Skills Based CV Template Functional CV Examples

Skills Based CV Template Functional CV Examples Changing careers? No traditional, linear work history? Long spells of past unemployment? Or perhaps you dont have much work experience at all? You might feel tempted to write a skills based CV, instead of a traditional, reverse-chronological one.Not so fast.Skills based CVs, though advantageous to some, are suitable for very few groups of jobseekers.A skills based CV (also known as a functional CV or simply a skills CV) highlights your skills and qualifications rather than work experience. Skills based CVs are a good choice for career-changers, candidates applying to highly specialized positions, or candidates in creative industries with lots of freelancing experience.Contrary to popular belief, functional CVs are not ideal for people with major employment gaps. Why?Mostly because, for years, they have been recommended as a perfect means to camouflage imperfect work histories. The effect? The skills-based CV format has become an instant flashy neon screaming Im trying to hide somethi ng!If youre entertaining a thought of writing a functional/skills-based CV, you need to be very careful to avoid some typical rookie mistakes. Luckily, youve come across this guide.Read on and youll see:A sample skills based CV better than 9 out of 10 others.Skills based CV template you can tweak, adjust to your needs, and use to land that big interview.How to write a functional CV step by step.When a skills based curriculum vitae is a good idea and when best to avoid it.For general tips on CV formatting, see our dedicated guide: CV Format and Structure: Examples and TemplatesThe first thing you have to do when writing a skills based CV is divide it into proper sections in the correct order. Heres how:Skills Based CV TemplateContact InformationPersonal Statement/CV ProfileSkills SummaryWork ExperienceEducationAdditional Skills(Optional) Additional SectionsThis way, a CV in a skills based format emphasizes your abilities and qualifications, taking some pressure off of the work histor y. That, however, doesnt mean you can just list all the skills you think you have in whatever order you deem right. You still have to validate your skillsideally, by providing real examples of how you put them to use in the workplace.Read on to see skills based CV examples that illustrate how to do it. Plus, step-by-step guidelines to help you create your CV in no time.How to Write a Skills Based CV Step by Step1. List your contact information at the topList:Your full namePhone numberEmail addressLinkedIn profile(Optional) Home address2. Include a brief personal statement or a CV profileThis section works like a trailer for the rest of your CV. Its the first thing the hiring manager will see.Make the CV profile short (up to 80 words) and relevant. Give an outline of who you are, what skills youve mastered and, most importantly, what you have to offer. If youre working in a creative industry, include links to your professional websites or portfolio.Functional/Skills Based CV Example: Personal Profile/StatementI am a results-driven King's College graduate in Journalism and Social Communication seeking to leverage two years of internship and freelancing PR experience to help XYZ Corp generate more meaningful leads in the upcoming months. Experienced in producing engaging online content (see my portfolio here) and press releases for tech start-ups and local IT companies. Non-profit blogger at www.pr-matters.wordpress.co.uk. I am mainly interested in digital PR solutions including the automatisation of customer relations via AI-based email campaigns and chatbots.Learn more here: CV Personal Statement/Personal Profile Examples a Writing Guide3. Showcase your most relevant skills in the skills summaryThis is the most crucial part of a functional CV. Meat and potatoes, if you will. Heres how to turn it into chateaubriand with dauphinoise.How to Write a Functional CV Skills SummaryRead the job ad carefully and identify key skills expected by the employer.Pick 3 to 6 s kills and list them in your summary.Under each skill, include a short paragraph or 35 bullet points that demonstrate your expertise.If you can, try to pick quantified, measurable results achievements to back up each skill. Be as specific as possible.Have a look at these CV summary examples:The first sample has been written by a candidate writing a CV for his first managerial position in a software development team. So far, shes only worked as a senior software engineer and been in charge of several projects, but shes never supervised a full-sized team. Her CV has to prove that shes not only a savvy programmer, but also a competent leader and manager.Functional CV Skills Summary Sample: Specialized PositionsProgramming and App DevelopmentDeveloped and built 20+ mobile apps and 30+ websites providing exceptional user experience.Named BCD MEs Top Programmer of The Year for three consecutive years 2009-2011.15+ years experience in C#, C++, Java, and Objective-C.C Certified Professional Programmer (2006), Objective-C Certified Professional Programmer (2009).Leadership8+ years experience in project coordination (teams of 310 colleagues).Designed and implemented a new IT management model with Apple London, increasing quarterly productivity by 33% and boosting employee satisfaction by 22%.Trained and mentored 50+ junior developers to help them prepare for certification exams (88% success rate).Business ManagementCoordinated 20+ projects with budgets over 200,000.Optimized procurement processes to reduce BCD MEs annual costs by 27%.Successfully cooperated with sales and marketing teams on new business strategies which helped increase Apple London sales volume by 23%.Notice how each of these core skills is supported by substantial evidence.The second example comes from a junior-level marketing specialist. His work history so far has been mostly filled with freelancing projects and consulting, rather than full-time employmentthats why it might seem chaotic. He chose to e mphasize most relevant skills so that employers will grasp his value proposition fast.Functional CV Skills Summary Sample: Creative IndustriesRESEARCHExperienced in working with clients in a wide variety of fields (Tech, FMCG, Sports, Interior Design). Excellent at researching clients' brands, industries and markets quickly and comprehensively.WRITING SKILLSSkilled at writing all types of marketing and PR materials: press releases, blog posts, bulletins, emailing campaigns (outreach emails, sales emails, engagement emails). Able to produce up to 1,500 words of unique, well-researched, engaging content per day.CREATIVE SKILLSIm able to come up with innovative solutions to all types of problems and crises. Excellent in designing and implementing both ATL and BTL Public Relations and Marketing campaigns in collaboration with teams of graphic designers and art directors.SOCIAL MEDIA MARKETINGProficient at managing social media campaigns across all major social media platforms: Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, LinkedIn, Pinterest, Tumblr. Increased clients social media referral traffic by 180%. Boosted Acmes online sales by a quarter.This candidate doesnt have as many quantifiable achievements as the previous one, but he still manages to provide very precise examples of his expertise. It makes this CV skills section much more believable to employers.Curious about the most relevant skills for employment in 2019? Find out here: Crucial Skill Sets to Land Better Jobs in 20194. List your work experienceEven though in a skills CV, you dont need to be particularly elaborate about your work history, you still have to include a list of your past employers.Enter:You positionCompany nameDates workedOptionally, you can add 23 bullet points that outline your key responsibilities and accomplishments.5. Include basic details about your educationThe same goes for your education. Dont drone on about relevant coursework, thesis title, or extracurricular activities.Limit yourself to:Yo ur degreeThe name of the institutionGraduation dateThe only exception is if youve graduated within a year and have little work experience. In such case, put your education section above the work experience on your skills based CV, include academic achievements, list a few relevant courses. If youve graduated with a first or a 2:1, include your honours too. Otherwiseomit them.6. Add a list of additional skillsAll key skills on a skills based CV should appear in the Skills Summary. At the bottom of your functional CV, add a short, bulleted list of extra skills such as:Computer skillsLanguagesLess relevant job-specific skills7. Optionally, add extra sections to buff up your CVThese might include:CertificationsAwardsHobbies and InterestsVolunteer ExperienceFreelance WorkConference ParticipationAdditional TrainingPublications and BlogsAnd presto! There you have ita comprehensive template of all sections you need to include on your skills based CV. Time for a quick recap.Pros Cons of a F unctional CVShould You Use It or Avoid It?Still not sure whether writing a skills based CV is a good idea? Consult with our handy table!Skills Based CV in a NutshellSkills Based CV Pros and ConsSkills Based CV ProsSkills Based CV ConsIt takes the focus off of your work history and emphasizes your skills. If youve done lots of freelancing or single projects, this format will help you show what skills youve mastered through them.Its not as easy to scan for recruiters as a traditional CV written using a reverse-chronological template.When written properly, it showcases your most important skills and validates them with examples related to your work experienceSuggests youre trying to hide something about your employment history.It can be used by career-changers and candidates targeting highly specialized positions.It might not get through older Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS) scans.Its a good creative CV format for non-traditional industries.Very difficult to writeyoull need to go the extra mile to make sure your skills summary is both believable and relevant to the opening.Key TakeawayTo write a functional/skills based CV that gets you the job, follow these 6 key steps:Open with a personal statement or a CV profile: outline who you are and how youll benefit the employer.In the central part of your CV, put a skills summary: list your most relevant skills and back them up with evidence of your proficiency.Include a succinct overview of your work history: positions, companies, dates worked.Be brief about your education: list your degree, institution, graduation date.At the bottom, put a bulleted list of your additional skills.Finish off with extra sections: certifications, awards, publications, or conferences.Do you have any questions about our skills based CV examples? Facing obstacles writing your functional CV? Let me know in the comments, Ill do my best to help!