Totaljobs.com > Career Advice > CVs & Job Applications > CV tips & CV templates
CV tips & CV templates
Writing a CV is a bit like writing an essay: starting it is the hardest part. But rest assured it's very simple. Basically there are only three types of CVs; the CV that is right for you depends on your career stage and on what you want to do next. Totaljobs has explained the three CV types below; where you can also download CV templates and create your own CV.
Which CV?
Post graduates, return to workers and specialist career changers
If you have recently completed a course to update your skills or learn a 'new role', or if you have just graduated from university you will need to write a qualifications based CV. This CV type suits post graduates, jobseekers that want to return to work after a long period of unemployment (12 months or more), and some career changers. A qualifications CV is only suitable for career changers that must have specific qualifications in order to be able to work in their new career. Examples might include Accountants, Doctors, IT programmers, and Social Workers. For career changers where the need is for skills or market knowledge a skills based CV is more relevant please see below.
View and download the qualifications based CV template.
Career changers, return to workers and 'new' job opportunities
If you want to change careers, return to work in the same industry after a short break (under 12 months), or work in a new industry or on a specific project (ie a new product launch); then you need a skills based CV. This CV type show cases your skills and knowledge which are transferable for your next job or career move. So unlike the qualifications based CV there is no requirement for 'specific' qualifications to fulfil a role. An example of this is New Media, about 10 years ago no one had experience in new media and typically print or other traditional media candidates moved into this new industry transferring their 'traditional' skills.
View and download the skills based CV template.
Career ladder climbers
If you want to remain in the same industry but are looking for new opportunities, perhaps promotion, better company perks or more pay you will need a chronological CV. This CV show cases your work history, plotting how you have continued to gain knowledge, skills and possibly qualifications in the same industry.
View and download the chronological CV template.
Good luck creating your CV!
For more advice please see totaljobs.com CV advice.
Run your finished CV by our quick CV checker.
Totaljobs.com > Career Advice > CVs & Job Applications > CV tips & CV templates
