| Looking to move up or move out? Tired of the | | | | function allowing you to emphasize your abilities. |
| same old routine? Looking for a change? | | | | You can tie a variety of job experiences to the |
| Then a functional resume format could be your | | | | ones needed for a particular job by arranging |
| ticket to a new career. | | | | your qualifications around skills. |
| You've spent the last 10-years as an elementary | | | | The key to writing an effective functional resume |
| teacher, but have found your passion in sales. | | | | is to identify three or four skills that are required |
| You've taken night classes on sales & | | | | for the job. These skills will be used as headings in |
| marketing and have even dabbled in direct | | | | which you can identify three to five specific |
| marketing during the summer months with a | | | | examples to demonstrate that ability. Arrange the |
| surprising degree of success. Best of all your | | | | headings in order of importance. Examples of skill |
| success has not gone unnoticed and the CEO of | | | | sets relevant to a sales career may include: |
| XYZ Incorporated has offered to hire you as a | | | | customer service, management, sales, planning, |
| sales manager for a new territory. | | | | etc. Do a search for free functional resume |
| The problem is you're scheduled for an interview | | | | samples and use them as guides in stimulating |
| and you want your resume to accurately reflect | | | | your creativity. Functional resume samples make |
| your skills & qualifications. If you follow | | | | excellent guides when writing your own resume. |
| tradition or use the most popular resume format | | | | Many employers still frown upon the functional |
| then you'd be writing your resume in a | | | | resume format, as the perception is it is too easy |
| chronological fashion. However, this type of | | | | to cover up employment gaps (explain them in |
| resume would only highlight your teaching | | | | your cover letter). However, this trend is changing |
| experience and career progression, which isn't | | | | as job seekers learn to write effective resumes |
| what you want. You want the employer to focus | | | | that accurately link their skills to the employer's |
| on your skills & qualifications that relate | | | | needs. The key for job seekers is to place a |
| directly to the sales manager position. This is | | | | short work history in reverse chronological order |
| exactly what the functional resume is designed to | | | | at the end of their resume. Include only |
| do. | | | | employment dates, titles, and company names. |
| What is a functional resume? | | | | You don't have to be stuck in the same old |
| The functional resume groups your qualifications | | | | career. Review your current skill set, see what |
| and experience around skills rather than job titles | | | | other careers have similar functions, then create |
| as in the chronological format. Instead of listing | | | | a functional resume around those skill sets and |
| your employment history in sequential order the | | | | start your new career! |
| functional resume categorizes your skills by | | | | |