When you’re changing careers, reentering the workforce, or have a patchy job history, a traditional resume format may work against you. That’s where the functional resume comes in. This unique format puts your skills and abilities at center stage—letting hiring managers see your potential before your timeline.
In this post, you’ll find a detailed example of a functional resume along with expert advice tailored to job seekers who want to emphasize transferable skills over chronological experience.
Let’s dive into how this format works—and why it might be your best option if you’re shifting industries or have gaps in employment.
FULL EXAMPLE OF A FUNCTIONAL RESUME
Jordan Taylor
jordan.taylor@email.com | (555) 123-4567 | San Francisco, CA
Professional Summary
Resourceful and adaptable professional with 6+ years of experience in customer-facing roles and a strong background in project coordination, problem-solving, and process improvement. Adept at cross-functional communication and driven by a passion for creating efficient, people-centered solutions. Seeking a career shift into operations or project management, where strategic thinking and organizational expertise are essential.
Core Competencies
Project Planning & Execution
Cross-Functional Team Coordination
Conflict Resolution & Client Service
Data Analysis & Reporting
Workflow Optimization
Time & Resource Management
Professional Experience Highlights
Project Management & Coordination
Led cross-departmental initiatives to streamline onboarding processes, reducing employee ramp-up time by 30%.
Collaborated with internal stakeholders to plan and execute a quarterly customer engagement event with 200+ attendees.
Managed a project task board across multiple departments using Trello and Asana, improving project visibility and reducing missed deadlines.
Client & Customer Service
Provided frontline support for customer queries and technical troubleshooting for a SaaS platform serving over 10,000 users.
Resolved complex customer issues with a 95% satisfaction rating and contributed to documentation improvements.
Conducted user training and onboarding sessions, improving adoption rates and reducing support requests by 18%.
Administrative & Organizational Skills
Maintained and improved internal knowledge bases and process documentation.
Coordinated schedules, handled communications, and supported daily operations for a team of 15.
Assisted with budget tracking and monthly reporting to leadership, ensuring accuracy and transparency.
Employment History
Customer Success Associate – CloudBridge Software, Remote – 2020–2023
Administrative Coordinator – Bright Path Wellness, Oakland, CA – 2017–2020
Retail Supervisor – Green Market, San Francisco, CA – 2015–2017
Education
Bachelor of Arts in Communication
University of California, Santa Cruz
Certifications
Certified Associate in Project Management (CAPM) – PMI
Google Project Management Certificate – Coursera
PRACTICAL RESUME-WRITING TIPS FOR FUNCTIONAL FORMATS
Lead with Skills, But Stay Honest: Focus on what you can do rather than what you’ve done chronologically. Just make sure your skills are backed by examples.
Use Action Verbs and Results: Start each bullet point with a strong verb, and whenever possible, show results—percentages, time saved, or customer outcomes.
Tailor It for the Job: Customize your skill sections based on the job description. If they’re asking for “workflow optimization,” echo that in your core competencies.
Include Employment Dates Strategically: Even though this format minimizes timelines, dates in the employment section still provide helpful context—include them briefly.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
1. Who should use a functional resume format?
This format is best for job seekers changing careers, freelancers, recent grads with limited experience, or anyone with employment gaps who wants to spotlight their skills.
2. Will hiring managers accept a functional resume?
While some recruiters prefer chronological resumes, functional formats are gaining acceptance, especially when tailored well. Make sure to clearly showcase achievements and avoid appearing evasive.
3. Can I include achievements from unpaid or volunteer work?
Absolutely. In fact, that’s one of the strengths of a functional resume—you can highlight relevant experiences from freelance, volunteer, or side projects under skill categories.
4. Should I still include a work history section?
Yes. Even though it’s not the focus, listing your job titles and dates helps validate your experience and shows you’ve been professionally active.
A functional resume isn’t for everyone—but when used strategically, it can help you own your narrative and confidently pivot into the career you truly want. Whether you’re moving from customer service to project management or from retail to operations, your skills deserve the spotlight.