Functional versus Chronological
There is enormous debate these days over the idea of “Functional vs. Chronological” structure in resumes. Many think that format, rather than content, is a primary influence for results.
We beg to differ.
Most résumé services designed to work with the unemployed or recently downsized, promote the “Functional” format. As former Search Firm owners and operators, we have always had plenty of opportunity to see the employer’s reaction to all résumé formats. The most glaring reaction is when the employer makes the comment, “what are they hiding?”. This is the most common statement heard when a “Functional” format is presented. The most frequent reason that format is used is to cover up job hopping or non-relevant career history. Typically, the one who has the authority to hire you, has the intelligence to see through any attempt to cover up work history. The person who is most likely screening your résumé is not the hiring manager at all, but an HR representative or generalist. They are specifically trained to look through and decipher the résumé and eliminate candidates with this obstacle.
When a functional résumé format is used, the following issues develop;
- Your achievements are disconnected from the chronology, preventing the reader from connecting your abilities to their initiatives or problems.
- The reader cannot determine if your achievement track record is recent.
- The employer is forced to determine your quality based upon your former titles and job descriptions, preventing you from changing your field or industry.
Our recommendation is to use the chronological format with achievements listed in the chronology. If you do have a history of movement in the career, consider getting us involved to help you craft a document that will not prevent interviews.
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This is so true. Having been a C-level executive for many years, I can tell you that if HR ever presented me with a “functional” resume for a candidate, my first thought was always, “what are they trying to hide”. At that point I would either just toss it, or I would end-up tyring to figure out what it was that they were tyring to hide – and then toss it.
I agree with the premise that functional resumes do more harm than good. Recruiters and hiring managers want to know who, what, when and where about a candidate as only a chronological resume can deliver.
The dynamic of the functional information can be inserted in chronological order so if there is value there it can be recognized within the related timeline and be assessed accordingly.