Functional Resume Templates

What is a functional resume?

A functional resume is a format that focuses on your relevant skills rather than your work history.

Also known as a skills-based resume, this format groups your skills into categories that are directly relevant to the job. Each category is followed by bullet points that provide examples of what you’ve accomplished using that skill.

Like a chronological resume, a functional resume still includes a list of your previous jobs. However, this section is much shorter and less detailed than it would be on a chronological resume, listing only your job title, employers, and dates of employment.

When to use a functional resume

You should use a functional resume if:

• You need to address long periods of unemployment
• You’re switching to a new career and don’t have much directly relevant experience
• You want to highlight specific professional skills rather than your work history

By focusing on your transferable skills, a functional resume emphasizes the value you offer employers and shifts attention away from your work history.

When to avoid using a functional resume

While a functional resume is highly effective for masking employment gaps, it is not the ideal choice for everyone.

If you have a straightforward career path with a clear, linear progression of roles, you should stick to a traditional chronological resume format. Employers in these cases prefer to see your professional growth and tenure at a glance, which a skills-based layout can accidentally hide.

Resume formats compared: which one is right for you?

There are three common resume formats, and the right choice depends on your experience and career goals.

A chronological resume highlights your work history by listing your previous jobs in reverse chronological order, starting with your most recent position. It’s the preferred format for most employers and is ideal if you have a consistent employment history with clear career progression.

A functional resume emphasizes your skills and qualifications rather than your work timeline. Instead of organizing information by job, it groups your experience into skill categories, making it a good option for career changers, recent graduates, or job seekers with employment gaps.

A combination resume incorporates elements of both formats. It begins with a skills section to highlight your most relevant skills, then follows with a reverse-chronological work history.

How to download and edit our free functional resume templates

1. Browse our free templates and click the download button on the one you want to use.
2. Locate the ZIP file in your Downloads folder, open it, and install any included fonts.
3. Open your preferred template in Microsoft Word and replace the placeholder text with your own information.
4. When your resume is complete, save it as a PDF to preserve the formatting and make sure it displays correctly on any device.

How to write a functional resume

Writing a functional resume differs slightly from writing a standard resume. Here’s everything you need to know:

Write a detailed introduction

A convincing resume summary immediately draws the employer’s attention to your most relevant skills, making your job history less of a focal point.

Start your summary by briefly stating who you are and your area of expertise. Then, give 2–3 examples of relevant achievements that demonstrate your qualifications. Finally, explain why you’re applying for the job.

Here’s an example:

Group your skills by type

Next, categorize your skills by type:

• Read the job description and identify the skills the employer is looking for, grouping them into 3–5 categories
• Organize your skills into categories
• After each skill group, add 3–4 bullet points highlighting what you’ve achieved with those skills

For example:

Add your work history

Write a brief history of your work experience.

On a functional resume, you only need to include these basic details for each job:

• Job title
• Company name
• Employment dates (optional)

If you include employment dates, list your jobs in reverse chronological order. If not, list them in order of relevance to the job you’re applying for.

Here’s an example of what a work history section looks like on a functional resume:

Ulta, Manhattan, NY
20XX–20XX
Sales Clerk

GAP, Albany, NY
20XX–20XX
Sales Representative

The North Face, Albany, NY
20XX–20XX
Retail Clerk

Add your educational background

Unless your education section directly relates to the job you’re applying for, only include the name of your school or university, the city and state, and the degree you earned.

Here’s an example:

Fill-in-the-blank functional resume template

The simplest way to start building your functional resume is with this text-based template you can copy and customize.

Functional resume examples

Below are some pre-written examples of functional resumes for different life situations that you can download and edit to match your skills and experience.

You can find resumes written for hundreds of specific jobs in our full collection of resume examples.

Early career

Download This Resume Example

Career gap

Download This Resume Example

Career changer

Download This Resume Example

Frequently asked questions (FAQs)

Here are answers to some of the most commonly asked questions about functional resumes:

Are functional resumes ATS-friendly?

Yes, functional resumes can be ATS-friendly. Most applicant tracking systems (ATS) can scan functional resumes as long as they use a simple layout, standard section headings, and relevant keywords from the job description.

However, some employers prefer chronological or combination resumes because they make it easier to evaluate your work history and career progression.

Do employers like functional resumes?

Some employers find functional resumes harder to assess because the work history is less detailed. However, when done well they can still be very effective, especially with clear skills categories and quantifiable results.

Can I use a functional resume to hide an employment gap?

A functional resume can draw less attention to employment gaps, but it won’t hide them completely. Most employers expect to see a work history, and recruiters can usually identify gaps once they review your employment dates.

Instead of trying to conceal a gap, use your resume to emphasize your relevant skills, accomplishments, volunteer work, freelance projects, or professional development during that time. Being honest while focusing on your qualifications is generally the most effective approach.

Can I use a functional resume if I have an extensive work history?

You can, but a combination resume might be a better choice, because it blends skills-based highlights with a chronological work section to give employers a more complete picture of your background.

How do I choose which skills to feature?

Focus on skills that align with the job description. Use the job ad to identify what the employer values most, and demonstrate those strengths with examples and achievements.

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