Functional vs Chronological Resume
How to Market Unrelated Work Experience
While using a functional resume is not the most widely embraced choice by resume writers and recruiters, sometimes it just works better than a chronological one.
From a recruiting standpoint, chronological resumes are more widely accepted because – if done correctly – the information just seems easier to follow. In addition, many resume writers and recruiters consider functional resumes as more dys-functional in design and equate their use with candidates who are being deceptive.
However, the true purpose behind any resume is for a candidate to present her background, experience and skills in such a manner as to interest the recruiter further and ultimately nab an invitation for an interview.
That being said, job seekers who are trying to market unrelated work experience because they are changing careers or have yet to have a real opportunity to gain the experience they need, may find that utilizing a functional resume format is better than a chronological one.
Differences in Chronological and Functional Resumes
Traditional chronological resumes do exactly what their name indicates; they lay out work history, responsibilities, and accomplishments in date order, by employer, from most recent experience to the oldest. They are in chronological order.
Functional resumes, on the other hand, emphasize specific skills over job duties and employment dates by laying out responsibilities and accomplishments according to functional areas such as communication, project management, and leadership. Which functional areas a job seeker chooses is incumbent on their own personal strengths as well as those that are most applicable to the job they seek.
Actual work history – dates, employers, job titles – is then listed separately like a laundry list.
Identifying Best Professional Qualities
Probably the most challenging part of developing a functional resume is determining the best qualities to highlight. For this, job seekers need to consider two things.
First, they should determine what they do best. In identifying best personal qualities it is easiest to brainstorm with no editing. Just create a long laundry list of professionall qualities.
Second, just like with any resume, it is important to determine what the employer wants. This means reviewing the job posting and company website to identify key qualities sought in employees. By comparing the two lists, job seekers can then select the top three or four qualities to use in their resume.
Creating a Functional Resume
Functional resumes are fairly similar to chronological resumes in that they contain contact information, a headline (not an objective), skills, and education.
However, sandwiched between the headline and skills sections are the top three or four (maybe even five) qualities the job seeker has identified along with a bullet-list of work experiences that illustrate each quality.
A brief work history that only lists employer, employment dates and job title follows. The specific duties and achievements, remember, have now been captured under the previously listed qualities.
In the end, it’s all about personal choice and figuring out what works best for each job seeker. Sometimes that may mean a functional resume just works better than a chronological one.
