{"id":950,"date":"2022-08-02T16:12:38","date_gmt":"2022-08-02T16:12:38","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/theforage.wpengine.com\/?p=950"},"modified":"2023-07-31T09:55:15","modified_gmt":"2023-07-31T13:55:15","slug":"what-is-cv","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/theforage.wpengine.com\/basics\/what-is-cv","title":{"rendered":"What Is a CV (Curriculum Vitae)?"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

As you\u2019re searching for a job, you may notice some postings ask you to submit your resume and others ask you for a CV. While you likely already know what a resume is<\/a>, you might be wondering about a CV and how to use it.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The guide will help you understand the ins and outs of CVs, including, what they are, who needs one, and how a CV is different from a resume.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

What Is a CV?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Think of a curriculum vitae (CV) as a living document that grows as you progress in your career. It includes all<\/em> of your professional experiences and achievements. So, in addition to where you worked and went to school, your CV includes things like grants you\u2019ve received, your research<\/a> interests, and presentations you\u2019ve given.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Amira Hernandez, assistant director, career services at Oxford College of Emory University, explains. \u201cA CV is a professional document that chronicles a person\u2019s education and professional experience in industry, academia, research, and additional qualifications.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

You should add every<\/em> new professional achievement to your CV and will rarely, if ever, delete them. For example, your resume may only include one or two key presentations<\/a> you made at professional conferences, while your CV will have every presentation you\u2019ve ever given.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\t

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CVs vary in length but are generally one to three pages long (though some are much longer). But don\u2019t be concerned if your CV seems \u201cshort\u201d compared to others. \u201cThe length [of a CV] varies from person to person and grows over time as an individual career unfolds,\u201d says Hernandez.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

What Does CV Stand For?<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

CV stands for \u201ccurriculum vitae,\u201d which is a Latin phrase that means \u201ccourse of one\u2019s life.\u201d While originally the phrase may have referred to all of the events you experience across a lifetime, these days, a CV is a detailed account of your professional life.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Who Needs a CV?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

As a rule, most job seekers won\u2019t need a CV unless they are pursuing an academic or medical career. \u201cA CV tends to be the preferred professional document for people going into academia or research and when applying for grants or fellowships,\u201d notes Hernandez.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

But while you may not use a CV to apply for jobs, you might want to consider keeping one for yourself. It\u2019s a fantastic way to track your accomplishments and work history, which can help you remember details you may forget when you\u2019re updating your resume.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

CV vs. Resume: Similarities and Differences<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

In some ways, a CV is similar to your resume. For example, both documents include your employment history, education, and professional accomplishments. However, there are some notable differences between a CV versus a resume.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

How Is a Resume Different From a CV?<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Unlike a CV, a resume doesn\u2019t (and shouldn\u2019t!) include all of your professional experiences. Your resume is a brief summary of your skills and experiences and should only go back about 10 years<\/a> (or less). Hernandez describes it as \u201ca snapshot look of your academic and professional experience.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

So, how long should a resume be<\/a>? Because they are brief and don\u2019t include everything, resumes are only one to two pages long. They should, as Hernandez points out, \u201cstrategically highlight content and help you land the job you want.\u201d So, while a CV is general and includes everything, a resume is targeted to the role and company you\u2019re applying to.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

For example, you may pull relevant keywords from the job description and include them on your resume. Or you might rewrite your summary of qualifications to highlight the skills you have that are relevant to the role.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

>>MORE:<\/strong> Resume Keywords: What They Are and How to Use Them<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

CV vs. Resume for International Jobs<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

An interesting difference between a CV and a resume is how the terms are used differently around the world. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

In the U.S., you\u2019ll almost always apply for roles outside of academia and research using a resume. However, if you\u2019re looking for a position outside the U.S., you\u2019ll notice that job postings often specify to apply using your CV. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

While the posting says \u201cCV,\u201d that term usually means \u201cresume.\u201d And while you\u2019ll include the same information on your CV that you would on your resume, in this case, there are some regional differences you should consider.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

For example, you shouldn\u2019t include a photo on your U.S. resume or CV. However, if you\u2019re looking for a job in Brazil or parts of Europe, you may want to include a headshot<\/a>. Make sure to research CV norms in the country where the job is located.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

>>MORE:<\/strong> 7 Types of Resumes: Which Is Right for You?<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

What to Include on a CV<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Though your CV is far more detailed than your resume, the bulk of it is devoted to professional and academic accomplishments. Here\u2019s what to include on yours:<\/p>\n\n\n\n