If you have periods of unemployment, you must explain those gaps on your resume. The ultimate goal of a functional resume is to make the hiring manager think your work experience is as “normal” as possible. Don’t worry — most people don’t have perfect work experience records, so you’re not at a complete disadvantage. There are a number of strategies you can employ to cover up gaps on your resume. To get an idea of how a functional resume can conceal your work gaps, you must understand the structure of this format.