CV vs. Resume
There is no standard definition of “curriculum vitae,” “CV,” or “vita,” but generally the focus is more on academic preparation, research, and publications than in a résumé. Another significant difference is that a vita is not limited by length. A master’s level vita may be three or four pages, while persons with doctorates may have vitas of ten or more pages in length. Content determines the length.
Vitas have no set format. Consult with professionals in your field about what to include and appropriate layout. Be complete but concise. The order of sections is determined by your strengths: experienced candidates may begin with experience,inexperienced candidates may begin with educational background.
In addition to being used in the fields of Education and often Health Care, many International Employers will prefer a vita. Check out our International Careers page for more information.
To get a detailed description of what to include in your vita and in what format download
Curriculum Vitae guide.
Content
CVs don't need to include every section or category listed below, but it is important to highlight the information most relevant to the position you are seeking. Be strategic about the arrangement of your sections within your CV. List more relevant sections towards the beginning of your CV and less critical sections towards the end.
- Contact Information - Name, address (home and/or office), phone number and e-mail address
- Education - Include all college degrees received and currently pursuing, institutions, locations, dates completed or expected. You can also include thesis and/or dissertation titles and advisor names for graduate degrees.
- Experience - Can be organized into multiple sections, including (but not limited to): Teaching Experience, Research Experience, Relevant Experience, Volunteer Experience, Clinical Experience, Laboratory Experience, etc.
- Publications - Cite them in the format appropriate to your discipline
- Professional Accomplishments - Can include honors, awards, fellowships and grants
- Presentations - Can include poster presentations, workshops, seminars, panels and conferences
- Service - Typically includes a listing of your involvement on university, department or community committees
- Specialized Skills - Includes technical skills related to your discipline
- Research/Teaching Interests - Include only if relevant to the position you are seeking
- Professional Development - Can include additional trainings, certifications, and workshops you've attended or completed
- Professional Memberships
Books available in UCC Career Library
How to Prepare Your Curriculum Vitae, Acy Jackson and C. Kathleen Geckeis, 2003, McGraw Hill Companies.
The Academic Job Search Handbook, Julia Miller Vick, 2009, University of Pennsylvania Press.
The Global Resume and CV Guide, Mary Anne Thompson, 2000, Wiley Publishing.
The Higher Education Job Search: A Guide for Prospective Faculty Members, American Association for Employment in Education, 1997.