CV styles

There are three common styles of CV:

• chronological - focuses on where you worked or studied
• functional - focuses on what you have done, not where and when you did it
• combination - combines both functional and chronological styles

To help decide which style would work best for you, read the information below.

Chronological CV

Advantages:

• it highlights a steady employment history
• employers are accustomed to seeing this format
• it focuses on work history, which is listed with the most recent first.
• it offers a concise picture of where you've been and what you've done.

Use a chronological CV when:

• continuing in the same career and to show career progression
• a previous employer's name may be significant.

Disadvantages:

• they emphasise gaps in employment and job hopping
• they don't effectively reveal skills.

Don't use if:

• you have employment gaps or you've changed jobs a lot
• you're entering the job market for the first time or after a long absence
• you're looking to change careers and your work history has no relationship to the job you are applying for.

Functional CV

Advantages:

• it focuses on what you have done, not where and when you did it
• work experience and skills are listed by skill and strength areas important to employers
• it calls attention to accomplishments
• rather than repeat things you've done in similar jobs, you can group them together
• it de-emphasises an unstable work history
• you can use headings that are featured in the job description

Use a functional CV when:

• entering work for the first time or after a long absence
• work history has been varied or unrelated
• changing fields
• you wish to emphasise skills you haven't used in recent work experience
• you are an older worker, as it minimises the use of dates.

Disadvantages:

• doesn't provide a context for your skills
• you can't emphasise loyalty, continuity or how recent your experience is.

Don't use if:

• you want to highlight career progression
• recent jobs had limited responsibilities and duties.

Combination CV

Advantages:

• it combines the features of both reverse chronological and functional CVs
• it focuses on your skills and accomplishments and your work history
• it usually begins with a profile or key skills section, followed by work history
• it highlights relevant skills which are supported by a strong employment record
• it emphasises transferable skills
• it calls immediate attention to your achievements.

Use when:

• each position you had involved a different job description
• a shorter skills format would lack depth.

Disadvantages:

• can be lengthier than the other formats
• work history is usually on the second page and some recruiters may not read that far.

Don't use if:

• your experience is limited or there are large gaps in employment.