CV Examples: How to Find the Right CV Type

Exploring CV examples can inspire you with ideas as you craft yours. When writing a CV, it’s important that you choose one that suits both you and the role that you’re applying for. Spend some time considering what type of CV you’ll use. It should showcase your experience and qualifications, but it should also match the industry you’re applying to and align with your career level. Because not every position will require the same type of CV, you may even need more than one CV if you are applying for multiple roles.

Discover more about different types of CV examples and standards and practices for UK CVs so that you can decide which is best for you and your job search.

Chronological CV 

A chronological CV, also called a traditional CV, is the most commonly used CV and can be perfect for a variety of jobs, regardless of your level. The chronological CV allows you to list your experience and qualifications in reverse chronological order, so an employer can scan through and see what you do, your highest qualification, and your career history.

When to use: This is a great CV to use if you want to show career progression. If your experience is very industry-specific and you’ve worked your way up from an entry-level position to a higher level, the chronological CV will show your advancement very well. 

When not to use: If your experience is diverse and doesn’t show an obvious progression, or if you have very limited experience, this CV type won’t do you justice. You need to choose one that focuses more heavily on your skills, like a skills-based CV.

Skills-based CV 

A skills-based CV is less commonly used than a chronological CV, but it is versatile and allows for more tailoring, so it really is a strong option. Experience and education are still listed in reverse chronological order, but above that comes a detailed skills section in which you can list examples of your most relevant skills and achievements. Look at the job description for the role you’re applying for and make sure your CV includes examples of all the essential skills for the position. 

When to use: If you are changing careers and your experience doesn’t seem related to your new field, a skills-based CV allows you to highlight transferable skills from your past positions. This CV format is also an excellent option if you lack experience but have developed transferable skills through studying, personal projects, or volunteer work. 

When not to use: This CV type is excellent for most positions, regardless of experience, but if your career follows a very linear progression, you might be better suited to a chronological CV.

Technical CV 

A technical CV format is similar in style to both of the above. Technical CVs list your experience and qualifications chronologically but also include a substantial skills section at the top of the CV. This skills section specifically spotlights your technical skills and can be highly tailored to the job description of the role you’re applying for. Make sure all your relevant technical skills are included in this section. 

When to use: This CV is great for any type of technical position. It is the perfect blend between a chronological and skills-based CV for a technical role. 

When not to use: If you have developed more soft skills, or interpersonal skills, than technical skills, then a technical CV may not be the best way to showcase your assets. In this case, you’re better off including a more general skills section to which you can add your technical skills alongside others. 

Read more: Skills for CV Writing: Top Skills to Include on Your CV

Academic CV 

Academic CVs are slightly different from CVs for non-academic job seekers and are great CV examples for students and graduate students entering the job market. These CVs tend to be longer to accommodate multiple publications, grants, and research interests, so while a standard UK CV is two pages, an academic CV will be longer.

This type of CV is really a chronological CV, except it has additional sections including, but not limited to, publications, teaching experience, research activities, conferences, and presentations. The sections you can include will depend on what you have achieved throughout your academic career. 

When to use: An academic CV is a great option if you are applying for an academic role or any position assessing your academic experience, including publications, teaching, and research.

When not to use: If you are applying for a role in the industry, even if you have an academic background, this CV isn’t a good match. Some sections on an academic CV will not be relevant for a non-academic position, and a CV must always be tailored to what you are applying for, rather than including anything and everything. 

Creative CV

If you are applying for a role in a creative industry, you might want to think outside the box a bit. Do your research on the company, and if you think it will value some innovation, consider something a bit more creative as you craft your CV. Video CVs are becoming more popular, and some have gone to extreme lengths to make sure they get eyes on their CV, including a man who put his CV on a doughnut box and had it delivered by a courier.

When to use: You might want to use a creative CV to demonstrate particular skills that you can bring into the role, such as data presentation, design skills, typography, 2D or 3D artistic abilities, or programming skills. In these cases, your multimedia, infographic, or website CV itself can serve as a good example of your creative work. 

When not to use: A creative CV is not really necessary simply because you are applying for a position in a creative industry. If the role that you are applying for is in something like account management, project management, or human resources, a highly creative CV, like a video or an animation, could actually distract from your qualifications rather than emphasize them.

Examples of content every CV needs

• Personal information, such as your name, home address, phone number, email, website, and professional social media profile

• Personal statement, or personal profile, introducing yourself, what you can do, and what you’re excited to do in the position you’re applying for

• Work experience, including milestones and quantifiable achievements in your roles

• Education, including degrees and professional certifications

• Skills, volunteer experiences, and languages you’re fluent in

Read more: What is a Personal Profile on a CV, and How Do I Write One?

What does a great CV look like?

A well-written and formatted CV can help you stand out and increase your chances of getting an interview. Use these tips to help write a CV that will be appealing to prospective employers. 

CV design

Whichever CV example you choose, next comes the task of designing a professional-looking document. You can find all sorts of templates, and it’s tempting to make your CV look flashy, but unless you are working in the creative industry, as mentioned above, the best option is really to keep it simple and professional.

White space: Don’t overcrowd your CV. A recruiter needs to be able to scan your CV quickly, so don’t make it too text-heavy. Leave plenty of white space, so it is easy to read and easy on the eye.

Headings and bullets: In the interest of making your CV easy to read, make sure it’s laid out with clear headings, and use bullet points to break up the text. 

Avoid columns and boxes: Too much going on can distract the reader from the information they are trying to find. Make it easy for them by having a clear progression to follow rather than boxes all over the place. 

Read more: CV Templates: How to Use Them And Powerful Examples

Fonts and style for your CV examples

• Between 10- and 12-point font, for readability

• Sans serif or serif font types, such as Roboto, Arial, Calibri, or Times New Roman

• No more than two pages in A4 format, length corresponding to the length of your career

ATS compliance

Most companies use Applicant Tracking Software (ATS), which means that before your CV reaches a person, it will run through a software program to determine if you are a viable candidate. You can use several strategies to pass this screening.

Use keywords: Scan the job description and person spec for keywords, and make sure you include these in your CV.

Avoid colour and diagrams: Blocks of colour, diagrams, and the use of symbols like logos don’t comply with the ATS system.

Tailor your CV

Whichever CV example you choose, everything you write needs to be highly tailored to the role you’re applying for. It’s tempting to include everything you’ve ever done, but the key is making yourself sound perfect for the particular position you’re going for. With this in mind, it’s likely you’ll need to adapt your CV for each position you apply for. 

From CV examples to making your own CV

Customising your CV for every position you apply for can go a long way to making you stand out, and certain types of CVs will be better suited to your goals and experiences than others.

If you have a position in mind, start working on your CV now. If you don’t have anything specific you want to apply for, it’s still a good idea to have the basis of a CV ready to go that you can adapt and tailor. Online resources can help you get started.

You might be interested in the Interviewing and Resume Writing in English Specialisation offered by the University of Maryland to help you develop strategies and communication skills to advance your career. Writing Winning Resumes and Cover Letters is another great option available on Coursera.