IELTS READING
Choosing the right format for your CV
A good CV should be clear, simple and easy to understand. Here are four of the most popular CV formats and advice on when to use them:
Chronological
This is the traditional CV format and is extremely popular because it allows employers to see all the posts you have held in order.
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It provides Q1 flexibility because it works in almost all circumstances, the exception being if you have blocks of Q2 unemployment that are difficult to account for. This type of format is particularly useful when you have a solid and complete working history spanning five years or more.
Functional
The functional CV is designed to describe your key skills rather than the jobs you have done. The functional CV format is typically used by people who have extensive gaps in their employment history, or have often changed jobs. It also suits those who want to go in a different Q3 direction work-wise and change industry. You might choose it if you want to highlight skills learned early in your career, points that might get missed if a chronological format is used. It is also appropriate if you have done little or no actual work, for example, if you are one of the current years graduates.
Because this format is often used to cover a patchy employment history, some interviewers may view such CVs with Q4 suspicion, so be very careful should you choose it.
Achievement
An alternative to the functional CV is to use an achievement-based resume highlighting key achievements in place of skills. This can help show your suitability for a role if you lack direct Q5 experience of it.
Non-traditional
With the explosion of digital and creative industries over recent years, CV formats have become more and more imaginative. You can present information through Q6 graphics which can be more visually engaging and turn out to be an unusual but winning option. This will definitely make you stand out from the crowd. It also demonstrates design skills and creativity in a way that a potential employer can see and feel. However, a highly creative CV format is only really appropriate for creative and artistic sectors, such as those involving promoting products, though it would also work for the Q7 media too.