Are You Using A Functional Resume Format Incorrectly
By: Arthur Hall
Submitted: 2010-12-31 21:22:19 | Word Count: 481
Attempting to promote yourself with a chronological resume format can be a disheartening chore when your history of employment is not without gaps. Nevertheless, you know that your skills are far superior to those competitors in the same field of employment.
Regardless, your potential is greatest in your abilities to succeed in the specific job you are seeking. A functional resume format is your preferred choice under these circumstances just as long as you create it using your own distinctive style and professionalism.
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Even if you haven't suffered significant lapses in employment history, there are other situations where it may be advantageous for you to use the functional resume. Next are certain circumstances that it would be more beneficial to use the functional resume format:
- Your job record is unrelated to the job to which you are applying. In other words, you might be seeking a change in profession.
- You've had prior experience in the field you are applying but not for a significant amount of time. Perchance you switched careers at one point and are now focusing on
the opportunity to go back to your previous career.
- New to the fulltime workforce. This applies many times to post education where you have only held part time jobs.
- You've suffered a demotion in the same field but with different companies. This is an suitable time to highlight positions with the greatest achievement and responsibilities first.
If you find yourself in a position to use a functional resume format, you should follow the following format. You can start with a general outline as follows:
- Use a standard first and last name, current address, phone and any other applicable contact information.
- Your employment objective, or what you are looking to achieve specifically with the company to which you are applying.
- Just as important is the next section summarizing why you are uniquely qualified above and beyond any other competitor for this job.
- Like a base underneath your qualifications is now your job specific work experience.
- A factual list of company and employment dates should be provided chronologically in this section.
- It's always beneficial to list any education and technical training to finish up the functional resume format.
So in conclusion, keep in mind that the functional resume format is all about your skills and ability. You want an employer to be drawn down your resume starting with your objective and what you want to achieve by working for their company. Remember to be as less generic and more specific to the company as possible. You will back up this initial objective by giving the support of your experience, skills and previous achievements. The chronological history will now be provided but only in summary listing company/location and dates of employment. Finally, you can list any educational or special training credentials you've received to tie it all together.
