Writing a resume to land a first job is often intimidating because you lack the prior work experience that usually makes up the bulk of most resumes. A functional resume, however, highlights your skills and abilities rather than placing emphasis on previous employment. The functional format also makes it easy for you to tailor your resume to the specific job for which you are applying; thus, this type of resume benefits both those changing careers as well as first-time job seekers.
Step 1
Type your personal information at the top of the page and center it. Include your full legal name, address, telephone number with the area code and email address if you have one.
Step 2
Space down at least two lines, change the alignment to left for the rest of the resume, type "Objective:" and enter your objective statement. The objective is a single sentence that describes the type of job you are applying for and why you are the right person for the job. Keep your objective specific to the position you are applying to and change it to match each position before sending your resume to other companies.
Step 3
Press "Enter" twice and type "Experience," "Skills," or "Accomplishments." Try to list at least three or four items in each section. For example, enter each skill and provide one or two bullet points beneath it describing how you acquired the skill, how you have applied the skill in the past, and any awards or certifications you have received that pertain to the skill.
Step 4
Space down two lines and type "Education:" next. Include any degrees or certifications you earned in high school, technical school or college. You can include programs you are currently enrolled in as well as classes or courses of study you participated in but did not graduate from, as long as you do not indicate that you earned a degree if you did not.
Step 5
Double-space, type in "Licenses" or "Certificates:" and list any special certificates you did not include under the education heading. This section may include special certifications on your driver's license or computer certifications earned through classes not listed under the "Education" section.
Tips and Warnings
- Choose skills relevant to the position for which you are applying when you write your resume. For example, a person hiring for a janitorial position may not be interested in your woodworking skills, but he would likely want to know about time you spent cleaning family members' or friends' home for spending money. Use a standard font and font size, such as Arial or Times New Roman in 12 point. Keep the text black and do not add graphics or designs. You can change the order of the categories on your resume to suit your needs and formatting preferences, though the objective statement usually appears first under your contact information. Ask a friend or family member with good grammar and spelling skills to proofread your resume before you use it to apply for a job.
- Always be truthful and accurate when writing a resume. Misrepresenting yourself could cost you a job.
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