CVs - the functional CV
The standard CV is called a Biographical CV. It has your career history in chronological order followed by education etc. However, sometimes you want to change career paths and this style of CV is too focused on what you have done rather than what you want to do.
If you want your next career move to be in an area where you will have a significant shift in responsibilities or move to a different sector, than a functional CV is the one to choose.  The Functional CV highlights skills and achievements rather than the chronology of events.
A Functional CV can be very useful if you:
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Are making a career transition
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Want to return to a professional area you worked in earlier in your career
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When you want to disguise a previous career path
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Have large time gaps in your CV and/or
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Have extensive accomplishments in volunteer work or hobbies.
For example John worked for many years as a Church Minister but for a change of career wanted to move into human resources. Rosie had been on a career break for several years and need a way of including all the skills and experience she had gained via voluntary activities. Â
For both John and Rosie a functional CV significantly increased the number of interviews they gained.
There is plenty of detail on how to produce this in my CV e Book. Basically its about having highly focused paragraphs on specific skills and abilities that relate to the job being targeted. So all the examples from your career history go under headings rather than jobs. Headings include things such as adminstration, communication, consulting, designing, engineering, management, research etc. You then put a few bullets under each heading drawn from your work and non work experience.
Have you ever thought about a functional CV? Has something stopped you from using it?
Do you have a question about CVs, do comment below and I’ll get back to you.
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July 18th, 2007 at 10:42 am
Hi Denise
I am a manager with multi function experience, an MBA and over 20 years experience in Marketing. I returned from an extended overseas trip ( 7 months) 4 weeks ago and am presently looking for employment. I wonder if the functional layout would be better suited to show my experience? I have had such conflicting advice on the ‘best’ way to present a CV.
look forward to your feedback
Dianne
July 18th, 2007 at 3:16 pm
Dear Dianne,
Thanks for getting in touch,
Before you choose on the style of CV I’d think about what it is that you are seeking, job wise. Is it a logical step from your previous career history or are you opting for a break from Marketing.
If you send me your CV with an idea of the job you are seeking I’d be happy to give you some feedback and advice,
kindest regards, denise