What is a CV?
A curriculum vitae - or CV - is a document very similar to a resume but more comprehensive, containing multiple pages, outlining your entire work and academic history. In Europe, the Middle East, Africa and Asia, employers expect a CV. In the U.S., a CV is used primarily when applying for positions in academia (faculty positions) or science fields (research-intensive positions), fellowships, grants or awards.
General Tips
- Use 10-12 point font size, with exception of name which can be larger
- Use same font throughout (Times New Roman, Verdana, Arial recommended)
- Use bolding, CAPs, italics to have words stand out, NO underlining
- Make sure document is printed single-sided
- Use one inch margins all around
- Include your full name and page number on each page starting with page two
- Do not use any graphics
Differences Between a CV and a Resume
Length:
CV - Two pages or more (as long as it needs to be)
Resume - typically one page, but can be two pages depending on experience
Content:
CV - includes area-specific listing of education, academic background, and experiences
Resume - all-inclusive summary of skills, experiences, and education
Purpose:
CV - detail background and qualifications
Resume - get a job/secure an interview
Your CV Should Be...
- Clear: Be sure to organize the content in your CV so that it makes sense to those reading it.
- Concise: Include those experiences that are relevant and necessary.
- Complete: Make sure to include everything you need; don’t leave out important experiences.
- Consistent: Be consistent in the styles or fonts that you use so that your CV comes across as professional.
- Current: Make sure your CV is up-to-date. You never know when you may need to produce it.
Categories to Include in a CV
Contact Information (Full name, address, email, and phone number(s))
Education (always first on a CV after contact information):
- Most current education listed first
- Institution, location, degree obtained, major, graduation month and year, GPA
- Thesis/Dissertation titles listed
Honors and Awards:
- Includes scholarships, fellowships, honors, distinctions, professional recognition, prizes
- List most recent first
- Honors/Award Title, date received
- No descriptions
Research (if applicable):
- List most current first
- Make sure you include advisor, person you were working under
- Include any grant funds that you received
- Briefly describe positions
Experience:
- Can be divided into categories including Relevant Experience, Professional Experience, Teaching Experience, Other Experience, etc.
- List most recent first
- Includes anything you were paid to do
- Include job titles, organization, location, dates, description
- Description should be bulleted list
Extracurricular and Volunteer Experience:
- List most recent first
- Do not describe
- Include student organizations
- This list can get long… it’s better to have long-term items or very relevant items and a shorter list than everything listed
Publications and Presentations:
- Publications include abstracts, scholarly works, books, chapters, editorial boards, professional papers, technical papers, refereed journal articles, editorial appointments, articles/monographs , and book reviews
- Presentations include conference presentations, conference leadership, workshop presentations, invited lectures, lectures and colloquia
- Generally in order of publication so you just add on new publications at the end, but can also be in order of most recent first
- Always bold your name in authorship
- Include submitted and/or pending publications or presentations
- Presentations should be pertinent
- Make sure to keep copies of your publications and/or presentations
Interests:
- Interests are hobbies
- A list of four is a good target number
References:
- Name, title, address, email address, and phone number
- Three to four references is sufficient
Additional Optional Categories:
Research Interests
Certifications and Licensure
Professional Affiliations
Foreign Study
Courses Taken
Laboratory Skills
Technical/Computer Skills
Languages
Explore the MHC Social Universe >