To apply for a job in the UK, you must use a particular CV format. When looking for a job in the UK, ensure your CV is acceptable for a UK readership and satisfies recruiters’ standards.
What does a CV format mean?
The format of your CV is similar to its blueprint. The latest CV format comprises how it appears and how the material is organized. Currently, there are two primary formats in the UK. One is the skills-based format, which is advised for people without prior job experience, and the second is the chronological (or reverse chronological) format, the most popular and required by recruiters.
Continue reading to learn more about different resume styles and real-world examples. Also, you will learn how to write and style your CV, whether you use our CV creator or write it from scratch. Also, we will give you access to CV templates to make structuring your paper a breeze.
Types Of UK Resume Formats
Worldwide, a variety of CV templates and formats are in use. The many CV forms result from the reality that although some recruiters only want to view the most basic details about your career, others will want to see extensive material and references.
Currently, reverse chronological, and skills-based formats are the UK’s most common and best CV format.
We will discuss the advantages and disadvantages of these two UK format for CV so you can decide which one you prefer.
Detailed Information On Types Of CV Format
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Reverse chronological CV format
Our preferred best CV format! Because it’s simple for recruiters to review and assimilate information swiftly, a reverse chronological CV is among the most popular CV styles worldwide.
Even if this is your first time writing a CV, you’re already familiar with the reverse chronological structure and may have even seen it in some of our CV examples. This style is widely accepted by recruiters in the UK and is simple to prepare. However, you should still consider other formats because they can better suit your situation and level of experience.
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Essential components of a reverse chronological resume format
With the most recent position at the top, your work experience lists in reverse chronological order on a reverse chronological CV. If your CV is more than one page, that should be on the front page. Generally, a personal statement or a profile summary comes before your list of professional experiences on a CV.
Education, training, talents, and hobbies come after your professional experience.
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Advantages of a reverse chronological resume
Employers and recruiters in the UK are familiar with and nearly accustomed to the reverse chronological CV format. As a result, it is simple to understand and easy to read. This style of CV arrangement is easy for recruiters to examine because sections differ little from CV to CV.
A further advantage is being able to display an exceptional career trajectory. This CV structure emphasizes your advancement if you’ve excelled and moved up the ranks. Furthermore, since the most current experience is listed first, employers may see who you are right now rather than who you were 15 years ago. It’s a current picture of you as a working adult.
Do you need a reverse chronological CV?
Everyone is best! A reverse chronological CV style would be our first recommendation in most situations because it works well for most applicants.
Tips For CV Formatting In Certain Circumstances
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Beginning candidates:
As long as you highlight any volunteer work or internships, the reverse chronological structure is a fantastic choice for a resume. We suggest expanding your talents section and lengthening your statement to give the hiring manager a greater understanding of who you are.
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Career-changers:
Concentrate on customizing the information on your CV so that it is pertinent to your new professional path. Roles with transferable skills or experience should be allowed. Use keywords from your new career field. In your cover letter and personal statement, highlight why you’re the best candidate for the position.
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Skill-based CV format
The skills-based CV format, sometimes called a functional CV, emphasizes your skills and outlines what you can accomplish to fulfill your responsibilities in a new capacity for the prospective employer. Compared to the reverse chronological CV, this CV is less frequent in the UK.
Candidates with little work experience and those just entering the workforce may benefit from using this CV format. It might be an option whether you have been out of work for a long time or are a recent graduate. Use it judiciously, though, as this kind of CV might also imply that you have no experience, even though that may not be true.
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Essential components of a skill-based resume
The format of a skills-based CV differs slightly from a reverse chronological one. Your name and contact information can be found in the top area of this CV. You write a personal statement below, and then your resume’s talents go where work experience usually goes.
With assignments you can complete inside each skill group, the structure focuses on basic skill groupings.
For instance, under “communication,” you may mention that you are proficient with using Office 365, enjoy making new friends, and excel at taking messages and answering the phone.
Do you need a skill-based CV?
Best for Newly-hired employees, career changers, and individuals returning to the job after a long absence.
Why many candidates would not want to use this CV format: If you have a choice, refrain from using a skill-based CV format because it makes it more difficult for employers to comprehend who you are and your accomplishments. Several questions remain, many of which the recruiter might need more time to address.
How to format a resume with an online CV builder?
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Sections can be easily moved around to create various formats
To construct a skills-based CV, select the layout that best suits you, shift the skills section, and erase the experience part.
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Create lists using our text formatting and bullets
You can see how we use the CV builder tool to enhance the skills section here. It is possible to alter each piece using the tool, and it will still be perfectly formatted and look fantastic and professional.
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Rename sections
One can change the section headers if you like. We advise against making too many drastic changes to the section headings because the constant titles make locating your experience, education, or skills simple. If “training” fits the section’s contents better, you could choose to replace “education” in this sentence.
Conclusion
Although English-speaking nations’ CVs are generally similar, each has unique quirks and CV format that must be considered for the best outcomes. The individual criteria of each job should be considered while producing a UK CV. If feasible, have someone you can trust review your CV before submitting your application.
