Types of CV

Introduction

  • There are three main types of CV.
  • These are Chronological, Skills and Targeted.
  • A Chronological CV highlights your work and education history in date order (latest first).
  • A Skills (or Functional) CV highlights the skills you have gained from any of your jobs or education.
  • A Targeted CV can be chronological or functional, but is tailored especially to one particular job.
  • Use the type of CV that best matches your history.
  • Choose the most suitable type of CV for the job you’re applying for.
  • Try to have different versions of your CV if you are thinking of applying for all sorts of jobs.

There are three main types of CV (curriculum vitae). These are Chronological, Skills (sometimes called Functional) and Targeted. The type of CV you use will depend on two things: your personal circumstances and the job you are applying for. This article gives a brief introduction to the three types and gives you some ideas about when to use each type.

Chronological CV

A Chronological CV is usually used when the job target is in line with your work history/experience. It emphasises continuity and career growth. This type of CV usually contains the following sections:

  • Work history
  • Education history
  • Interests
  • Referees.

The Work History and Education History sections can be shown in either order, depending on whether you want to emphasise your experience or your qualifications.

Skills or Functional CV

A Skills or Functional CV is more often used when your work history is irregular or you have changed employers frequently, or when looking for a change of direction. This type of CV usually contains the following sections:

  • Skills, achievements and responsibilities.
  • Brief work history.
  • Brief education history.
  • Interests.
  • Referees.

Targeted CV

A Targeted CV is used to customise your experience towards a specific job or job area. It can be based on either a functional or a chronological CV, but will emphasise your suitability for this particular post. This type of CV usually contains the following sections:

  • Personal profile.
  • Relevant skills, achievements and responsibilities.
  • Relevant brief work history.
  • Brief education history.
  • Relevant interests.
  • Referees.

The type of CV for you

Think about your education, training, experience and skills. Then think about the type of job or jobs you want to apply for. These factors should help you to decide which type of CV to write.

You might decide to write different versions of your CV, for example, and then ask someone to look at them to see which one highlights your strengths better.

Whichever type of CV you decide to write, remember to change it for every specific job vacancy you apply for, so that it reflects the skills and experience that the employer is looking for.