At a minimum, you should know the difference between a functional format CV and a chronological format CV. A functional format CV is less common than a chronological format CV but it can work better in certain circumstances and may get you through to interview when a chronological format cannot.
In a chronological CV, the subject’s experience and skills are listed according to each job held - usually in reverse (or latest first) order. In a functional format, information on experience or skills is grouped according to type and according to jobs that you have held.
The context in which a functional CV is submitted needs to be understood. Functional CVs come into their own when you are changing careers or type of employer as they allow you to highlight transferable skills and to draw the reader’s attention away from your current or latest job.
The following should be kept in mind when drafting a functional CV:
Themes
When writing a functional CV, organise what you want to present about yourself according to themes. These themes might be skills or experience that you have acquired. By presenting information this way, the reader can more easily see that you have the right skills for the job - even if your recent work history is not closely related to the job that you are interested in.
Keywords
Be sure to use keywords in your CV which reflect those used in the job description. You might use these keywords as the titles for your sub-headings or in the bulleted lists, where you describe your skills and accomplishments in more detail. This will help the employer see that your abilities match well with the job requirements.
Relevant projects
Remember to include any personal or professional projects that are related to the job. Projects demonstrate your success in developing and completing tasks.
Employment history
You will still need to include a history of employments you have held. However, this is usually placed towards the bottom of a functional format CV. This tends to result in the reader focusing more on skills and/or experience rather than on your work history.
Profile
Consider writing a short profile at the beginning of your CV that brings attention to the skills you have, that are relevant to the job in question. This is a great way to direct the attention of the potential employer who reads your CV at first glance.
The functional format CV is a very useful document for people in particular circumstances. It is most effective with an employer who has a flexible approach. A functional format CV tends to look quite different to a more conventional, chronological CV. However, if your functional format CV is well crafted - and has a tailored approach to a specific job or industry - it can serve you very well.
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