Crafting a compelling CV – a detailed roadmap to success (part 2)

At the end of this article, you'll find a link to download your free template.

How to write a functional (skill-based) CV

Before we start, if you haven't read How to Write a Killer CV (part 1) read it here

Whether you’re a graduate wondering how to pitch your resume, stayed unemployed for a while, or changing careers writing a winning resume while you have less, or no experience can be frustrating.

If you’re in this situation, the best resume format for you is skill-based. Do you know how to write one? Luckily this article details everything about functional resumes from what is it to its benefits.

?What is a functional resume?

The difference between popular chronological resumes and skill-based (functional) resumes is the area of focus. While chronological resumes focus on work history, skill-based resumes on the other hand focus on skills and experience.

In this format, you’ll highlight your experience and skills relevant to the job you’re applying. If you are changing careers or have skill gaps in your work life, this format will help you get away from dates and companies you worked for but will enlighten the recruiters that you have the required skills and experience.

Why a functional resume?

Although there can be tens of benefits of functional CVs, I’ll mention a few for you here.

• If you took time to rest or had no job for a while a functional resume will cover them for you. It’s simple, you don’t have to provide employment dates or companies.
• A functional resume gives you a flexible way of presenting your qualifications. For instance, you can group similar skills under one category called, web design and development or leadership skills.
• A functional resume will differentiate you from others making you visible from the mass.
• This format will help you highlight relevant skills and experiences required for the job. In a single simple glance, a recruiter can see all the relevant skills for the job.

?When to use this functional CV?

As I pointed out earlier in this article, the functional CV format is for you if you fall into either of the following categories.

• A student or recent graduate with limited experience in his/her field. A functional CV will help you present your potential to recruiters by highlighting your relevant skills and experiences.
• An Individual changing career with transferrable skills and experience that can apply to the job in question.
• An individual returning to work after some time off. For instance, returning to the workforce after four years off to raise a baby or have a health problem sorted.
• An individual applying for a job that requires a specific qualification. A functional resume will help to highlight them.

Now you understand when to use this format, let's get into the step-by-step detailed process of how to write your CV in functional format.

Start with a headline.

Write your name and work/professional title in large and visible font (use 16 to 18 font size with professional fonts i.e., Times New Roman, Calibri, or Verdana) followed by your address and contacts (provide LinkedIn URL if possible).

Strong summary statement.

Write an attention-capturing summary of your skills and experiences. If you are a recent graduate, think of your strengths, and things you can do effortlessly that are relevant to the job you’re applying for. Remember to be precise and convincing as this is the first part upon which the reader decides whether to continue reading your CV.

List your professional (key) skills.

Now you’ve convinced the reader to continue with your CV, talk about why you are the best fit for the job. Highlight your strengths and how you have applied them to solve real-world problems. For example, you may highlight database development and management as your skill. Tell the recruiter that you’ve designed a database for say a district hospital.

Remember to keep them relevant for the job in question and describe what you have achieved or managed to do to validate that skill. Always describe them in achievement form.

Don’t forget your work history.

Though functional resumes do not focus on the work history, a recruiter will doubt, how did you gain the experience you’ve mentioned.

Think of the project or research you’ve participated in school as a student, Volunteer work you have done, or practical training and workshops attended. Write them in reverse order, starting with the most recent just like in traditional CVs but don’t describe anything here. Just title/position held, starting, and finishing dates, company/organization name, and locations.

Highlight Qualifications

Talk more about yourself in this section. Tell the recruiters that you have additional skills that are relevant to the job. For example, you may tell them that you understand the safety procedures of doing the job you’re applying for. Or a list of programming languages that you are familiar with. Give additional skills that are relevant to the job in a list form.

Education background

List courses you’ve attended that are relevant to the job you’re applying for in a format similar to the traditional CV. Starting with the most recent, give the certificate name, institution, and starting and finishing dates.

Tailor your CV

I’ll remind you of this every time. Customize your CV for the specific job you’re applying for. If possible, print the job ad and research the specific skills and requirements for the job, then include only the relevant skills. By doing so, it will be easier to capture the attention of the hiring managers and hence make it to the interview.

?Limitations of this format.

Every con has two sides, let's look in a nutshell at the limitations of this format.

Research shows that most of the ATS (Application Tracking Systems) are made to read the chronological CV formats which renders it difficult for CVs in a functional format to make it through. Some hiring managers prefer chronological formats. Writing your CV in other forms makes it hard for them to appreciate.

It's necessary to do thorough research on the company in question before you decide on the right format to craft your CV.

Thanks for reading and welcome to this journey. We have many articles for you, stay sharp!

Download your free template here

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