Functional resume

Based on the most helpful WSO content, a functional resume, which emphasizes skills and abilities over chronological work history, can be a double-edged sword. Here's a breakdown of what you might consider:

Pros of a Functional Resume: - It can be useful if you have gaps in your employment history or are changing industries. - It allows you to highlight specific skills and experiences that are directly relevant to the job you're applying for.

Cons of a Functional Resume: - It's not the traditional format that recruiters in finance are accustomed to, which might make your resume stand out for the wrong reasons. - Recruiters may suspect you're trying to hide something, like a lack of relevant experience or job-hopping.

The WSO template is a tried and tested format that aligns with what finance industry professionals expect to see. It's structured, easy to follow, and focuses on your professional experiences and achievements in a chronological order.

If you're considering a functional resume because you want to highlight certain internships or skills, you might instead try to emphasize these within the WSO template format. For example, you could expand on the bullet points under relevant experiences or include a 'Key Skills' section at the top of your resume.

Remember, the key is to tailor your resume to showcase your strengths in a way that's easily digestible for recruiters who often have very little time to review each application. If you're still unsure, you might want to seek feedback from mentors or peers in the industry, or consider professional resume review services that can provide personalized advice.

Now, referring to '1', if you're asking for more details on the WSO template, it's designed to be straightforward and professional. It typically includes sections for education, professional experience, leadership or extracurricular activities, and skills/interests. Each section should be clear and concise, using bullet points to describe your responsibilities and achievements. The template is favored because it presents information in a way that's familiar to finance industry professionals, making it easier for them to assess your qualifications.

Sources: Filtering resumes - what I looked for when screening 200+ resumes, Filtering resumes - what I looked for when screening 200+ resumes, Why Your Resume Sucked A**, Resume Guidelines from a WSO Drop Reviewer

Based on the highest ranked content on WSO, a functional resume, which emphasizes skills and experience rather than chronological work history, might not be the best approach when applying for roles in the finance industry. The traditional format is generally preferred because it provides a clear, linear progression of your professional experiences. Here's why sticking to a more conventional resume might be beneficial:

1. Standard Format Appreciation: Recruiters in finance are accustomed to a standard resume format. They expect to find information in certain places and may become annoyed if they have to search for it.

2. Professional Experience: The finance industry values professional experience highly. A chronological resume showcases your work history and the progression of your career, which is important for roles in this field.

3. Efficiency: Recruiters often have to go through a large number of resumes quickly. A familiar format allows them to efficiently find the information they're looking for.

4. Screening Processes: Many firms use automated systems to screen resumes, and these systems are typically designed to parse traditional formats more effectively.

5. Skepticism Towards Gaps: Functional resumes can sometimes be seen as a way to hide gaps in employment or a lack of direct experience. This could raise red flags for recruiters.

6. Highlighting Progression: A chronological resume allows you to highlight promotions and increasing responsibility in a way that a functional resume does not.

If you're considering a functional resume because you have diverse experiences that don't fit neatly into a chronological format, it might be better to focus on tailoring your traditional resume to highlight the most relevant skills and experiences for the job you're applying for. Remember, the goal is to make it as easy as possible for the recruiter to see why you're a great fit for the role.

Sources: Filtering resumes - what I looked for when screening 200+ resumes, Filtering resumes - what I looked for when screening 200+ resumes, Why Your Resume Sucked A**, Resume Guidelines from a WSO Drop Reviewer