Welcome to the ResumePower Blog! Kim Isaacs and Karen Hofferber offer real world, proven advice on
resume writing, cover letters, career change, and job search strategies.
Career Changers: Avoid Functional Resumes
Another career change resume came across my desk today, and the job seeker used a functional format…as usual.
Career changers seem to be lured in by the potential benefits of a functional resume, which focuses on relevant skills and downplays employment history. The attraction makes perfect sense, but the problem is that employers often don’t like functional resumes. In fact, this style has been used for so long to hide undesirable aspects of a person’s work history (job-hopping, gaps, career change, incarceration?), that hiring managers may assume there’s a problem as soon as they see a functional resume.
Not a good way to make a positive first impression: “What’s the matter with this guy?”
I’m not saying that a functional resume could never work. But I do think that most career changers have sufficient transferable skills and accomplishments that can be highlighted by using a combination resume format. This style provides the best of both worlds — the inclusion of a qualifications summary and key skills, plus the reverse chronological work history that employers like to see.
If you’re changing careers and trying to decide on the best resume format for you, consider a combination resume. And please, avoid a functional resume unless you have a highly thought-out strategy or are using the services of a talented professional resume writer.
Best wishes,
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Nice post, Kim. I’ve always had similar suspicions about functional resumes and would also prefer a “combo” resume in the style you describe. If I’m a hiring manager and you’re changing careers, I want to see what skills you have that I need, but I also want to see how you used those skills in your present or former career, along with your longevity in different workplaces. Even if your resume smacks of “job hopping,” I may still want to interview you to see how committed you are to your intended career change, as well as to see how your skills might help my company.
Hi Rick - Thank you for your insights! Many career changers instinctively lean towards functional resumes, but you’re right that they might not be giving hiring managers what they want to see. I appreciate your post!
Kim:
Thanks for posting this!
As a recruiter who has also worked in career services, I’ve NEVER found any use for a functional resume. I’ve steered folks away from that direction, too. Employers WANT to know about work history! If the information is “buried” or absent, that is a red flag! There is no situation I’ve run into in over 10 years where a hiring authority has said “I don’t care about a person’s work history.”
Changing careers is enough of a challenging without creating the additional handicap of turning off employers!
Hi Greg,
Thank you — it’s great to hear a recruiter’s view on what works and what doesn’t! Next time someone tries to convince me of the benefits of a functional resume, I’m going to send him to your post.
Best wishes,
Kim
Great post. I’ve seen too many people pay big bucks for functional resumes - even from well-known, well-regarded headhunters. Glad you set the record straight.
Hi Cathy - Thanks very much for your feedback!
Best,
Kim
[…] Recently, a number of job seekers have asked me if it’s okay to drop undesirable jobs from their resumes. The reasons varied, but most had to do with holding short-term positions, leaving jobs on bad terms, getting fired, and changing careers. […]
[…] you’re trying to select the best format for your resume, most likely a functional resume won’t work. Not convinced? Check out the following article by guest writer Jessie Richardson. Best wishes, Kim […]
[…] Recently, a number of job seekers have asked me if it’s okay to drop undesirable jobs from their resumes. The reasons varied, but most had to do with holding short-term positions, leaving jobs on bad terms, getting fired, and changing careers. […]
[…] you’re trying to select the best format for your resume, most likely a functional resume won’t work. Not convinced? Check out the following article by guest writer Jessie Richardson. Best wishes, Kim […]