You should always tailor your CV to the job you’re applying for. For some jobs and circumstances, there’s a type of CV that works best.
On this page, we highlight some CV formats you can use for certain jobs or at certain points in your career.
You can view an example CV and a template for each type of written CV.
Chronological CV
You use a chronological CV to match your work experience and qualifications to the job you’re applying for. It can be a good CV format to use when you apply for a new job in the same field you are already working in.
You should list employment and education details in reverse chronological order, most recent to oldest.
With this type of CV, you can clearly show your work history, your responsibilities, achievements and relevant education.
Top tips:
- When including qualifications and work experience, match them to the job you’re applying for
- Include entries for any gaps in your work history. Show that you were doing something useful during these gaps, for example “volunteering” or “actively seeking work”
- Keep in mind the essential criteria for the job you’re applying for. Try to cover these in your work experience section or your additional skills and knowledge section
Skills-based CV
This type of CV is useful if you have gaps in your work history or you don’t have a lot of work experience. It’s also useful if you’re applying for a job in a different job sector to one you’ve been working in.
In a skills-based CV, you focus on the skills you’ve developed in different areas of your life. You can call these transferrable skills.
The key is to highlight those skills you’ve developed that match the skills asked for in the job advert or description.
Top tips:
- Put your skills profile near the top
- Try and use the same language as the job description to show you have read it and that you match it. But don’t copy it word-for-word
- Say where you’ve used your skills in real life situations
School-leaver CV
Employers know that you won’t have a lot of work experience. A school-leaver CV highlights the skills and knowledge you do have that are relevant for the job.
Think of all the skills you’ve gained through school, work experience placements, informal work like babysitting or even volunteering. Include the most relevant skills for the job.
Top tips:
- Only include a personal profile if your employer expects it, so do your research
- Don’t add lots of irrelevant detail to fill up space. A shorter, good-quality CV is better
- Think about presentation. Make the best use of space and keep the layout consistent.
- Consider using bullet points as they can help you to be brief
Academic CV
An academic CV focuses on educational achievements. Use an academic CV to apply for lecturing or research jobs.
Academic CVs tend to be longer than other types of CV. This is because they include sections on:
- Published work
- Teaching experience
- Research you’ve done
- Conferences and presentations you’ve been involved in
Top tips:
- There’s no page limit, but you should still keep it relevant and concise
- On your first page, include your academic achievements, research interests and specialist skills
- Include other information, if relevant, on outcomes of your research and future work, professional memberships you have and grants you’ve received to do your research
- Write in a way so that people without your academic background can still understand it
Teaching CV
Use a teaching CV to apply for a job in teaching.
A teaching CV highlights teaching and relevant non-teaching experience, achievements in education and relevant skills.
Top tips:
- Start with your teaching and other school experience, including any voluntary work. Sports coaching, working with youth groups and summer camp jobs are all relevant
- Include details of your teacher educational achievements, from the teacher training itself to other relevant university modules
- Add skills that might be useful such as leadership, IT, musical or language skills
- Add hobbies and interests if they are relevant to the job
- Add details of 2 referees, one from your teaching practice and one from your teacher training
Legal CV
If you are applying for a legal job such as solicitor or a trainee contract after law school, you should use a legal or law CV.
A law CV highlights your educational background and legal work experience, which would include work placements and holiday schemes.
Top tips:
- For a trainee contract, you don’t have to include a personal profile because your cover letter will say who you are and why you’re applying. Later in your career, you’ll have to include it
- Highlight your commercial awareness by listing all your commercial experience. Include tasks and responsibilities
Technical CV
If you’re applying for roles in IT such as web or applications developer, or IT consultant, use a technical CV format.
This CV highlights technical skills, experience and expertise.
Top tips:
- Start with key experience and expertise first. Put more details about your technical skills and competencies under “Key Skills”
- Highlight Communication and problem-solving skills
- Remember your audience. Write for HR managers as well as IT professionals
Career change CV
This CV would be useful when applying for a new job in a new career. It highlights relevant skills and achievements and your most relevant transferable skills. Transferable skills are the skills you’ve developed in different areas of your life.
The key is to highlight those skills you’ve developed that match the skills asked for in the job advert or description.
Top tips:
- Put your skills profile near the top
- For each skill you include, show how you've used that skill in a previous job
- Try and use the same language as the job description to show you have read it and that you match it. But don’t copy it word-for-word
Video CV
You might use a video CV to apply for work in the media, in marketing and sales or in some creative roles.
A video CV doesn’t replace your paper CV but complements it. It will make you stand out because you’ll be able to show your personality to employers.
Read our guide to video CVs.
Other Creative CVs
Use a creative CV for jobs such as graphic designer, film/video editor and games designer. This type of CV is also used more widely in the creative sector.
A Creative CV can take the form of a document with more visual or creative elements, your own website, an e-portfolio to name a few.
Creative CVs can really display your creative skills without you having to describe them. But, CV scanning or parsing software may struggle to read them.
Find out if the company you’re applying to expects a creative CV. Always send a written one as well.
Infographic CVs and online CVs are both types of creative CV.
Infographic CV
An infographic CV displays your experience visually instead of in words.
You could create a graph of your skills, showing how you’ve developed them. The infographic should show which skills you use in work each day.
It will be easier to create an infographic CV if you have good design skills. The free versions of online tools such as Canva might be useful, but watch out for added charges.
Online CV
Employers will look for you online when you apply. Having an online presence that acts like a CV will ensure they notice you for the right reasons.
Many job websites give you the option to build your CV on their site, as well as to upload a CV you already have.
On LinkedIn and other sites you can create your own “professional landing page”.
About.me allows you to introduce yourself and include key information you would find on your CV. You can also post links to your own website, social media or blogs or your e-portfolio.
Global Bridge also allows you to create your very own e-portfolio
Get more help and support
The Skills to Succeed Academy is an online learning tool where you can learn more about building CVs, interview preparation and much more. Visit our Skills to Succeed page to find out how to register.
If you need advice or support to create your CV, contact us.
You might also like
Learn how to create your CV, find out what to include in your CV, view our free CV templates, and download our guide to CV writing.
More employers are using video CVs. Consider a video CV if you’re applying for a creative job.
Find out how to do a good interview using the STAR technique, get interview advice and preparation tips.