All About Curriculum Vitae (CV) You Need To Know
A curriculum vitae, also known as a CV, is essential for any job seeker’s portfolio. While a resume is many candidates’ preferred “calling card” to send to recruiters and hiring managers during a job search, the reality is that certain employers, fields, or locations may like or require a CV to present your professional background.
What Is CV?
A curriculum vitae is a detailed list of all of your significant achievements throughout your career. It includes your educational background, research, work experience, publications, presentations, and anything else you’ve done professionally. Consider a CV to be a comprehensive account of everything that qualifies you as an expert in your field, according to Goodfellow.
If you’ve only ever written a resume, you’re probably used to condensing your skills, experience, and education into one or two pages. That’s because you’re attempting to narrow your focus to only the aspects of the job that are most relevant to you.
On the other hand, A CV does not allow you to take off and add details as you go. A curriculum vitae should always include everything; for people later in their careers, this can amount to more than ten pages.
In the United States, a curriculum vitae is primarily used in fields where research, publications, and presentations are critical, such as academia. But keep in mind: Outside of the United States, the term CV refers to something more akin to a resume (I know, it’s perplexing!). Instead, you should follow the resume-creation guidelines. (However, keep in mind that what is typically included in a CV in the country where you’re job hunting can vary greatly.)
How To Write a CV?
So you know you need a curriculum vitae, but how do you create one? Begin by compiling a detailed list of all of your professional and educational achievements that fall into the following categories:
- Contact Information
- Education
- Teaching Experience/Work Experience/Research Experience
- Conference Presentations
- Conference Attendance
- Honors and Awards
- Grants or Funding
- Publications
- Professional Affiliations/Memberships
- Community Outreach
- Key (or Research) Skills
- Language Skills
- References
Not all of the sections listed above are required, nor are all of the possible CV sections listed. Some, such as Research and Work Experience or Honors and Grants, may be more effective when combined for some people.
You have some leeway in terms of section order. Contact information should, of course, be at the top, but everything else should be prioritized. When you’re a student or recently graduated, your education should come first. However, as your career progresses, a significant award or tenure-track teaching position may occur. You don’t want anyone to lose interest in you as a candidate before they get to page two, so make sure essential information is on page one.
Wrapping Up
If you’re used to writing resumes, you might be tempted to keep your CV to one page. On the other hand, CVs are typically multiple pages long due to the amount of information required. In other words, don’t sacrifice essential details to save space.
Before submitting your job application, double-check your CV for any errors or inconsistencies. Consider having it reviewed by a trusted colleague or professional mentor, especially if they have experience in the industry you’re applying to. A second opinion can help craft a well-polished CV. If you seek to get a job in an exceptional IT company, ONPASSIVE is the best option.
