functional vs chronological resume

Functional vs Chronological Resume with Examples

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What are functional and chronological resumes?

How to write a functional resume, how to write a chronological resume, example of a functional resume, example of a chronological resume.

Creating the perfect resume is the most important tool in your search for a new job. As you progress in your career, the resume format you choose should match where you are in your life in the manner which best suits your individual experience and capabilities. This article explains the difference between a chronological and a functional resume to help you write a winning resume that showcases your current talents and abilities.

Here are two common types of resumes:

Functional resume

The functional resume format makes your accomplishments and skills the focus as the first section listed after your name and contact information. This format is most attractive to those who are switching industries or trying to move their career in a new direction.

Chronological resume

A chronological resume (or ‘reverse-chronological’ resume) is the format most commonly used to show advancement over time and highlight achievements in past positions. It will show recruiters or employers what a perfect fit you are for the job you are applying for, based on the skill set developed throughout your career thus far.

Follow these steps to write a functional resume:

1. First, write a resume summary

Write a resume summary at the beginning of your resume that focuses on the skills you have that are relevant to the job. This is a great way to present yourself and all of your skills to the employer at first glance.

2. Second, write a ‘Skills’ section

Focus on your skills section, which is listed first on this resume, and make sure they are relevant to the job you’re applying for. Consider your unique abilities gained from special projects that might demonstrate some valuable skills you have developed and the success you have achieved.

3. Third, include your work history

While it’s not necessary to outline the exact dates of employment in your work experience, you should still include the basic employment details for each job you are listing.

4. Fourth, organize your resume

Organize your resume by category or theme. For example, if you have experience in marketing and public relations, group those skills and experiences together to promote your abilities in that area.

5. Finally, use keywords

Using specific keywords is very helpful, as they let the employer know that your skills match up with the requirements of the job.

Follow these steps to write a chronological resume:

1. First, include a summary

Begin your resume with a short summary of your skills, experience or coursework relevant to the job you are applying for.

2. Second, include your experience

Your professional experience section comes next and it should take up the most space on your resume. Highlight, in a bullet-pointed list, all of your relevant work experience, duties and responsibilities in each position as well as your major achievements.

3. Third, list your relevant skills

Include skills relevant to the job as well as your soft skills, such as leadership, organization or team player. The idea is to add some qualities that you have which make you stand out from other candidates.

4. Fourth, include your education

Your education includes any certifications you have earned, as well as your college degrees along with your major and minor, if applicable.

5. Finally, include a miscellaneous section such as ‘Hobbies and Interests’ or ‘Languages’

Any activities such as college-level sports, foreign language skills, significant volunteer work, internships or published works can go in this section.

Here is an example of a functional resume to help you create your own:

Eric Cassidy 231 River Road Austin, TX 23125 555-555-5555 [email protected]

Experienced web designer with strong graphic design skills and UX experience seeks a position in web design with a major ad agency.

Core Qualifications

Background designing entire websites and taking them from conception to launch
Excel at building designs with a focus on user experience
Adept at building sites that are optimized for SEO
Proficient at managing a team of junior web developers

Areas of Expertise

Photoshop, UX design, HTML, CSS, Dreamweaver, responsive design, media query, Microsoft Office, fluency in Spanish

Web design: Lead web designer at an agency that designs an average of five new sites per week, meeting strict deadlines and exceeding customer expectations
Graphic design: Lead in the design, development and implementation of graphics, layout and production of marketing materials
Problem-solving: Designed a systematic process for testing bugs to ensure the end product delivered to the client was error-free
Management: Oversaw a team of 10 developers, both in-office and overseas

Employment History

Senior Web Designer: September 2018-Present, Easy Street Agency, Austin, TX

Web Designer: August 2016-August 2018, Easy Street Agency, Austin, TX

Junior Web Designer: May 2014-July 2017, Magnolia Agency, Austin, TX

Austin University, 2010-2014 Bachelor of Science in Web Design

Here is an example of a chronological resume to guide you as you craft your own:

Adam Black 123 Main Street Safety Harbor, FL 33333 [email protected]

I am a passionate marketing manager looking for a position in a creative, technology-driven organization where I can utilize my superior marketing abilities to increase online traffic and sales.

Marketing Manager Gulf Coast Advertising May 2018 – Present

Developed a new promotional campaign by bundling products together, increasing revenue by 11%
Develop, monitor and evaluate the marketing and advertising strategy for each individual client
Manage and implement client promotions to drive revenue

Digital Marketer Gulf Coast Advertising January 2016 – April 2018

Developed unique content for a variety of clients to improve performance and brand awareness
Performed keyword research to improve client ranking in the search engines
Organized and analyzed data and marketing results and made recommendations for new directions for campaigns

Social Media Strategist BlueGreen Advertising October 2014 – December 2015

Used social media to enhance the company brand and reach more potential customers
Provided campaign performance reporting and analysis to senior managers and clients
Planned and implemented complex digital marketing campaigns through a range of online channels

Professional Skills

Google AdWords
Facebook advertising
Search engine optimization
Process streamlining
Team leadership

University of Tampa, 2010 – 2014Bachelor of Arts in Marketing

Volunteer Work

American Cancer Society – Media team for promoting the annual gala, 2015 – Present

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Different Types of Resumes (With Examples)

Chronological Resume

Functional resume, combination resume, infographic resume, resume with profile/summary, targeted resume, nontraditional resume, mini-resume.

Adrian Mangel / The Balance

There are several basic types of resumes you can use to apply for job openings. You can choose to write a chronological, functional, combination, or a targeted resume. Each resume type is used for different purposes. Therefore, when deciding which type of resume to use, you have to think about your current employment circumstances.

Here's an overview of each type of resume, advice on when to use which one, and examples.

A chronological resume starts by listing your work history , with the most recent position listed first. Below your most recent job, you list your other jobs in reverse chronological order.

Employers typically prefer this type of resume because it's easy to see what jobs you have held and when you have worked at them. This is the most common resume type.

This type of resume works well for job seekers with a strong, solid work history. If you are starting your career, or if you are changing career fields, you might consider a different resume type.

Example: Chronological Resume

A functional resume focuses on your skills and experience, rather than on your chronological work history . Instead of having a “work history” section at the top of your resume, you might have a “professional experience” or “accomplishments” section that lists various skills you have developed over the years.

A functional resume also sometimes includes a resume summary or headline at the top, which details a person’s skills and achievements. A functional resume might not include one’s employment history at all or might have a concise list of work history at the bottom of the resume.

Functional resumes are used most often by people who are changing careers or who have gaps in their employment history. It is also useful for people who are new to the workforce, have limited work experience, or who have a gap in their employment .

By highlighting skills rather than work history, you can emphasize how you are qualified for the job.

Example: Functional Resume

A combination resume is a mix between a chronological resume and a functional resume. At the top of the resume is a list of one’s skills and qualifications. Below this is one’s chronological work history. However, the work history is not the focus of the resume and typically does not take up much space on the resume.

With this type of resume, you can highlight the skills you have that are relevant to the job you are applying for, as well as provide your chronological work history. After all, most employers want to see your chronological work history, even if that history is not very extensive.

This kind of resume helps you highlight what makes you the best fit for the job, while still giving the employer all the information he or she wants.

Example: Combination Resume

Infographic resumes include graphic design elements in addition to or instead of text. A traditional resume uses text to list a candidate's work experience, education, and skills, while an infographic resume uses layout, color, design, formatting, icons, and font styling to organize content.

Example: Infographic Resume

A Robert Half survey reports that 78% of employers prefer traditional resumes to infographics, even for creative roles.

A resume with a profile section includes a concise summary of an applicant’s skills, experiences, and goals as they relate to a specific job . This summary (typically no more than a couple of sentences long) helps candidates “sell” themselves to the company to which they are applying.

Adding a profile is helpful for almost any applicant. If you have extensive experience, a profile can concisely explain that experience to the hiring manager right away. If you have limited work experience, a profile can help you highlight the skills that you do have.

Example: Resume With a Profile

You can also add a headline, which is a brief phrase that summarizes why you are an ideal candidate for the job, to your resume.

A targeted resume is a resume that is customized to specifically highlight the experience and skills you have that are relevant to the job you are applying for. It takes more work to write a targeted resume than to click to apply with your existing resume. However, it's well worth the effort, especially when applying for jobs that are a perfect match for your qualifications and experience.

Example: Targeted Resume

Try to write a targeted resume for every job. Employers can easily see when you submit a generic resume, rather than thinking about why you are qualified for that specific job.

A nontraditional resume is a unique version of your resume that may include photos, graphics, images, graphs, and other visuals. It might be an online resume, or a physical resume with infographics, as mentioned above. It could also be a video or a resume on a social networking website.

Nontraditional resumes are ideal for people in creative fields, who want to demonstrate their ability to create visually engaging designs or to create web pages. It can be a good way for a job candidate to stand out from the crowd in professions like design, web design, journalism, and more.

A mini-resume contains a brief summary of your career highlights and qualifications. It only contains the information that relates to the position you are applying for or the industry you would like to work in.

In most cases, your traditional resume will be appropriate. A mini-resume, however, can be useful at job fairs or career networking events when you're meeting with many people and want to leave them with something more than just a business card. You can also use a mini-resume when you're networking and would like your contact to pass on your information to a hiring manager or recruiter.

Example: Mini-Resume

Key Takeaways

Chronological resumes list work history in reverse chronological order, with the most recent job listed first.
Functional resumes focus on skills and experience rather than on employment history.
Combination resumes list skills and qualifications first, followed by work history.

CareerOneStop. " Select the Best Format ." Accessed Feb. 9, 2022.

Robert Half. " Best Resume Format ." Accessed Feb. 9, 2022.

CareerOneStop. " Headline and Summary Sample ." Accessed Feb. 9, 2022.