If you’ve been Googling “CV examples UK,” consider your search completed. Below, we will consider how to write a CV in each of the three most common formats.
The Chronological CV – Everybody’s Favorite
The chronological CV format is perhaps the most recommended CV format to use when searching for a job in the UK. Why? It’s not just that this type of CV has an easy-to-follow layout that makes writing it a breeze. Actually, it’s because it is the format expected by most employers.
In 2012, the American company Ladders, Inc. Release a study stating that recruiters generally spend about 6 seconds looking at a resume (the American equivalent of a CV) before deciding whether to dig deeper or file the application in the dustbin. likely, recruiters in the UK spend a similarly small amount of time perusing your CV before making a decision.
That’s why it is important to use a chronological CV when it makes sense in comparison to your circumstances. With your experience and education listed in reverse chronological order (starting with the most recent experience and working your way back), recruiters can find the information they need rapidly and easily. Some may be off put by other, unfamiliar CV formats.
What does a chronological CV look like? Consider the following.
Joan Smith
123 First Street, Anywhere, Lancashire
joansmith@gmail.com
07007700779
A Business Manager with experiences ranging from quiet offices in the country to bustling London headquarters. A team player who is skilled in conflict resolution, logistics, and data processing solutions.
Experience
Business Manager
2019 – 2023
Industrial Holdings, Inc.
London
- Communicated with vendors and clients in-person, via phone, and email.
- Organized scheduling and logistics for over 100 suppliers, four warehouses, and 13 retail locations.
- Performed HR functions including reviewing new hire files, assisting with onboarding procedures, creating team-building opportunities, and intervening in interpersonal conflicts at the workplace.
Office Manager
2016 – 2019
Castlehill Tourist Retreat
Anywhere, Lancashire
- Performed general office tasks including answering the telephone, responding to postal mail and electronic mail, making appointments, scheduling, and utilising standard office technology.
- Worked to create reasonable schedules for three employees that helped them to maintain a healthy work-life balance.
Education
BSc in Business and Management
2016
University of London
London
Skills
- Business Management
- Communication
- Organisation
- Conflict resolution
- Logistics
- Scheduling
Combination CV – Great for Students and Graduates
A functional CV or skills-based CV is often recommended for students, recent graduates, or other individuals who have little or no work experience in their field. However, there are some drawbacks to using the functional CV.
For example, as mentioned earlier, employers expect to see a CV in chronological order. They may feel concerned when your CV does not fit this pattern.
If you are new to your career or are making a change mid-career, you may feel that you need to highlight your skills and qualifications over your past employment experience. In that case, you can take advantage of the best of both worlds by creating a combination CV. This CV combines aspects of the functional CV and the chronological CV.
Below, we will consider the same applicant we discussed above. However, we will adjust her CV to fit the combination format.
Joan Smith
123 First Street, Anywhere, Lancashire
joansmith@gmail.com
07007700779
A Business Manager with experiences ranging from quiet offices in the country to bustling London headquarters. A team player who is skilled in conflict resolution, logistics, and data processing solutions.
Education
BSc in Business and Management
2016
University of London
London
Skills
Communication
- Created print and electronic written communications to convey meaning to business partners in three languages.
- Produced detailed reports.
- Spoke at quarterly meetings and industry conferences to groups of up to 5,000 individuals.
Conflict resolution
- Created team-building exercises to help a diverse international team get to know each other and overcome social barriers.
- Employed workplace psychology to diminish interpersonal conflict by 15 percent
Organization, Logistics, and Scheduling
- Managed incoming and outgoing shipments as well as vendor, client, and franchise relationships for a multimillion-dollar international company.
Experience
Business Manager
2019 – 2023
Industrial Holdings, Inc.
London
- Communicated with vendors and clients in-person, via phone, and email.
- Organized scheduling and logistics for over 100 suppliers, four warehouses, and 13 retail locations.
- Performed HR functions including reviewing new hire files, assisting with onboarding procedures, creating team-building opportunities, and intervening in interpersonal conflicts at the workplace.
Office Manager
2016 – 2019
Castlehill Tourist Retreat
Anywhere, Lancashire
- Performed general office tasks including answering the telephone, responding to postal mail and electronic mail, making appointments, scheduling, undo utilising standard office technology.
- Worked to create reasonable schedules for three employees that help them to maintain a work-life balance.
Notice in the above example that the skills and education migrated to the top of the document. Additionally, the skills are given more real estate, with each having a bulleted description of their own. Finally, the work experience is listed. Since this is a combination resume, the experience still appears in reverse chronological order with dates included.
Photo credit: The feature image is symbolic and has been done by Ralf Cornesse.
