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Like a resume, but different

A Curriculum Vitae (CV) is similar to a resume, but where resumes tend toward brevity, CVs lean toward completeness. CVs are commonly used in higher education/academia, health and medicine, research, and related fields.  
Formatting depends on the discipline; research best practices and discuss with a trusted mentor. Your formatted CV may look similar to your resume but should include a more detailed description of your experience.  

CV or resume?

 

  • When should I use a CV?   

    Use a CV when applying for academic, research, scientific and international positions. A CV should also be used when applying for grants, scholarships and fellowships. 

  • How does CV formatting compare with resumes?  

    The format of your CV should align closely with the structure recommended for a resume. List the dates of your experiences and academic achievements on the right side of the document for clarity. Use clear, descriptive language to highlight your responsibilities, showcase your transferable skills, and emphasize the impact of your contributions

  • Should I create a CV and Resume?  

    If you are applying to both industry and academic jobs, you should prepare both a resume and CV. Make sure to tailor your content to the position. 

 

CV format

Voice

  • Use third person
  • Don’t include age, marital status, race, religion or pictures 
  • Font and size

  • Sans serif fonts (ex. Calibri)
  • Body text: 10–12 point font
  • Name: 16–22 point font 
  • Margins

  • .5"-1" margins, dependent on space
  • Right justify dates
  • Left justify experience and bullet points
  • Page numbers

  • For documents longer than a page, add numbers starting on the second page
  • Include your name in the footer with page numbers 
  • Citation style

    When listing publications, use the citation style standard to your discipline. If you’re unsure which style is appropriate, consult a professor or trusted mentor in your field.

     

    Organize your experience

    Prioritize your experience by grouping it into clearly defined sections with appropriate headers. This helps distinguish different types of experience and makes your CV easier to navigate.

    Academics

  • Education
  • Related coursework
  • Research experience
  • Academic projects
  • Technical skills
  • Licenses and certifications 
  • Leadership

  • Lab management experience 
  • Project management experience
  • Teaching experience
  • Leadership experience 
  • Communication

  • Conference presentations
  • Invited talks
  • Publications
  • Professional associations
  • Research areas 
  • Service

  • University service
  • Community outreach/extension
  • Grants, awards and fellowships  
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