Whether an applicant is successful depends to a large extent on the quality of their résumé. The tabular form with an antichronological listing of previous experiences is common. However, there are other variants such as the functional resume.
What is a functional résumé?
Most people are familiar with the tabular curriculum vitae. In it, an applicant records his or her life and career to date in chronological or antichronological terms. All stations are arranged according to a timeline. As a matter of principle, content is not bundled, apart from the division into different categories such as professional experience and training.
This is different from the functional resume. Sometimes it is also a tabular curriculum vitae in which the respective competencies are described in two columns – one for the description of the job and one for the period. However, in the functional curriculum vitae, these experiences are not sorted according to their respective point in time, but thematically.
Particularly important competencies and skills are the focus of the functional résumé. The curriculum vitae is structured according to them. Certain knowledge, important fields of activity, and competencies, but also soft skills can form their own categories. Under these headings, experiences and competencies are listed that fit the content. While the typical tabular curriculum vitae lists competencies and knowledge only marginally or indirectly in the form of professional experience, the functional curriculum vitae is structured accordingly.
The purpose of this procedure is to classify the suitability of the applicant for a specific position based on important qualifications. The timing takes a back seat. It is not data that is important, but core competencies, which are described with meaningful bullet points.
Most functional résumés nevertheless contain a list of the most important professional stages. However, it takes a back seat and is usually listed at the end of the document.
Pro & Cons: What speaks for and against functional résumés
Functional résumés are comparatively seldom used – and they do not go down well with every HR manager. Therefore, you should carefully weigh up whether or not this form of résumé might be suitable in your case.
Functional résumés are usually only eligible under special circumstances. If you have been unemployed for a long time or have many breaks and gaps in your résumé, this is less noticeable with a functional résumé than with a chronological listing of your experiences. Frequent changes in content on your career path can also be concealed in this way.
Even if you have a lateral entry want to dare, a functional résumé can be a good choice. This allows you to focus on what you have to offer, while the regular tabular résumé would reveal more quickly than you are missing important formal qualifications. A functional résumé can also be an option if your last job does not match the desired job.
Why it is risky to use a functional resume
You should know, however, that many HR managers are skeptical when they get a functional résumé on the table. After all, they too know that a functional résumé is usually chosen for good reasons. Many contacts should therefore ask themselves what they want to cover up with your résumé.
Because functional CVs are comparatively uncommon, they also cost HR managers more time. The person in charge cannot scan the curriculum vitae for important information in the shortest possible time, as with the regular tabular curriculum vitae, but has to find his way around the unusually structured document first. This means that a functional resume can be interpreted negatively.
Weigh up carefully whether it might make sense in your situation to send a functional résumé. The pro-arguments should be clear enough that they outweigh a possibly skeptical reaction from the HR manager. If, on the other hand, you can show a straightforward résumé without major gaps, it is usually not advisable to design your résumé in a functional rather than (anti-) chronological manner. This also applies if the desired job matches your last job and you are generally well qualified for the possible new position.
The use of a functional résumé is also less advisable in conservative industries. Beyond that, however, you do not know in advance how your contact person will perceive this variant of the CV, which makes the use of a functional CV risky.
Write a functional résumé: This is how it works
If you choose to write a functional resume, you are relatively free in how you design the document. There is no one typical functional résumé. However, many of these CVs have a similar structure. As with a regular tabular resume, your resume should have a heading, such as your name. Your contact details – including your address, a telephone number, and email address – are required as usual.
In contrast to the conventional tabular CV, most functional CVs now follow content-related focus instead of chronological tracing on professional experience and training. Often there is a summary of the applicant first. This describes the applicant’s most important characteristics and competencies. Typically, here is a bullet-point list of what the applicant has to offer in terms of particularly relevant qualifications and experience.
Functional curricula vitae are arranged according to their main focus, each representing elementary competencies. Successes and important projects can also be mentioned. Which focus areas are suitable depends on the field of activity and the experience of the applicant. When making your selection, you should be guided by what appears to be particularly useful for the employer in question.
What is important in the design of a functional résumé
You don’t need to use subheadings – you can also use keywords on the left that relate to competencies and qualifications, and on the right list all associated experiences and skills. It makes more sense, however, if you give the respective areas a heading. This makes your resume clearer.
Dates are usually completely missing in this type of display. However, if you come to the most important professional stages in the lower section of your résumé, you should complete the data. Otherwise, the HR manager does not know at all how long you have held a certain position.
When creating a functional résumé, you must include certain keywords. This makes it easier for your contact person to quickly find the information they want about you despite the unconventional presentation. You can use the job advertisement as a guide when describing certain competencies. By naming the qualifications that are explicitly required, you increase your chances of positive feedback.
In any case, your résumé must be as clear as possible. This applies more and more to functional résumés because they deviate from the typical form and make it more difficult for HR managers to capture important information quickly. By using meaningful headings and choosing equally meaningful, bullet-point descriptions, you can make your resume more user-friendly.
Sample: Example of a functional résumé
The following example shows you what a functional resume could look like. If you write such a résumé yourself, you should tailor it as precisely as possible to the desired position. By taking up competencies required by the employer, you show that you have the required skills, experience, and knowledge. This can give you advantages in the application process. Make sure to adapt your résumé for each new application to the respective employer and the position.
Susanne Musterfrau
State-certified retail saleswoman
Musterweg 1
12345 Musterstadt
Telephone: 01 11/11 22 334
Email: [email protected]
That distinguishes me
Experienced retail saleswoman with a focus on organic food retailing.
I am an assertive, determined, communicative person with special skills in the areas of branch management, process optimization, and customer loyalty.
Important competencies
- Extensive knowledge of organic food
- Attractive range design to increase sales
- Experience in dealing with merchandise management systems
- Needs-based, cost-optimized organization
- Stress resistance, resilience and flexibility
Qualifications
- Many years of experience in management positions as head of the stores [location] and [location] as well as deputy branch manager of the store [location]
- Study of business administration at the [university], final grade 1.6, completed examination for retail saleswoman, final grade 1.2
Achievements
- Increases in sales in the [location] and [location] markets as well as cost optimization, pooling of resources and an optimized, target group-specific offer, successful introduction of the segment [segment] in the [location] market
Organization
- As part of my work as a branch manager in the stores [location] and [location], coordination of human resources, optimization of rosters, accounting, placing orders
- Optimization of the warehouse management of the branch in [location] after conversion of the warehouse
Planning
- Analysis of economic key figures, needs-based measures to increase customer flows and increase sales, general measures in pricing
Customer Service
- Raising awareness and informing employees about the expansion of customer service in the market [location], processing of complaints, general customer advice
Career
- [Company], [Location]
branch management (since 05/2017) - [Company], [Location]
Branch Manager (01/2015 – 04/2017)
Deputy Branch Manager (07/2014 – 12/2014) - [Company], [Location]
activity as a saleswoman (03/2009 – 05/2014)