How to make a Standard CV

Organizing your resume in chronological order is not necessarily the best way to showcase your skills. Many job seekers use this traditional format, and it may be right for you, but if you're changing career paths or re-entering the workforce, a different style may be better. Here are the three most common resume templates and how they can best serve your needs.

Less common but still effective, functional resumes organize information by skills or job accomplishments instead of chronology. Subheads are often used to emphasize areas of expertise, such as Sales, Technical, or Management Skills.

Most suitable when:

• Changing career paths.
• Lack direct experience for job opening.
• Prefer to focus on accomplishments as opposed to work history.
• No continuous growth or progression in career.
• Re-entering the workforce.
• Held similar positions for a long period of time.
• Variety of unrelated work experiences.
• Work has been freelance, consulting or temporary.
• Playing down employment gaps.
• Entrepreneur transitioning back into the corporate world.

Least suitable when:

• Wish to highlight your promotions and career growth.
• Lack achievements.
• New to the working world (first job).
• Specific past employers are prestigious.