Non‑linear, squiggly, or portfolio career CVs reflect careers that don’t follow a straight ladder. You may have multiple simultaneous roles, side projects, career breaks, freelance work, or shifts across sectors. As more people build mosaic careers, your CV needs to turn what could look messy into a compelling story.
In this guide, you’ll learn:
- Why non‑linear careers are valued (and how to frame yours)
- The best CV formats (hybrid, skills, narrative) for portfolio careers
- Real UK examples & before/after mockups
- How to adapt for employers who expect linear CVs
- How and where to include optional portfolios or side work
Jump to:
- How can a non‑linear / portfolio CV work in your favour?
- What CV format should you choose? Hybrid / Narrative / Skills
- How do you structure a portfolio CV? Sections and flow
- What are some examples of linear & non-linear CVs?
- What are some common CV mistakes to avoid with a non-linear CV? Tips & tweaks
- How do you pitch a portfolio CV?
- What are tools for making and reviewing my portfolio / non-linear CV?
- FAQs: How do I write a non-linear portfolio CV?
- Conclusion: How do I write a non-linear / portfolio career CV?
- Further reading & resources
How can a non‑linear / portfolio CV work in your favour?
Non-linear careers can bring unique strengths, if you present them well. According to ivee’s own analysis, employers increasingly see variety and adaptability as advantages.
Some strengths to emphasise:
- Adaptability & change navigation: you’ve proven you can shift, learn, and pivot.
- Diverse skill set / cross‑sector insight: you bring perspectives others may not.
- Continuous growth mindset: side projects, new domains, self‑learning.
- Resilience: managing uncertainty, juggling multiple roles or juggling change.
The key is to avoid the ‘laundry list’ effect. Don’t just list everything you’ve done, show themes, threads, impact, and relevance. The Guardian has long advised focusing on drawing out career themes rather than listing every single detail.
What CV format should you choose? Hybrid / Narrative / Skills
Traditional reverse‑chronological CVs are fine for linear paths, but for portfolio careers they may either confuse or underplay your value.
Here are three alternatives (and when to use them):
1. Hybrid / combination CV (recommended)
| Ideal when | Pros | Risks / How to mitigate |
| You have a mix of project work, jobs, side gigs, and want to show both skills + timeline | Allows you to lead with your strongest skills / themes, then present a (shorter) chronological history | Avoid over‑splitting. Keep a clear flow and avoid confusing section headings |
2. Narrative CV
| Ideal when | Pros | Risks / How to mitigate |
| For high‑level roles, creative / research / grant applications, or when more storytelling is acceptable | Lets you frame your CV as a narrative of growth, linking projects, roles, and transitions (e.g. R4RI narrative models) | Some hiring teams may find narrative formats unfamiliar; always combine with clear bullet points of accomplishments |
3. Skills / Functional CV
| Ideal when | Pros | Risks / How to mitigate |
| When you have major gaps, weak chronology, or are switching into a fresh field | Focuses attention on what you can do rather than when you did it | Overuse can backfire, and recruiters may suspect you’re hiding gaps. Use sparingly and with evidence |
Our recommendation: start from our hybrid CV template and adapt it for a portfolio direction. That lets you lead with your core strengths, then layer in roles/projects meaningfully.
How do you structure a portfolio CV? Sections and flow
Here’s a suggested structure (use this as a starting point, not a rigid rule):
What are some examples of linear & non-linear CVs?
Here are simplified before/after summary examples (textual) to help you visualise.
Example ‘before’: Linear CV
Professional history
- 2023–Present: Freelance Content & Design (clients A, B)
- 2021–2022: Marketing Manager, X Company
- 2018–2021: Operations Coordinator, Y Ltd
- 2015–2018: Admin & Events Assistant, Z Organization
(plus Education / Skills)
→ The above reads as disjointed roles with no clear throughline or impact.
Example ‘after’: Hybrid CV
Professional Summary
Multidisciplinary content strategist, designer, and project lead specialising in community engagement and social impact campaigns. I’ve combined freelance work, organisational roles, and volunteer projects over the last decade, always centred around storytelling, collaboration and user experience.
Key focus areas / Skills
- Content & Strategy – Developed 20+ campaigns boosting engagement by 30–100%
- Design & UX – Led UX redesign of two charity sites; improved bounce rates by 25%
- Project & Stakeholder Management – Coordinated cross‑sector projects with budgets up to £50K
Selected projects & roles
- Community Platform Redesign (2024) | Self‑employed
- Interactive UX + content overhaul. Improved user retention by 40%.
- Content Lead, Social Impact Org (2021–2022) | X Company
- Managed multi‑channel content strategy, stakeholder liaison, event content.
- Freelance Design & Copy (2019–Present) | Clients: A, B, C
- Produced UX wireframes, content plans, brand guides
Earlier roles & experience
- Admin & Events Assistant, Z Org (2015–2018)
- Education: BA Communications (2014)
Skills & tools
Content strategy, Figma, WordPress, stakeholder mapping, SEO, social media analytics
Portfolio & samples
[Link to portfolio with case studies]
What are some common CV mistakes to avoid with a non-linear CV? Tips & tweaks
- Be selective, not exhaustive – only include roles/projects that reinforce your narrative.
- Use consistent language / theme words across projects to tie them together.
- Quantify impact wherever possible (percentages, figures, outcome statements).
- Reframe career gaps – fill career gaps with valuable activities (e.g., volunteering) and skills (e.g., upskilling courses). Quantify these experiences as if they were part of professional employment.
- Tailor per role – you may need more than one version of your CV for different types of roles.
- Show learning & growth – side courses, microcredentials, passion projects add weight.
- Avoid over‑fancy visuals – keep readability, especially if your CV may be parsed by HR systems (‘ATS’ or ‘Applicant Tracking Systems’).
How do you pitch a portfolio CV?
When applying with a portfolio CV:
✅ In your cover letter or application, you might want to include a short pitch: You’ll see I have a mosaic career. Here’s the constant thread: X. I believe that gives me strength in this role.
✅ For roles that expect a traditional CV, consider submitting a short linear version + a supplementary portfolio CV / narrative version.
✅ In interviews, be ready to articulate the journey, the choices, and the value behind each pivot. You’ve got this!
What are tools for making and reviewing my portfolio / non-linear CV?
Use a hybrid CV template as a base
Start with a structure you trust, then customise it for your portfolio career.
Use a free CV review service
Make sure your non-linear CV is looking its best.
If you’re currently out of work, enrol in a free Return to Work Bootcamp
Get up to date on the current recruitment market and hiring technologies.
FAQs: How do I write a non-linear portfolio CV?
Conclusion: How do I write a non-linear / portfolio career CV?
Crafting a non-linear / portfolio career CV means transforming a complex path into a coherent, compelling narrative. Rather than letting your varied experience feel like a weakness, present it as your strength. Use a hybrid format, lean into thematic throughlines, emphasise impact, and always tailor for each opportunity.
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