Curriculum Vitae
What is a curriculum vita?
A curriculum vita (C.V.) is a more comprehensive and detailed version of a resume traditionally used when applying for faculty/administration positions in academia. However, there are other uses for a curriculum vita such as: tenure reviews, grant applications, public speaking engagements, fellowship opportunities, publishing, etc. See below for more distinctions between a C.V. and a resume.
View a Curriculum Vita sample.
| Differences between a curriculum vita and resume | |
| Curriculim Vita | Resume |
| Average length ranges between 2 and 10 pages. | Length is usually 1 to 2 pages. |
| In general, there is more of an emphasis on your academic and research background. | In general, there is more of an emphasis on relavent skills, experience, and projects. |
| There is not a standard format for a C.V. The format is usually determined by the amount of information and the choice of items to be emphasised. | There are standard formats for resumes, which include chronological, functional, or combination. |
| Usually does not include an objective statement. | Objective statements are used more frequently on resumes to state specific position applying for. |
| Typically used by job seekers with extensive academic and professional credentials applying for positions in education or research. | Typically used by job seekers applying for non-academia and non-research oriented positions. |
Curriculum Vita Design Tips
Length
- Length is one of the biggest differences between a resume and curriculum vita. Conventional wisdom states a resume should be managed into a one page document, while most C.V.'s can range anywhere from two to ten pages in length. The length depends largely on the person's experience level and area of study.
Layout
- Create a vita that is visually attractive which will grab the reader's attention. Be sure that the vita is well organized and easy to read.
- Balance information on the pages so that the total effect is pleasing to the eye. If possible, focus your strongest assets around the optical center of the page, about 1/3 of the way from the top.
- Organize the first page so it highlights your greatest strengths when matched with the specified requirements for the position.
- Information placed at the top-half of the page will stand out more than at the bottom-half.
- Allow sufficient margins, at least one inch on all four sides.
- Use a traditional font style (Arial, Times New Roman, etc.). Font size should range from size 10 to 12. Smaller than 10-point will appear small and is difficult to read.
- Your vita should be laser printed on quality paper. Use white, off-white, or ivory paper.
- Your data in black print gains impact from contrast with white-colored paper.
- Do not staple pages together, but make sure your name and a page number appear on each page.
- Omit personal information such as age, marital status, number of children, ethnicity, etc.
Language
- The language of a C.V. has a distinctive brief and upbeat quality. Know the language of the field in which you are applying. Speak their language, but do not use slang or jargon.
- Do not use articles (a, an) or pronouns, especially the pronoun "I".
- Be brief, concise, and to the point.
- Limit the use of abbreviations to degrees, street names, states, and commonly understood descriptors.
- Use present tense when describing your current functions (i.e., Analyze scientific research data for investigative findings. Perform statistical analysis.).
- Use past tense when describing previous functions (i.e. Analyzed scientific research data for investigative findings. Performed statistical analysis.).