Functional Resumé Outline

A functional resumé is ideal if you have gaps in your work history. Perhaps you’ve travelled, raised a family, or had other reasons to take time away from paid work.

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This type of resumé focuses on your skills and abilities. Choose the ones that best fit the job you want.

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Which Resumé Type Fits You Best?

A good resumé calls attention to the skills and achievements that best fit the job you’re applying for. A well-written resumé can get you an interview.

Your name
Email address
Phone number(s) (with area codes)
Website (optional)

Objective or goals (optional)

Research the goals of your potential employer. Briefly list how your skills and training will help the employer reach those goals.

Summary of Qualifications (optional)

Briefly describe what makes you a good fit for the job. For example, you might include your experience, training, knowledge, and availability.

Skill Title 1

Create 3 to 6 groups of your skills and personal traits. Name these skill groups. For example: Communication, Customer Service, Organizing, or Problem Solving. These skills should relate to the job you’re applying for.

Support each skill or trait with an example of how you’ve used it. Examples can come from any area of your life, not just from jobs. For example, under Organizing, describe what you organized and what the results were.

Don’t evaluate yourself. Instead, show how you made a difference. For example, under Customer Service, don’t write “provided excellent service.” Instead, write “improved customer satisfaction ratings.” Even better, say how much the ratings improved. Or list any recognition you received, such as employee of the week.

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How to Address Gaps in Your Career

Re-entering the workforce after a career gap can be hard. Here are some simple tips to help you make a smooth transition back to employment.

Skill Title 2 

Skill Title 3

Experience (optional)

Describe your paid work and volunteer experience. Focus on what you did, rather than on where and when you did the work.

Education and Training (optional)

Describe your formal and informal education. Focus on what you learned and accomplished.

See how a functional resumé helps you focus on what you can do.

Here are some example resumés that use a functional outline:

• Functional resumé example 1 [pdf]—a high school student with no paid work experience
• Functional resumé example 2 [pdf]—a recent immigrant with limited skills and Canadian experience