What is functional resume vs chronological resume?

A functional resume is a type of resume format that emphasizes a candidate's skills and abilities rather than their employment history. It allows individuals to highlight their relevant skills and accomplishments at the top of their resume, making it easier for employers to quickly assess their qualifications. On the other hand, a chronological resume follows a more traditional format, listing a candidate's work experience in reverse chronological order. This type of resume emphasizes a candidate's employment history, showcasing their progression and growth in their career.

What are the types of functional resume vs chronological resume?

There are two main types of functional resumes and chronological resumes. The types of functional resumes include a skills-based functional resume and a combination functional resume. A skills-based functional resume focuses primarily on the candidate's skills and abilities, categorizing them into relevant sections. On the other hand, a combination functional resume combines the functional format with the traditional chronological format, allowing candidates to highlight their skills while also including their employment history in reverse chronological order.

Skills-based functional resume
Combination functional resume

How to complete functional resume vs chronological resume

Completing a functional resume or chronological resume requires attention to detail and organization. Here are some steps to help you complete either type of resume:

01
Start by gathering all relevant information, including your work experience, education, skills, and accomplishments.
02
Choose the appropriate resume format - functional or chronological - based on your career goals and the job requirements.
03
Create a header with your contact information, including your name, phone number, email address, and professional social media profiles.
04
Include a professional summary or objective statement at the beginning of your resume, highlighting your key qualifications and career goals.
05
For a functional resume, create skills sections where you can showcase your relevant skills and accomplishments. For a chronological resume, list your work experience in reverse chronological order, including job titles, company names, dates of employment, and a brief description of your responsibilities and achievements.
06
Include an education section where you list your degrees, certifications, or relevant courses.
07
Add any additional relevant sections, such as volunteer experience, professional affiliations, or awards.
08
Proofread and edit your resume for clarity, consistency, and grammar mistakes.
09
Save your resume as a PDF to ensure compatibility and professional presentation.
10
Consider using pdfFiller, an online document editing tool that empowers users to create, edit, and share resumes online. With unlimited fillable templates and powerful editing tools, pdfFiller is the only PDF editor you need to get your resume done with ease.

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Questions & answers

Functional Resume Layout, Structure, and Writing Tips Start With Your Name and Job Title. List Your Contact Information. Go With a Resume Objective. Write the Perfect Skills Summary. Describe Your Work Experience. Add Your Education. Detail Your Additional Skills.
Chronological resume This is the most common type of resume format and is generally preferred by most hiring managers. A chronological resume leads with your work history, which should list your current and previous positions in reverse chronological order.
Professionals who got an entry-level position in their degree field and who have worked their way up to a higher position in a company should probably use a chronological resume. Functional resumes are advisable for individuals who have a non-standard work history or who have gaps in their career timelines.
Among the alternatives, one of the most popular resume formats is the functional resume. This resume format deemphasizes work history and puts skills and accomplishments front and center. After your name and contact information, you go straight into your most relevant skills and accomplishments.
The combination resume format combines the functional and chronological formats. It includes functional skill categories but also lists the dates of previous employment. This format works well for job seekers who: May have obtained the required skills from seemingly unrelated industries or jobs.
Under each job are a list of your job duties, skills, and accomplishments. However, on a functional resume, the meat is your skills and achievements. Instead of listing your jobs, you group your skills by type of experience and list out the specific things you can do in each of these areas.