Does the functional resume still get results, or is it falling out of favor in today’s tech-driven hiring process?
I remember when the functional resume template was recommended for job seekers who didn’t have much work experience, such as recent graduates.
The idea was to highlight your skills and downplay your lack of experience.
But I’ve noticed that the functional resume has fallen out of favor recently. Hiring managers now view them with suspicion.
In this article, I’ll explain why the functional resume has lost its appeal. More importantly, I’ll show you a better approach that will help you stand out—even if your work experience is limited.
What is a functional resume?
You’re probably most familiar with the chronological resume format. This is when your work experience is listed near the top of your resume, starting with your most recent job and working backward.
The functional resume takes a very different approach. Instead of your work experience, your skills take center stage at the top of your resume. Meanwhile, your job history is pushed to the bottom with minimal detail.
This format shows your skills and achievements, especially those gained from non-traditional ways. This includes coursework, personal projects, or volunteer roles. Career changers, recent graduates, and those with gaps in their work history often use it. This format shifts the focus from timelines to the value you offer in a new role.
Here’s an example of a functional
I can see why this format was once popular among recent graduates, career changers, or those with employment gaps. It let them showcase their strengths while keeping their limited experience in the background.
While this may make sense, it turns out that recruiters really don’t like the functional resume format.
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How to write a functional resume
This format highlights your skills instead of listing work experience first. It’s great if you gained experience from projects, internships, education, or volunteer work. This format can highlight your transferable skills. But you need a strategy to show your value clearly.
Here’s how to structure it:
1. Start with your contact information
Write your full name at the top. Then, add your professional email, phone number, and your city and state. If applicable, include links to your LinkedIn profile or online portfolio.
Make sure your contact info is up-to-date, professional, and matches your online profiles. This helps prevent confusion. Avoid using a street address for privacy, and double-check for typos.
2. Write a tailored resume summary
Craft a 3 to 4 sentence paragraph or bulleted summary that highlights:
Highlight your job-specific and transferable skills here. This is important if you’re changing careers or have gaps in your experience.
3. Create a skills summary section
This is the core feature of a functional resume. Group your skills into 3 to 5 categories that fit the job. Examples include project management, digital marketing, and customer relations.
Under each category, list 3 to 4 bullet points that show measurable achievements, not just duties. For example, “Implemented a new onboarding system, reducing training time by 30%.” Tailor every skill to match the language used in the job description.
Resume builders has a feature that easily lets you add skills to your resume. Under “Core Skills,” you type the skill you want to add, hit enter, and it’s instantly on your resume in the right section. You can add categories as well this way.
4. List your work experience
While your skills are important, add a brief section for your work history. This should include your job title, company name, and the years you worked there. If you don’t have traditional experience, list freelance work, part-time jobs, internships, or important volunteer work.
Place emphasis on roles that relate to your skill categories above. Keep it short and sweet so the recruiter’s focus stays on your competencies, not employment gaps.
Below is an example of a work experience section.
5. Add your education
List your educational background clearly. You can mention any coursework, certifications, or projects that relate to the role.
Include the following:
- Institution name.
- Degree or certification earned.
- Graduation year or “expected graduation.”
- Relevant coursework (if applicable).
This part is key if you have little formal experience. Use it to show your transferable skills and knowledge in the subject area. Focus on academic achievements that reinforce your skill sets or industry focus.
6. Include optional sections
Add any extra credentials that show your qualifications. This can include certifications, awards, important projects, or leadership experience.
Create separate sections for each entry. Also, integrate them into your education or skills categories.
This is a great way to enhance your resume. If your work history is short or unusual, it shows your value clearly.
Use these to strengthen your application:
- Certifications: List full title, issuer, and date
- Projects: Especially if relevant to your career change
- Awards or Honors: Leadership roles, academic recognition, or performance-based awards
Why don’t recruiters like the functional resume template?
In my experience, hiring managers and recruiters can be skeptical when reviewing resumes. That’s why they tend to shy away from functional resumes.
The problem is, functional resumes often feel like they’re hiding something. By putting all levels of skills front and center and pushing work experience to the bottom, this format makes it harder for recruiters to get a full picture of your career.
“Some recruiters see a functional resume and immediately think, ‘What are they hiding?’” says professional resume writer Clair Levy. “It’s like showing up to a first date in sunglasses indoors—it might make you look cool, but it also raises some eyebrows.”
Recruiters avoid digging for key details like job titles, dates, or career paths. A functional resume often hides this information. When recruiters have to work harder to find what they need, they’re more likely to move on to the next candidate.
One recruiter I spoke to put it bluntly, “Recruiters hate the functional resume format. It’s a waste of time.”
Should you ever use a functional resume template?
If everyone’s saying “Don’t use a functional resume,” you might wonder if there’s ever a time when it’s actually a good idea.
Honestly, in most cases, I would say the answer is no. However, there are a few rare situations where it might still make sense.
For example, if you’re a recent graduate with zero work experience or if you’re making a complete career change, I might suggest using a functional resume. But even then, I believe there’s a better alternative.
Use the hybrid resume format instead
If you don’t have a lot of work experience, I recommend using a hybrid resume format instead of the functional format. (The hybrid is sometimes called the combination resume).
The beauty of the hybrid resume is that it gives you the best of both worlds. You can still highlight your key skills—just like a functional resume—but you also provide recruiters with the work history details they’re looking for, just like a chronological resume.
With the resume builder, you can create and download as many resumes as you need. There are no hidden fees…just unlimited access to professional resume-building tools.
First, you choose from our expertly designed templates to guarantee your resume can be read by an Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS).
Once you’ve decided on a template, you can start a brand new resume, upload your existing one, or import your LinkedIn profile.
Next steps for using the resume builder:
- Add your job title.
- Choose from one of five templates.
- Fill in your contact information, work history, education, skills, and certificates.
- Download your resume.
The resume builder also has features like the resume summary generator and was created based on recruiter input. This tool will help your ATS-friendly resume be found by hiring managers.
Key takeaways
- The functional resume format is falling out of favor: While it was once popular for job seekers with limited experience, recruiters now tend to view it with suspicion, often assuming it hides gaps or lacks transparency.
- Functional resumes struggle with ATS systems: Because they downplay work history and focus on skills, functional resumes can confuse ATS software, leading to lower rankings or even being filtered out.
- Consider the hybrid resume format: The hybrid format blends the best of functional and chronological resumes, allowing you to showcase your skills while also providing a clear work history—making it more recruiter and ATS-friendly.
- What to do if you have little work experience: Internships, volunteer work, part-time jobs, and freelance projects can all be included in your work history section to demonstrate your skills and value to potential employers.
- Additional strategies for standing out: Highlight relevant coursework, certifications, and leadership roles in extracurricular activities to bolster your resume and show your commitment to professional growth.
FAQs
What is a functional resume format?
A functional resume focuses on skills and abilities rather than work experience. It organizes skills into categories with examples of how they were applied, while work history is listed briefly at the bottom.
Do employers like functional resumes?
Many employers and recruiters don’t like functional resumes. They hide work history, which makes it tough to see how a career has progressed. They can also raise concerns about hidden employment gaps. Also, functional resumes don’t work well with ATS. This means automated hiring systems might not scan them properly. As a result, they could get rejected before a recruiter sees them.
When should you not use a functional resume?
Don’t use a functional resume if you have a steady work history. Recruiters like chronological or hybrid formats better. Traditional industries like finance and healthcare often reject functional resumes. If a job posting specifies a chronological or hybrid format, follow those instructions. Functional resumes can have issues with ATS software because they don’t show a clear work history.
What is a functional resume for 2025?
In 2025, functional resumes are still rarely recommended. Job seekers can showcase skills instead of experience, but many view this with doubt. Most career experts recommend a hybrid resume.
How to write a functional resume?
Start with a strong summary highlighting key skills. Organize skills into relevant categories with examples of how you applied them. Keep work history minimal but include job titles and company names. Add education, certifications, and relevant coursework. Avoid complex formatting for ATS compatibility. A hybrid resume is often a better choice, as it balances skills and experience.
When to use a functional resume?
We rarely recommend using a functional resume. They can help career changers, recent grads with little work experience, and those with job gaps. It can also work for freelancers or those with non-traditional experience. A hybrid resume is often the best choice.
