It can be difficult to know whether to write a skills-based CV or a chronological CV. This article explains the differences between the two formats to help you to decide which CV style to use.
What is a skills based CV?
A skills-based or functional CV emphasises your transferable skills rather than your work experience. A skills-based CV typically opens with a personal profile, and includes a detailed key skills section. Your key skills section typically contains between three and six key skills as headings, with bullet points demonstrating how you have used each skill and what this has achieved.
Most of the front page of your CV focuses on your transferable skills, which makes these stand out, instead of your work experience. A skills based CV contains your employment history and education, however these are less prominent.
You should tailor a skills based CV to a particular role and/or career path, by reviewing the job descriptions for roles you will apply for, and use these specific skills as the headings for the skills section of your CV. If you are applying for several different roles, prepare several versions of your CV tailored to each role. You may wish to read this article which explains how to tailor your CV
Who should use a skills-based CV?
Skills-based or functional CVs are often used by people who are changing career path, or industry, or have recently finished university, college or school and do not have much work experience.
Skills-based CVs can also be very beneficial for contractors, or people who have held numerous short term roles, as it allows them to highlight their relevant skills and experience across numerous roles, so their CV is much shorter with less repetition.
A chronological CV is usually the best option for all other experienced professionals, as it highlights your work history and progression.
What is a chronological CV?
A chronological CV presents your employment history and education in reverse chronological order, showcasing your most recent role (and education) from newest to oldest. A chronological CV usually contains a key skills section with a list of skills, or one line of text for each skill. A chronological CV highlights your relevant experience and achievements, enabling recruiters to see your career progression.
You should order the sections to showcase your experience as effectively as possible. For instance, an experienced professional will start with their work experience, whereas a graduate will highlight their degree. You may wish to read this article about how to structure your CV
You should tailor a skills based CV to a particular role and/or career path, by reviewing the job descriptions for roles you will apply for, and emphasising these throughout your CV. If you are applying for several different roles, prepare several versions of your CV tailored to each role. You may wish to read this article, which explains how to tailor your CV
A reverse chronological CV is the standard CV format for most experienced professionals, which enables recruiters to quickly review your CV.
Ensuring your CV stands out
Sometimes it can be difficult to decide whether to use a skills-based or a chronological CV and what to include on your CV.
As a professional CV Writer, I offer CV writing help including a comprehensive CV review with detailed feedback on how to improve your CV, as well as a full CV writing service. For more information, please visit the CV Writing page of my website, call me for a friendly chat on 07917 137210 or email me via becky@interviewsuccess.co.uk
