A curriculum vitae (CV) is a document that job applicants use to showcase their academic and professional accomplishments
. It is often abbreviated as CV and is used to apply for positions within areas where a person's specific knowledge or expertise is required
. A CV is typically longer than a resume and must include information on the applicant's experience and educational qualifications
. In many countries, a CV is the first document that a prospective employer looks at when screening candidates for scholarship programs, grant applications, or bursaries
. The main differences between a CV and a resume are:
- CV : A comprehensive document that provides extensive information on education, publications, and other achievements, often used when applying for academic positions or research-intensive roles
- Resume : A concise summary of a person's skills and qualifications for a specific position, generally used when applying for non-profit organizations, government jobs, or positions in the private sector
A CV should be tailored for the specific job or company you are applying to and may include the following components:
- Full name and contact information, such as phone number and email address
- A brief professional summary
- Detailed information on your educational background, teaching experience, research experience, publications, and presentations
When creating a CV, it is essential to update it constantly and include all significant achievements in your professional life
. It is also crucial to format your CV well, using an effective format and being consistent. Bolds, italics, underlines, and capitalization can be used to draw attention to important information
. List all relevant items in reverse chronological order in each section, and strategically place the most important information near the top and/or left side of the page