Chronological Resumes and Functional Resumes

Written By Ashley Fletcher

Before we talk about chronological and functional resumes, let’s discuss what a resume is.

A resume is a sales and marketing tool that outlines your skills and experience, so a prospective employer can see how your skills and experience can benefit them and their organization. A resume will NOT get you a job. It will however get you an interview, which could potentially lead to a job offer.

In short, a resume markets you to an employer.

A chronological resume lists your jobs, responsibilities, and accomplishments in the order in which they occurred. Your most recent job will appear first, the job before that second, and so on.

An example of a chronological resume:

ABC Company, Nashua, NH 3/2021 - 3/2024
Technical Writer

  • Write manuals

  • Edit copy

XYZ Company, Hudson, NH 9/2018 – 3/2021
Technical Writer

  • Write and research articles

As you can see, the dates go in chronological order starting with the candidate’s most recent job. Also, if the position on your resume is the one you are in now, always use the present tense, such as write, edit, organize, research, etc.

If you have been in the same field for years and have a solid work history, a chronological resume might work well for you.

A functional resume lists the companies you have worked for first, and then lists all of your responsibilities and accomplishments afterwards.

An example of a functional resume:

ABC Company, Nashua, NH 3/2021 - 3/2024
Technical Writer

XYZ Company, Hudson, NH 9/2018 – 3/2021
Technical Writer

Responsibilities:

  • Write copy

  • Edit articles

  • Research topics

The negative aspect of a functional resume is that an employer cannot tell where you performed each individual task.

Functional resumes may be a good choice if you have significant gaps in your employment history, have had many short-term jobs, or are re-entering the work force. A functional resume could be a potential red flag to employers because it suggests that the job seeker may be a potential “job jumper”, so be aware of that should you decide to use this type of resume.

Recruiters and Hiring Managers prefer chronological resumes, as it lists the skills and responsibilities as it applies to each position starting from the most recent job on down.

A functional resume does not.

Remember, a resume is a sales and marketing tool that outlines your skills and experience, so a prospective employer can quickly see how you can benefit them, their organization, and the company.

Common features of chronological and functional resumes:

  • Both resumes tell a prospective employer why they should interview you instead of another candidate. This is the only thing they have to go on at this point in the process.

  • Both types of resumes need to contain the same “buzz” words that appear on the job posting. Often, the person who is conducting the interview will also be the person who wrote the job posting. interview. For example, if the job posting includes the words Computer Sales, those same words need to appear numerous times on both your resume and on your cover letter.

  • Both resumes need to have a name, mobile phone number, and a non-work email. A link to your LinkedIn profile (if it’s updated) is also recommended, as some Recruiters and hiring managers check LinkedIn prior to contacting a candidate.

  • Give the employer at least two ways to contact you. It’s surprising at how many resumes I’ve seen without telephone numbers.

Below are several more tips:

  • The subject regarding one-page resumes versus two-page resumes has come up frequently.

  • If you have been in the workforce for a while, a two-page or even a three-page resume is appropriate. You do not need to include jobs you had in the 80’s, 90’[s or early 2000’s

  • If you have had a lot of experience and you try to edit it down to fit on one page, you’re selling yourself short.

  • A two or even a three-page resume is fine. These days, it’s the rule rather than the exception.

  • Recruiters and Hiring Managers hate small fonts. It makes a resume difficult to read. A readable font size is either an 11-point Times New Roman or an 11-point Arial.

Ashley Fletcher
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Buzz Words