By Catherine Adenle
Explore these 3 types of CVs: their advantages and disadvantages. If you are looking for a job or about to change your career, it’s vital that you know the right type of CV to use as well as its advantages and disadvantages.
As a job seeker, it’s important that you know how these 3 types of CVs differ from each other. It’s also important that you know their formats and why they are used by most job seekers. Putting together an effective CV is easy once you know how to do it. In addition, once you know the right CV format to use, it’s a case of taking all your skills, achievements and job experience and tailoring them to the job that you’re applying for.
However, how you format your CV or Resume is one of the most important primary decisions for you to make when you want to write and send an effective CV to a potential employer. If the format of your CV is not right, it will affect how you showcase your information in terms of skills, achievements, career highlights and qualifications.
The hiring manager has about ten seconds to quickly scan your CV, hence it is important that you draw him in so that he sees the most valuable piece of information first.
See 3 Popular CV Formats: Know the Right One for You
Here we explore these 3 types of CV: their advantages and disadvantages – why and how you may use one of them. We have also provided a sample of each of the 3 popular CV formats for you to download and tweak.
3 types of CVs: their advantages and disadvantages
The first one of the 3 types of CVs is a Chronological CV – It focuses on presenting the candidate’s experience on an employer by employer basis, with the posts being listed in reverse chronological order. It contains the detail of education and qualifications, together with hobbies. Some chronological CVs also contain a brief personal statement at the front which sets out the key skills and strengths of the candidate. This is the most common type of CV.
A chronological CV typically uses the following structure:
See Chronological CV format example
The second one of the 3 Types of CVs is a Functional CV. Unlike a chronological CV, a functional CV places the emphasis on your skills and expertise rather than the chronology of your employment to date.
Free CV or Resume Example Templates
A functional CV typically starts with a personal profile which highlights the achievements, skills and personal qualities that you possess. This is then followed by a succession of sections, each relating to a different skill or ability. These should be ordered in decreasing order of importance. Instead of focussing on any particular job, you should describe your experience in its globality. Since you are not focussing on any particular past employment, this means you can include any skills or experience gained in voluntary or unpaid work. Here are examples of functional headings that are commonly found.
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To conclude the CV, you should then a list of employers and employment dates, as well as a section on your qualification. The last section should focus on your personal details and hobbies/interests.
The final one of the 3 types of CVs is a Combined CV. It follows both the chronological and functional formats, which makes the CV slightly longer than normal.
Tips for all 3 Types of CVs’ formats:
See Trim the Fat Off Your CV: 25 Things to Take Out
Now that you have explored these 3 types of CVs: their advantages and disadvantages, you will know the right one for you. Download the sample, tweak it and add your details, achievements, skills, education information in order to make it your own CV.
Need to add more tips to the ones above or comment on the 3 types of CVs explored above? Let’s hear from you. Add your comments below.