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Even though many resume writers promote the use of functional resumes,
this presentation has inherent problems for the job hunter:
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Functional resumes often don't give employers all the information they
need to make a decision. For example: Assume you've held 2 jobs, one
where you were responsible for directing marketing activities for IBM
and the other where you swept floors for John Smith's Unknown Computer
Company. In a typical functional resume, the prospective employer
wouldn't have a clue which company you directed marketing activities
for and which company you swept floors for. All your duties,
responsibilities, and accomplishments get blended together with no
indication as to where you did what. It's significant for a prospective
employer to know what your duties and accomplishments are within the
context of each employer for whom you worked.
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Functional resumes have a reputation as a resume style used by
applicants who have "sketchy" backgrounds (i.e. periods of
unemployment, underemployment, etc.)
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Functional resumes offer a way for candidates to disguise the fact
that the skills called for in the positions for which they are
applying haven't been used for many years.
Resume writers like to use the functional resume format because
they're easier to write and they can make their less qualified
clients and their clients with "problem backgrounds" appear more
qualified. I've heard other resume writers refer to the functional
resume format as the "Liars Style". Many employers have become
suspicious of functional resumes and when they receive one, their
focus may turn to finding out what the candidate is trying to hide.
Why take a chance of that happening when you don't have to.
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