Feeling stuck because you don’t have work experience or have a gap in your resume? Don’t worry, the functional resume format can help you present your strengths and land interviews.

Whether you’re a fresh graduate or changing careers, this format focuses on what really matters: your skills, achievements, and potential.

What is a Functional Resume Anyway?

A functional resume also known as a skills-based resume, is a format that highlights your skills, strengths, and achievements, instead of focusing on your work history.

Unlike the traditional chronological resume, this format is especially helpful for:

• Fresh grads
• Career changers
• Anyone with employment gaps

It organizes your experiences around what you can do, not just where you’ve worked. This makes it ideal if you’re entering a new field or want to show how your skills match the job — even without formal job experience.

How to Build Your Functional Resume — Step by Step

Step 1: Your Name & Contact Info

Include your name, email, phone number, LinkedIn, and a portfolio link (if any).
Tip: Keep it professional. Double-check for typos.

Step 2: Professional Summary

This quick intro tells employers who you are and what you’re aiming for.

“Energetic marketing graduate passionate about content strategy and digital branding. Eager to contribute creative solutions and data-driven insights to a dynamic team.”

Step 3: Skills Section

This is the heart of your resume. Group your skills by type — technical, soft skills, or job-specific.

Example:

• Marketing Skills: Content creation, email campaigns, SEO
• Tools & Tech: Canva, Google Analytics, Mailchimp
• Soft Skills: Communication, teamwork, adaptability

Step 4: Experience & Achievements

Don’t skip this even if you haven’t had formal jobs! Include relevant experiences from internships, school projects, or volunteering.

Example:

• Led a fundraising event that raised ₱500K for a local cause
• Managed social media for a student org, increasing engagement by 40%

Step 5: Education

List your degrees, certifications, and any relevant coursework.

Example:

• BA in Marketing, ABC University (2022)
• Google Certificate: Digital Marketing Fundamentals (2023)

Design & Formatting Tips

Keep your resume clean and readable:

• Fonts: Use Calibri, Arial, or Helvetica
• Font Sizes: 10–12 pt for content, 14–16 pt for headings
• Tools: Google Docs, Canva, or Word work great

Pro Tip: Use bullet points, bold section headers, and white space to make your resume skimmable.

Sample Functional Resume Layout

Here’s how your resume might look:

[Name]
Contact | LinkedIn | Portfolio

Professional Summary
2–3 lines about who you are and your career goals.

Skills
• Skill Group 1
• Skill Group 2
• Skill Group 3

Experience or Achievements
Project / Internship / Volunteer — Highlight results

Education
Degree | School | Year

Ready to Craft Your Standout Resume?

The job hunt can feel overwhelming — but with a functional resume, you’re already one step ahead. Focus on what you can offer, even without job titles.

Stay tuned for templates, examples, and more beginner-friendly career guides!