CV Formats for Winning CVs: Layout, Content, and Tips

A well-formatted CV is essential for landing an interview, as it clearly presents your skills and experience to employers. Your CV is typically your first impression on potential employers—a chance to showcase your skills, experiences, and achievements in a way that captivates and persuades.

This guide explores different CV formats and when to use them, along with essential sections like work experience, skills, and education. It also offers tips on writing and formatting your CV for a professional and impactful presentation.

Read more: CV vs Resume: What’s the Difference?

What is a CV?

A CV (or curriculum vitae) is a document intended to highlight your education, qualifications, and experience. Its first objective is to help you get a job interview by providing a comprehensive picture of your skills and qualities. CVs are usually two pages long, but this may depend on the type of job to which you are applying.

Did you know? CV stands for curriculum vitae, which is Latin for "course of life". It's a document used to showcase your professional qualifications, including your education, work experience, skills, and achievements.

Why is the format of your CV important?

The format of your CV is important because it ensures your information is presented in a clear, organized, and professional manner. A well-structured CV makes it easier for hiring managers to quickly identify your key qualifications, experience, and skills, increasing the likelihood that your application will stand out. Additionally, a visually appealing and logically arranged CV reflects your attention to detail and commitment to professionalism, both of which are desirable traits in any candidate.

Read more: CV Example and What Goes Behind Writing a Complete CV

Choosing a CV format

Understanding the various formats and when to use them can significantly impact your chances of success when crafting a winning CV. Five types of CV formats include chronological, functional, combination, achievement-focused, and creative. Each has its unique structure, uses, and advantages.

Chronological CV

For a chronological CV, list your work experience in reverse chronological order, which means adding your most recent job first. Include job titles, company names, dates of employment, and key responsibilities and achievements. Also, list your education in reverse chronological order, and include degrees, institutions, and dates.

When to use:

• Ideal for individuals with a steady and continuous work history.

• Suitable for those who have worked in the same industry or field for most of their career.

Benefits:

• Easy to follow and widely accepted by employers.

• Clearly shows your career progression and stability.

• Highlights consistent employment and relevant job experience.

Functional CV

Also called a skills-based CV, a functional CV is organised by skill category to highlight your abilities. Each category includes specific examples of your accomplishments. For work experience, you'll include a brief list of previous jobs, usually without detailed descriptions. Include job titles, company names, and dates. Education information consists of listing degrees, institutions, and dates without extensive detail.

When to use:

• Best for career changers who want to highlight transferable skills.

• Ideal for individuals with gaps in their employment history.

• Suitable for those with diverse experiences that do not follow a linear career path.

Benefits:

• Emphasises skills and achievements over job titles.

• Allows you to highlight the most relevant parts of your experience.

• Minimises the impact of employment gaps or frequent job changes.

Enhance your CV with in-demand skills you gain from earning Professional Certificates, such as:

Combination CV

A combination CV takes its inspiration from both the chronological and functional CV. You'll include a section highlighting your key skills with examples of how you’ve applied them, as well as your work experience listed in reverse chronological order, with a focus on the most relevant positions.

When to use:

• Useful for those with a strong set of transferable skills and relevant work experience.

• Ideal for individuals who want to highlight specific skills while also showcasing their career history.

• Suitable for those applying to roles that require a mix of experience and skill sets.

Benefits:

• Combines the strengths of both chronological and functional CVs.

• Allows for flexibility in highlighting both skills and work history.

• Provides a comprehensive view of your qualifications, making it easier for employers to see your overall suitability for the role.

Achievement-focused CV

This includes a prominent section that lists your most significant professional achievements. Each achievement ideally includes measurable results, such as "increased sales by 20 per cent". You'll add a list of relevant skills, often tied directly to your achievements. Your work experience consists of a concise list of previous jobs, with a focus on roles in which you made significant contributions.

When to use:

• Ideal for individuals with notable accomplishments in their careers.

• Suitable for those who have consistently excelled in their roles and want to highlight their impact.

• Beneficial for senior professionals and executives.

Benefits:

• Emphasises your successes and the value you bring to an organisation.

• Demonstrates a track record of achieving results.

• Makes a strong impression on employers looking for high achievers.

Creative CV

A creative CV or portfolio is ideal for fields like design, writing, or marketing. It includes examples of your work directly in the CV or provides links to an online portfolio. Present skills and achievements in a visually engaging format, often using infographics, icons, and colour schemes. You can also list your education with creative elements to make it visually appealing.

When to Use:

• Ideal for creative professionals such as designers, artists, writers, and marketers.

• Suitable for roles in industries that value innovation and originality.

• Appropriate when applying to companies known for a creative culture.

Benefits:

• Allows you to showcase your creative skills directly through the CV.

• Helps you stand out in visually oriented fields.

• Demonstrates your ability to think outside the box and present information in an engaging way.

Read more: CV Templates: How to Use Them

CV format essentials

Along with your work experience, skills, and education, you'll also include other elements in your CV. A typical CV format includes the following elements:

• Personal details: Include your full name, contact information (address, phone number, email), and any professional social media profiles. Accurate contact information is essential for employers to reach out to you.

• Personal profile statement: This is a short statement explaining why you are applying for the job. It is your opportunity to sell yourself to your potential employer. Also known as a personal statement or career objective, a personal statement is a brief paragraph of three to four lines at the beginning of your CV that summarizes your career goals, key skills, and what you can bring to the role.

• Achievements: This section showcases your professional accomplishments and successes. Include specific examples of how you've contributed positively in previous roles, such as exceeding sales targets, leading successful projects, or receiving awards. Achievements should be quantifiable and demonstrate your impact.

• Education: List your educational background in reverse chronological order, starting with your most recent qualification. Include the name of the institution, the degree or qualification obtained, the dates attended, and any relevant coursework or dissertation topics. If you're a recent graduate or have limited work experience, this section may precede your employment history.

• Employment and work history: Detail your professional experience, listing your previous jobs in reverse chronological order. Include job titles, names of employers, dates of employment (month/year), and bullet points describing your key responsibilities and achievements in each role. Focus on quantifiable achievements and skills relevant to the job you're applying for.

• Qualifications: This section typically includes any additional qualifications or certifications relevant to your career beyond your formal education. Examples include professional certifications, licenses, language proficiency tests, or specialised training courses. Include the name of the qualification, the awarding body, and the date obtained.

• Skills: Highlights your relevant skills and competencies that make you suitable for the role. Categorise them into technical skills, such as software proficiency or medical skills, and workplace skills, such as communication and leadership. Tailor this section to match the job description, emphasising skills that are most relevant to the position you're applying for.

Read more: How to Select and List Key Skills for Your CV

Tips on formatting and writing your CV

As a professional applying for a job, your CV is one of the first things people see when checking out your credentials. Consider these tips to help your CV stand out:

• Make sure all the information is relevant and up-to-date.

• Use a simple, organised layout with headings and subheadings.

• Keep paragraphs short.

• Use bullet points rather than long sentences.

• Choose a simple, readable font, such as Arial or Times New Roman in 10- or 12-point.

• Use the same font throughout your CV.

• Ensure headings are aligned and sections have similar formatting.

Read more: CV Cover Letter Template (Examples + Guidance)

Write a strong resume with Coursera

Continue to explore your career path strategy with the Career Discovery Specialization on Coursera. In this three-course series, you'll have the opportunity to analyse your strengths and create a personal statement, learn more about the elements that make your CV stand out, and how to plan out a career tailored to your interests and goals.