How to Make a Resume - The Functional Resume Format - How and When to Use

Do you wonder what is the best format for your resume?  Selecting the right resume format can be a very confusing process.  If your work history isn't very strong or if you have gaps in your work history, then the best resume format for you just might be the functional resume format.

A functional resume format differs from a chronological resume format in that it focuses on skills over experience.  To accomplish this organize your resume by skill categories rather than listing your work experience first.

Just like a chronological resume, a functional resume should start with a very compelling objective statement.  The objective statement is where you will place the information you think is the most appealing to a potential employer.  It is also the place where you will list any of your personal career goals.

It is my belief that this is the most important sentence in your resume.  If you get it right, the reader will want to read the rest of your resume.  If you get it wrong, the reader will probably not read the rest of your resume will set aside for another more appealing option.

Try to focus on how you feel you were skills will benefit the employer.  Show them how you can help them accomplish their corporate goals.

Another area in to include on your functional resume is a qualifications summary.  A lot of people use this section to showcase the skills they have developed and how those skills relate to the open position.  In a functional resume this could even be the very first section.  This in conjunction with your objective statement can be a great way to catch the employer's attention and make your resume stand out from the crowd.

One thing to beware of what using a functional resume format is blank space.  While it's important to make sure that your resume isn't too long, you should also keep in mind when writing a functional resume that it does tend to lend itself to blank spaces more than a chronological resume.  It seems like you have a lot of blank space on your resume that may be want to choose a hybrid resume format.  The hybrid resume format combines the functional resume format and the chronological resume format.

With a hybrid resume format you place your work experience at the end of the resume, after you have made the case for your skills qualifying you for the job.  Be sure to list any educational experiences achievements or degrees that you possess.  If you have certifications or licenses be sure to list those as well

When used correctly, a functional resume format or a hybrid resume format may be the best tool to get you the job interview.

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