Functional Resume

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This type of resume enables the work experience and abilities to be grouped by major areas of involvement. Sometimes dates of employment are included, other times they can be left out.

Functional style is good choice when • You would like to change career paths

• You have gaps in your employment history

• You have little or no paid work experience

• Your most impressive skills or accomplishments come out of volunteer, unpaid work or a job you held some time ago

• When you want to play down past job content that is not relevant to your job goal

Know Your Audience Research the company and the position you are applying for and write your résumé accordingly

Choose a Job Target/Objective Keep in mind that employers read resumes to answer the question “what can this person do for

us?” Be as specific as possible about how you can benefit the employer.

Investigate the Field Determine what skills, knowledge and experience are needed to do the job and place emphasis on these parts of your background. Know Yourself Brainstorm a short list of your best talents, skills, experience, awards, achievements, memberships, character traits, education and training.

Show Your Abilities Think of several accomplishments that show the use of each skill. Use action words when describing these accomplishments and emphasize the benefit to the employer.

Functional Resume

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Tips

• Present your resume in a clear, concise manner on plain white or lightly shaded paper, preferably laser printed, free of handwritten changes or additions

• Your contact information is generally used as a letterhead to your resume

• Your resume is positive, action-oriented and easy to read

• Best qualities and key qualifications are highlighted at the beginning of your resume

• Your contact information is correct and current

• Key ideas and words pop out to support the job objective

• Resumes are typically a maximum of 2 pages

• Your summary contains skills that are consistent with the job objective

• Use points rather than long paragraphs

• Information is relevant to the job objective and shows a wide range of experience

• Job titles can be easily found by someone scanning the resume

• Organization names and job titles are included

• Major skills and accomplishments related to the job objective are highlighted

• Free of spelling and grammar errors

Organizing a Functional Resume Effectively

• Start at the top with your name and contact information, include your address, phone numbers and email address

• Follow with a Job Objective statement so the employer knows what position you are applying for

• Follow this with your Summary of Highlights

• Begin with your Relevant Skills and Experience; list your major skills/accomplishments instead of just your job duties and responsibilities

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• Work History can be listed by job title or employer, depending on which is more impressive or relevant – just be consistent

• Your Work History can include the time frame that you worked at a specific job (i.e. 1996-2003) or you can list the number of years spent at each position (i.e. 7 years)

• List your relevant Education and Training

• Volunteer or Community Involvement is listed in a separate section

• References are on a separate sheet to be presented at the interview

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Sample Functional Resume

Jill Brown 20 Main Street, Barrie, ON L4M 6W7 706-771-1111

Employment Objective Server - Bartender - Hostess Highlights • Five years of experience in meeting customers’ needs • Smart Serve Certificate • Knowledgeable in restaurant operations and procedures • Committed to full service dining experience • Able to turn tables efficiently and profitably Relevant Skills Customer Service • Fostered repeat customers by consistently providing quick, well-timed, and professional service • Listened to customers’ preferences to make appropriate suggestions • Recommended wines that complement specific entrees Food/Beverage Service • Efficiently set up and served parties of up to 20 people (separately billed) • Provided customers with information about portion sizes and ingredients • Assisted in set up and service of Sunday brunches • Opened and closed bar and maintained appropriate stock levels of garnishes and mixes to minimize waste Cash Handling • Correctly prepared bills and tracked tips • Accurately made change; completed debit and credit card transactions • Operated cash register and accurately completed end of shift cash outs Employment History Server East Side Mario’s, Belleville, ON, 1996-2003 Server Red Rock Canyon, Belleville, ON, 1994-1996 Education and Training Smart Serve Certificate Durham College, Oshawa, ON, 1994 Grade 12 Diploma Quinte Secondary School, Belleville, ON, 1993

References Available On Request