Should You Use a Functional or Chronological Resume Format?
Format plays an important role when it comes to your resume. A poorly designed format may be rejected by applicant tracking systems (ATS) and difficult for human readers to follow and understand. You want to present your information in a clear, concise manner that is appealing to both technology and employers. That means choosing between a functional or chronological resume format. But which one is best?
Many people find that using a reverse chronological format is the most appropriate and effective choice. This is a widely accepted and familiar option where you list your work history starting with your most recent position and work your way back through older roles. However, some job seekers find that their experience better lends itself to a functional format that focuses on skills over specific roles.
When Should You Use a Chronological Resume Format?
Reverse chronological formats tend to be preferred by recruiters and hiring managers because they make it very easy to see your career progression. If you have a fairly steady employment history and are looking to stay in a similar role or field, this is a standard format choice.
Plus, this structure works well with ATS and can quickly be parsed and read. The system can quickly sort your information into the appropriate fields and scan for keywords. A hiring manager or recruiter can too. With a chronological format, each entry includes the company, position, years of employment, key responsibilities, and accomplishments.? Employers can quickly get a feel for who you are, what you have done, and how you may fit into their business.
A few drawbacks to this format are that it can make gaps in employment stand out, as well as frequent job changes. This can raise some questions or concerns from potential employers. If you are a freelancer, your resume may end up becoming long and cluttered because you are listing multiple short-term projects or assignments. And if you are transitioning to a new career entirely, your specific work experience may not be as relevant or effectively convey your transferable skills.
When Should You Use a Functional Resume Format?
A functional resume can be beneficial when you want to emphasize the skills you have gained and how they align with the jobs to which you are applying. The specifics of what you did in past roles may not be as applicable, but the transferable skills and strengths are what you want to call out.
In this format, you break your resume down by those competencies and then your work history is listed at the bottom without all of the details included in a chronological version. Freelancers can find this especially helpful when they have done similar projects in multiple roles and don’t want to elaborate on each individual gig. Instead, the focus is on the bigger picture. Job seekers who are switching careers may also want to present themselves as more than just their previous job titles, demonstrating their abilities that can help them be successful in a new field.
However, there are some drawbacks when it comes to using a functional resume format as well. Because the focus is on skills rather than experience, it can look as though you are trying to cover up gaps in experience or job hopping. It can also be harder for ATS to effectively process this type of resume because it does not follow a standard format, and the content doesn’t fit easily into designated fields. There are not a lot of details about what you did in each role, and it can be harder to glean this information from the skills descriptions that are broader or more generalized.
Are There Other Options?
Some candidates find it helpful to use a hybrid format that combines elements of both the functional and chronological templates. Your professional experience is presented in a reverse chronological order with all of your accomplishments, but then you add two to three bullet points to your summary at the top that highlight key skills relevant to the role you are pursuing. This can allow you to showcase specific strengths while still maintaining a traditional structure that satisfies ATS and human readers.
Straying too far from reverse chronological, functional, or hybrid resume formats and getting overly creative can work against you. And even if you do send your resume in the form of a box of donuts or a video, there is still a high likelihood that you will need to submit your application online, and those formats are not compatible.
Choosing Between a Functional or Chronological Resume Format
If you are not sure whether your job search would benefit from a functional or chronological resume format, partnering with a professional resume writer can be advantageous. A resume writer can evaluate your career history, goals, experience, strengths, and more to decide which format is the best fit. Contact Grammar Chic at (803) 831-7444 or [email protected] to schedule a consultation.