EMPLOYMENT

What is a curriculum vitae?

A curriculum vitae, often shortened to CV, is a Latin term meaning “course of life.” A CV is a
detailed professional document highlighting a person’s experience and accomplishments.

What to include on a CV

Your CV should include the following:

1. Contact information.
2. Academic history
3. Professional experience
4. Qualifications and skills
5. Awards and honors.
6. Publications and presentations.
7. Professional associations
8. Grants and scholarships.
9. Licenses and certifications.

CV FORMAT TYPES

All three types of CVs should include the above information. The primary difference between
formats is the order of these elements.

1. Chronological : This is the most common type of CV. For a chronological CV, list your
academic history and professional experience first after your contact information
2. Functional : This CV format places more emphasis on your skills, awards and honors. If
you are writing a functional CV, you should place your relevant skills near the top under
your contact information.
3. Combination

This CV type is a hybrid of the chronological and functional formats and allows adequate space
for details about both your professional and educational history, as well as your skills and
accomplishments.

How to write a CV

1. Choose the right font type and size

2. Check your margins
3. Utilize your space effectively
4. Proofread

Who Really Needs a Curriculum Vitae?

Here’s a list of fields where you might need a CV:

a) Academia
b) Medicine
c) Law:
d) Research Outside of Academia

What Else Do I Need to Know About Formatting a Curriculum Vitae?

When it comes to formatting your curriculum vitae, you need to be meticulous. Look at where all
your quotations and punctuation are and be consistent. A lot of universities will have guidelines
for how you should format your CV. Whenever you publish, present, or attend a conference,
make a habit of immediately logging it on your CV. It may seem like a pain, but you’ll be glad
you did it when it comes time to look for your next position. You won’t have to search your
memory trying to recall the exact months and years everything happened—saving you a lot of
headaches in the long run.