Writing a competency-based resume, also referred to as a functional resume, may be a strategic choice in a competitive job market. Unlike chronological (time-based) resumes, competency-based resumes focus on your core skill groups and qualifications. During the job interview, competency-based resumes also allow you to confidently respond to the interviewer's questions about why you are the best fit for their job opening.

Type your contact information at the top of your resume. Include your name, full address with no abbreviations, phone number(s) and email address.

Write a Personal Profile or Summary of Qualifications section just under your contact information. This is your chance to grab the employer's attention and highlight your overall qualifications and accomplishments. Compose a one or two sentence introduction that summarizes you professionally. For example, "Motivated social services professional with eight years of experience. Regarded by others as organized and self-directed." Write several short bullet points just below that to further address your overall skills and experience. For example, "Outstanding problem-solving skills" or "Proven ability to build business relationships."

Create a section for Experience and Qualifications. Underline, bold and/or center the section title.

Divide all of your cumulative experience, skills and education into subsections of core competencies. For example, "Sales, Communication, Computer Skills, Leadership, Project Management" and so on. Type a heading for each subsection and format the type in bold.

List all of your experience in bullet form that supports each core competency. For example, under a subsection titled "Leadership," you should list how many employees you have managed, any committee leadership and any related coursework that you have completed.

Write sections including "Education" and "Work History." Underneath each section include a short chronological listing of your experience. Include company/school names, position title/degree, dates of employment/attendance and location (city and state). Because you have summarized all of the skills and knowledge you gained from each of these experiences in your core competencies above, you do not need to elaborate further in these brief listings.