3 key takeaways
- What a functional resume is, and when it's the right choice for your experience
- How to write a functional resume (plus, get inspired with functional resume examples)
- How to create a functional resume using Teal's free AI Resume Builder
When your experience doesn't fit neatly into a traditional timeline, a functional resume might help tell your professional story.
This skills-focused format organizes your achievements around capabilities rather than dates, making it particularly for those with non-linear paths. Below, you'll learn how to write a functional resume that showcases your potential, with examples and templates to help you build your own.
What is a functional resume?
A functional resume is a skills-based resume format that emphasizes your abilities and achievements over your comprehensive work history.
Unlike other types, a functional resume format groups your experience by relevant skills and competencies, making them particularly effective for career changers, job seekers with employment gaps, or professionals with non-traditional career paths.
TL;DR? Let your functional resume highlight your most relevant capabilities rather than your work timeline.
Pro Tip: Need a functional resume? Explore Teal's collection of functional resume templates to help you get started!
When to use a functional resume
A functional resume works best when your skills matter more than your work timeline. Rather than a chronological resume or hybrid resume, consider this format if you:
- Have significant employment gaps
- Are changing careers with limited relevant experience
- Need to showcase transferable skills over work history
- Are entering the workforce as a recent graduate
- Are returning to work after an extended break
Other formats for your resume
While the functional resume format focuses on skills, it's important to understand how it compares to other common resume formats. Here's how the traditional chronological and combination types differ.
Reverse chronological resume format
The more traditional resume format, the reverse chronological resume, lists your work history from most recent to oldest. Unlike the functional format, it emphasizes career progression and is preferred by most recruiters and hiring managers.
Combination resume format
The combination resume blends both chronological and functional elements by featuring skills and work history. While functional resumes focus solely on skills, this format balances your capabilities with your employment timeline—making it a middle-ground option.
How to write a functional resume
A functional resume flips the traditional format by leading with skills instead of work history. Here's how to structure it for maximum impact:
- Contact Information
- Professional Summary
- Skills Categories
- Work History
- Education and Certifications
- Optional Sections (additional relevant experience like volunteer work or projects)
The functional Skills resume section is where you'll make your strongest case to employers, grouping your achievements under skill headings that match the job requirements. Here's how to get each one right:
1. Include your contact information
You want prospective employers to contact you, so you're going to need to give them those details as clearly as possible.
Your resume contact information should include:
- Full Name
- Phone Number
- Location
- Professional email address
- LinkedIn profile URL
- Portfolio or personal website URL (if applicable)
2. Get specific with your target title
Your target title should clearly signal the job you're applying to. For a functional type of resume, this becomes especially important as it helps frame your skills in the right context. For example, if you're transitioning into project management, use "Project Manager" or the specific title from the job posting.
3. Add a unique professional summary
Write a strong professional summary that emphasizes your core skills and major achievements. Unlike traditional resumes, a functional resume summary should focus on your relevant capabilities and expertise rather than where you gained the experience.
4. Group your skills
In a functional resume format, your skills section is the main focus. Start by carefully reviewing the job description to identify the most important skills needed for the job.
Then, choose 3-4 skill categories that directly align with these key requirements. Under each skill category, add 3-5 bullet points that demonstrate how you've successfully used these abilities.
Pro Tip: Use Teal's Drag-and-Drop Editor to customize your section names—creating a functional resume that emphasizes your top skills without manual formatting.
5. Add your employment history
For a functional resume, keep your Work History section brief since you've already highlighted your achievements in the skills section. You only need to include these basic details for each job in your employment history:
- Job title and company name
- Location (city, state)
- Employment dates (month/year)
6. Include education
Your education section should be concise and focused on credentials that support your target role. Include these basic details:
- Degree and major (or anticipated graduation date)
- University name and location
- Relevant coursework or academic achievements (if they align with the job description)
7. Add optional sections
While your skills section is the core of your functional resume, choosing to add additional sections can strengthen your application. Consider including these optional sections when they are relevant to the job description and support your skills.
- Certifications and professional development
- Volunteer experience that relates to the relevant skills
- Projects or research
- Industry awards or recognition
Functional resume examples and template
Looking for functional resume examples? Below are real-world examples across different industries to show you how to create one effectively.
Functional resume example
Functional resume sample
Functional resume template
Use this functional resume template as a starting point to showcase your skills and achievements effectively. This free template follows a simple format that helps highlight your capabilities.
[Full Name]
[Phone Number] | [Professional Email] | [City, State]
[LinkedIn URL] | [Portfolio URL (if applicable)]
PROFESSIONAL SUMMARY
[Write 3-4 sentences highlighting your most relevant skills and achievements. Focus on capabilities that directly match the job requirements.]
CORE SKILLS & ACHIEVEMENTS
[Skill Category 1]
Achievement with metrics
Achievement with metrics
Achievement with metrics
[Skill Category 2]
Achievement with metrics
Achievement with metrics
Achievement with metrics
[Skill Category 3]
Achievement with metrics
Achievement with metrics
Achievement with metrics
WORK HISTORY
[Job Title] | [Company Name] | [City, State]
[Month/Year - Month/Year]
[Job Title] | [Company Name] | [City, State]
[Month/Year - Month/Year]
EDUCATION
[Degree] in [Major] | [University Name] | [City, State]
[Graduation Year or Expected Graduation Date]
CERTIFICATIONS (Optional)
[Certification Name] | [Issuing Organization] | [Year]
Create your functional resume today
The functional resume offers a powerful alternative when traditional formats don't serve your needs. By organizing your experience around skills rather than timeline, you can present your capabilities in a way that resonates with employers—regardless of your career path.
Ready to build your functional resume? Teal's Resume Builder makes it easy to organize your experience by skills, with flexible section naming and drag-and-drop editing that handles the formatting for you.
