A CV (curriculum vitae) is a document that summarizes your education, skills, achievements and professional experience. Depending on your goals and background, you may want to use one of the following four formats:
(Check on this link for a better outline/format of the article here https://blog.wantokjobs.com/2023/07/07/how-to-choose-the-best-format-for-your-cv-an-overview-of-chronological-functional-combination-and-targeted-styles/)
This is the most common and traditional type of CV. It lists your work history in reverse chronological order, starting with your most recent job and going back to your earliest ones. This format highlights your career progression and continuity, as well as your relevant skills and achievements for each position. It is suitable for you if:
Here is an example of a chronological CV:
| Name | John Smith |
|---|---|
| Contact information | Address: 123 Main Street, Anytown, USA Phone: (123) 456-7890 Email: john.smith@email.com |
| Summary | A motivated and experienced sales manager with a proven track record of increasing sales and customer satisfaction. |
| Work experience | Sales Manager ABC Company Jan 2020 - Present - Led a team of 10 sales representatives and achieved a 15% increase in sales revenue in 2021 - Implemented a new CRM system and trained staff on how to use it effectively - Negotiated contracts with key clients and maintained long-term relationships Sales Associate XYZ Company Jun 2018 - Dec 2019 - Sold various products and services to customers and met sales targets consistently - Provided excellent customer service and handled complaints professionally - Received the Employee of the Month award three times for outstanding performance |
| Education | Bachelor of Business Administration Major in Marketing University of ABC Sep 2015 - May 2018 - Graduated with honors and a GPA of 3.8 - Participated in various extracurricular activities and clubs related to marketing |
| Skills | - Communication skills - Leadership skills - Sales skills - CRM skills |
| Awards and honors | - Sales Manager of the Year Award from ABC Company in 2021 - Employee of the Month Award from XYZ Company in Jun, Aug and Nov 2019 |
This is a less common type of CV that focuses on your skills and abilities rather than your work history. It usually starts with a summary of your qualifications and skills, followed by a section that groups them into relevant categories. This format highlights your transferable skills and potential, rather than your employment dates and titles. It is suitable for you if:
Here is an example of a functional CV:
| Name | Jane Doe |
|---|---|
| Contact information | Address: 456 Main Street, Anytown, USA Phone: (234) 567-8901 Email: jane.doe@email.com |
| Summary | A creative and versatile graphic designer with a passion for creating engaging visual content. |
| Skills | Graphic design skills - Proficient in Adobe Photoshop, Illustrator, InDesign and other design software - Experienced in creating logos, flyers, posters, brochures, websites and social media graphics - Familiar with design principles, typography, color theory and branding Communication skills - Able to communicate effectively with clients and colleagues to understand their needs and expectations - Able to present design concepts clearly and persuasively using verbal and visual tools - Able to work collaboratively with other designers, developers, marketers and managers Project management skills - Able to plan, organize and execute design projects from start to finish within deadlines and budgets - Able to prioritize tasks, manage multiple projects simultaneously and adapt to changing requirements - Able to solve problems creatively and proactively |
| Work experience | Freelance Graphic Designer Various Clients Jan 2019 - Present - Designed logos, flyers, posters, brochures, websites and social media graphics for various clients across different industries - Communicated with clients to understand their goals, preferences and feedback - Delivered high-quality design products on time and within budget Volunteer Graphic Designer Nonprofit Organization Jun 2018 - Dec 2018 - Created graphic materials for fundraising campaigns, events, newsletters and website - Collaborated with other volunteers and staff to support the organization’s mission and vision - Received positive feedback from the organization’s director for the quality and impact of the design work |
| Education | Associate Degree in Graphic Design Community College of ABC Sep 2016 - May 2018 - Completed coursework in graphic design, digital media, web design and art history - Created a portfolio of design projects for various assignments and competitions - Received the Best Student Award for graphic design in 2018 |
This is a hybrid type of CV that combines elements of both chronological and functional CVs. It usually starts with a summary of your skills and qualifications, followed by a section that lists your work history in reverse chronological order. This format allows you to showcase both your relevant skills and achievements, as well as your employment history and progression. It is suitable for you if:
Here is an example of a combination CV:
| Name | Lisa Lee |
|---|---|
| Contact information | Address: 789 Main Street, Anytown, USA Phone: (345) 678-9012 Email: lisa.lee@email.com |
| Summary | A certified and experienced teacher with a passion for educating young learners. |
| Skills | Teaching skills - Skilled in planning, delivering and assessing lessons that are aligned with curriculum standards and learning objectives - Experienced in teaching English, math, science and social studies to students in grades 1-5 - Familiar with various teaching methods, strategies and tools to engage and motivate students Communication skills - Able to communicate effectively with students, parents, colleagues and administrators to foster a positive learning environment - Able to provide clear and constructive feedback to students and parents on academic progress and behavior - Able to collaborate with other teachers, staff and community partners to support student learning and development Classroom management skills - Able to create and maintain a safe, orderly and respectful classroom culture that promotes student well-being and achievement - Able to establish and enforce clear rules, routines and expectations for student behavior - Able to handle challenging situations and conflicts with calmness, patience and professionalism |
| Work experience | Teacher ABC Elementary School Aug 2019 - Present - Teach English, math, science and social studies to a class of 25 students in grade 3 - Plan, prepare and deliver engaging and differentiated lessons that meet the needs of diverse learners - Assess student learning using various formative and summative methods and provide feedback for improvement - Communicate with parents regularly through newsletters, emails, phone calls and conferences - Collaborate with other teachers and staff to organize school events, field trips and extracurricular activities Teacher Assistant XYZ Elementary School Jan 2018 - Jun 2019 - Assisted the teacher in teaching English, math, science and social studies to a class of 20 students in grade 2 - Helped the teacher in preparing instructional materials, setting up the classroom and managing student records - Supported the teacher in monitoring student behavior, participation and performance - Provided individual or small group tutoring to students who needed extra help or enrichment |
| Education | Bachelor of Education Major in Elementary Education University of ABC Sep 2014 - Dec 2017 - Graduated with honors and a GPA of 3.9 - Completed a 12-week student teaching practicum at DEF Elementary School in grade 4 - Participated in various professional development workshops and seminars related to teaching |
| Certifications | Teaching Certificate State Board of Education Jan 2018 - Present - Certified to teach elementary education (grades 1-5) in the state of ABC First Aid Certificate Red Cross Jun 2018 - Present - Certified to provide basic first aid and CPR |
This is a customized type of CV that tailors your skills, achievements and work history to the specific job you’re applying for. It requires you to research the employer, the job requirements and the industry before writing your CV. It also requires you to edit your CV for each application to highlight the most relevant information for each position. This format ensures that your CV matches the employer’s expectations and needs. It is suitable for you if:
Here is an example of a targeted CV:
| Name | Mark Jones |
|---|---|
| Contact information | Address: 101 Main Street, Anytown, USA Phone: (456) 789-0123 Email: mark.jones@email.com |
| Summary | A dedicated and reliable customer service representative with over three years of experience in the retail industry. |
| Skills | Customer service skills - Skilled in providing friendly, courteous and efficient service to customers in person, over the phone or online - Experienced in handling customer inquiries, complaints and feedback professionally and promptly - Familiar with various customer service software, tools and techniques Sales skills - Skilled in promoting products and services to customers based on their needs and preferences - Experienced in upselling |