Know 3 popular CV formats and know the right one for you. Your CV format must belong to one of these 3 popular CV formats. It’s easy to get confused about the format of your CV especially as there are so many different formats to choose from. Explore these 3 popular CV formats to know the right one for you.
As a job seeker, it’s important that you know these 3 popular CV formats. Putting together an effective CV is easy once you know how to do it. 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 you’re applying for.
However, how to format your CV or Resume is one of the most important primary decisions for you to make when you want to write an effective CV. 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.
Here we explore 3 popular CV formats with reasons why you will use them and we have provided a sample of each of the 3 popular CV formats for you to tweak.
What? This is used by graduates and people that have changed jobs several times with gaps gaping everywhere in the on their employment history. A functional CV is also used by anyone looking to go back to work after they have taken some time off work (to take care of children, pursue personal interests, travel, looking to change career etc.).
The functional CV is also used by anyone simply entering the workforce for the very first time after graduation.
Why?
Using this CV format helps you to focus more on what you can do, what your achievements are and your core competencies.
It stresses more of what you can offer rather than the history of when you did the work.
It outlines the value you can add to an organization by focusing more on your skills and less on your work history.
It calls the hiring manager’s attention to your qualifications and achievements.
It lists your qualification under relevant headings to show your areas of expertise, followed by your work history and education.
This CV format combines elements from both chronological and functional CV formats. Essentially, it allows the user to have the best of both worlds.
The combined format CV emphasizes skills and accomplishments with an equal emphasis on work history, employment dates and job titles.
Why?
Using this CV format helps you when you need promotion in your current field or when you are changing your role but have some relevant skills for the new field.
Allows you to focus on the experience you have in different areas that not related to the position you are applying for.
It allows you to use the great features of the functional CV and the sharp focus of the chronological CV.
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