There are plenty of things that go into interview preparedness, which is a big part of the job-hunting process. You will need to research the company in question, how to answer their questions, and what questions you should ask in return. Likewise, you would want to know what to wear during the interview and how to get in the right state of mind. That said, very few people ask themselves what type of resume will best work for them.
MyComputerCareer is an organization that not only provides technical and certification training for IT careers but also helps its students with their job preparation. It includes resume and cover letter writing, as well as networking, and interview readiness. For more information, contact us directly.
What is a Functional Resume?
A functional resume focuses on your skills, rather than your past employment. This type of resume is different from the traditional, chronological resume that displays your previous work experience and brief descriptions of each job in reverse chronological order. In a traditional resume, the focus is more on job titles and experience than the actual skills you possess.
Recruiters typically prefer chronological resumes, meaning that functional resumes should only be used when they are the better choice.
So, when does such a resume make sense? A functional resume is ideal for candidates who are early in their career, have only internship-based experience, have large gaps in-between jobs, or are changing their careers. With a functional resume, you are highlighting your specific skills and capabilities when your past work experience is either limited, nonexistent, or irrelevant for the position.
A combination resume, on the other hand, tries to offer the best of both worlds. Here, you first highlight your skills and then add your work history. Military vets can make great use of a combination resume when looking to transition to a civilian career.
How to Write a Functional Resume
When writing a functional resume, there are several steps you need to take into consideration:
- The Resume Summary – Including a resume summary at the beginning will immediately highlight the skills you have that are relevant for the job at hand. This is a great way for the recruiter to form an opinion of you at first glance.
- Organize Your Skills by Themes – Instead of taking a haphazard approach, it’s a good idea to group your skills based on specific themes. You can theme your resume in several categories like “Leadership Experience,” “Customer Service Experience,” and “Teamwork Experience.” You add the specific skills that fall within each theme. This way, the employer will have a much easier time determining whether you have the necessary skills for the job.
- Mention Any Relevant Projects and Certificates – Don’t forget to include any certificates you may have as well as any projects – personal or professional – that demonstrate your skills and abilities to develop and complete tasks.
- Include Your Employment History – If you do have some past employment history, it’s a good idea to include it. Nevertheless, if your experience is not relevant to the new job, add it at the bottom so that your skills take center stage.
- The Cover Letter – Don’t forget to write a strong cover letter that goes along with your resume. The cover letter will further expand on your skills and abilities and will explain why you are a great candidate for the job. A cover letter is even more important with a functional or combination resume since your work history can’t demonstrate your commitment for that particular career path.
MyComputerCareer is an organization that not only provides technical and certification training for IT careers but also helps its students with their job preparation. It includes resume and cover letter writing, as well as networking, and interview readiness. For more information, contact us directly.