Best CV Format: Chronological, Skills-Based or Hybrid

For most people the best CV format is reverse chronological: contact details, personal statement, key skills, work experience (most recent first), then education. Career changers and people with gaps often do better with a hybrid format that puts a stronger skills section first but still shows work history. Pure skills-based (functional) CVs are rarely the best choice because recruiters want to see where and when you used your skills.

The three formats

Format	Structure	Best for
Reverse chronological	Experience first, most recent at top	Most candidates with steady experience
Hybrid	Skills and achievements summary, then experience	Career changers, varied experience
Skills-based (functional)	Skills grouped by theme, minimal history	Rarely recommended alone

Recommended section order

Contact details.
Personal statement.
Key skills.
Work experience.
Education.
Certifications, training.
Optional: volunteering, projects, languages.

Recent graduates can move education above experience.

Layout rules

Single column with clear headings.
Standard fonts at a readable size.
Consistent date format aligned to the right or after job titles.
Bullets for achievements, not paragraphs.
White space so recruiters can skim.
No graphics, tables or text boxes that applicant tracking systems may misread. See ATS-friendly CVs.

Choose a style that suits your field

Classic: law, finance, public sector, healthcare.
Modern: tech, marketing, most private sector roles.
Compact: experienced candidates fitting a lot into two pages.
Creative portfolio link: design roles, with a simple CV and a separate portfolio. See creative CV example.

Length

One page for early-career, two for most experienced professionals. See how long should a CV be.

For what goes in each section, read how to write a CV.

Frequently asked questions

What is the most common CV format?

The reverse chronological format, which lists your most recent job first. Recruiters and applicant tracking systems handle it best.

When should I use a skills-based CV?

Rarely on its own. It can help career changers or people with gaps, but a hybrid format usually works better because recruiters still want to see your work history.

Should my CV have two columns?

A single column is safest for applicant tracking systems. Two-column designs can be misread.

What font should a CV use?

A clear, standard font at a readable size, used consistently.

The Best CV Format: Chronological, Skills-Based or Hybrid?