For most job seekers, creating a CV is one of the most important steps in the job search process. But for people in certain industries, a resume is the essential document that opens doors not only to jobs, but also to scholarships, grant applications, and more.
Whether you need to update an existing CV, want to create a new CV from scratch, or maybe you’re still wondering “what is a CV?”, we have the answers for you.
What is CV(curriculum vitae)
A CV is a curriculum vitae, which comes from Latin and means “course of life.” This translation is apt because CVs are often associated with academic requirements. However, in the professional world, even some non-academic job postings sometimes ask applicants to submit a CV instead of a resume. Companies in Southeast Asia, in particular, often prefer this type of requirement over asking for a “resume.”
This distinction is made to meet the needs of job seekers themselves. CV formats emphasize the depth of work experience, professional skills, and academic history (includes your academic achievements) as compared to resumes. A CV allows you to detail your entire education history, courses, training, research, and certifications. For this reason, it is often called an academic CV. CVs are primarily used for candidates applying for educational positions, not just for degrees, but also for scholarships and grants.
What is the difference between a CV and a Resume?
CVs and resumes have some important similarities, such as:
- Both are professional application documents for jobs.
- They include similar sections and are structured in a similar manner.
But what distinguishes them?
Aside from its use, which we’ve already mentioned, its most key difference is its length. If you’re used to writing resumes, you might be tempted to shorten your CV to a single page. However, that shouldn’t apply to a CV.
The answer to why they differ in length can be found in the name of the document type itself. A resume translates to “summary” and should be used to summarize your work history, skills, and anything else relevant to the position. The goal in that document format is to present yourself as a professional in just one page.
On the other hand, a CV (or Curriculum Vitae) stands for “course of life” and is supposed to present a detailed overview of your professional career.
What to include in your CV
The information included in a CV may vary from one applicant to another, as some may choose to include only the information relevant to the position they are applying for. These are the typical components of a CV:
Personal information
At the top of your resume, write your full name and contact information, such as phone number, email address, mailing address, etc.
Education
Educational information includes a list of the educational programs you have completed and the years and names of the institutions you attended. Ideally, you should include information about the college, graduate school, and post-graduate schools you have attended, the courses you took, and the year you graduated from the program.
Some employers may also require you to list the qualifications/awards you have obtained at various levels of education. Employers use educational information to determine whether your professional qualifications match the requirements of the position you are applying for.
Work experience
The work experience section requires you to list your recent work experience that is relevant to the position you are applying for. For each position you have previously held, list the name of the employer (company), your specific roles, and the length of employment.
Also, be sure to give a summary of the tasks you performed at each company and any achievements/awards given by the employer. List relevant work experience starting with the most recent positions you have held.
Honors and Awards
If you have received any awards either academically or during your previous employment, list them here. Awards may include dean’s awards, honorary degrees, presidential awards, professional certifications or awards, or awards given by an employer for excellence.
Skills
If you possess certain skills and have not mentioned them in the other sections of your resume, list them here. Skills may include language skills, computer skills, driving skills, advanced software skills, etc. They should be relevant to the position you are applying for.
Publications and presentations
If you have published academic or conference papers, you should list them in this section. You should include papers you have written alone, those co-written with other people, as well as those to which you have contributed. Remember to indicate the title of the papers, the year of publication, and the names of co-authors, if applicable.
In addition, it includes articles that have been presented at conferences and associations, and indicates the title of the article, the name of the conference, and the date the article was presented. This section is included when applying for an academic position.
Professional Memberships
The potential employer may require applicants to be members of specific professional bodies. This section applies primarily to select positions such as accountants, engineers, surveyors, IT professionals, etc. List all professional bodies and associations you belong to and your membership status.
CV Format
Here are some rules you should follow when formatting your resume:
Length
The CV should not be too long or too short. The length of the CV depends on the education and work experience you have accumulated over the years. For entry-level positions, the length of the CV can be one to two pages, while the length can be up to 10 pages for positions requiring higher qualifications and more experienced staff.
Font size
When writing a resume, use a font that is easy to read and apply it throughout the document. Recommended fonts include Arial, Calibri, Cambria, and Times New Roman. Font size should be between 10 and 12 points. Headings should be bolded to differentiate them from other information and keep the resume organized.
Proper grammar and spelling
Sending a CV that has spelling, verb tense or grammar errors will only hurt your chances of being selected for an interview. Before sending your CV to your potential employer, make sure you proofread it several times to correct any mistakes. Alternatively, ask a friend to proofread your CV for errors.
