The Curriculum Vitae (CV)
What is a CV and how does it differ from a resume?
The curriculum vitae (CV) is an in-depth document that provides a high level of detail about your career. It is Latin for the “course of life”. A resume is a concise document, typically not longer than one page. (resume is French for “summary”). The purpose of these two documents is different.
A resume will catch the recruiter’s eye and is meant to be skimmed quickly, while a CV will provide a comprehensive history of your career and education. The content also differs. A resume is a summary of skills and experience tailored to a specific position.
A CV is a detailed and exhaustive listing of academic and professional experience. A resume is generally 1-3 pages depending on your experience, whereas a CV can be as long as it needs to be.
Curriculum Vitae
- Used when applying for positions in academia, research, grants
- Summary of all your educational and professional background
- Includes full list of publications
- Space is not a premium; may be several pages in length
- Will be thoroughly read by search committee
Resume
- Used everywhere a CV is not specifically requested
- Summary of related experience and education
- Space is at a premium; one page, sometimes two in length
- Will be scanned quickly, sometimes by electronic programs
Curriculum Vitae FAQ's
There is not one right way to compose your CV, they tend to vary by academic discipline. It is a good idea to check with a faculty member or colleague in your intended academic department to evaluate expectations regarding formatting and content. You can also consider tailoring your CV for the application in order to target your materials. Remember that each document in your application packet is to show that you are a strong candidate, so consider how your CV will be viewed by an admissions or hiring committee. And always have somebody proofread your materials before submitting.
If an application asks for either, it’s okay to use whichever one you are most comfortable with. Neither is better than the other, they are just a little different. Consider using the format that best represents you and your experience. If you are earlier in your career, a CV can seem a bit sparse because students often haven’t had access to many opportunities yet. In that case a resume might be a better fit. CVs tend to be more common for professions involved in academia where research, teaching, and publishing are prevalent.
SkillsFirst is a great tool to utilize as you write your CV or resume. It offers a free resume builder tool and you can browse sample CVs and resumes by industry—and choose a template for your own use. To find the CVs click on Dashboard > Resumes > Resume Type and then scroll down to Curriculum Vitae. Learn how to activate your SkillsFirst account and get started.