Functional Resume: Examples and Templates for Every Job

What is a Functional Resume?

A functional, or thematic, resume focuses on your skills and accomplishments. Unlike the chronological resume, the functional CV does not respect a specific temporal order. Its format is divided by topics, which allows you to highlight your skills and take away the weight of your experience.

Sections of the Functional Resume

You have already seen a sample of a functional curriculum. However, now we will break down each of the sections so that you learn how to make a CV that will get you that job you want so much.

Let’s start with the basic format of a Functional CV:

• Name and position
• Contact information
• Professional objective
• Skills
• Experience
• Education
• Additional Skills

Now that you know the elements of a functional resume, it’s time for you to learn how to write each of them.

Identify your Name and Position

Although this section may seem very simple at first glance, spend a little time.

Writing your full name is easy. The problem comes in deciding which position to choose.

It is best to include a position that relates to the position you are applying for and that matches your skills.

However, if you want a career change, it is best to skip your position so as not to confuse the recruiter.

Include your Contact Information

It seems obvious, but many people forget to include their updated contact information in their functional resumes. Your full name, address, email, and telephone number are essential for recruiters to be able to locate you.

Similarly, if you have a website or LinkedIn profile, add it! This will give the recruiter more information about you and your job.

Set a Career Goal

Although other resume formats use career profiles, functional resumes benefit more by including a career goal Why? Easy!

Because professional goals are based on skills and achievements, as well as how you are going to use them in favor of the company.

Look at these examples:

Models of professional objectives for a functional resume

As you can see, the second example doesn’t sound so bad at first glance, but it is missing something vital. Can you see what?

Exactly, the skills.

The first example of a career objective for a functional resume does not only do Allusion to the company and the position being applied for but mentions the most relevant skills of the candidate.

Give Your Skills A Spotlight

This is the most relevant section of your functional resume.

Skills They have the leading role in this CV and their function is to overshadow the experience section.

If you can write this part of your functional CV properly, it is most likely that the recruiter decides to raise the horn and call you.

But how do you do that?

The secret of how to do A functional resume with an outstanding skills section can be found in the job description. Make a list of the skills you possess and then compare them to those that apply to the position.

Once you choose 3 or 4 that match the job requirements, you will need to provide arguments to support each skill.

Here’s an example:

Template for the skills section of a functional resume

CORRECT
Creativity Design of 15 different characters for the animated commercials of the Angelique Chocolates brand. Collaboration in the creative concept of the short film “Luces del Norte”, presented at the San Sebastián International Film Festival. Combination of traditional and digital illustration techniques to develop visual proposals for multimedia products.

The first model is a lot more suitable for a functional resume because it lists the skills and supports them with clear examples and numbers.

The second case falls short because it does not develop each of the skills.

Functional CVs depend mainly on this section, so it is important to take the time to explain each point and provide clear evidence. Similarly, don’t forget to include interpersonal skills that reveal a little about your character.

Include your Experience

Here’s the tricky part of the functional or thematic resume. But don’t worry, those periods of inactivity and those job jumps will go unnoticed with our advice.

The first thing is to make sure to add the name of the position, the company, its location, and the dates in those that you were employed.

If you spent a few months outside the world of work, whether for family, academic or other reasons, do not fear. It is best, to be honest, and include these periods indicating why you were inactive.

And if, on the contrary, you had many jobs in a single year, omit the months you were working to disguise a bit the time you spent in a position.

Look at these examples:

Example of a functional resume: experience section

As you can see in the second example of the experience of a functional resume, having such long inactive periods and without explanation is very suspicious for recruiters.

It is best to follow the first model and acknowledge your inactivity. Don’t worry, there are many valid reasons for being unemployed, and recruiters are generally understanding if you take the time to explain why. If you have more questions, consult our guide on how to put your work experience on your CV.

Don’t Forget Your Education

The education section of your functional resume supports your skills. Even if you decide to change your career, the skills you acquired during your studies may be transferable.

Functional CV templates suggest adding the name of your degree and the institution where you obtained it. , as well as your graduation date.

Look at the example:

Functional curriculum model: education section

As you can see, the first example for this functional curriculum has the official name of the program, university center, and year. However, the second is missing a few data to be used in a functional curriculum.

Always specify the type of certification you obtained (degree, master, doctorate, etc.). And, if you didn’t have a college education, don’t worry! Add your last educational level to your functional resume and include it with the name of the school and the date you stopped attending or your expected graduation date.

Add Skills

Skills have the starring role in functional resumes, remember? Like this Why not give them an additional section?

Companies receive between 10 and 50 CVs for each available position. So, the best way to differentiate yourself from the competition is by adding all those extra skills that don’t appear in your skills summary. Focus on the skills that can increase your chances of standing out from other candidates.

Pro tip: You can also add data of interest as if you have Immediate availability or if you have a driving license.

Pros and Cons of a Functional Resume

Advantages of a functional resume

This type of CV is perfect if you have had several inactive periods in your career or if you are looking to change to a completely different job sector. It is also advisable to use a functional resume if you have constantly jumped from employment or if you have little experience.

Ideally, thematic CVs are focused on your strengths, which can help you stand out from other candidates.

Disadvantages of a functional resume

Although it sounds good in theory, not everything is rosy when it comes to functional resumes. Using a functional resume is a surefire way to put a recruiter on guard. They know that these resumes are very useful when you are trying to hide certain information about your career, so they will be even more vigilant when evaluating it.

Similarly, a functional resume is very difficult to read by automated filter programs (Applicant Tracking Systems or ATS). ATSs are mainly used by large companies, so if your ideal job is in the corporate world, you should opt for more traditional resumes.

When to Use a Functional Resume?

Certain profiles can benefit from using a functional resume.

Here are the types of candidates who can get the most out of a functional or thematic CV:

• People seeking a position in creative industries: In these cases, your portfolio is the star of the show. That’s why a functional resume is perfect for highlighting your talent and practical skills
• Overqualified Candidates – There are times when you don’t want to brag so much about your experience, so it is better to give prominence to your skills.
• People who have spent a lot of time in the family nucleus: If you decided to put in pause your career to take care of your children or family, the functional CV will take the weight off the time you spent without working and will focus on what you know how to do.
• New graduates or inexperienced people: a functional resume is the best option when you are starting your professional career. It will allow you to highlight your skills, without trumpeting to the rooftops that you have not had many previous jobs.