There are different types of Curriculum Vitae that will serve to demonstrate the strengths that we possess: our experience, our academic level, the languages that we master, etc. When we are looking for a job, the CV will be our letter of introduction , that is to say, our announcement so that the company we want to work for will be interested in our profile.

So it is not a waste of time to focus our efforts on making the CV impeccable.

The different types of curriculum

In each of the curriculum types, the same information can be organized in very different ways . Depending on the structure we will give more importance to some aspects and not to others, and we will be able to benefit from the different types of CVs to show what we are most interested in.

In our article “10 tips to improve your resume” we already gave information on how to build a successful resume. Below, we present the different types of CVs that, depending on how the information is organized, you can use when preparing your CV.

4 types of CVs how do I know which one to use?

Let’s start with the first CV (and also the most commonly used one): the chronological CV .

1. Chronological curriculum

This type of curriculum is the most traditional and used, since it highlights in an organized way the professional career. It is used to highlight that progress has been made in a given field and shows the order in which the professional and educational career has been followed. Therefore, the information is organized starting from the oldest achievements and reaching the most recent ones. Unlike the other types of curricula, emphasises stability and upward career development, and highlights promotion, increased tasks or rises in the professional ladder.

Strengths of Chronological VC

The chronological curriculum should be used in the following situations:

  • If progress has been made in a field of work in a logical order and promotion or improvement in working conditions is sought
  • If you have had a stable career , without long stops that make the recruiter question the motivation for the position.
  • If you have had few jobs, but one extensive experience in that field.
  • If you don’t want to change the line of work.
  • If you have no other accomplishments than having worked in a highly prestigious company.

Disadvantages of the chronological CV

On the other hand, this curriculum also has its drawbacks:

  • It highlights job changes as well as the lack of promotion or changes in responsibility.
  • It shows the periods of inactivity.
  • It may show the lack of recycling or the lack of training update.

2. Functional (or thematic) curriculum

This type of curriculum highlights skills , and is useful if one has had different experiences in areas that show important competencies. Therefore, unlike the chronological CV, it does not present the time spent in the company, but rather the variety of the functions that have been carried out .

This type of CV indicates three to six functional areas in which work has been done. For example, if a person is applying for a position as a hotel receptionist, the different functional titles on his resume could be: tour guide, customer service (having worked in a customer service office in a shopping mall) and language trainer. This provides the recruiter with information that you may be a good candidate for the position: you speak languages, have worked in front of the public and have worked in the tourist environment.

Strengths of functional CV

The functional curriculum should be used in the following situations:

  • If you want to put emphasis on the skills needed to perform a particular job and you do not have experience in that sector.
  • If a person has been freelance and wants to work for someone again.
  • If you want to camouflage blank periods or inactivity.
  • If you want to suppress dates and show adaptability to jobs before stability
  • If you are looking for your first job or if you have a short work experience
  • If one thinks that the age can be a barrier.

Disadvantages of functional CV

The drawbacks of this resume format are:

  • This is not the usual presentation format, so recruiters may perceive that information is hidden .
  • It does not give importance to the period of time that has been in each position or the name of the company.

3. Mixed (or combined) curriculum

The mixed or combined curriculum is a mixture of the two previous curriculum types . It usually starts with a functional description of the competencies or skills, followed by a chronological order of the individual’s path. Therefore, the format combines the strengths of the two previous CV types.

Strengths of mixed CV

The mixed curriculum should be used when it is desired to highlight the experience and skills presented by the candidate for the position for which he/she is applying. Moreover, this CV model is not perceived negatively by some recruiters, as it shows the periods of inactivity.

Disadvantages of mixed CV

Like other types of CVs, mixed CVs also have their drawbacks:

  • You need a different resume for each position you apply for .
  • It is not suitable for filing when standard forms are requested.
  • By adding the chronological order, the moments of inactivity will also be shown.

    In addition to these types of resumes based on the organization of information, the resume can be presented, for example, with an artistic touch (if applied for an art-related job) or more formal (if applied for an office job). Currently, even the video resume is used instead of the paper format.

    4. The video curriculum

    The video resume shows the candidate in a recording that is not recommended to be longer than one minute (it should not be longer than two minutes). This format is ideal for showing communication skills or active personality and dynamics, and opens up communication channels such as visual, which are not present in the written format. In addition, the video curriculum can incorporate creative elements , such as completed projects, photographs, etc.

    It also allows you to demonstrate professional skills, such as language skills or some talent, or a good presence or image. The video resume is an original way to present the candidacy, although not all companies allow this format. Even so, it is widely accepted in the audiovisual or marketing world.