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Review of Functional Resume

Veteran

Sean Higgins Newport, RI

I am looking for some feedback on my first shot at a functional resume as trying to transition into an organizational/leadership development role, after a 27 year career. I was using a chronological resume to apply for positions but felt more important to highlight skills towards the field. Thanks in advance.

25 May 2017 8 replies Resumes & Cover Letters

Answers

Advisor

Mike Cottell Glen Head, NY

Hi Sean, perhaps this can help as a follow up to Jim's advice.

https://www.glassdoor.com/blog/how-to-become-the-candidate-recruiters-cant-resist/

Thank you for your service and good luck, Best Regards, Mike

25 May 2017 Helpful answer

Advisor

Steven Mathews Spring, TX

I have helped over 100 people in the past 3 years obtain new positions by helping them create a Top 1% Resume. The "secret" is to show your value to the company, and specifically to the hiring manager. I am willing to help you for free, no strings.
I am a retired USAFR officer. I know how to take your operational military experience and translate those accomplishments into commercial value statements.
Email me at slmathews99@gmail.com should you wish to proceed.

Advisor

Robin Schlinger Atlanta, GA

As a Resume Writer and Career Coach helping folks transition from the military for over 15 years, I recommend a Chronological resume. That said, I would be pleased to review both your chronological and functional resumes to see if I can help.

I wholeheartedly agree with the advice that looking for a job is more than a resume. I had the honor many years ago to spend 5 days with Dick Bolles to learn more about his book, "What Color is My Parachute?" There is a 2017 edition out now. Sadly, Dick Bolles recently passed away. His book has been a fantastic resource and updated annually since the 1970's.

See my explanation below on Functional versus Chronological - and why I recommend Chronological for applying for jobs. That said, you can have an additional networking document that is functional!

When I started writing resumes 16+ years ago, we would write functional resumes for many folks transitioning from the military. However, this was BEFORE most resumes got read by Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS) for screening and rejection before being referred to a human for further reading. ATS does not really know how to score or read purely functional resumes (they score by keywords and number of years the keywords were used). Therefore, to apply for jobs you need a Chronological resume.

You can have a functional Summary - and then break down each job description into functional information. It is important to convert military "jargon" into the keywords (job description and requirements) in the job announcements you are applying for. To differentiate yourself from others applying for the job that also meet the job requirements, you MUST show your accomplishments in each job (and in the summary).

If you have been working for many years (as you have), your work is much more important than the education (but you can mention your education in the summary). Include your Professional Work History before your Education section.

The advice for 1 page is WRONG. In the past, before ATS, and only humans read resumes, you could have 2 pages. Recent studies asking recruiters (see http://www.asktheheadhunter.com/10432/3-page-resume-long), Fortune 500 companies (per webinars I have gone to with Gary Crispin - head of a coalition of top HR folks from Fortune 500 companies), and Career Directors International asking companies the average length of the resumes of people ACTUALLY HIRED in the past 6 months or year reveal that the average length is 3 to 4 pages or more.

Therefore, with more than 20 years of military experience, you write a resume AS LONG AS IT NEEDS TO BE to show your career history.

This is especially important if you want to apply for Federal jobs. Make it have all information in it (up to the length allowed for the job announcement). You can't score for information not in your resume. Federal resumes MUST be chronological (since they only can score what is in each job), and have all required information.

Advisor

Jerry Welsh Middleville, MI

Just a point of clarification. A true Functional Resume has no dates, a Combination Resume, lists work history in one small section and then breaks your accomplishments into sections. Anyone with experience should ever us the true no dates Functional Resume. Thanks

Advisor

Jim Schreier Milwaukee, WI

I'll be happy to join this debate -- perhaps based on a different perspective that says you need to focus on "accomplishments", not skills. I'll be happy to review and advise.

Advisor

Henry ("Dr. Hank") Stevens Fort Lauderdale, FL

Good Day, Sir! I have a contrary opinion. Suffice it to say, I have been an employers' recruiter for decades. My first reaction, when reviewing a "functional resume" is to ask, "What is this applicant concealing?"

Get the book, WHAT COLOR IS YOUR PARACHUTE by Bolles, 2017 Edition. This will be your new bible. For clarification or discussion, contact me off this channel, if you wish. hlstevens@att.net

Advisor

Deb Yeagle Tampa, FL

Sean-
Thanks for your service!
I would be happy to review your resume and provide feedback. Please send me your resume via private message.
I have 25+ years experience serving as a DoD civilian and 10+ years experience serving in BD/PM roles as a Government contractor, and have hired hundreds of employees during that time, so I can offer that expertise in reviewing your functional resume.
Thanks again-
Deb

Advisor

James Spencer Dowell, IL

Commander,
Your thoughts that a functional would serve you better are 100% correct. If resumes are only to go back 10 or 15 years it is difficult to highlight appropriate skills when you have been in one job or worked for one organization for over 20 years. With functional format you only need to show those skills that relate to each job as you make application and it does not indicate how long it has been since you performed those duties.

I have worked in Outplacement and Career Transition for a very long time and have had many clients in the 55+ group. The vast majority of them found a Functional resume to be much more productive. If you would like to send me the document once it is complete I would be happy to take a look and make any suggestions I think would help. Attach it to jespencer1@gmail.com.

One additional thought, please remember the resume is only a part of a good search plan. To often, in my business, I see skilled candidates that think they are applying for jobs if they develop a resume and then send it out to as many companies as possible. Please take the time to develop a complete plan that includes customized resumes, target companies, targeted networking, LindedIn membership, interview preparation, and follow-up.

Jim Spencer
S&P Consulting LLC

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