The Wrong Types of CV Can Cost You Your Dream Job – Choose Wisely!

1. Chronological CV

• A chronological CV format is a traditional CV, also known as a Reverse chronological CV/Resume. It emphasises the applicant’s employment history.
• In this type of CV, we list the jobs in reverse-chronological order (we write the most recent job first, followed by the previous jobs).
• Here, the CV focuses primarily on work experience and achievements for each role and skills in supporting roles.
• Key Information: This format includes key components of CV, such as contact information, profile summary, work experience, skills, and career highlights, including quantifiable achievements, education, and certifications.
• Best suited for Individuals with a strong career progression in the same field, especially in corporate and traditional industries.

Example: If you are an accountant, lawyer, finance professional, or teacher, this is a popular format that recruiters prefer. So you can use the chronological CV.

Strengths

• This kind of CV is one of the ideal formats for professionals. With consistent and relevant experience for the job they are applying for.
• It is one of the most effortless CV styles and the most popular CV among hiring managers.
• It is an ATS-friendly format.
• It enables you to mention examples within your key contributions, projects, or skills for CV. For example: “Headed a sales team of 15 personnel and propelled revenue by 33% in four months.”

Weaknesses

• It is not a feasible format for applicants with little or no work experience.

2. Functional CV (Skills-Based CV)

• A functional CV format focuses on skills and achievements rather than work history.
• In this type of CV, we focus primarily on our technical, hard, and soft skills and explain how these developed skills are relevant to the next job role and how they will help me perform in the following job role.
• Instead of listing jobs in order, it highlights specific core skills and proficiencies relevant to the job.
• This CV format is considered the best CV for Part Time Jobs in the UK.
• You can avail yourself of CV writing services by iCover for international CV requirements.
• Key Sections: Key skills, transferable skills, career highlights, and employment history (briefly).
• Best suited for: Career changers, freelancers, or individuals with varied experience. This CV template is suitable for people in the creative field, artistic field, and ex-arm professionals (who want to enter into a corporate job).
• Example: If you have web design, UX design, and coding skills and are transitioning from traditional marketing to web design, this format allows you to highlight your technical skills rather than your work history.

Strengths

• It is ideal if you have gaps in your CV, want to change your career, or have diverse work experience.
• It goes well with freshers.

Weaknesses

• It is not optimised for the Applicant Tracking System.
• It is typically not preferred by recruiters.
• Lacks essential information, making it easy for recruiters to neglect the entire CV.
• As skills are shown without clear context, they may look unstructured.

3. Combined CV 

• The combination CV (a hybrid CV) blends elements of the functional and chronological CVs.
• This kind of CV gives equivalent weightage to a candidate’s work experience and key skills.
• This template shows how the previous job roles are helpful for the following targeted job role and, at the same time, the skills that have been developed across the career make the candidate eligible for the next role.
• You must put a brief skills section on your CV at the beginning, followed by an employment history section in reverse chronological order.
• Best suited for: Professionals with a lot of work experience who want to highlight specific achievements and particular skills. This format needs to be customised every time.
• Example: A mechanical engineer with a mix of technical skills and leadership experience may find this format ideal.

Strengths

• It is not a fit for all formats. It is suitable for people who are targeting a specific job role.

Weaknesses

• Hiring managers may not want to read a longer resume. The summary also adds length to the CV. Hence, other sections, such as significant skills, accomplishments, and qualifications apart from work experience, must be brought down to keep the CV short.