CV Styles and Formats

There are four main CV Formats. Each can be used in different situations and you should choose the style most suited to your experiences and aspirations.

• Chronological CV – This is the most common style of CV and is favoured by employers. It is usually two pages long and is used when a job seeker would like to remain in the same industry but is looking for a new opportunity or a promotion.

• Functional CV - The Functional CV offers greater flexibility on how you present yourself than the more traditional Chronological CV. It is usually 2 A4 pages long and allows you to emphasise the transferable skills that you have developed and used in the past. Highlight your skills, competencies and expertise under various functional headings, rather than providing a chronological overview of your work history.

• Targeted CV - A Targeted CV is appropriate when you are ‘targeting’ one specific type of job. It is usually a combination of a Functional CV and a Chronological CV, however, it is usually only one A4 page long. Emphasis should be placed on skills and experiences relating to the specific job you are applying for (the content should be clear and concise but adaptable to every different job application).

• Combination CV - As the name suggests, the Combination CV format ‘combines’ elements of a Chronological CV and the skills based, Functional CV. You begin with a strong summary of your skills and accomplishments (Functional), and end with a chronological structure of education, employment history, and volunteer work. You can conclude with references.