The chronological CV, also known as the traditional CV is the most common format. It is usually thought of as the ‘Gold Standard’ of CVs.

You are required to list your work history and education in reverse chronological order (meaning you’ll start with the most recent.) There after you’d list your special skills, memberships, licences, volunteer experience, hobbies (if you insist) and any languages you speak. If you have them, you can add “Awards and Honors,” “Publications,” “Media Citations,” and “Speaking Engagements” – all the things that tell employers that other people think you are as great as you think you are! Make sure to place the most important information at the top of each section of your resume.

Always make sure you specify the location and length of your professional experience, as well as a brief list of the responsibilities and skill set that each position required through the use of bullet points. Conversely, you could specify your milestones or major goals achieved in that particular position. However, don’t get bogged down with too many details.

Remember, the point of a reverse chronological CV is to list as many of your past jobs as possible. You can get more specific about your responsibilities and experience in the interview, let your CV get you in the door.

Benefits

1. Preferred by Employers because it is easy to read and gives an easy to follow road map of an individual’s career.

When you should use it

• If you have steadily progressed in one chosen field and are looking for promotion or better conditions
• If you have no gaps in your work history
• If you want to highlight where you have worked rather than what you have achieved
• If you are staying in the same industry
• If you have relevant experience
• If you’re applying for work which relates to the subject you have studied.
• If you don’t know what type of CV to use.

When you shouldn’t use it

• If you’ve job-hopped a lot. 
• If you’ve changed career tracks multiple times. 
• If you want to transition into a completely new career. 
• You don’t fit the mold.