11/12/2017
An excellent Curriculum Vitae can mean the difference between your dream job and unemployment. Very similar to a resume, a CV provides an overview of your professional experience, education and skills. Some positions, particularly in the academic field, require a CV instead of a resume in the application process. For that reason, even if your career field only touches on academia, having an up-to-date CV will make you a more versatile job seeker.
The primary difference between a resume and a CV is length. A resume generally provides a broad overview of experience, education and skills on a single page. A CV includes the same information, but goes into more depth. The sections of the CV are frequently longer than those of a resume, and they include more detail. Research, publications, grants and presentations are listed, along with professional memberships, certifications and other relevant credentials.
A CV is commonly requested for jobs in academic, scientific or medical fields that are looking for a more complete picture of the applicant. It is also a good idea to have an up-to-date CV if you are considering looking for international jobs. While most jobs in the United States ask for a resume and a cover letter, European jobs tend to request a CV.
One of the main benefits of a CV is having space to expand upon your accomplishments. If you have a long list of publications, for instance, your CV is the place to show them off. As your career progresses, your CV will expand as you gain more experience. Typically, CVs are kept to two pages, but there is not a firm page limit. The additional space is a great place to really emphasize your skills, qualifications and experience. Make it clear from your CV’s content that you will add value to the company.
Although a CV gives you more room to detail your achievements, fight the urge to ramble; remain concise. Keep your CV organized so that reviewers can easily find information they might be looking for.
Just as with a resume, your CV can be tailored to a particular job. If you are applying for a position that values publications highly, then you can reorganize your CV to push your publications to the forefront.
It is a good idea to supplement your CV every time you have new information. The sections are generally arranged either chronologically or reverse-chronologically, so you can simply add any new project to the list in the relevant section.
Having an up-to-date CV on hand, as well as a resume, will make you a more agile job seeker. A CV allows you to proudly display your career accomplishments and gives potential employers a more comprehensive picture of who you are.
