Skills based cv instaed of job based

DCFC79

Would a skills based cv be better for me than a jobs(or is it called a functional cv) based cv when my main job experience is retail

Oldernotwiser

Definitely yes.

Traditional chronological CVs are only really suitable for people who've had traditional chronological careers, which is a rarity these days.

DCFC79

Oldernotwiser wrote: »

Definitely yes.

Traditional chronological CVs are only really suitable for people who've had traditional chronological careers, which is a rarity these days.

been thinking about it for a few days

thanks

bristol_pilot

Be warned that some recruiters hate anything other than a chronological CV, showing steady career progression with no unexplained gaps. Skill-based or functional CVs can be seen as someone having something to hide. So if you do have a conventional chronological career history, then use a chronological CV if you can. If changing careers, for example, a functional or skills-based CV may be your best option.

Wyndham

I'm currently thinking about this too. I was going to go for something almost hybrid - so listing my skills in detail, but also having a part where I list my jobs with dates, employer details etc. to show I don't have anything to hide.

The reason is that I moved out of something into management, am now being made redundant, and have realised that management really isn't for me after all so I want to go back to what I used to do.

Any thoughts (and sorry to hijack the thread!)

OP - it really depends on your background, what you are looking to do etc. If you're in retail and want to stay in retail in a similar job, then a 'traditional' CV will probably work well. If you're looking to change, and need to show that you have the skills required but it may not be obvious, then a skills based CV makes sense.

sequin123

Hi

I would recommend tailoring your CV to the type of role you are applying for. If you intend on staying in Retail then base you CV around your experience, if however you are looking to do something different that tailor your CV to the skills that are relevant to the type of role you are going for. If you are considering both of the above then I would prepare 2 CV's.

Good Luck

Weirdlittleman

Anytime I see a skills based CV I wonder what the person is hiding. Yes you want to focus on skills but you still need to ensure that it has a full chronological job listing otherwise the recruiters will wonder what is being hidden.

I would suggest a brief skills statement at the top; traditional CV then a skills based personal statement therefore giving the best of both. If the skills statement and jobs history stacks up they will read onto the personal statement.

I am finding skills based CV's being sold increasingly by job agencies and used as an excuse to hide the fact someone has been on the dole for 2 years or has no career history/experience but hey what the hell they sat a 1 day excel course.

jimbms

Speaking from an employers position, I expect to see a chronological C.V. with a summary of skills at the end and as someone quite rightly said all gaps in employment must be accounted for. In addition there are four things that make a C.V. stand out when looking through the initial selection.
1) Use good quality textured paper. Conqueror do some excellent ones. This makes it stand out.
2) Ensure your C.V. is tailored to suit the job rather than a generic one. It shows you care about the job and have researched it.
3) Put key points specific to the job in your introduction letter. As above.
4) Put something unusual in your C.V. Recently one applicant stated in his C.V. he had spent 2 months in Egypt teaching English tourists how to ride a Camel. I gave him an interview just so I could hear more about this and in doing so he presented himself very well and got a job, whereas without this little piece his C.V. was mediocre and he may not have even got an interview.

DCFC79

jimbms wrote: »

Speaking from an employers position, I expect to see a chronological C.V. with a summary of skills at the end and as someone quite rightly said all gaps in employment must be accounted for. In addition there are four things that make a C.V. stand out when looking through the initial selection.
1) Use good quality textured paper. Conqueror do some excellent ones. This makes it stand out.
2) Ensure your C.V. is tailored to suit the job rather than a generic one. It shows you care about the job and have researched it.
3) Put key points specific to the job in your introduction letter. As above.
4) Put something unusual in your C.V. Recently one applicant stated in his C.V. he had spent 2 months in Egypt teaching English tourists how to ride a Camel. I gave him an interview just so I could hear more about this and in doing so he presented himself very well and got a job, whereas without this little piece his C.V. was mediocre and he may not have even got an interview.

re number 4 ive not done anything interesting like teaching how to ride camels in egypt(not that id want to)

Weirdlittleman wrote: »

Anytime I see a skills based CV I wonder what the person is hiding. Yes you want to focus on skills but you still need to ensure that it has a full chronological job listing otherwise the recruiters will wonder what is being hidden.

I would suggest a brief skills statement at the top; traditional CV then a skills based personal statement therefore giving the best of both. If the skills statement and jobs history stacks up they will read onto the personal statement.

I am finding skills based CV's being sold increasingly by job agencies and used as an excuse to hide the fact someone has been on the dole for 2 years or has no career history/experience but hey what the hell they sat a 1 day excel course.

ive been employed since i was at school except for a period of about 7 months but this is explained on the cv,

sequin123 wrote: »

Hi

I would recommend tailoring your CV to the type of role you are applying for. If you intend on staying in Retail then base you CV around your experience, if however you are looking to do something different that tailor your CV to the skills that are relevant to the type of role you are going for. If you are considering both of the above then I would prepare 2 CV's.

Good Luck

im applying for anything that sounds more interesting than what i currently doing, thanks

DCFC79

Wyndham wrote: »

OP - it really depends on your background, what you are looking to do etc. If you're in retail and want to stay in retail in a similar job, then a 'traditional' CV will probably work well. If you're looking to change, and need to show that you have the skills required but it may not be obvious, then a skills based CV makes sense.

im not looking to going back into retail, the role ive seen is similar to retail i guess, its for a vending machin operator and i fulfill what criteria is listed from experience

thanks

emmaanddave

Employers prefer a Chronological CV and it is suggested you use a skills based CV when transfering from one sector to another to show transferable skills.