A curriculum vitae (CV) is a comprehensive statement of your educational and academic background as well as teaching and research experience, publications, awards, presentations, honors, and additional details. CVs are used when applying for academic, scientific, or research positions. International employers often use CVs as well. CVs emphasize:
- Professional qualifications: all the positions you have held
- Education: your degrees and consider listing the title of your research project and mentor
- Experience: list any other relevant experiences
- Publications and presentations: list all your publications and presentations
- Any grants or fellowships you were awarded
- Accomplishments
- Individuals mentored
- Technical training activities or workshops
- Special qualifications
A CV can be as long as you need it to be, as long as the information is pertinent and accurate. Professionals seeking academic positions and non-academic positions in science, higher education, research, and health care typically use a CV. It is also used to seek a fellowship or grant and is expected for some positions overseas.
Note that each discipline can have unique norms for what goes on a CV and how it is organized. Be sure to ask for examples from faculty and colleagues, and have someone review your CV prior to distributing it.
Guidelines for Preparing a CV
- The order of topics in a CV format is flexible and often discipline-specific.
- Arrange sections to highlight your strengths that are particularly relevant for the position you are seeking. For example, if you are applying for a predominantly teaching position, highlight any teaching and presentation skills or awards.
- Elaborate on accomplishments and skills within categories. You may consider a few summary sentences at the beginning of each section. For example, “During the 4 years of my postdoc I mentored multiple undergraduate and graduate students as well as participated in mentor training workshops.” Then list the particulars related to this area.
- List items within each category chronologically, the most recent appearing first.
- Include additional headings when appropriate to reflect certifications/licensures, workshops/training, languages, book reviews, etc.
- Present information in an easily accessible and attractive style.
- Use language and acronyms recognized in your field.
- Be strategic in your use of bold, italics, underlining, lines, all caps, or graphics. Too many different types of emphasis can be distracting.
- Put your name at the top followed by address and each phone number on a separate line.
Samples of CV Format
- Columbia University Career Resources sample CVs and resumes
- Chronicle of Higher Education’s CV Doctor
Electronic Version of CV
When sending your CV electronically, always send it as a PDF. This maintains the formatting. You may also consider locking the document, so it is read only. You can state your objectives and career interests in the first few lines of the email to introduce yourself and your CV.
Other tips: Many employers use websites for applicants to apply for positions. Although each form may be different, some elements may be similar. Save parts of your CV in a format that can be cut and pasted for each individual web-based form, such as saving a bulleted list of work experience.