a day and factored sales, discounts, and promotions into the final price
MERCHANDISING
- Restock and organize new shipments of inventory in a timely manner, cutting average of 2 days off the merchandising process
- Develop and create unique displays that attract customers to a desired product
- Team worker who is able to adapt in highly dynamic and changing situations in the office
Ulta , Manhattan, NY
(2016–2017)
Sales Clerk
GAP , Albany, NY
(2014–2015)
Sales Representative
The North Face , Albany, NY
Retail Clerk
Associates Degree/Fine Arts
Nassau Community College, Garden City, NY
How to write a functional resume
Now that you have an idea of what a functional resume looks like, it’s time to learn how to write one. Here’s a section-by-section guide for writing a functional resume:
1. List your contact information
Include the following contact information on your resume :
- Your first and last names
- Current job title
- Phone number
- Email address
Your name should be the largest text on the page, and typed out in a professional resume font .
If you have a LinkedIn profile or personal website related to the job you’re applying for, add it in this section.
2. Write a detailed resume introduction
If you’ve been out of a job for chunks of time, a convincing resume summary is the best way to start your resume .
A resume summary provides hiring managers an insight into your professional background and skills. It allows you to list 2-3 examples of your most relevant achievements and responsibilities at the top of your resume, either in a bulleted list or paragraph format. The best way to make a convincing resume summary is by doing some research and writing it yourself or by using a resume summary generator to do the work for you.
Here’s an example of a strong resume summary in paragraph form:

Additionally, check the job description to find resume keywords that you can sprinkle into your resume summary.
3. Group your skills by type
If you use a functional resume format, the skills on your resume are more emphasized than your work history.
Typically the skills section of a functional resume is about the same size as the work experience section of a chronological resume.
When writing the resume skills section on your functional resume, choose at least three skills that are highly applicable to the job you’re applying for. For each skill, add 3 or 4 bullet-point examples that prove you have that skill.
Then you should add numbers to those bullet points to give employers confidence you can fulfill the job requirements and deliver concrete results. These numbers could be anything that you impacted through your work, whether that’s dollar amounts, percentages, numbers of people, or time saved.
Include at least one bullet point with numbers for each skill to catch the hiring manager’s attention.
Here’s an example of what a functional resume skills section with hard numbers looks like:

4. Write your employment history
The work history section of a functional resume is short. You only need to list the names of the companies you worked for, as well as each job title.
You don’t have to list your previous jobs in a specific order either, because adding employment dates for those jobs is optional.
Ultimately, the goal of writing a functional resume is to downplay your chronological work history as much as possible, and your work experience section should reflect that.
Here’s an example of an effective work history section on a functional resume:

5. List your relevant educational background
Unless your resume’s education section directly relates to the job you’re applying for, only include the name of your university or organization, the city and state, the degree you received, and your GPA (if it’s above 3.5).
Here’s an example of how to list your education background on a functional resume:

6. Highlight your professional accomplishments
If you have an award or honor related to your target position, add it to your functional resume.
Earning an award shows you’ve stood out among your peers, proving you’ll be a valuable addition to a workplace.
If you have numerous accomplishments , you should list them in a separate “Awards” section on your resume. Otherwise, you can mention them in your summary or skills bullet points.
Click to rate this article

Written by Conrad Benz
Conrad Benz is a Digital Media Specialist & Resume Expert at Resume Genius, where he helps countless job-seekers craft standout resumes and launch their careers. His... more
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Interview Preparation
How to write a functional resume with examples.
Posted by Glassdoor Team
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Last Updated June 29, 2021
Guide Overview
Functional resume: what it is and how to write one.
Knowing which type of resume to write to best highlight your skills and experience is key to presenting yourself in the most attractive way possible to potential employers. There are a few primary types of resumes that job seekers use, with a functional resume being one of them. Here we take a look at what a functional resume is, explain when you should use one, detail how to write a functional resume, and provide a template and example of this style of resume.
Should you use a functional resume?
A functional resume is a resume style that showcases an individual’s experience and skills rather than specific previous work history. This type of resume may begin with a summarization of their qualifications and then go into a list of the person’s top skills and examples of how they’ve used those skills successfully in the past. For instance, you could list ‘communication skills’ and then provide examples of times when your communication abilities improved a situation or brought about valuable results.
This resume is used by people who have time gaps in their work history or who are making a career change. The difference between a functional resume and other types of resumes, such as chronological resumes and combination resumes, is that this resume style emphasizes skills over a professional background. Functional resumes enable hiring managers to quickly see your strengths in relation to the position and place less emphasis on actual job experience.
A few instances in which a functional resume would be appropriate to use during your job search include:
- You don’t have much work experience. If you’re a recent graduate, there’s a good chance you don’t have a ton of relevant work experience to list on your resume. However, you probably gained several valuable skills throughout your schooling and internships, so a functional resume would work to highlight those rather than drawing attention to your lack of work experience.
- You’re changing careers. When you’re making a drastic career change, such as going from a writer to a therapist, you likely won’t have much previous work experience for the new career. However, you’ll have training and knowledge gained through schooling and skills that give you the ability to perform the duties in the new career.
- You haven’t worked in a while. Whether you took time off to have a child or you traveled for a few years, there’s no shame in taking time off work. However, if it’s been a few years since your last job, this gap in your work history could raise a red flag with potential employers. Using a functional resume will highlight your skills and help grab recruiters’ attention before they get to your employment history gap.
Steps for writing a functional resume
The following are the steps you should take when creating a functional resume:
- Start with your name and contact information. Like with other resume styles, you’ll want to include your first and last name, your address, your phone number, and your professional email at the top of the resume.
- Write a resume summary. A resume summary at the start of your functional resume is a great way to quickly catch the attention of recruiters by highlighting your most relevant qualifications for the job. The summary should be two or three sentences long.
- Note keywords from the job posting. Each resume you submit should be tailored to the specific job you’re applying for. Before writing your resume, take note of any keywords in the job description, such as specific skills, and use them throughout your resume to show hiring managers you possess the qualifications and skills they are seeking.
- Create an organized skills section. The next section on your resume should be your qualifications and skills . Organize this section by theme; for example, one theme could be ‘leadership skills’ and under this heading, you’d list all relevant leadership skills you possess.
- Include an experience section. Even if you have little work experience or gaps in your work history, you should still include the experience you do have. Include where you worked, your job title, and a few key contributions you made if relevant. Dates of employment aren’t necessary.
- Mention your education. Include your education information, such as the colleges you’ve attended, degrees or certificates you’ve attained, and any relevant training you’ve participated in.
Functional resume template
Here’s a template you can use when writing your functional resume:
[Your full name]
[Your address]
[Your phone number]
[Your professional email]
Resume summary: [Include two or three sentences that summarize your skills, qualifications, and experience that are relevant to the job you’re applying for.]
Relevant skills: [List skills/qualifications organized into related groups.]
[Skill group 1]
- [List one skill within this group per bullet point or one example per bullet point of how you’ve demonstrated this skill.]
[Skill group 2]
[Skill group 3]
Work history
[Name of company, location of company]
[Job title]
[Degree received]
[Name of school, dates attended]
Functional resume example
The following is an example functional resume to help guide you when writing your own:
Claire Chancey
579 White Circle
Los Angeles, California 98210
301-543-7778
[email protected]
Customer service professional with more than two years of experience working in customer relations. Committed to providing the highest level of customer service and ensuring every customer is satisfied to increase customer engagement and boost sales.
Areas of Expertise
Conflict resolution, technical support, client retention, upselling techniques, communication
Conflict resolution
Resolved an average of 20 customer complaints per day related to order dissatisfaction, shipment issues, and unavailable merchandise. Increased customer satisfaction rates by 10% over the course of six months.
Communication skills
Communicated regularly with both customers and colleagues to ensure streamlined service and clear expectations.
Problem-solving skills
Made suggestions for additional services and products based on client feedback which ultimately achieved 14% more orders over the span of six months.
Sephora, Los Angeles, CA
Sales Representative
Victoria’s Secret, Los Angeles, CA
Associates Degree in Hospitality
University of Southern California, 2014 – 2018
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Skills based CV example

If you have limited experience, or you are making a career change, you may have considered writing a skills based CV (also known as a functional CV).
In this guide, I’m going to explain what a skills based CV is, when it should be used, and how you can create one.
I’ve also included a real-life skills based CV example.
Guide contents
What is a skills based CV?
When to use a skills based cv.
- How to write a skills based CV
- Skill types for your CV
A skills based CV, which is also known is a functional CV; is a CV which focuses on listing and organising your relevant skills into a logical order.
It differs from a normal CV, which focuses on listing your previous jobs and education, and drawing the most relevant skills from them.
This is an example of a typical skills based, or functional CV.
CV templates

As you can see, this CV lists the candidate’s skills, and is broken into subheadings which relate to skills groups which are relevant to the roles being applied for.
People often turn to the functional CV when they feel that their experience doesn’t match the jobs they are applying for.
For example, if you are an accountant with 10 years accounting experience, but you are now making a career change to become a teacher – a normal CV that lists your accounting experience is unlikely to get shortlisted for teaching roles.
However, if you were to list the skills you have in a skills based CV, you will probably find it easier to match the requirements of a teacher role – even if you have no teaching experience.
A warning about skills based CVs
I worked in recruitment for many years, and I have never seen an employer accept a functional or skills based CV, because they much prefer to see chronological CVs . So, I would only recommend using a skills based CV if the employer has specifically asked for one.
If you are struggling to land interviews with your normal CV, I would advise checking out my guides on writing a CV for a career change , and writing a CV with no experience . They will help you to highlight your suitable skills within a normal chronological CV structure.
However, if you have been asked for a functional CV, or really think it will be the best solution for your job search… Here is how to write one.

How to write a skills based (functional) CV
Writing a skills based CV requires a different approach to a normal CV, but you must remember that the goal is still the same… To secure interviews for your target jobs, by showcasing your suitability.
The format and style of your CV must be professional yet simple.
The aim of the formatting is to provide a pleasant reading experience for recruiters and hiring managers, so that they can navigate it easily and find your most valuable talents quickly
Use the following tips to achieve this;
- Use a simple font that is easy-to-read, and don’t be tempted to over-complicate with anything too elaborate – it will just cause headaches
- Divide the page with clear sections and bold headers, this will make the information easy to flow through
- Break text up with bullet points and short sentences – again, this is to make reading easy
- Don’t add pictures like logos and photos, they won’t add any value to our applications
- Keep the CV to around 2 pages in length – any longer and it could become tiring for recruiters to read
Your functional CV should be structured in a way which highlights your most relevant skills, based on the skills being asked for in the job adverts you are applying to.
But, you also have a number of other sections you need to include to create a complete CV.
- Contact details: Always head your CV with your name and contact details, so that recruiters can contact you easily (this should include your phone number, email address, and maybe LinkedIn profile )
- CV profile – An introductory paragraph that sits near the top of the CV, providing an overview of your most relevant and impressive skills (it shouldn’t focus on your work experience) Sometimes called a personal statement
- Skills groups and skills – List subheadings of large skills group such as communication and leadership ; then within those subheadings, list precise skills that fall within each heading, e.g. under communication you could have; writing copy, presenting ideas to colleagues, selling to customers over the phone .

- Education – Near the bottom of the CV, add your educational achievements , focusing on those which are most relevant to the jobs you want.
- Work experience – The last section of the skills based CV, is a simple list of your previous jobs to show employers your career path.
Skills types for your CV
The skills you include in your CV will obviously depend on the types of roles you are applying for.
You should research your target jobs thoroughly to determine which skills your desired employers are looking for, and then look to reflect them when writing your CV .
Broadly speaking, these are the main skill groups you can look to include in your CV, along with some example skills to place within them…
Communication skills
- Delivering presentation to clients
- Dealing wit customers over the phone
- Writing reports for management team
Leadership skills
- Managing a team of 3 staff
- Setting team targets and monitoring progress
- Running workshops to train and motivate staff
Customer service skills
- Helping customers makes informed buying decisions
- Handling transactions and taking payments
- Resolving complaints and ensuring customers are satisfied
Management skills
- Managing 3 major projects through to completion
- Organising contractors to deliver a consistent service
- Scheduling work delivery to ensure no interruptions to service
Finance skills
- Writing company budgets and forecasts
- Reducing spending via negotiating supplier terms
- Preparing purchase ledger and management reports
- Using excel to generate formulas and automatic reports
- Designing and developing new company website
- Testing new software prior to rollout
Workplace skills
- Planning a new reporting system for office absence
- Identifying issues in new processes and providing solutions to fix them
- Working within a team to deliver exceptional service
This is not a definitive list, and you may find that different headings and skills suit your situation better.
Underneath your skills section, add your educational achievements to your CV.
You should focus on qualifications that relate to your target roles, but can include others if you have the space, and feel they will add value to your applications
You can include anything from GCSE’s and degrees, to vocational and professional accolades.
Work history
Whilst your career would normally be the focus of a standard chronological CV, it only makes a small and subtle appearance at the bottom of skills based CV.
Simply draw a list of your roles and include the dates you worked for each company.
This part is only intended to show recruiters the dates you have been in employment, so there isn’t much detail required here.
Writing your skills based CV
Hopefully the above guide and example CV has given you a good steer on how to write your own functional or skills based CV.
As I mentioned, I would only write one of these style CVs if you have been directly requested to by an employer.
Otherwise you should stick with a standard chronological CV, as they are most widely accepted CV format across the UK and probably the world.
Good luck with your job search!
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- Resume Examples
Hybrid Resume: Template and Examples for Any Job in 2023
Should you choose a resume format that highlights your skills or your experience? Luckily you don’t have to choose. You can do both with a hybrid resume. Here’s how.

As seen in:
The first step in landing your dream job? Writing a killer resume. The first step in writing a job-winning resume? Deciding on the right resume format.
The standard advice: Pick a chronological resume format to highlight experience, or a functional resume format to show off your skills.
But what if you both have experience and need to show off certain skills to the HR manager?
Enter—the hybrid resume.
The hybrid resume format laughs in the face of that ultimatum. It puts your skills front and center, while still presenting your relevant experience.
But does that mean everyone should use it? Not quite. It’s actually unsuitable for many candidates.
Here’s a guide to find out if the hybrid resume (or combination resume) is for you and how to write one of your own.
This guide will show you:
- What a hybrid resume format is and when to use it
- A hybrid resume template to make your own
- How to write the perfect hybrid resume
Want to save time and have your resume ready in 5 minutes? Try our resume builder. It’s fast and easy to use. Plus, you’ll get ready-made content to add with one click. See 20+ resume templates and create your resume here .
Create your resume now

Sample resume made with our builder— See more resume examples here .
Hybrid Resume Example
Taylor Nauman
Senior Software Engineer
660 Scheuvront Drive
Denver, CO 80401
303-526-7424
[email protected]
linkedin.com/in/taylornaumann542
Skills Summary
Software Development
- Developed modern applications with C++, Swift, and Java by leveraging knowledge in algorithms and data structures.
- Created new multi-touch gestures on iOS app to create a more user friendly UX and reduced click count by 15%.
- Deployed and updated software using continuous integration scripts to minimize product down time.
Team Leadership
- Led a multidisciplinary team of software developers and UI/UX professionals to launch a product with 5M+ users globally.
- Consulted with senior management to identify minimal viable products and develop project scopes.
- Mentored software engineering interns, providing constructive feedback and technical advice.
Project Management
- Ensured the best possible performance of a 8+ technical team to develop high quality, responsive products.
- Led code review sessions of team members as the product owner to maintain efficient, reusable, and efficient C++ code.
Additional Skills
- Software: C, Java, C++, Python, Swift, Unix, JavaScript, HTML/CSS, SQL, and Git.
Work Experience
Technical Lead May 2017–Present Swifty Cloud Services, Denver, CO
- Managed a team of 10+ engineers, designers, and interns.
- Developed a Java-based cloud storage application with development costs 15% lower than expected.
Senior Software Engineer March 2013–April 2017 Zippy Inc, San Francisco, CA
- Designed and developed up to 5 applications per year while keeping code scalable, portable, and reusable.
- Reduced application crashing by 50% by performing code reviews on a biweekly basis.
Software Developer May 2010–January 2013 Friendster, San Francisco, CA
- Developed an iOS application using Objective C used for social networking.
2006-2010, BS in Computer Science
The City University of New York
Now you know what a hybrid resume looks like. Get ready to learn all the basics:
1. What is a Hybrid Resume
A hybrid resume is a resume that focuses equally on both important job skills and professional experience. Also known as a combination resume or chrono-functional resume, they are best suited for people changing careers, seasoned professionals with extensive experience, and those with gaps in employment.
Hybrid resumes skip the traditional resume introduction and instead lead with a skills summary. The skills section is followed by your work experience section.
At first glance, this sounds like the best of both worlds—the work experience recruiters want to see and the in-demand skills that’ll make your resume stand out.
So you might be thinking that there’s no competition—the hybrid resume format is king.
Not so fast. Let’s see how the hybrid resume compares to the chronological and functional resume formats:
See that? Even though liger hybrids are bigger— and arguably better —than both tigers and lions, the same doesn’t necessarily hold true for resume hybrids.
The hybrid resume isn’t for everyone—in fact it’s only suitable for a few types of job seekers.
Here’s who could benefit by using a hybrid resume format:
- Career changers: A hybrid resume shifts focus away from solely work experience, and gives you space to expound on the key job skills to write a resume for a career change .
- Experienced professionals: Some professions are more skill-focused than others. If that’s the case, hybrid resumes can masterfully present both your skills and experience.
- Job seekers with gaps in employment but also relevant experience: Make those resume employment gaps seem less important by highlighting your skills first.
If you need more help deciding which resume format is best for your job search, here’s a guide to help you decide: How to Choose the Best Resume Format for You
2. The Hybrid Resume Template
Now that you know the definition of a hybrid resume, it’s time to get started on your own.
Use this blank template to layout your hybrid resume:
Hybrid Resume Template
[Your Name]
[Phone Number]
[Email Address]
[LinkedIn] (Optional)
[Social Media] (Optional)
[Job Title]
[Company Name]
[City]
- [Bullet point]
[Graduation Date]
[School Name]
Read more: Soft Skills Examples for a Resume & Hard Skills Examples for a Resume
When making a resume in our builder, drag & drop bullet points, skills, and auto-fill the boring stuff. Spell check? Check . Start building a professional resume template here for free .

When you’re done, Zety’s resume builder will score your resume and tell you exactly how to make it better.
3. How to Write a Hybrid Resume
“Don’t judge a book by its cover”. A piece of advice that everyone struggles with—including recruiters.
That’s why it’s important to have the right resume layout and avoid making any resume mistakes . But most recruiters are willing to look past minor imperfections. What’s most important to them is the content—you know, your experience and job skills. And this is exactly what the hybrid resume style will highlight.
Here’s how to write each section of a hybrid resume:
1. Start With a Contact Information
Don’t forget to cover the basics. It doesn’t matter how good your resume is if HR can’t contact you.
Include the following in your contact information resume header :
- Phone number
- Email address
- Home address (optional)
- LinkedIn profile (optional)
Read more: Contact Information on a Resume
2. Add a Skills Summary
Here comes the bread and butter of your hybrid resume. Take your time to get this section pitch perfect. You might be tempted to create a skills summary on a generic resume you use to apply to every job application you come across.
Don’t do that.
Your skills summary should act like a megaphone shouting “I have the perfect skills for this position” to the recruiter. How do you accomplish that?
By tailoring your resume to the job .
Let’s take a look at Taylor’s skills summary from the hybrid resume example above:
That’s a great example of a hybrid resume in action.
See how even though Taylor has experience in many different programming languages , he only focuses on three in his skills summary? That’s because those were the languages mentioned in the job description of the job he’s applying for.
One more thing to note—
Pay attention to how Taylor showed proof of his skills by quantifying his achievements . Do your best to mention accomplishments more than duties and responsibilities.
Read more: Targeted Resume Examples
3. Mention Additional Skills
Skills matter. And your resume will look fishy if it’s too targeted (i.e. you seem to only have the skills mentioned in the job description).
Include up to five bullet points of skills that could be relevant to the position you’re applying for, such as:
- Communication skills
- Software skills
- Management skills
- Teamwork skills
- Language skills
- Technical skills
Wondering what skills look best on a resume? Check out this guide: The Key Job Skills to Put on a Resume [For Any Skill Set]
4. Include Work Experience
Hybrid resumes put slightly more importance on your skills than on your professional experience. But that doesn’t mean you should skimp on your work experience section. Afterall, 65% of employers prefer candidates with relevant experience.
Here’s how to write a relevant experience section on a hybrid resume:
- Put your current or most recent job first. Next, enter your previous positions in reverse chronological order.
- Include the company name, location, your job title, and dates of employment.
- Add up to two bullet points that illustrate your responsibilities and achievements (preferable).
Here’s some sample text from the hybrid resume example above:
Read more: How to Describe Work Experience on a Resume Using the Job Description
Show Off Your Education
Almost done. The last part of a hybrid resume is the education section.
If you have extensive work experience, only add the degree , graduation date, and school name.
If you’re a career changer and your degree is highly relevant or if you have gaps in employment, you can make it glitter with the following:
- Relevant coursework
- Minor or Major
- Dean’s List
- Study abroad
- Extracurricular activities
Read more: How to List Education on a Resume [Includes Examples]
Plus, a great cover letter that matches your resume will give you an advantage over other candidates. You can write it in our cover letter builder here. Here's what it may look like:

See more cover letter templates and start writing.
Key Takeaway
Hybrid resumes can be great for experienced professionals with certain skills they want to put on display, career changers, and those with gaps in employment.
Follow the following expert advice when writing a hybrid resume:
- Back up your skills by showing off the achievements, awards, or certifications that required them.
- Tailor your skills summary to the job description. Focus on those most relevant and the ones the hiring manager is undoubtedly looking for.
- Don’t skimp on your work experience section. Highlight your top achievements and most difficult responsibilities, because employers love to see relevant experience.
Do you have any questions regarding hybrid resumes? Is the chronological resume failing you and you’re curious about hybrid resume templates? Let’s chat in the comment section!

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Home >> Templates >> Functional CV: templates
Functional cv: templates.
Opposite to the chronological CV, in the functional CV the information is distributed by topics. This way, it allows the employer to get a quick look at your studies and experience in a particular field. Also, by not being chronological, it helps you choose the positive points, emphasize your skills and achievements, and at the same time, ommit or make unwanted data less visible.
In our website, you’ll find different formats that organize information by topics. They’re all available for download in different colours and ready to start working on them. Choose the one you think is the best for you.
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Skills-Based CV: See a Functional CV Template + Examples
I had an interview yesterday and the first thing they said on the phone was: “Wow! I love your CV.” Patrick I love the variety of templates. Good job guys, keep up the good work! Dylan My previous CV was really weak and I used to spend hours adjusting it in Word. Now, I can introduce any changes within minutes. Absolutely wonderful! George
What Is a Functional CV?
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How to Write a Functional CV
A functional CV emphasizes your skills as opposed to your work experience. These CVs are best for job applicants who are recent graduates, lack industry experience, or are transferring to a different career. The functional CV highlights strengths, while taking the focus off any employment gaps.
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Functional vs. Chronological CV:
A functional CV highlights a candidate's skills and is suitable for inexperienced job seekers or applicants with limited experience in the field they're entering. A functional CV draws on skills gained during a candidate's studies, and volunteer or part-time work. By contrast, A chronological CV is designed for experienced professionals.
How to Write a Functional Resume:
Our complete, step-by-step guide that reveals all you need to know to create a functional resume.
Create a functional resume guidelines.
Add your contact details..
Place your name and contact details in the CV's header on page 1 (remove it on the other pages if your CV is longer than a page). Use a professional email address and your current contact number. You may also list your LinkedIn profile or website address provided it's relevant for the position you're applying to.
Add a personal profile.
Include a Personal Profile below your contact details if you're not submitting a cover letter and you feel that it could improve your chances of being interviewed. It's important to add the Personal Profile if you're uploading your CV to a job board that doesn't allow for a cover letter.
Include a list of skills.
Include both hard and soft skills , limiting this section to between five and seven skills. The skills section of the functional CV should be more detailed than the skills section of the chronological CV, and you should include bulleted points to explain how you developed each skill.

List your academic qualifications.
Start with the most recent degrees, diplomas, or certifications. You can choose how detailed you'd like this section to be. You could mention specific courses the hiring manager may be interested in.
Add your work experience.
Work experience is the next section you should include. List any part-time or volunteer work you've done, as well as leadership positions you've held, e.g. Treasurer of the Debate Club.
Tips for Writing a Functional Resume:
- Once you've completed all the essential sections, you can select additional sections that might be useful. Be sure to use the headings provided by the word processing software.
- Select a neutral font like Times New Roman, Arial, or Helvetica. Use only black and font size 10-12.
- Do not use color or graphics , and remove them if you've used a CV builder.
- Do not include false information or try to mask gaps in your CV.
- Use Grammarly to identify errors and get a friend or colleague to do a final read-through before you complete your application.
- References are no longer included on CVs, but you can prepare a separate list in case the employer requests one. Read our resume guide to find out what should be included in this list.
- If your CV is longer than two pages, include your name and the page number in the footer.
Functional CV Template in MS Word Format:
Start applying for jobs today using our Functional CV Template.
Functional CV Template: (Text Version)
(In the header) [Your Full Name] [Your contact number] | [Your professional email address] | [Your LinkedIn profile/website]
Personal Profile [Write your Personal Profile. Craft a paragraph of 100 – 400 words highlighting your skills and work experience most relevant to the position you’re applying for. Describe who you are as a professional, what you can offer the company, and also what your overall career objectives are. This section is optional if you’re submitting a Cover Letter or if you feel that writing one will decrease your chances of getting an interview.]
Skills [List Main Skill, e.g. Leadership] [Have one or two bullets beneath this skill where you elaborate on how you developed it, e.g. you were the vice president of the debate society in college]
[List Main Skill, e.g. Leadership] [Have one or two bullets beneath this skill where you elaborate on how you developed it, e.g. you were the vice president of the debate society in college]
Academic Qualifications (Include the most recent/relevant qualifications first) (Format for New Graduates) [Qualification] [Name of institution] [Location] [Year started – year ended]
- [Brief overview of your degree/diploma, mentioning significant courses]
- [List any honours/scholarships/awards achieved]
(Format for Experienced Professionals) [Qualification] , [Name of institution], [Location]*
*graduation date not required for experienced applicants.
Work Experience (Include the most current position first) [Company/Institution Name] [Link to company/institution's website] [Position Title] [Date of employment with year/month – year/month]
[Brief outline of key duties] - [Bulleted list of top achievements, strengthened by using facts, statistics, and percentages.]
[Company/Institution Name] [Link to company/institution's website] [Position Title] [Date of employment with year/month – year/month]
[Company/Instititon Name] [Link to company/institution's website] [Position Title] [Date of employment with year/month – year/month]
Additional Sections (All of these sections are optional, but experienced candidates may require them. Select those most relevant to you.)
[Books/Chapters] (Include the titles of the books you’ve written or contributed to. Include the publication date, imprint, and any other relevant details. Can take the form of a bulleted list, with short explanations.)
[Journal Articles] (Include the titles of the journal articles you’ve written or contributed to. Include the publication date, name of the journal the article was published in, and any other relevant details. Can take the form of a bulleted list, with short explanations.)
[Peer-Reviewed Articles] (Include the titles of the articles you’ve peer-reviewed and any other relevant details.)
[Other Publications] (Include any other notable works you’ve completed, with their publication dates, and other relevant details.)
[Awards, Honours, or Achievements] (List the awards you’ve achieved, with brief explanations of them.)
[Additional Certifications or Licenses] (List any relevant certificates or licenses you hold.)
[Fellowships, Grants, and Scholarships] (List any fellowships, grants, or scholarships you’ve received, along with their dates, and any other relevant information.)
[Conferences Attended] (List the conferences you’ve attended, their dates, and where they were held.)
[Presentations or Lectures Delivered] (List the presentations, lectures, or seminars you’ve delivered, as well as the details thereof.)
[Teaching Experience] (Mention any teaching or training experience you’ve had, with dates, locations, and other notable details.)
[Non-Academic Activities/Notable Interests & Hobbies] (If they’re related to the position you’re applying for, include a list of non-academic activities like interests and hobbies.)
[Graduate Fieldwork] (Include the details of your fieldwork and research.)
[Research or Lab Experience] (Include the details of your research and lab experience.)
[Additional Languages] (Mention any additional languages you have learned. Indicate your proficiency as a novice, intermediate, or advanced.)
[Memberships] (Mention any active memberships relevant to your career/the position you’re applying for.)
[Volunteer Work/Initiatives] (List your volunteer work or the non-profit initiatives you’ve been involved in, as well as the impact you’ve made there.)
[Projects] (List any projects you’ve initiated or been involved in, as well the details thereof.)
[References] (Compile a separate list to go at the back of your CV.)
What is the format of a functional CV?
- Name and contact details.
- Personal profile.
- Skills (a detailed list).
- Academic qualifications.
- Work experience.
- Additional sections, relating to published works, awards, supplementary courses, training, and more.
Who should use a functional CV?
A functional CV is best-suited to those with limited industry experience, like job seekers who are recent graduates or applicants who are transferring from one career to another. It also works well for candidates with gaps in their employment.
What is the difference between a functional and a chronological CV?
A functional CV foregrounds skills, whereas a chronological CV focuses on work experience.
How do you list skills on a functional CV?
The Skills section on a functional CV fits beneath the Personal Profile. It usually covers 5 - 7 skills that are relevant to the job the candidate is applying for, and it would contain details about how the candidate developed each skill.
Are functional CVs bad?
Functional CVs are not necessarily compatible with ATS (Applicant Tracking Systems). Many Hiring Managers also regard Work Experience as the most significant area of your CV, so they expect to see this information at the top of your CV. Consider the other CV formats carefully before deciding which one is best.
Related Articles:
How to write a cv, how to write a chronological cv, how to write a resume, how to write a combination resume, how to write a combination/hybrid cv.
What is a Functional Resume?
When to use a functional resume, tips on writing a functional resume, 1. start with a summary, 2. organize by theme, 3. incorporate keywords, 4. include relevant projects, 5. highlight employment history, pros and cons of a functional resume, functional resume template, additional resources, functional resume.
A resume format that emphasizes an individual’s set of skills
A functional resume is one that emphasizes an individual’s set of skills. It is one of three other types of resumes, which include reverse-chronological and a combination of the functional and chronological. The chronological type is the one that highlights a person’s professional experience, starting with their latest position.

While the chronological resume is ideal for persons with few gaps in professional experience, a functional one is often better suited for individuals with such employment gaps. The functional resume shifts the emphasis from job titles to the applicant’s skills.
Job seekers can choose among several resume formats. Given that a functional resume emphasizes an individual’s skill set over other things such as length of employment, it’s perfect for applicants with a few gaps between jobs. For example, if the applicant is a student, they may only have internship-based experience.
However, a functional resume is less popular than the chronological one that stresses the candidate’s work background. The reason for this is that most recruiters and interviewers prefer such a resume. Thus, unless there’s a specific reason for using the functional resume, one should stick to the traditional chronological resume. With a combination resume, the candidate’s skills are outlined first, followed by their work history.
When writing a functional resume, it’s a good idea to incorporate a summary at the beginning. This section should summarize all the skills the individual possesses, particularly ones relevant to the position he’s applying for. That way, the employer gets a vivid picture of who the applicant is at first glance.
Another good tactic in creating a functional resume is to structure the resume by themes. The themes are chosen based on expertise or the qualifications for the position being sought. Examples of themes are “Recruiting Experience” or “Customer Service Experience.” Grouping skills in this manner enables the employer to easily identify and assess the applicant’s skills.
A job seeker should always include keywords that were used in the job description. One of the best ways to do this is by incorporating keywords into subheading titles. Alternatively, one can include them as a bulleted list, listing skills and achievements in a more detailed way. This helps the potential employer to match one’s skill set with specific job requirements.
Highlight relevant projects to showcase your accomplishments. Whether the projects are personal or professional, they can help prove to potential employers that you are someone who can deliver results.
Even though the functional resume focuses on one’s skills, that doesn’t mean that one shouldn’t include work experience at all. Employment history can be added at the bottom of the resume or worked into the skills listings. For example, one might put employer names in boldface type: “Created advertising campaign for Envy Clothing Inc.”
There are many benefits of using functional resumes. They include the following:
- It provides applicants with a good strategy for covering periods of unemployment.
- Individuals with minimal experience — such as new graduates and career-changers — have a nice way of showcasing themselves.
- It comes in handy for applicants who are entering the workforce after a long period of time away. For example, people who leave corporate work temporarily to do mission work find functional resumes beneficial.
- A functional resume can be used to outline project-based or contractual work experience that one has gained by working with different companies.
- It emphasizes the most relevant work experience, particularly if the applicant has a long work history with a lot of different employers.
- Potential employers get a snapshot of the applicant’s expertise in the advertised position.
- It places focus on diverse functions, skills, knowledge, and expertise.
- It can be very effective for applying for unconventional roles.
Unfortunately, using a functional resume also poses certain challenges, such as the following:
- If it fails to adequately explain gaps in employment, it may give an employer the impression that one has an unstable work history.
- It likely does not reveal a clear career path.
- It may highlight skills and expertise of the candidate but without providing a reference to how the abilities were acquired.

With a functional resume, an individual’s work experience is explained by highlighting his skills and abilities. The skills are often grouped into themes, appearing above chronological work history. The functional resume format is beneficial for applicants who are changing careers and those with minimal experience.
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Go with a creative CV template if you work within the fields of marketing, graphic design or similar. Your CV should ooze creativity and imagination.

With the functional CV template you emphasize your skills and other qualifications rather than your professional experiences. Choose this format if you have large gaps in your work history.

As a student it's important to put emphasis on the projects you've completed and core competencies that you already possess as you have limited work experience.

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Frequently asked questions
- 1. What is a CV (curriculum vitae)?
- 2. What do I put on a CV?
- 3. How do I format my CV?
- 4. How long should my CV be?
- 5. Do I include a photo on my CV?
What is a CV (curriculum vitae)?
CV is short for curriculum vitae, meaning course of life. It is a personal document that outlines your professional career and educational level.
Its purpose is to give the reader an understanding of your overall professional profile when you’re applying for a job.
We often get the question: what's the difference between a CV and a resume?
The short answer is: Almost none. Here's why:
In Australia, the US, and Canada, a CV is a document you use for academic purposes. The academic CV outlines every detail of your scholarly career. In the rest of the world, a CV is equivalent to the US resume, which you use when you apply for jobs.
What do I put on a CV?
There are some basic sections of a CV you must include, and in an order that cleanly formats your CV as you make it:
- CV header with your contact information and personal details
- Profile text, also known as CV summary or CV objective
- Work experience
- Additional sections, such as awards or certifications
Your goal is to list the above key elements chronologically (reverse chronologically) and in the right order. In our CV builder we have created a set frame that defines the best way to portray your skills and experiences. That's why you can't customize all sections in our templates. A CV that seems to be randomly assembled will not show off your skills in a strong and professional manner and it is utterly important that you treat your CV with professionalism. We've got that covered for you.
How do I format my CV?
Choose clear, legible fonts with a readable font size such as 11-12 pt.
Don’t overload your CV with modernistic graphics. Simple is good.
Our CV templates are already formatted with these standards, so you only have to focus on submitting your data.
How long should my CV be?
Preferably 1-2 pages, depending on your experience level, and what type of job you apply for. It's better to be concise instead of cramming in forgettable adjectives. Be brief and only add information that is relevant.
It is not recommended to go beyond 3 pages, as the most relevant information about you is on page 1-2 anyway. You have to tailor your CV around each job listing, therefore you stand with a different task each time. There's no obvious do this or do that for each of your CVs.
Do I include a photo on my CV?
To avoid any bias it is mostly recommended not to, unless the job listing specifically express the need to include a photo of you.
If including a photo is mandatory, be sure to use a professionally looking picture, not something from your social media accounts or anything as stringent as your driving license.
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Functional resume
Use this functional resume template to highlight your skills. With a functional resume template, Word provides formatting, content tips, and more. With its focus on education, this functional resume would be a fine choice for someone with limited job experience. Find resume templates and more to assist with your job search from Word.

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Example CVs
Not all CVs are the same and selecting the right CV for the job is essential. Take a look at our example CVs to discover which is right for you and to find inspiration to help you craft the perfect document
People often create one CV and send this out regardless of the job or employer. This is a mistake that could lead to you missing out on an interview.
A standard CV isn't suitable for all jobs and levels of experience. A CV must highlight skills that match the recruiter's needs and sometimes you may need to use a different CV template to achieve this.
Chronological CV
Sometimes known as a traditional or a graduate CV, a chronological CV is used to match your qualifications and work experience with the requirements for the job role. This type of CV is structured in reverse chronological order i.e. the most recent qualifications and experience are listed first.
This graduate CV template makes it easy for employers to identify potential candidates. It allows you to provide clear details of your qualifications, work history and responsibilities, which match the criteria provided in the job description.
It's important to include:
- dates - cover any gaps in your history
- qualifications and work experience - match these to the role you're applying for
- additional skills and knowledge - cover essential criteria for the role.
Take a look at how to write a CV .
Skills-based CV
Also known as a functional CV, the skills-based CV can be used if you have gaps in your employment history. This type of CV template is also useful if you have limited experience or are applying for a job that is unrelated to your degree.
Employability skills are transferable to different roles and employers. The skills-based CV allows you to focus on the skills you have developed in various areas of your life.
It's important to:
- position your skills profile prominently
- match your skills with the role profile and use the same headings
- provide evidence of how you've used your skills in real life situations.
Find out what skills employers want .
Academic CV
Focused on educational achievements, academic CVs are used when applying for lecturing or research-based roles. They differ to general or chronological CVs as they include sections on publications, teaching experience, research activities and conferences and presentations.
You need to ensure that your writing style is scholarly but clearly understood to those outside of your field of interest.
While longer than chronological CVs (there isn't really a set page limit), it's still important to keep academic CVs as concise as possible and to target them to the role's requirements, presenting each section in reverse chronological order. Your academic achievements, research interests and specialist skills should be placed on the first page.
Also include details of your specialist skills, research outcomes, potential future developments, and any funding or grants that you've received and professional memberships that you've gained.
Find out more about getting an academic job .
To find out how to market a PhD effectively, see your PhD, what next? If you're a postgraduate but not looking for an academic career, your CV should follow an alternative layout.
School leaver CV
Putting together a strong CV when you've just completed your GCSEs or A-levels and you have minimum work experience isn't easy but it can be done. The good news is employers rarely expect school leavers to have massive amounts of work experience - the length of your CV doesn't matter, it's the quality that counts.
- personal profiles are optional - do some research to see if the role you're applying for and the employer requires one. If you choose to include one on your CV make sure it says something and adds to the document. Empty, generic statements won't impress.
- make sure you highlight sought after skills and attributes from the job advert in your CV. You might not have a lot of experience but relate the skills and knowledge you do have to the role. Avoid trying to 'flesh out' your CV with irrelevant detail.
- presentation matters - make sure it's consistent throughout and avoid final sentences or stray words trailing on to another page. Bullet points are not essential, but they can help you to be brief and get useful information into a limited space.
Find out more about getting into university , alternatives to university and applying for an apprenticeship .
Teaching CV
To make your teaching CV stand out begin by highlighting details of your school and teaching experience. This could be a mixture of paid and volunteer positions. Include relevant activities such as sports coaching, summer camps or working with youth groups.
Then outline your teacher educational achievements such as your teacher training and any relevant university modules.
List skills that will be useful in the role such as IT knowledge, languages and leadership ability and be sure to mention any interests relevant to teaching such as sporting activities or musical abilities.
Close by providing details of two current referees, such as one from your teacher training and one from teaching practice.
Local authorities and schools usually follow 'safer recruitment procedures' and so ask all applicants to complete a standard application form. That way no-one can hide information, which may be possible in a cleverly written CV.
Read more about getting a teaching job .
Technical CV for IT jobs
An IT CV, also known as a technical CV, can be used to apply for roles such as web developer, IT consultant, software tester or applications developer.
Include an introductory paragraph, which mentions your technical expertise and experience, and incorporate a 'key skills' heading which will allow for more detail when discussing technical competencies.
While you might be tempted to showcase all your technical abilities at once, ensure that you highlight relevant skills first and foremost. You should also bear in mind that the document will need to be understood by non-technical people such as HR managers.
Use this CV template to focus on your:
- ability to maintain existing software applications and develop new ones
- experience of applying technical standards, theories and techniques
- problem-solving capabilities
- communication skills.
Explore IT graduate jobs .
Also known as a legal CV, the law CV template can be used when applying for training contracts.
At this stage it's ok to leave out the personal profile (usually presented at the top of your CV). Who you are, your career ambitions and why you're applying for the role should be clearly stated in your cover letter. However, if you're applying for solicitor jobs further down the line you'll need to include this personal statement.
Begin by outlining your education background, making sure to include relevant electives, modules and awards. Then move on to highlight all legal work experience including vacation schemes, work placements or pro bono work.
Commercial awareness is incredibly important to employers so be sure to evidence this in your law CV. List all commercial experience, including relevant tasks and responsibilities.
Discover how to write a legal CV and cover letter .
Generally video CVs used in customer-facing and creative roles in marketing, sales and the media, but a good well thought out video CV can get you noticed by employers in any sector.
Take a look at how to create a great video CV for examples and advice on how to make one and learn more about creative CVs .
Find out more
- Read up on how to avoid the top 7 CV mistakes .
- Take a look at some example cover letters .
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Functional Resume Format: Examples and Tips
A functional resume – also known as the skills-based resume – highlights your skills and training and can be a good fit if you’re applying for specific jobs. Read on to learn more about the functional style resume and how you can apply our functional resume examples to create a best-in-class resume in our Resume Builder .
What is a functional resume?
A functional resume is a resume format that focuses on highlighting skills and qualifications instead of work experience. Your abilities are grouped under various skill sections , such as “Summary of Qualifications” and “Professional Skills,” where you explain what it is you can do. The goal of a functional style resume is to show the employer that you have the skills to get the job done, even if you lack work experience.
Some claim that employers aren’t enamored with skills-based resumes or can even have trouble scanning them. It’s important to note that a functional resume is an incredibly useful and valid way to present your qualifications if you’re a switching careers.
When to use a functional resume

You’re a first-time job seeker or don’t have much work experience.
Don’t have a lot of career accomplishments under your belt? Use the functional resume format to emphasize the important skills and traits you already have. Categorize your skills under major areas of expertise (e.g., “Organizational Skills,” “Logistics”), with four to five examples of your best achievements and experiences within each area.

The job places more importance on skills than experience.
If the job doesn’t require heavy experience and places a premium on specific skills, then the functional resume will put the spotlight where it belongs: the skills you have that matter.

You’re shifting to a different career.
If you’re changing careers or taking on a job that’s different from what you’ve done in the past, a functional resume helps you emphasize the right qualifications and achievements. Focus on transferable skills — abilities you’ve demonstrated in other jobs that are important for different jobs and industries.

You have employment gaps.
A functional resume format downplays employment gaps in your career by focusing on top skills and accomplishments relevant to the position. However, if you have substantial “holes” in your work experience, you should be prepared to explain them to a potential employer.
How to write a functional resume
A resume summary is your chance to explain why you’re the best person for the job. Highlight your best skills and expertise in a few sentences, matching your abilities to what the employer is looking for. If you don’t have much work experience, are changing careers or applying for a goal-oriented job, you might want to consider using a resume objective in your skills-based resume instead.
Summary of Qualifications
Like the functional resume sample above, give examples of how you’ve used your top skills. Think beyond standard full-time jobs — if you excelled in an internship, a volunteer position, a personal project or an extracurricular activity, they’re all worthy of being mentioned. For example, if you’re applying for an accountant position, you can include details on a volunteer job you helped manage finances.
Professional Skills
Follow this example of a skills-based resume and group your skills under major categories that address what the job needs. For example, if you’re applying for a web development position, you could create a “Software” category where you list all the programs you’re proficient with.
Work History
The work history section of a functional resume looks a little different. List companies you’ve previously worked for, your job title and employment dates. Your major achievements at these jobs (and the skills you’ve used in reaching these accomplishments) should be featured in your summary of qualifications and professional skills sections.
In your skills-based resume certifications, advanced courses or training that can contribute to success on the job (e.g., project management certification for a product manager position).
Functional resume examples
Use these functional format resume examples for popular jobs as a foundation for your resume or visit our resume examples page for hundreds more job and industry-specific examples. We also have dozens of resume templates , from professional resume templates to creative and modern , as well as free downloadables you can use to create your skills-based resume.
Functional resume example for babysitter
Like in this skills-based resume sample, list any activities or volunteer work you’ve participated in that displays your ability to monitor and take care of children, as well as a mix of intangible skills (such as patience and flexibility) and practical skills (First Aid and CPR).
Functional resume example for bartender
While drink mixing skills are valuable, make sure your functional style resume also lists skills related to working with and supervising teams, managing supplies and inventory, and keeping dining areas clean and organized.
Functional resume example for cashier
List activities or part-time work where you’ve had to display a good customer-service attitude in your functional resume and include practical skills that can help you excel, such as basic math or familiarity with payment apps.
Functional resume example for cook
Stress abilities that show you can thrive in fast-paced work environments (such as teamwork or efficiency), as well as any cooking specialties you have. If applicable, make sure your skills-based resume includes all recognition you’ve received for your cooking (e.g., participating in cooking contests).
Functional resume example for customer service representative
In this functional resume sample, the job seeker makes a compelling case by presenting past activities that utilize valuable skills for a customer service role. The candidate also points out important soft skills that make up for the lack of professional experience.
Functional resume example for graphic designer
Feature key software you’re proficient with, such as Adobe Photoshop and consider adding a “Portfolio” section where you can list top examples of work you’ve done. You should also include a link to your portfolio site. If you’re writing a functional resume for a career change, include a good mixture of soft skills like organization and time management and explain how you’ve used your creativity to create designs.
Functional resume example for maintenance technician
List your vocational training as part of your education section, with the title “Education and Training,” and highlight specific skills and knowledge you’ve gained through training in your skills-based resume.
Functional resume example for medical assistant
Select one of our functional resume templates to focus on communication skills, empathy and other intangible qualifications that are necessary for working with patients, as well as specific medical training and certifications.
Functional resume example for restaurant server
This example of a skill-based resume highlights summer jobs and volunteer work that shows the candidate already has plenty of solid experience, even if it’s not full-time employment. As with the other example, soft skills that relate to customer satisfaction come to the fore.
How to make a functional resume
1. make your summary an “elevator pitch” that focuses on qualifications..
Similar to an elevator pitch , the summary is your first, best chance to make the right first impression, so make it short and sweet. Start your skills-based resume by answering the most important question: Why are you the best person for the job? Zero in on your top qualifications and feature skills the employer is looking for. For example, if you’re applying for a social worker position, and a central requirement is “always putting the client first,” then an appropriate summary statement could read: “Dedicated, client-focused social worker, with keen ability to actively listen, set boundaries and empathize.”
2. Arrange your skills by important themes or topics.
This is where the employer will see your professional accomplishments. As we explained earlier, the functional resume focuses on skills instead of work experience, so unlike the combination and chronological formats, you will be able to group skills under subcategories and organize them in different sections.
- Use the “Summary of Qualifications” section to present up to three skills that you’ve learned or used in projects, extracurricular activities or internships that relate to the job you’re applying for, and briefly expand on them, just like our skill-based resume samples.
- Dive further into your most-used skills in the “Professional Skills” or “Relevant Skills” section. These are job-specific abilities you’ve attained through practice, education and repetition. For example: Photoshop, editing, translation or budgeting.
- Create a bulleted list of your communication, critical thinking or problem-solving.
If you’re unsure what these different sections may look like, you can review the functional resume samples on this page.
3. Mention relevant projects and activities in your functional resume.
Your work history will look slightly different in the functional style resume from the combination and chronological formats. Whereas the combination and chronological resumes feature an extensive work history section with action verbs and bullet points, a skill-based resume will only include your job title, the company name and dates of employment.
Additionally, even if you don’t have much professional work experience, you can make a good case for your abilities by featuring relevant internships, personal projects or extracurricular activities. Providing details in a functional resume on how you’ve used important skills in these activities and individual projects can be as impactful as describing past professional experiences.
4. Keep your skills-based resume to a concise length.
Your functional resume should be one page long, especially if you don’t have a lot of experience. The straightforward and brief approach will help your resume get a full scan by recruiters and hiring managers that usually take only a few seconds to read a resume .
For more resume writing advice, check out our How to Write a Resume article.
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Functional resume format FAQ
Who should use the functional resume format.
Use the functional resume format if you are applying for your first job, have gaps in your employment history, or plan to change careers because it highlights your skills and education over your work history.
How should I display my skills in a functional resume format?
We recommend listing your related skills in a functional resume because it helps employers see your most relevant qualifications. It’s acceptable to create headings such as “ Soft Skills ,” “Programming Skills,” or “Leadership” in your resume template . You might consider grouping your skill set by theme, such as “Technical Skills,” “Customer Service Qualifications,” or “Leadership Credentials.”
How do you write a functional resume?
To write a professional resume in the functional format, start with your contact information, followed by a strong professional statement to outline why you’re the best applicant for the job. After that, focus on your relevant hard , soft and transferable skills. One way to do so is to create a section highlighting your most relevant skills for the job with descriptions of how you used them. Then, add another to call out specific skills. Review the functional resume example on this page for guidance and browse our library of sample resumes for more functional resume examples.
Now that you have picked a template, our Resume Builder is a quick and easy way to complete your resume!

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What resume template should I use for PDF?
Professional resumes for PDF: Choose a chronological format professional resume template in PDF if you’re experienced, staying in the same industry, and want to show your career advancement over time.
Simple resume for PDF: Show your skills and experience in a sleek and simple resume template in PDF. Great for new graduates, or when an employment overview is all you need.
Functional resume for PDF: Functional resume templates are the top choice for people moving industry or with employment gaps. Show your skills and how they apply to the new role with this professional resume template.
Modern resume for PDF: Grab this modern resume template in PDF to stand out from the crowd. Download, complete and send to connect with employers all over the world.

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Simple /One Page resume template
New to the workforce? Looking to keep things brief? This simple one page resume template might be just what you need.
Simple resume template in PDF

Professional resume template
Choose a professional resume template if you’re experienced and want to showcase your career progression to date.
Professional resume template in PDF

Modern resume template
Stand out in a competitive field with a smart modern resume template which captures all an employer needs to know about you.
Modern resume template in PDF

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Name and contact information, summary or objective, professional experience.
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A functional CV, also called a skills-based CV, is a document that highlights the skills you've learned during your career over your work experience. In contrast to a functional resume, a functional CV provides more comprehensive details about your skills, qualifications and skill-based accomplishments.
A functional resume is a resume format that primarily showcases a candidate's skills. As opposed to a reverse-chronological resume that organizes a candidate's experience under their previously or currently-held professional jobs held in order of recency, the functional resume groups a candidate's experience under skills or categories of skills.
A functional resume is a type of resume format which showcases skills over experience. The purpose of a functional resume is to draw attention to transferable abilities rather than focusing on a chronological overview of your work history. Because of it's properties, it's sometimes called a skills-based resume .
Functional resume template 1. Resume Heading FIRST AND LAST NAME Email: [email protected] | Phone: 895 555 555 | Address: 4397 Aaron Smith Drive Harrisburg, PA 17101 | Linkedin: linkedin.com/in/yourprofile 2. Resume Summary Skilled [industry] professional with [# of years] years of experience.
Functional CV Use this accessible functional CV template to highlight your skills. This is a good template for someone with limited work experience. Get a professional look by using the built-in matching cover letter. You will find it by clicking on the Insert tab of the ribbon. Word Download Share More templates like this
A functional resume is a resume style that showcases an individual's experience and skills rather than specific previous work history. This type of resume may begin with a summarization of their qualifications and then go into a list of the person's top skills and examples of how they've used those skills successfully in the past.
A functional CV is formatted in a way that highlights your strengths and skills pertinent to a job. It often allows you to show the recruiters that you're an excellent candidate for the job. When reviewing CVs, hiring managers and recruiters note candidates who paid attention to the job description and skills essential to the job.
Your functional CV should be structured in a way which highlights your most relevant skills, based on the skills being asked for in the job adverts you are applying to. But, you also have a number of other sections you need to include to create a complete CV.
Deciding on the right resume format. The standard advice: Pick a chronological resume format to highlight experience, or a functional resume format to show off your skills. But what if you both have experience and need to show off certain skills to the HR manager? Enter—the hybrid resume.
Functional CV: templates Opposite to the chronological CV, in the functional CV the information is distributed by topics. This way, it allows the employer to get a quick look at your studies and experience in a particular field.
What Is a Functional CV? A skills-based CV, also known as a functional CV, is a CV style that focuses on displaying your skills, rather than previous work history. Functional CVs may help you mask employment gaps and they come in handy when your experience isn't directly relevant to the position.
Identify the keywords in the job posting and incorporate them into your resume to relate to employers. Consider using a template to serve as a guide. Add an objective or summary at the top of your resume to describe your professional circumstances. Pair your functional resume with a cover letter to further explain why you want the position.
A functional CV emphasizes your skills as opposed to your work experience. These CVs are best for job applicants who are recent graduates, lack industry experience, or are transferring to a different career. The functional CV highlights strengths, while taking the focus off any employment gaps. Special Offer Try Betterteam for FREE
When writing a functional resume, it's a good idea to incorporate a summary at the beginning. This section should summarize all the skills the individual possesses, particularly ones relevant to the position he's applying for. That way, the employer gets a vivid picture of who the applicant is at first glance. 2. Organize by theme.
It has made the job search more manageable and less demanding. Lukas Dohn. Step 1. Choose a template to give your document a professional look. Step 2. Fill in the blanks and format the document easily. Step 3. Download or copy to effortlessly apply to multiple jobs.
Use this functional resume template to highlight your skills. With a functional resume template, Word provides formatting, content tips, and more. With its focus on education, this functional resume would be a fine choice for someone with limited job experience. Find resume templates and more to assist with your job search from Word.
Also known as a functional CV, the skills-based CV can be used if you have gaps in your employment history. This type of CV template is also useful if you have limited experience or are applying for a job that is unrelated to your degree. Employability skills are transferable to different roles and employers.
A functional resume is a resume format that focuses on highlighting skills and qualifications instead of work experience. Your abilities are grouped under various skill sections, such as "Summary of Qualifications" and "Professional Skills," where you explain what it is you can do.
Functional resume for PDF: Functional resume templates are the top choice for people moving industry or with employment gaps. Show your skills and how they apply to the new role with this professional resume template. Modern resume for PDF: Grab this modern resume template in PDF to stand out from the crowd. Download, complete and send to ...