Curriculum Vitae, or “course of life” in Latin, is an alternative way expressing ones professional background with the intent of winning a job position. Similar to the resume in this goal of job acquisition, the Curriculum Vitae (or CV) has a completely different format and usage than it’s resume sister. As a resume builder, you should be familiar with these inherent differences, and know when to use a CV as opposed to a resume.
The Definition
Curriculum vitae have been the defacto job application tool in much of the world for generations. In a nutshell, the CV is an extremely detailed summary of one’s skills set, career experience, and education. The CV is typically 2 or more pages, where the traditional resume is one page.
The Use
The CV is generally used in countries outside of the U.S. and Australia. The added detail of the CV is a boon for these employers, and makes filtering potential interviewees much easier.
Within the U.S.A and Australia, the CV still has its uses. Specifically, those seeking positions in the academic or medical fields are expected to submit CVs instead of resumes. This is because the added detail helps the employer filter out unqualified applicants more easily.
The Difference
The difference between the resume and the CV comes down to the required level of detail. Resumes are much shorter, and give a quick summary of experience and relevant skills. Curriculum Vitae, on the other hand, dig deeper into the specifics of each.
Since the CV has more detail, having 2+ pages in addition to the cover letter is not uncommon. This is in contrast to the resume, which is generally expected to be no longer than 1 page.
Also, some countries require the submission of a personal photo as part of the CV. In the U.S. this is a discrimination suit waiting to happen, and is highly discouraged. The exception would be the acting and modeling industries, where the “head shot” is the heart of the resume/CV.
More important facts
- Educational background is a major focus of the CV, and is expected to be comprehensive.
- Employment history is listed in descending order from oldest position to newest.
- Cover letters are also used with the CV to explain why the applicant is qualified for the position.
- Personal contact details are always listed at the top.
- A personal profile is often included. This is basically a summarized mini biography, explaining who the applicant is and why they are applying for the job.
- Use of headers is encouraged so that the reviewer can find pertinent information quickly
- You may need to fill out a standard application as part of the process. Most employers allow the attachment of a CV to this application as a supporting document.
The Conclusion
The savvy resume builder can use the skills learned for constructing a resume, and modify them to work when CV building. This means keeping the CV detailed but to the point, knowing the position you’re hunting for, and doing basic research on the company you would like to work with.
Of course, if you are applying within the U.S. and have no desire to work in the medical or academic fields, you’ll never need to craft a CV. But if things do change in the future (i.e. – you decide to apply for an international company) it’s always good for you, the resume builder, to know the basics. And now you do… so good luck!
Tags: Curriculum Vitae, resume, resume builder