What Is a CV? The Complete Guide
CV stands for "curriculum vitae," Latin for "course of life." It's a comprehensive document detailing your professional and academic history.
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CV vs. Resume: What's the Difference?
| Feature | CV | Resume |
|---------|-----|--------|
| Length | 2+ pages, no limit | 1-2 pages maximum |
| Content | Comprehensive career history | Targeted highlights |
| Detail | All publications, presentations, awards | Most relevant experience |
| Use (US/Canada) | Academia, research, medicine | Most industries |
| Use (UK/Europe) | General use | Less common |
| Updates | Add everything, never delete | Customize for each job |
- CV: Complete academic/professional history
- Resume: Curated highlights for specific roles
When to Use a CV
- Academic positions (professor, researcher)
- Medical careers
- Scientific research roles
- Graduate school applications
- Grants and fellowships
- International applications (especially Europe)
- Corporate jobs
- Most US private sector roles
- Career changes
- Entry-level positions
What to Include in a CV
Essential Sections
- Full name
- Phone number
- Professional email
- LinkedIn profile (optional)
- Address (city/state is sufficient)
- All degrees, institutions, dates
- Thesis/dissertation titles
- Relevant coursework
- Academic honors
- Job titles, employers, dates
- Descriptions of responsibilities
- Accomplishments with metrics
- Reverse chronological order
Academic-Specific Sections
- Peer-reviewed articles
- Books/book chapters
- Use appropriate citation format
- Include pending/under review
- Conference presentations
- Invited talks
- Poster sessions
- Courses taught
- Student evaluations (if strong)
- Curriculum development
- Awarded grants
- Grant amounts
- Your role (PI, Co-PI)
- Academic awards
- Professional recognition
- Scholarships/fellowships
Optional Sections
- Association memberships
- Leadership roles
- Languages
- Technical skills
- Research methods
- Committee work
- Editorial boards
- Review activities
CV Writing Tips
Formatting
- Clear section headers
- Consistent formatting throughout
- Readable font (11-12 pt)
- Reasonable margins (0.75-1 inch)
- Black text, minimal graphics
- Strongest sections first
- Reverse chronological within sections
- Consistent date formatting
Content
- Include everything relevant
- Use action verbs
- Quantify achievements when possible
- Proofread obsessively
- Keep it current
- Include irrelevant personal information
- Use subjective claims without evidence
- Lie or exaggerate
- Include photos (in US)
- Use unprofessional email addresses
CV Mistakes to Avoid
- Typos and grammatical errors
- Inconsistent formatting
- Outdated contact information
- Including high school after college
- Dense, unreadable text blocks
- Unexplained gaps (address proactively)
Tailoring Your CV
- Reorder sections for the opportunity
- Expand relevant sections
- Write targeted cover letters
- Highlight applicable experience