Chrono-Functional Resume: Format, Templates & Example

Choosing the right resume style is key, because it’s your best chance of grabbing your next employer's attention by highlighting the information that matters most. So depending on your current situation, you may need a different kind of resume than the most popular chronological resume.

Maybe you’ve had a two-year gap because you went to South America to find yourself, or you simply want to pursue your ideal career in the restaurant industry, but have worked for years in marketing? No matter what it is, you may want to find out if the chrono-functional resume will work for you.

In this article:

• What is a chrono-functional resume and what are its advantages.
• A professional chrono-functional resume example.
• How to write your own resume using the chrono-functional format.

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Looking for a different kind of resume guide? Check out these:

• Executive Resume Example
• Model Resume Example
• Retail Resume Example
• Executive Assistant Resume Example
• Student Resume Example
• IT Resume Example
• Technical Resume Example
• Recruiter Resume Example
• Art Teacher Resume Example
• Manager Resume Example
• Social Work Resume Example
• Stay at Home Mom Resume Example
• Food Service Resume Example
• Customer Service Resume Example
• Best Resume Examples for All Jobs

Want to find out how to write the best resume in the chrono-functional format? You’re almost there, but first let’s find out what a chrono-functional resume looks like:

Chrono-Functional Resume Example

When to Use a Chrono-Functional Resume?

No matter what type of resume you use, one thing is sure: It has to tell a GREAT story about your professional life. 

You're probably familiar with the chronological resume (which ironically uses the reverse-chronological resume format), and you've probably heard of the functional resume, even if you've never used it before. But did you ever hear of a chrono-functional resume?

Even if you didn’t, you might want to hear this: A chrono-functional resume can help you tell the best story possible. It incorporates features from both a functional and a chronological resume, where the skills for a resume are at the top, followed by a list of the candidate’s previous job positions with a summary of their responsibilities and key accomplishments. 

This type of resume is recommended for people who have gaps in their employment history, or their current job doesn’t reflect the skills needed for the new position they’re applying for.

How To Write a Chrono-Functional Resume That Lands Jobs

1. Start With the Best Chrono-Functional Resume Format

Let’s begin with the proper chrono-functional resume formatting: Good attention to detail is one of the most important skills when it comes to any job, honestly. 

Best way to prove it? With a polished resume format that will make the recruiter go: “Ooh-la-la!”

Follow these steps:

• Pick a professional resume font like Arial, Calibri, Times New Roman or Georgia.
• Set 1-inch resume marginson all sides of the page.
• Use the following resume sections: Heading, Profile Summary, Skills & Achievements, Work History, Education.
• Your resume should be one page long. A two-page resume is acceptable if you’re have more than 15 years of experience. 

Expert Hint: Save your resume as a PDF file to ensure your formatting is retained, or use a Word resume template if they want a .docx file.

2. Write a Resume Summary or Objective That Summarizes Your Skills, Experience and Goals

A recruitment process is like speed-dating. You have to leave a good impression, and you have only a few seconds to do it.

Your resume summary or objective (depending on your experience level) is the first advertisement for your skills and expertise that a hiring manger will see. So make sure it’s eye-catching and gets you a proper date. Like this:

Chrono-Functional Resume: Profile Example

Professional Profile

Enthusiastic and detail-oriented copywriting and marketing professional with 4+ years of experience creating SEO-friendly content. Experienced in customer service and various marketing strategies and tools. Increased Web traffic by 50% in first 6 months through content marketing on social media. Seeking to join Polian as a CRM and Brand Communications specialist to deliver a world-class comms plan for your products and services.

Expert Hint: If you’re writing an entry-level resume, explain your immediate professional goals and intentions for applying to a job in a spot-on resume objective. Briefly touch on your most important academic achievements or other experience that you have (like volunteer work).

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3. Highlight Your Most Important Skills and Achievements in a Dedicated Section

Now, the focal point of your chrono-functional resume: the skills section. Unlike other popular resume styles, the chrono-functional resume spotlights the skills, instead of experience.

So right below your profile section, you should list your key skills that best align with the job to which you're applying. Especially if you’re writing a career change resume, really use this section to show off the transferable skills that can be taken from your prior career.

Here are several ways to list your skills in a chrono-functional resume:

Chrono Functional Resume Template: Skills Section

Key Skills

Accounting skills include QuickBooks (advanced level) • Excel (advanced level) • General Business Knowledge • Customer Service • Data Analysis • Time Management

Professional Skills

Graphic Design:

• Utilized Adobe Creative Suite, Photoshop and illustrator on Apple Macintosh hardware to deliver high-quality work on tight schedules.

• Designed Logo, Branding, Brochures, and built websites for clients.

• Retouching, and restore images based on the needs of the client.

Web Development:

• Developed, enhanced and maintained websites using HTML, CSS and Javascript.

• Completed a comprehensive web analytics report, on a monthly basis, and present solutions and recommendations to senior management.

• Gathered requirements in the early stages of the development process.

Skills

• Content Marketing

• Strategic Planning

• Research and Data Analysis

• Copywriting

• SEO

• Storytelling

• Strong Communication Skills

• Customer Service

There are many ways to list your skills, depending on what you want to highlight.

4. Include an Attention-Grabbing Experience Section 

Why should they hire YOU? “Well… I have all the required skills and experience for the job.”

Good answer! Now, all you need to do is show that on your resume. So, here’s the deal:

The work experience section is an important part of any resume. Use this section to target your resume to the specific job you’re applying to. Targeting is especially useful when it comes to creating a chrono-functional resume, as you might have some things you want to go unnoticed.

The best way to tailor your resume is to use resume keywords and phrases used in the job advertisement. Do it right, and you’ll have them eating out of your hand.

Chrono-Functional Resume Example: Job Description

Relevant Work Experience

Content Manager

Newire

2018-2021

Key Skill: Content Management

• Grew consumer market by 35% through online marketing.

• Facilitated, designed and implemented new ways to visually represent and sell core products with lifted yearly GP growth of 15%.

• Oversaw 12 company websites, including 4 B2C sites.

• Utilized site metrics and analytics to determine areas of improvement. Worked with other developers, graphic designers, SEO specialists to implement solutions.

Want in on a little secret? Start your bullet points with an action verb. Studies have proven this to be the most efficient resume approach ever. 

Expert Hint: If you’re writing a resume with no experience, emphasize your academic achievements by putting your education section immediately below your skills.

5. Ace Your Education Section

The truth is you don’t need a college degree to get a job. But a well-written resume education section can get you an interview. So make sure to include this information on your resume. 

It should look like this:

Education

Associate of Arts (A.A.)

Triton Community College

2016

GPA: 3.9

or

Education

BA in Marketing

University of Houston

2011 

• Relevant coursework: Strategic Content Planning, Branding & Storytelling using Content Creation, Search Engine Optimization (SEO) and Marketing

• Extracurricular activities: Drama club

If you have extra details you’d like to incorporate into your education section, feel free! Anything from GPA, relevant coursework, extracurricular activities, honors, awards, to publications will do the trick.

6. Spice Up Your Chrono-Functional Resume With Bonus Sections

You’re almost at the finish line. Your resume just needs a little boost to get there. Extra sections will make your resume stand out even more. So include things like:

• Certifications
• Courses
• Foreign languages
• Hobbies and interests
• Associations
• Memberships
• Volunteer work

But remember, nobody’s going to care about the fact that you enjoy cooking and make the best chili on the planet… so make sure to include information that is relevant to the job.

And now that you know all the best resume writing practices, you can write your own.

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Key Points

In order to write a professional-looking chrono-functional resume, remember to:

• Follow the chrono-functional resume formatting rules.
• Write an attention-grabbing professional profile that briefly describes your experience and qualifications.
• Include an expanded skills section that highlights all the skills required for the job.
• List your employment history in a separate section in the reverse chronological order.
• Include an education section to show potential employers that you meet their educational requirements.
• Use extra sections to boost your chances of getting invited for an interview.

Thanks for reading! Still not sure whether a chrono-functional resume is the right choice for you? Got any burning questions about making a chrono functional resume of your own? Drop us a line in the comments section below!

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