X

As of March 7, in-person services will be available at all JVS Toronto locations. Services will also continue to be available virtually. For more information about our services and safety procedures, click here.

JVS Toronto

DONATE
  • Home
  • About
    • Our Leadership
    • Our Funders & Donors
    • Annual Reports & Financials
    • FAQs
  • Find a Job
    • Employment Source
    • Workshop Calendar
    • Career Exploration
    • Disability Services
    • Jewish Community Services
    • Newcomer Services
    • Youth Services
    • Job Search Resources
  • Pre-Arrival
  • Employers
  • Assessments
    • Educational & Learning
    • ASD Assessments
    • Psychology Services
    • Vocational & Skills
  • Refugee Resources
  • Give Back
    • Donate
    • Send an E-Card
    • Volunteer
  • Blog
  • Contact
  • Donate

June 27, 2016 2 Comments

Ask the Employment Specialist: Why employers hate functional resumes

Drawing of a typewriter with the words "Dear Employment Specialist"Dear Joanna

I’m an accounting clerk with less than a year of work experience with strong accounting software skills. Iโ€™ve prepared a functional resume recommended by the employment counsellor due to my lack of relevant professional experience.

I have applied for tons of jobs. I know that I am qualified for the position. But have not received one interview! Could the functional resume be the problem?

Signed: Extinct Format (EF)


Dear EF

In an interview, Raffi Toughlouian, VP at IFG โ€“ International Financial Group, a leading financial recruitment firm, as well as renowned recruiter and Subject Matter Expert (SME) in this field over the past 13 years, confirms that the functional resume is generally not preferred by most recruiters for the following reasons:

1. The recruiter needs to spot what they are looking for. In a functional format resume, it’s hard to see where achievements happened. When a recruiter such as Raffi is receiving 300 to 500 resumes per week, he wants to see the relevant professional work experience and the technical skills immediately. He doesnโ€™t want to also have to figure out where the candidate performed the duties. He doesnโ€™t have time to do this. This format presents a big challenge for the hiring manager to โ€œmap outโ€ the work experiences, which position or workplace you performed them, and the end results.

2. Red flag alert. It looks like the job seeker is hiding something or covering the gaps with this format. Recruiters often feel that this format doesnโ€™t โ€œtell the true taleโ€ of candidatesโ€™ experiences gained in their workplace. The functional resume is seldom used by candidates with relevant experience, skills and education. When the recruiter reads this type of resume, they are inclined to start wondering what the candidate is missing. If you worked at ABC company, they want to see what technical skills you acquired specifically during your time there.

I want to see the description of the projects, where you actually completed them, and where you used the computer skills โ€“ this way, I know itโ€™s validated within the resume. When this experience is clearly mapped out for me, it will catch my eye and speaks to the candidateโ€™s intelligence that they know how to prepare a suitable resume.โ€

3. Doesnโ€™t work for Applicant Tracking Systems. While Toughlouian reviews each resume manually, other recruiters have processes that are solely dependent on searching candidates through an ATS. Functional resumes can pose a challenge when matching up with the keywords or achievements that the recruiter has programmed into the search.

4. Not the standard format, especially in the financial field. Job applications are read when the candidate uses either a reverse chronological format or a combination format resume. There may be some exceptions to this as I have learned that creative fields do consider functional resumes.

5. Way too wordy. More often than not, functional resumes tend to ramble on about the candidatesโ€™ strengths and skills. Raffi and his team welcome resumes that are clear, concise, and specific that communicate the challenges, the successes and the accomplishments and the results.

Joanna

By Karin Lewis Filed Under: Career Voice: Blog Tagged With: Applicant Tracking System, ATS, best resume, find work, functional resume, job search, recruiter, resume

Comments

  1. Chiragkumar Pandya says

    June 30, 2016 at 4:06 am

    Which type of resume format would be suitable to a candidate who has international work experience?

    My name is Chirag Pandya. I am working in India and having more than 10 years of experience in manufacturing (Engineering) industries.
    I am planning to relocate in Saskatchewan in Oct’16.

    Thank you.

    Reply
    • Karin Lewis says

      June 30, 2016 at 2:30 pm

      Chirag, as the article stated, chronological resumes are generally preferred. That is true, regardless of where your experience comes from. If you and other internationally trained professionals are concerned that their skills will not be noticed, then it might be worth listing transferable skills clearly in the Profile Summary, before the Employment History.

      Best of luck with your move to Saskatchewan!

      Reply

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

Jump-start Your Job Search

Jump-start Your Job Search - Sidebar

Upcoming Events

May 23
All day Recurring

Office Closed

May 24
10:00 am - 12:30 pm Recurring

Resumes & Cover Letters

May 25
10:00 am - 1:30 pm Recurring

Interview Skills

View Calendar

Sign up for our Career Advice Newsletter

Career Advice Newsletter - Sidebar

JVS Toronto Head Office

74 Tycos Drive
Toronto, ON
M6B 1V9

T: 416-787-1151
E: services@jvstoronto.org

More Information

  • Careers at JVS Toronto
  • Customer Service Feedback
  • Privacy Policy
  • Terms of Use
  • JVS Insider Login

Follow Us

  • facebook
  • twitter
  • instagram
  • linkedin
  • youtube

Copyright © 2022 ยท JVS Toronto

IPLAN PRACTICE Eligibility Requirements
  • Open to Permanent Residents, Canadian Citizens, or Convention Refugees
  • High level of English-language proficiency (CLB 7/8). Enhanced language training is available to applicants, if needed, prior to starting the program
  • Degree in architecture from a university outside Canada
  • OAA Intern Architects eligible to write the Examination for Architects in Canada (ExAC)**

 

*Note:

  • The practice of architecture in Ontario is governed by the Ontario Association of Architects (OAA). All individuals who are internationally trained in the field of architecture, or who have held the status of architect in another jurisdiction must contact the OAA or visit the OAA website at www.oaa.on.ca for current information about licensing requirements and the licensing process in Ontario.
  • JVS Toronto is not a licensing body in Ontario.
  • The Canadian Architectural Certification Board (CACB) is the sole organization recognized by the architectural profession in Canada to:
    • Assess the educational qualifications of architecture graduates;
    • Accredit professional degree Programs in architecture offered by Canadian Universities; and
    • Certify the professional qualifications of Broadly Experienced Foreign Architects.
  • Architectural services may only be offered through a Certificate of Practice issued by the OAA.

**The content of this program has not been reviewed or endorsed by the Committee for the Examination for Architects in Canada (CExAC). The ExAC is an experience based exam. It is the practical application of knowledge acquired through education and readings that will support examination success. Taking this program without applying the knowledge gained through practice may not result in examination success.

TRIEC Mentoring Partnership Eligibility Requirements

You should sign up for the program if you:

  • Have 2+ years of international experience in your professional field
  • Have lived in Canada for less than five years
  • Are unemployed or underemployed and looking to use your professional skills in Canada