What life history format is organized by what a candidate can do rather than by types of experience?

The functional resume is organized primarily by the candidate's skills and abilities rather than the specific jobs they have held or the chronological order of their experience. This format emphasizes what a candidate can do, highlighting relevant skills and competencies at the top of the document, followed by sections that may describe the professional history more generally or in less detail.

Using a functional resume can be particularly beneficial for those who have gaps in their employment history, are transitioning between industries, or want to redirect the focus of their application away from specific job titles to the skills that are most relevant to the positions they are applying for. This approach allows the candidate to present themselves in a way that demonstrates their qualifications directly relevant to potential employers, thereby showcasing their value based on ability rather than previous roles.

The other formats—traditional resumes and skills-based resumes—tend to categorize information differently or include more structured timelines and job descriptions, which may not effectively emphasize a candidate's specific capabilities as the functional resume does. A performance-based resume focuses on achievements and outcomes rather than general skills, making it distinct from the functional approach.