Georgetown University: School of Foreign Service in Qatar

Chronological

Lists information, most recent to least recent, and focuses on where and how skills were obtained. This style is effective when:

• The name of last employer and/or school is well recognized
• Applying to highly traditional fields
• Staying in the same field as your prior positions
• Past job/leadership titles are impressive

The chronological style may not be effective when:

• Work history is sporadic
• You have changed employers frequently
• There is no previous work experience in your target field

Download a sample chronological CV (PDF, 149 KB)

Functional

A functional CV focuses on your professional skills by grouping positive attributes together, rather than straight work experience. Events are listed in reverse chronological order (the most recent events at the top). The focus of a functional CV is your talents and where they have been cultivated and put to good use. This style may be effective when:

• Skills and where you developed them are your greatest strengths
• You lack formal work experience

The functional format may not be effective to use when:

• Capabilities and accomplishments are unclear

Download a sample functional CV (PDF, 100 KB)

Combination

Weaves the best from the chronological and functional formats together by classifying positions and responsibilities under functional headings in reverse chronological order. The focus is on skills and emphasizing the environments in which they were developed. This style may be effective when:

• Highlighting capabilities not used in recent work experience
• Skills and where you developed them are your greatest strengths
• Much of your work has been freelance, consulting or temporary

The combination format may not be effective to use when:

• You lack relevant work experience
• Capabilities and accomplishments are unclear

Download a sample combination CV (PDF, 79 KB)

You may also need to have supplementary documents to go along with your CV.

This information is provided as a courtesy of Georgetown University's Career Education Center.

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