CV templates
There are 6 principal CV templates. Each template has different advantages and it is necessary to be aware of the varying styles in which one can write their CV. Depending on what type of person you are and where you live, you may wish to alter your CV accordingly.
Types of CV templates
Chronological / Traditional CV
The chronological-style, traditional CV is the most typical in the UK. Starting with your personal information: name, home address, email, place of birth, and marital status.
Then you would display your educational background because this is the first stage in the life-long learning process. Begin with the first school you attended and continue until the last school you left. Write any significant academic grades (usually just GCSE’s and A-Levels) alongside the schools that you attended. Next comes your work experience and then your other skills.
You can download a free chronological CV template on our designated page.
The functional CV or resume
A functional resume is skills-based. It is organised by skills that you gained through previous work experience. The functional resume shifts the emphasis from where you’ve worked and for how long to specific skill sets and accomplishments that you have picked up along the course of your professional career.
Functional resumes are best if you:
- Are a recent graduate
- Have major time gaps in employment
- Are changing careers
- Are re-entering the workforce
- Have frequently changed jobs
Download our free functional CV template.
Resume or American CV
The Resume or American-style CV lists your most recent achievements first. Therefore you would start by stating your current job title, then go down by saying your previous work experience, starting with the most recent.
Following your work experience you would state your education starting again with your most recent academic institution. After this you write a list of your other skills, such as languages, awards, achievements.
Europass CV
The Europass CV is a continental european structure in which you fill out boxes for pre-determined sections to create a CV. In 2005 the European Commission created the Europass CV intending to increase transparency of qualifications and cross-border mobility.
It has been criticised for being too simple and boring. However, others argue that you can clearly see where the content is and find the important, desired information.
LinkedIn CV
LinkedIn is an increasingly popular form of displaying your work and educational experience. The website has over 225 million users and many employers take on candidates based solely on their LinkedIn profiles. Therefore, it must be recognised as a legitimate alternative to the traditional CV. LinkedIn, similar to the Europass CV, has specific pre-determined sections in which you fill out the information about your life. The end result is simple but clear and concise.
Read more about the debate between LinkedIn and the traditional CV on our page dedicated to the social networking site.
Creative Style CV
The Creative CV is an alternative template to the traditional CV and can be very beneficial if used correctly. There are few boundaries when making a creative CV and you can really get creative to show initiative and additional skills to a potential employer. For tips and tricks about the creative CV, including advice about making a Video CV, read our creative CV page.
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