What is the best CV format?

If you are applying for a position with an employer, it is equally important that your CV is tailored to the job. For every position, there is a CV format that will give the employer the most information in the shortest amount of time.

A CV provides an employer with more information about you, such as skills and qualifications. It contains all of your contact details and personal information in addition to a list of your work experience and education. A good example would be if you are applying for teaching jobs; then it would be appropriate to include relevant coursework or teaching experience on your resume.

There are several CV formats that employers may ask for. The most common are:

1. Standard format: The standard format is one page in length. It uses a standard header and information about school, qualifications, experience and contact details; this is known as the 'job title'.

2. A-5 format: This CV begins with an A-5 sized page which consists of two columns, the bottom being in portrait orientation (vertical) and the top being landscape orientation (horizontal). It also includes a 'job title' and 'company name' at the top along with your contact details at the bottom. The CV also includes education, work experience, and contact numbers.

3. Functional format: The functional format is two pages and is considered the most comprehensive CV. It includes a 'job title' and 'company name' at the top along with contact details at the bottom, followed by a 'professional summary'. Next comes an 'education' section, after which is an 'experience' section. Finally the applicant's software skills are listed and evaluated and there are also references for this CV format.

4. Chronological format: This is generally considered to be the standard resume format, listing your work history in reverse chronological order (most recent first). It includes a job title, company name, city/state/zip code, telephone number, fax number and e-mail address at the top of each page. It also includes your education and special skills at the bottom of each page.

5. The combination format: This format, as its name suggests, is a combination of two or more formats. For example, it can be a combination of chronological and functional formats for clerical positions.

6. Keyword-rich format: This is a very modern CV type which is specifically used in the IT industry. It lists your achievements instead of just listing your qualifications and work history. The keywords are usually used in the file names for your documents so that recruiters are able to find them easily by using search engines such as Google and Bing.

7. Vertical format: This is another CV format that only contains one page. It contains a 'job title' at the top and brief contact details below. It does not include an 'experience' section because it is assumed that the employer will ask you about your career history in your interview. Check out our free cv examples.

8. Horizontal format: This CV is only one page in length and includes a 'job title' at the top followed by your contact details, e-mail address, and, as necessary, work experience at the bottom of each page. It is an excellent CV for any kind of sales position or appointment setting job that does not need to be confidential or for graduate positions with a limited amount of experience, such as teaching positions.