A curriculum vita (CV), which is similar to a résumé but is more extensive, is a comprehensive record of your academic and professional journey. Used primarily in academic, research, medical, and some international settings, a CV showcases your qualifications, contributions, and potential. This page covers when and how to use a CV, what hiring committees expect to see, and how to craft one that communicates your value with clarity and professionalism.
CV vs. Résumé: When to Use the CV
While résumés and CVs share similarities, they serve different purposes and are used in different contexts. Understanding the distinction helps you choose the right format.
Résumé
- Length: 1–2 pages
- Purpose: Highlights skills and experience for a specific job
- Used in: Industry, corporate, nonprofit, and private sector roles
- Focus: Targeted, concise, and customized to each role
Curriculum Vita (CV)
- Length: No fixed limit (often 2–6+ pages)
- Purpose: Comprehensive overview of academic and professional accomplishments
- Used in: Academia, research, medicine, graduate school applications, and international jobs
- Focus: Education, research, teaching, publications, presentations, service, honors
When to Use a CV:
- Applying for faculty or research positions
- Submitting for grants, fellowships, or postdocs
- Applying to graduate or medical schools
- Seeking positions in countries where the CV is standard (e.g., UK, EU, India)
What Hiring Committees Look for in a CV
When reviewing CVs, academic hiring committees and grant reviewers are often looking for:
- Scholarly productivity (e.g., publications, research projects, conference presentations)
- Teaching experience, including specific courses taught, and ability to contribute to curriculum
- Professional affiliations and service to the field or institution
- Educational background and institutional prestige
- Clarity and completeness of information
- Evidence of continued growth, such as ongoing research or collaborative projects
- Attention to detail in formatting and accuracy (e.g., consistent dates, correct citations)
Tip: Committees may skim dozens (or hundreds) of CVs. While CVs are expected to be thorough, clarity and structure are still essential.
Certainly! Here’s an additional section titled “Common Sections of a CV”, complete with an introductory paragraph and a detailed list of 15 commonly used CV sections. This section matches the professional tone of the article.
Common Sections of a CV
A curriculum vita (CV) is meant to be comprehensive, which means it often contains more sections than a traditional résumé. While the exact structure depends on your field, experience, and the position you’re applying for, most CVs include some combination of the following core sections. Organize your CV into clearly labeled, logically ordered sections to make it easier for hiring committees to assess your qualifications.
Here are 15 common sections found in academic and professional CVs:
- Contact Information
Your full name, institutional or professional email, phone number, and (optionally) city/state or professional website. - Professional Summary or Research Statement
A brief overview of your academic focus, key research interests, or career goals. Optional but helpful, especially for early-career scholars. - Education
All post-secondary degrees listed in reverse chronological order, including degree type, institution, graduation date, and dissertation/thesis title (if applicable). - Academic Appointments
Faculty or research positions held at academic institutions, including job titles, institutions, dates, and brief role descriptions. - Research Experience
Research assistantships, postdoctoral work, or independent projects, particularly those that led to publication or presentations. - Teaching Experience
Courses taught, institutions, semesters/years, and brief details on class size, level, or instructional responsibilities. - Publications
Peer-reviewed journal articles, books, book chapters, edited volumes, or articles in progress. Include full citations and use consistent formatting. - Presentations & Conferences
Conference papers, invited talks, or poster sessions. Include the title, event name, and date. - Grants & Fellowships
Competitive research funding, travel grants, or teaching fellowships. List funder, title of project, and amount awarded if relevant. - Awards & Honors
Academic, research, or service-related recognition such as departmental awards, scholarships, or distinguished service honors. - Professional Service
Editorial board roles, peer reviewing, committee work, event organizing, or leadership in academic organizations. - Certifications & Training
Relevant professional credentials, such as IRB training, teaching certificates, or technical certifications. - Professional Affiliations
Memberships in academic societies, research organizations, or professional associations (e.g., NCA, MLA, APA). - Languages
List any additional languages spoken, along with fluency level (e.g., “Fluent in Spanish,” “Reading proficiency in German”). - References
Typically included at the end of a CV (or listed in a separate document if requested). Include name, title, institution, and contact information.
Pro Tip: Not every CV needs every section—but selecting the right ones and ordering them strategically (most relevant first) helps present your qualifications clearly and effectively.
Tips for Writing and Designing a CV
Crafting a high-quality CV involves more than listing facts. Consider using the following tips to make your CV easy to follow and to stand out among other applicants.
Writing Tips (Content & Language)
- Use clear section headings
Example: Use “Research Experience” instead of vague terms like “Professional Activities.” - List entries in reverse chronological order
Example: List “Ph.D. in Chemistry, University of Chicago, 2023” above older degrees. - Include full citations for publications
Example: Smith, J. (2022). Media and Identity. Oxford University Press. - Quantify accomplishments where possible
Example: “Taught 3 sections per semester, each with 25–30 students.” - Use formal, academic tone—avoid casual language
Example: “Collaborated with interdisciplinary team on NSF-funded research,” not “Worked with a bunch of different people.” - Avoid using first-person pronouns
Example: “Conducted fieldwork in Madagascar” instead of “I conducted…” - Use consistent verb tense
Example: Use past tense for completed roles (“Published,” “Taught”) and present tense for ongoing roles (“Teach,” “Serve”). - Include dates for every entry
Example: “Adjunct Instructor, 2021–2023,” not just “Adjunct Instructor.” - Highlight roles in collaborative work
Example: “Co-author on peer-reviewed article published in Health Communication.” - Include optional sections if relevant (e.g., service, media, leadership)
Example: “University Service: Committee Member, Student Success Task Force, 2022–2023.”
Design Tips (Layout & Structure)
- Use a clear, readable font, while avoiding default or cliche fonts
Example: Use Century Gothic, Avenir, or Garamond at 11–12 pt. Avoid fonts like Comic Sans or cursive styles like Edwardian Script. - Use bold and italics consistently for hierarchy
Example: Bold job titles, italicize institution names:
Assistant Professor of Psychology, University of Minnesota - Align dates to the right margin
Example:
Postdoctoral Fellow
Stanford University…………………………………………..2020–2022 - Use 1” margins and logical spacing
Example: Keep one space between each section and avoid clutter. - Avoid graphics, colors, or photos
Example: A CV should be black-and-white, text-based, and printer-friendly. - Use bullet points sparingly and consistently
Example: Use bullets for lists under a job or teaching role, but not in your education section. - Start each bullet with a strong academic action verb
Example: “Published,” “Supervised,” “Developed,” “Presented.” - Use page numbers and headers for longer CVs
Example: Add “Jane Doe | Curriculum Vita | Page 2” in the footer. - Save as a PDF with a professional file name
Example: JaneDoe_CV_2024.pdf—not FinalFinalCV.docx. - Proofread for consistency and accuracy
Example: Make sure all degree titles, journal names, and publication dates are accurate and consistently formatted.
Sample CV
Check out this sample CV from the University of Illinois Graduate College:
*Content on this page was curated and edited by expert humans with the creative assistance of AI.