Writing a Functional Skills-based Résumé

Functional résumés are also called skills-based résumés. Functional résumés are helpful for people who want to
change fields. They also work well for those who may have academic or technical training but little or no work history. Functional résumés work well for people who have had many different jobs in their work history.

The best way to get started is to do an inventory of skills that you have learned or used at other jobs or in school. On a sheet of paper, organize your work history by filling out the following information on each job. Start with your most recent job and work backwards.

Job Title:__________________________________________________
Dates of Employment:_______________________________________
Employer:_________________________________________________
Address:__________________________________________________
Major Duties:______________________________________________
Teamwork:_ _______________________________________________
Customer Service:__________________________________________
Using Technology:__________________________________________
Communication Skills:_______________________________________
Supervisory/Managing Responsibilities:__________________________
Training Others:____________________________________________
Learning on the Job:________________________________________
Other Skills:_______________________________________________

Once you have identified your skills, select the ones that best apply to the job you want and organize those on your résumé.

Need help naming your skills? The CareerCenter has put together a list of action words that can be used to help describe your skills. These words can help you improve your skills statements in your résumé or on interviews.

See an example of a functional résumé

Use this template to write your own functional résumé

Other Resources

Your CareerCenter can help you write an eye-catching résumé and get your name out there to potential employers. Services include:

Use of computers, software and fax machines résumés;
Résumé paper, envelopes and stamps for you to use; and
Help posting your résumé online and emailing potential employers.

No appointment is needed to use the CareerCenter and all services are no charge to jobseekers. For more information, contact your local CareerCenter office.