Click the button to access additional resume and CV resources.

A curriculum vitae (CV) is distinguished from a resume by its length and content. A CV is a comprehensive biographical statement (generally three or more pages) emphasizing professional qualifications and academic credentials.

Why Use a CV?

• To apply for admission to graduate or professional schools
• To promote yourself for employment opportunities in academic and research settings
• To inform employers about your achievements and activities for annual or tenure review
• To describe your areas of expertise when applying for independent consulting
• To support your application for fellowships, grants, or other contract funding proposals
• To establish credibility when submitting a manuscript proposal to an academic journal or press

Sections to Include

Design your CV to emphasize your experience, strengths, and greatest achievements. In addition to the standard components found on a resume, consider adding the following sections that pertain to you and uniquely describe your credentials:

• Recent and Current Research: A short description of your research interests including the type of research, purpose, and collaborators
• Special Honors and Awards: Recognition, prizes or awards you achieved as a student or professional
• Publications Authored/Edited: Follow the citation guidelines of your discipline (e.g., APA Publication Manual)
• Grant(s) Received: Include the name of the grant, granting agency, title or purpose of project and date the grant was received
• Presentations: Highlight the presentation title, co-presenters, conference/event name, date and location
• Professional Association Membership(s): List current memberships only in alphabetical order
• Professional Service: Detail the committee and service work you have performed
• Other Competencies: Include language abilities, computer skills, international experiences, or any other relevant or notable skills

Finishing Touches

Content

• Regularly update all your information which should be captured in concise, but descriptive phrases
• Organize the information in a coherent manner that presents your abilities and background effectively
• Avoid the temptation to “pad,” listing many and sometimes irrelevant projects to testify to your accomplishments

Formatting

• Make sure your sections are presented so your most recent and relevant information appears first
• Be consistent in the look, chronology of experience and formatting
• Include a header or footer with your name and page number

Proofing

• Ask for feedback from experienced professionals in your chosen field
• Check for clarity, conciseness, completeness, accuracy and visual appeal
• Check for “double entries.” No item should appear twice in the CV