CV Format
CV format refers to how you structure and organise the sections of your CV, with the three main types being chronological, functional, and combination formats.
Your CV format determines how your information is organised and presented. The right format can highlight your strengths while minimising any weaknesses in your background.
The chronological format lists your work history in reverse order, starting with your most recent role. This is the most common format and works well for people with a steady career progression in one field.
The functional format organises your CV by skills rather than job history. This can help career changers or those with gaps, but many recruiters dislike it because it obscures your timeline.
The combination format blends both approaches—featuring a skills section followed by a brief chronological work history. This offers flexibility while maintaining the timeline recruiters expect.
Key Points
- Chronological format is preferred by most UK employers
- Use reverse chronological order (most recent first)
- Functional formats can raise red flags with recruiters
- Combination formats work well for career changers
- Choose a format that highlights your strongest qualifications
Frequently Asked Questions
Which CV format works best with ATS?
Chronological format works best with ATS because it follows a standard structure that parsing software can easily read and categorise.
How long should my CV be?
In the UK, 2 pages is standard for most professionals. New graduates may use 1 page, while senior executives might extend to 3 pages.