What is a Functional CV?

As you are most probably aware there are differnt ways in which to write a CV. One type of CV Styles is the Functional CV.

The Functional CV offers greater flexibility on how you present yourself than the more traditional Chronological CV or Targeted CV. It is usually 2 A4 pages long and allows you to emphasise the transferable skills that you have developed and used in the past. Highlight your skills, competencies and expertise under various functional headings, rather than providing a chronological overview of your work history.

The Functional CV showcases your skills and competencies grouped beneath subheadings, starting with the most important at the top. Under each one you can provide further details of specific experience. The advantage of the Functional CV is that you can focus on your strengths without having to highlight relative inexperience or periods of unemployment.

This style can be used when sending your CV on a speculative basis to prospective employers, as it gives a brief overview of the range of your skills, rather than simply emphasising what you have done in your most recent position. The employer who is looking for applicants with particular skills and capabilities will find the Functional CV more helpful than the Chronological CV.

Advantages of Using a Functional CV:

• You want to highlight skills and strengths rather than specific jobs.
• Your have had a number of jobs, in different industries.
• You want to change careers and therefore your present job may be of no relevance to any future roles.
• You are returning back to work after a break.
• Most of your work experience has been on a temporary basis.

Disadvantages of Using a Functional CV:

• A Functional CV will not give you the opportunity to highlight career progression. Prospective Employers may think you are trying to hide gaps in your employment history. If you wish to show career progression, you should choose a Chronological CV.
• If you do not have much work experience, you may find it difficult to emphasis a number of different skills and achievements.
• Think carefully before adopting the Functional CV if you are applying for a specific job as it may not be detailed enough.

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