There are many reasons you may be needing to build a Skill-Based Resume also known as a Functional Resume. Either because you do not have formal job experiences, or you have been working for so long or in different industries, this type of resume can help you synthesize and simplify your experience. Depending on your experience and goals it could be better to have a Skill-Based resume rather than a chronological one.
However, this type of resume is not a "one-size-fits-all" type of thing. With them, we try to highlight our qualifications and skills over our work experience. They are ideal when you are trying to change your career path or industry. You can use them when you are highly specialized or have a lot of freelancing experience. They come in handy if you have been off the job market for a while.
So, I will teach you what should your skill-based resume have? How must you structure it? and lastly, show you an example of a skill-based resume.
What must you include in your resume to make it appealing and earn that first interview call and even get the job?
I probably lost count on the times I have received a resume or found one printed on our folders and it does not have this. This is important regardless of the type of resume you end up building. However, with skill-based resumes, it becomes an essential factor.
Your contact information should include your name and at least one email where your recruiters can reach you. Phone number, preferably a mobile number. If you are hesitant about sharing your personal mobile number you can always get a virtual number or Google Voice that is always with you. And a shortened link to your LinkedIn Profile.
We addressed it in our previous entry. This section is especially useful for gaining your recruiter's and hiring manager's attention. Briefly (no more than 100 words) outline what you are made of and who you are.
And the center of your resume should be this section. You must put all your efforts into making it complete and clear. This is the opportunity you have to highlight all your relevant information and what makes you proud of your overall experience. It is mostly expected we create a resume for each job that we apply to, but sometimes people do not do it. However, try to take the time. Read the job post carefully and make sure you have the skills needed to succeed in the role. Once you have identified which skills are those, then start writing.
Pick at least five of those skills and that is what you are going to be working on within this section. For each skill, include at least four bullet points or a short paragraph that describes your dexterity. Be as specific as you can. Preferably add skills that can be measured and put to test by your interviewers. Or skills that you have certificates for.
Of course, the whole point of a Skill-Based Resume is to have your skills as a focal point. However we still need to learn about your work experience, what roles you took on, who did you work with. So Always remember to list: a) Company you worked with. b) Month and Year of start and end of your employment. And c) the role you had in the organization. In this section, you do not need to give further details about your jobs. You only need to list these three things for your past work experiences.
This is especially important if your educational background influences the improvement or development of the skills you listed. You do not need to go into detail with this section either. You should list: a) Your degree name. b) Years of study. And c) The name of the institution you achieved your degree at. If you are a new grad and your work experience is not ample, then put this section before that.
Just like with our previous entry on CV Building. You should list Other skills that are relevant and may cause an impact on your performance. List languages, Softwares, and other skills.
