The structure of your resume goes a long way toward helping you during the job search. Employers take note of the way you present yourself, and if you aren’t marketing your qualifications to what they need, it’s unlikely you’ll advance to the next stage of the hiring process. Many resume templates are designed around specific formats, such as reverse chronological, combination, and functional. The reverse chronological template has been the strongly preferred template for years.
A functional resume emphasizes your industry skills over your professional experience. Your work history goes at the bottom of the document, with no bullets or descriptions of what you accomplished at your previous jobs.
No, you should never select a functional resume template, even if you’re starting your career without any prior work history. This format is dated and the hiring team will immediately question your qualifications and experience.
Unfortunately, using a functional resume will likely hurt your chances of landing interviews during the job hunt. It is not an effective vehicle for marketing your unique experience and expertise, because it emphasizes skills and de-emphasizes results and impact.
A reverse chronological format is the safest option. It places your professional experience toward the top of your resume, starting with your most recent experience and going back from there, enabling the hiring manager to quickly view your career impact and results.
While functional resumes were a popular option in the past for adults who took time off to bring up children, or professionals who took time to care for an ailing relative, they don’t have a place in the contemporary hiring process anymore. In a job market that’s grown increasingly competitive, you won’t be able to stand out by only featuring your skill sets. Companies want to know your impact and results.