Functional CV

Functional CV

The Functional CV is usually two pages in length and covers your entire career history. Unlike the most common chronological CV it focuses not on your career history but on your skills, abilities and expertise. It may not even refer to a specific industry, as the skills as detailed are deemed transferable.

It is important that the skills you detail are relevant to the position you are applying for. It is no use highlighting your great accounts experience if the position is in sales. You should highlight your achievements in a sales environment and focus on relevant aspects of that field of work.
A Functional CV format is useful if:

You lack experience or have gaps in your work history; these can be de-emphasized in a functional CV while your skills and potential are highlighted.

You have changed jobs frequently and have had a variety of unrelated work experiences.

You want to promote skills and experience obtained through college or volunteer experience.
You are changing careers or re-entering the job market, perhaps after taking a career break to be a full time parent.

You have been working freelance or in temporary employment.

You do not want to advertise your age.

A functional CV format is less useful if:

You have little work experience and thus not much to highlight.

You have a progressive career history, which reflects promotions, and growth and you want to emphasize that.