CV Guide

Curriculum Vitae (CV) and Résumé

CV vs. Résumé: Key Differences

  • CV (Curriculum Vitae):
    • Length: 2+ pages.
    • Purpose: Comprehensive history of education and professional life.
    • Organization: Reverse-chronological; sections can be moved around but remains comprehensive.
    • Emphasis: Academic accomplishments.
    • Used for: Positions in academia, fellowships, grants, merit/tenure review, sabbatical leave, and some teaching positions abroad.
    • Begins with education, including advisor's name and dissertation title/summary.
  • Résumé:
    • Length: 1 page (up to 2 pages).
    • Purpose: Highlight reel of professional and personal accomplishments tailored to a specific job.
    • Organization: Variety of formats possible.
    • Emphasis: Skills.
    • Used for: Positions in industry, non-profit, and public sector, and K-12 teaching positions in the U.S.
    • After 1 year of experience, lead with work experience; education goes near the end.

Basic Rules of CV Writing

  • Write with the recruiter in mind, considering their needs and the job description.
  • Present information professionally and credibly.
  • A well-written CV increases your chances of being shortlisted.
  • CVs are crucial for job screening, highlighting qualifications, work experience, competence, and educational history.

Types of CVs

  • Chronological: Lists work history by date, most recent first; emphasizes work history (preferred by employers).
    • Best for candidates with solid experience in the field.
    • Not ideal for career changers, those with gaps in work history, or frequent job changes.
  • Functional: Focuses on skills and experience rather than chronological work history.
    • Useful for career changers or those with employment gaps.
    • May not be compatible with some applicant tracking systems.
  • Combination: Mixes chronological and functional formats, highlighting skills while providing a work history.
    • Good compromise for those who want to emphasize skills but need to include a work history.

Tips for Targeting your Résumé

  • Edit the Summary or Profile section to match the job description and highlight relevant qualities and skills.
  • Customize the entire resume by incorporating keywords from the job posting.

Formatting Tips

  • Choose a simple, readable font (e.g., Times New Roman, Arial, Calibri) between size 10 and 12.
  • Use consistent formatting for bullet points, fonts, sizes, and styles.
  • Keep it focused on relevant skills and attributes; avoid extraneous information.
  • Aim for a one-page resume (or two pages at most).
  • Periodically refresh your resume with your latest achievements.

Additional Tips

  • Use resume examples or templates as a guide but customize them to reflect your skills and the jobs you’re applying for.
  • Carefully edit your resume for spelling and grammar errors, and have someone else review it.
  • Consider getting help from a career counselor or resume service.