Best CV Format for Freshers (With Resume Template for Freshers)

As a recent graduate, the first step in securing your dream job or internship is to create a strong Curriculum Vitae. The CV that you represent to the employers will be your first impression, so it has to be impressive and engaging. A strong resume for freshers will help them stand out from the competition and attract the attention of a hiring manager. A professional resume must be readable thus it requires careful formatting.

Are you a fresher and don’t know which resume format would be right for you?

Well, there are different ways to format your resume but it is important to choose the right one. So, you need to first decide on which type of resume format you would choose.

These resume formats include chronological, functional, or combination. Each one of these formats has its benefits and is suitable for candidates with different backgrounds and experiences. The candidate’s aim should be crafting a resume that can make employers rapidly understand why you are a good fit for the position. For this, even small formatting such as font style and margin size would also matter.

Types of CV format for freshers

So, three popular resume formats include chronological, functional, and combination. Let’s read about them to know which one would be good for you.

Chronological resume

A chronological resume is a good CV format as it lists your work background/experience in reverse chronological order. So, the resume starts with your most recent position. Though it is the traditional resume format, it is still popular for CV creation.

This format is a good option for those who have experience or employment history.

Candidates can choose this resume format if they are applying for a position in the same or similar field of their work experience.

However, in case of multiple gaps or if your work experience is highly varied, then you must choose a functional or combination resume.

In this chronological resume format, these details will be mentioned in this given order:

• Contact information of the candidate
• Objective or summary statement
• Summary of relevant skills
• Work experience
• Educational background
• Additional information such as special interests

Functional resume

A functional resume format for freshers emphasizes more on the relevant skills than past work history. This could be a reason why many freshers prefer this format for their resume writing.

The functional format of a resume focuses on the applicant’s skill set, whereas the chronological approach emphasizes job experience. So, the chronological format will also have a thorough summary of the candidate’s accomplishments within each position.

This resume format is a suitable option for candidates who have multiple gaps, joining work after a long gap, or want to do a career shift in a different industry.

There are some cases where the format of a functional resume might be limiting.

In case of little experience and no gaps in your employment history, candidates can also choose a combination resume.

• These details will be in the given order if you are choosing a functional resume format:
• Contact information of the candidate
• Objective or summary statement
• Summary of relevant skills
• Work experience
• Educational background
• Additional information such as special interests

Combination resume

As the name suggests, a combination resume is the amalgamation of chronological and functional resume format types. You can use this format to focus on both your employment history and relevant skills.

• The combination resume format is a flexible option. Because it allows you to list your skills and experience in any order.
• Candidates can remove the space of an optional section if their skills and employment history are consuming more space in the resume.

A combination resume format presents the details in this order

• Contact information of the applicant
• Objective or summary statement
• Employment history
• Summary of most relevant skills
• Educational background
  

Tips for Creating an Engaging CV for Freshers

The availability of different formats and resume templates for freshers might confuse the candidate about which one to choose. The selection of an outstanding CV as a fresher will enhance your chances of being shortlisted for the interview for the desired job. So, what can you do to make your CV look perfect? Just follow these tips and prepare an impressive CV:

Keep it concise

Try to keep the CV of one-page CV and include all the important relevant information.

Tailor CV for each job application

Every job requirement would be different. So, you need to customize them according to each job or internship in which it is necessary to highlight relevant skills and experiences.

Proofread

To make the CV impressive, make sure to proofread the CV and check there are no grammatical or spelling errors in the CV. Giving attention to detail matters when it comes to CV shortlisting.

Use relevant keywords

If you’re applying for any specific job or internship, make sure to include relevant keywords from the job description. This will be beneficial for the candidates as it can be discovered by applicant tracking systems (ATS).

Always include a professional summary

Including a brief and engaging summary at the beginning of your CV is important because that will introduce yourself and highlight your career goals.

Mention achievements

Mention and highlight your accomplishments such as project success, certifications, and academic achievements.

Conclusion

Whether you’re a fresher, a mid-career employee, or an experienced working professional, you can choose any of the CV formats. You must first understand your requirements and then choose the right CV format.

Also, there are tips that will help you craft an impressive resume for any job.

So, this guide will create a compelling and effective CV that highlights your unique qualifications, skills and work history.