How to Choose The Right CV Format For Your Career?

Your resume is more than just a piece of paper; it is your career’s golden ticket. Studies show that a recruiter spends only 7 seconds on a CV before deciding either to move forward or toss it aside.

This all depends on how well you can capture the attention of the recruiter. So 7 seconds is all you’ve got to land your dream job or start working in a multinational company.

To get there, you need a CV that stands out from all others, that totally captivates the reader. This is only achieved through a nicely formatted resume. The format you choose is crucial as it determines how easily a recruiter navigates through the document.

Types of CV Formats

There are two most common formats that professionals use around the world.

1. Chronological format
2. Skill-based format

Let’s learn in detail about each one.

The Chronological CV Format

The chronological CV format is by far the most common and trusted format used by millions of job seekers all around the world. It lists your work in reverse chronological order. It starts with your most recent role, all the way back to your first ever.

This structure makes it easier for the hiring manager to see your career progression at a glance.

Why Recruiters Like It

The reason recruiters prefer this format is that it shows stability, consistency, and growth over time. It shows how you gradually progressed in your career or worked for a respectable company.

The chronological format for your CV highlights this in a clear, linear fashion. This format is also ATS-friendly, which means that it passes the software with ease and helps get a better rank.

When to Use it

This format is used best if:

• You have a strong, consistent employment history
• You want to demonstrate growth and maturity
• You plan to have a similar career path or work in the same industry
• You want to highlight your progression and achievements clearly

However, if you have frequent career gaps, job changes, or switching industries, then this format can expose your weaknesses. If that’s the case, then you can seek expert guidance from a CV writing service in Wellington to build your CV.  

Best Suited Professions

This type of format is best suited for professionals in the field where career progression and experience are highly valued. Industries such as:

• Finance
• Law
• Healthcare
• Educate
• Corporate management

This format is preferred in the industries mentioned above. Recruiters in these sectors look for key evidence of:

• Long-term commitment
• Steady advancement
• Reputable employers

Example Of A Chronological CV

John Smith

Email: johnsmith@email.com | Phone: 07123 456 789

Professional Summary

Results-oriented marketing expert with over six years of experience creating campaigns that raised sales and brand awareness. Competent in data analytics, social media, and SEO.

Work Experience

Marketing Manager – Keystone Ltd. (2021- Present)

Directed a plan for digital transformation that increased online sales by 30% and improved consumer interaction. In charge of managing a five-person, cross-functional team, monitoring spending, and evaluating the effectiveness of campaigns.

Marketing Executive – Xorrp Corp (2017-2021)

Created and carried out multi-platform marketing initiatives that increased audience engagement by 25%. In order to maximise lead creation, I worked with sales teams and supported product launches.

Education

BA in Marketing, University of Leeds (2016).

The Function CV Format (Skilled-based)

A functional CV format is organised by a skill category that highlights your abilities. Instead of listing jobs like a chronological CV, this format is categorised into sections that showcase your competencies, such as “Leadership”, “Project Management”, or “Customer Service”.

This format allows candidates to show their transferable skill set without emphasizing their career path.

Why Recruiters Like It

Recruiters find this format useful when filling skills-based jobs or when they are seeking career switchers.

It sheds light on skills without highlighting employment gaps. Functional resumes are particularly effective in fields like information technology, design, or consulting, where there is an emphasis on actual skills rather than experience.

When to Use it

This kind of format is ideal when:

• You want to highlight your transferable skills.
• You have gaps in your employment history.
• You are new to the workforce or have diverse experience.

This format for your CV emphasises the in-demand skills that are gained through taking professional certifications and workshops. Here are some of its benefits:

• Emphasises skills and achievements over job titles.
• Let’s you emphasise the aspects of your experience that are most significant.
• Provides evidence of how you used these skills in real-life situations.
• Minimises the impact of employment gaps.

Best Suited Professions

The functional CV is greatly suitable for professionals whose skills outweigh the need for a traditional career timeline. It works well for individuals in the field of:

• IT
• Project management
• Marketing
• Consultation
• Creative industry
• Customer service

For example, a software developer changing their career into cybersecurity can highlight their technical skills and certifications rather than unrelated past roles.

These kinds of tangible skills work best with this format. If you are still confused, study some CV samples of professional CV writers in Auckland. This will give you a better idea of how to create your own functional resume.

Example of A Functional CV

Sarah Johnson

Email: sarahj@email.com | Phone: 07987 654 321

Professional Summary

Flexible and highly skilled project coordinator, leader, and client relationship professional. Experience in leading multifunctional teams, process improvement, and on-schedule and on-budget project delivery. Acknowledged to possess sound problem-solving capabilities and impressive client satisfaction scores.

Key Skills

• Project Management: Successfully managed projects worth millions of pounds, guaranteeing delivery in accordance with stringent deadlines and quality requirements. Adept in applying PRINCE2 and Agile approaches.
  
  
• Leadership: Experienced in supervising and motivating diverse teams of up to 12 staff, fostering collaboration and improving productivity.
  
  
• Client Relations: Achieved a 95% satisfaction score by building strong relationships, resolving client issues quickly, and ensuring clear communication.
  
  
• Communication: Strong written and vocal communication abilities, as well as the ability to successfully negotiate, present, and influence others.

Education

BS – Business Administration, University of Manchester

MSc – Business Management, University of Manchester

Comparison Table for Both CV Formats

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the ideal length of a CV?

Most employers prefer a two-page CV that is concise and achievement-focused.

Should I modify my resume for each job application?

Indeed, customising your resume will guarantee that it fits the job description and improve your chances of being considered for further consideration.

How can I make my resume stand out beyond formatting?

Emphasise quantifiable accomplishments, make use of powerful action verbs, and make sure your resume fits the requirements of the organisation.

Conclusion

A chronological or a functional CV should be chosen depending on your career narrative. Chronological format will suit those with uniform development and a straightforward path, that is to say, exactly those with a clear development path.

The functional format is conversely advantageous to career changers or people with employment gaps, and it focuses on transferable skills. Understanding which highlights your strengths ensures recruiters see your potential clearly and effectively.