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It’s an expectation of years, a life charted out in chronological order. Your resume is pasted across a screen, reflecting skills and their time-lines. All accomplishments are charted; all achievements are explained. It’s a celebration of your abilities as an employee… as well as proof of your recent career stumble.
Your job was lost months ago. The economy faltered and your company followed, released dozens of individuals to spare costs. You were one of many defined to that unfortunate afternoon — and your quest for a new career has since been slow. Family obligations have consumed your days and trying to enter the work force seems now to be a challenge: especially with your resume highlighting the gap.
It’s imperative therefore that you ignore tradition — refusing chronological formatting for convenience instead.
Individuals (like yourself) who have lost their jobs and were unable to seek immediate employment face a complication: the loss of time will have to be noted on resumes, which can cause concern for potential managers. It’s essential therefore that these losses be minimized. And a functional resume allows that to happen.
Functional resumes are tailored to skills instead of years. They emphasize the abilities of an individual, without having to designate when those abilities were earned. Employment histories are offered as conclusions and are tucked beneath more important information. This allows a first impression to be worthwhile.
The loss of a career can be devastating. The quest for a new identity, however, can prove to be far more challenging — unless a functional resume is used. Your talents must be displayed, not your unemployment.
