Standard CV format examples

There are several common layouts for CVs. Choose the one that best suits your employment background.

Chronological CV

This layout involves listing your professional history in reverse chronological order, from the present day
to your earliest role. Many established professionals who want to emphasize their career progression
benefit from this structure. Here's an example:

Nigel Kanu

+44 (0)7912 445470 | n.kanu@email.co.uk

Self-motivated salesman with a background in IT who loves talking tech with people and forming close
relationships with clients. Looking for a position that rewards initiative and allows me to represent a
product I believe in.

Employment History

Sales Consultant, Tech2U, Oxford Street

April 2017 - present

Exceeding monthly sales targets by up to 125%

Building customer relationships, with quarterly reviews for upselling opportunities

Assisting leadership to develop sales strategy

Telemarketer, dogandbone.com, Reading

June 2015 - March 2017

Made up to 100 outbound calls per day

Guided customers through relevant offers and helping them with decisions

Compiled call reports and analysing data

Education

University of Manchester (2011 - 2015)

BA (Hons) English, 2:2

Salford Comprehensive (2011)

A-levels: Maths, English

9 GCSEs including maths and IT

Qualifications

CompTIA A+

Functional CV

A functional CV focuses on the skills and competencies that you possess, so this option may be best for
those with limited employment history, such as recent graduates. You'll need to offer proof that you
possess each of the skills listed. Ideally, these should be examples drawn from your academic and
professional life. You can, however, draw on other parts of your life, including volunteer activities, sports
or organisations you're part of.

Use this example to guide you:

Piers Shah

+44 (0)7987 673322 | pshah@mymail.co.uk

Recent graduate with a bachelor's with honours in economics seeking a research position that supports
policymaking. Highly skilled in data analysis, reporting and time management but interested in building
my skills.
Skills

Leadership: I was captain of my school rugby team. Under my captaincy, we won the U16 county title.

Trustworthiness: I was treasurer of my school photography club. This position saw me entrusted with
hundreds of pounds of camera equipment, as well as cash during club fundraisers.

Time management: I consistently met grading deadlines as a Teaching Assistant and turned in
assignments before the due date.

Education

Kings College London (2017 - 2020)

BA (Hons) in Economics

Cheshire Comprehensive (2016)

A-levels: History

9 GCSEs, including geography and English

Experience

Teaching Assistant, Kings College London Economics Department

September 2019 - June 2020

Led small group sessions to answer student questions about lectures

Assigned and graded short essays on economic principles discussed in class

Assisted professor with creating presentation materials for lectures

Hybrid CVs

The hybrid CV is a mix of the chronological and the functional. You can arrange the sections any way you
like, as long as you emphasise the details that are most likely to earn you the job. Here's an example of
how the two formats look when combined:
Meg Hopkins

+44 (0)1419 898541 | meg.hop@web.co.uk

Creative, customer-focused marketing consultant currently in the process of returning to a marketing

career after taking a career break to raise my children. Up to date with developments in digital
marketing, and eager to apply that knowledge to an exciting new campaign.

Skills

Social media marketing

Content marketing

Blogging

Social analytics

Copywriting

Experience

Founder, The Sensible Mummy blog, Remote

March 2013 - Present

Write fun and informative blogs on all things motherhood, averaging 10K+ hits per month

Manage content calendar for blogs, guest appearances and social media posts

Monitor site performance and troubleshoot usability through WordPress

Digital Coordinator, Edinburgh Youth Programming, Edinburgh

July 2015 - September 2018

Managed the group's social media outreach on multiple platforms

Used targeted digital marketing strategies to grow membership and assist with fundraising

Increased online engagement by 65% in the first six months

Account Manager, Maddison Partners, Edinburgh

April 2008 - January 2012

Launched print and digital campaigns that helped clients grow their business by up to 250% in one year

Worked with clients and creatives to create campaigns that expressed brand values

Analysed campaign data and created reports for clients

Education

University of Edinburgh (2011 - 2015)

BA (Hons) Marketing, 2:1