CVs

A CV is a summary of your employment and education history which can be used by a recruiter to assess your suitability against certain criteria.

You need a CV when:

• Job vacancy details ask you to send a CV.
• You are asked to attach a CV to your application form.
• Applying speculatively to an employer.
• Attending careers fairs, employer presentations or other careers events.
• Applying for courses and funding (if you are asked to send a CV).

There are a number of ways to design your CV. Different layouts will be more appropriate for certain types of jobs and for people at different stages in their career.  The basic types are listed below:

Chronological CV

This is the most common style of CV. It lists your education and work experience in reverse date order (most recent first). Skills and achievements are built into the CV against the relevant experience.

Advantages:

• Easy for an employer to read.
• Easy to put together.

Disadvantages:

• Most CVs look like this.
• May emphasise any significant gaps.

Skills based CV

For those with limited relevant experience a skills based CV is ideal to showcase your transferable skills. Employers often have a wish-list of competencies they will be assessing you against throughout the recruitment and selection process. You should let the employer "set the agenda" by using, in priority order, the skills and attributes required for this role. You may of course need to anticipate the list of skills and priorities yourself.

You will be able to prove to an employer that you have the appropriate skills and attributes to do the job without having performed these skills in that role or sector. If you have then a functional CV is best for you. (see below)

Advantages:

• Key skills are clearly shown on the first page. 
• You can draw on examples from your studies, work experience, volunteering and leisure time commitments.
• The employer will be able to see that you are using the required skills beyond your course.

Disadvantages:

• This is a difficult style to adopt. Hard evidence is required to make the skills sound meaningful. 
• This CV may require significant re-working for each application. 
• Don't fall into the trap of using this style as a substitute for describing relevant experience.

Functional CV

A functional CV should be used when you have a track-record of directly relevant of related experience. If not then perhaps a skills-based CV is more appropriate.

The job description will outline the key activities required for the role or programme along with the person specification revealing the ideal skills and attributes. A functional CV provides the opportunity to focus on evidence of performing these functions. Your past performance described well will be a powerful indicator of your future success.

Advantages:

• Easier to write than a skills-based CV as it draws on direct experience.
• Allows you to focus attention on your most relevant skills.
• You can mirror the priorities of the role for a particular organisation.

Disadvantages:

• You may not have developed enough relevant experience to use.
• It forces you to address all aspects of the job description and may bring questions of motivation and suitability into play. 
• This CV may require significant re-working for each application.