Hi Patrick

 was reading an article recently that said if you don't have much work history you should write a functional resume - focusing on skills.  What are your thoughst on this?

craigwbrown wrote Katherina Hansen propvids an article on hen to use a functional resume here; http://www.quintcareers.com/functional_resume.html  Some points on when its appropriate to use functrional resumes are here; Those with very diverse experiences that don't add up to a clear-cut career path. College students with minimal experience and/or experience unrelated to their chosen career field. Career-changers who wish to enter a field very different from what all their previous experience points to. Those with gaps in their work history, such as homemakers who took time to raise and family and now wish to return to the workplace. For them, a chronological format can draw undue attention to those gaps, while a functional resume enables them to portray transferable skills attained through such activities as domestic management and volunteer work. Military transitioners entering a different field from the work they did in the military. Job-seekers whose predominate or most relevant experience has been unpaid, such as volunteer work or college activities (coursework, class projects, extracurricular organizations, and sports). Those who performed very similar activities throughout their past jobs who want to avoid repeating those activities in a chronological job listing. Job-seekers looking for a position for which a chronological listing would make them look "overqualified." Older workers seeking to deemphasize a lengthy job history. Any comments from hiring managers?

Functional resumes are suitable for recent graduates or those which are looking to make a career transition (e.g. developer to BA). However, as a hiring manager, I always want to understand why the candidate is using a functional resume. This is because many candidates use functional resumes to hide the fact that they do not have the years of necessary experience. I advice job seekers to be open with the interviewer and, perhaps, to even disclose up front the lack of work experience. Hiring managers tend to be more understanding and sympathetic with a candidate who is upfront on their weaknesses. Interviewers will be more lenient when they know the candidate does not have the years of experience.

- Adrian