Functional resume templates, which organize professional experience around skills and accomplishments and jobs held at specific times, can be a lifesaver for crafting a resume from scratch. The costs of creating a professional quality resume can range from free, if you use free functional resume templates, to hundreds of dollars if you hire a professional resume expert.

Once you have reviewed a functional resume example and have determined if functional resume writing is best to showcase your skills, it's time to consider the pricing and costs of functional resume templates . This article will help you weigh the pros and cons of using a functional resume template and will provide information and pricing. But, before proceeding, ask yourself the following three questions:

1. What are the pros and cons of using a functional resume template to format your resume?

2. What is the price range for functional resume template applications?

3. How much does it cost to hire a professional to write a functional resume on your behalf?

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Weigh the pros and cons of functional resumes to showcase your professional history

Carefully review a functional resume sample to see if your employment history is applicable to its format. It is also important to see how resume experts feel about them.

I recommend: JobStar Central identifies times when the functional resume format is preferable to a traditional chronological format and cites functional resume criticisms. Best Sample Resumes outlines pros and cons of using functional resumes.

Evaluate the costs of functional resume templates

Some limited functional resume templates are free, while others provide templates as well as online functional resume builder tools with free trials. Many of these sites require subscription fees for printing, faxing, etc.

I recommend: Pongo Software offers users a free trial of their online templates and resume building tools. To take advantage of the full scope of the site, however, you must pay either $10/month or $50/year. The $9.95 starter package at Resume-Templates allows you to download 250 resume samples along with their professional resume template.

Consider the costs of hiring a professional to write functional resumes for you

Whether you find writing and template writing challenging, or just don't have the time to craft your resume, then it may be worthwhile to consider hiring a professional resume writer with experience in functional resume writing. Financially speaking, it's more expensive to hire a professional than to use a free or paid template, resume builder or functional resume sample. Many find the peace of mind and time-savings that comes with handing the work over to an expert worth the expense.

I recommend: The Stanford Writing Institute recently evaluated and ranked the "Best 10 Resume Writers on the Internet." Their list includes a summary of each service. These sites generally charge between $200-$300 per resume, but often include cover letters. CareerPerfect offers a wide range of resume packages starting at $199.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  With many recruiters reading resumes online, it is critical that the first third of your resume, or the equivalent of what fits on the computer screen at one time, be eye catching. Since functional resumes require experience be grouped according to strengths and skills, it's essential to start off with your strongest and most impressive skill set.

Most resumes fall into one of two categories: functional resumes, which emphasize the skills used at various jobs, and chronological resumes, which list work experience chronologically. Functional resumes are often recommended for people without much professional experience, or with experience in many different fields, because they highlight the job seeker's strengths and aptitudes, instead of drawing attention to gaps in their work history or a lack of professional experience, for example.

1. Each resume type is targeted towards a particular type of candidate. The functional resume format works well for: Career-changers seeking to enter a field very different from their previous experience.
2. Graduating students or job-seekers with little professional work experience.
3. Anyone with gaps in their employment histories, such as stay-at-home parents.
   

Action Steps
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Determine if functional resume writing is right for you

Many job hunters will do just fine with the standard chronological resume, and because it's more well-known than the functional format, it may be better received. However, there are many times when a functional resume can not only present your skills and experience in the best light, but also set you apart from other applicants.

I recommend: Use the checklist at Quintessential Careers to determine if your career experience best fits a functional resume, or compare the types of resumes at Wesleyan University's career site to determine which one is a good match, and then download their resume worksheet and adapt it to your needs.

Model your resume after free functional resume templates

It's easy to find a free online resume template that you can adapt to the job you're applying for. Many websites offer free resume templates by format, by profession, even by level of experience.

I recommend: Find free functional resume templates at Women For Hire or JobStar.

Find functional resume templates for your profession or industry

To make the greatest impact on a potential employers, use a functional resume sample that's specific to the job you're seeking. Many resume websites and databases include a variety of resume models, based on everything from the specific job to entry level versus seasoned employee.

I recommend: At Resume-Resource and Resume-Help.org, search for sample functional resumes by career level, by profession or by format.

Purchase software with a functional resume builder

Many office software applications, including word processors and letter writing software, include professionally designed resume templates, many with graphics and color.

I recommend: OfficeReady Professional from WriteExpress includes functional and other resume templates compatible with Microsoft Word. Eresumaker software includes 10 professional template designs, in addition to free hosting for your resume.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  Even if a functional resume seems to best highlight your work experience, it may not be the best format for the jobs or employers you're targeting. Some employers, and especially headhunters, disapprove of the functional resume format. When crafting your resume, you need to consider who the intended reader is, not just which format you prefer.
• •  If you do use a functional resume example, remember: it's only a model. Some of it may not apply to your situation, so feel free to discard or add whatever you feel will make your resume stronger.

Since functional resumes highlight a person's job qualifications more than specific jobs they have done, they are an ideal choice for those who have limited work experience or have served as volunteers or in the military. There is a lot of information available to help you write a functional resume, including samples and templates that you can download for free or purchase from many online websites. So, take the stress out of functional resume writing by using templates that come in many styles and design choices.

Look at a functional resume example to give you ideas about the kind of resume you want to write as well as to teach you what kind of information to include. Here is some additional information about functional resume templates types and styles:

1. Learn what the functional resume format is and how you can use it to create your resume.

2. Search for functional resume templates types and styles and use sample functional resumes to learn how to write functional resume and cover letters.

3. Use professional resume templates to create eye-catching resumes to get attention from potential employers.

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Use functional resume templates to teach you the format for creating your resume

Creating a resume can be intimidating especially for those who haven't worked in a while, have limited job experience, or are looking for their first job. Thankfully, there are functional resumes where you can list your skills and qualifications instead of dates and job titles. Use a functional resume sample as a model to create your resume.

I recommend: Go to Women for Hire to view the online resume template to use as an example of how to write a functional resume. This site features resumes created specifically for women who are re-entering the job force. Use the functional writing resume template on Jobstar to create your resume.

Use free functional resume templates to create your resume and get the job

There are many websites which offer free functional resume templates that you can either download or copy to make creating your resume easier and less stressful. You can either use the templates as they are or change the formats or fonts to suit your own personal style preferences. Then, simply fill in your information in the appropriate places and in minutes, you can create a successful resume.

I recommend: Go to Microsoft Office Online to download their functional resume template in various styles and types including those for college graduates and in various designs and colors. Visit Southworth to download any of the free functional template designs featured on their site. Download free functional resume templates in centered and right block styles from Free Resume Downloads and Brand-Yourself.com.

Create functional resumes with a functional resume builder that features many template styles

Perhaps the easiest way to create your resume is to use either an online or software resume builder. Simply select the format you want to use and then add in your personal information, education and job qualifications and soon you can have a professional-looking resume that will get the attention of potential employers.

I recommend: Use the resume builder software program from EasyJob to create functional resumes from any of the more than 25,000 resume templates available. Create your functional resume online with the resume builder from Dushkin. Sign up for a membership at HowtoWriteaResume.net which is a resume builder that offers many functional template designs including professional and modern styles.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  The functional resume format works well for entry-level job seekers and those re-entering the workforce, but may not work as well for more seasoned professionals. If your experience warrants a more complex resume format, consider hiring a resume writing service.