A curriculum vitae, casually known as the CV, is a highly detailed document that delves into your professional, academic and personal achievements. This document shouldn’t be confused with it’s simpler but common cousin, the resume.
Although these two job-seeking tools do cover some of the same topics (skills, work experience and education), the CV expands on this information and covers far more of your professional experience. We’ll give you a helpful overview and share some of our favorite tools to help you write and perfect your CV.
Mandatory section includes your full name, mailing address, phone number, and email address.
Optional section that conceptualizes the content on your CV to the job or role you’re applying to.
Mandatory section that includes all of your soft (interpersonal) and hard (technical) skills.
Mandatory section that summarizes your academic accomplishments, as well a career or educational related training and certificates.
Mandatory section that summarizes your professional history, starting with your most recent role.
Optional section that summarizes your educational experience, starting with your recent role.
Optional section that summarizes your academic lap or research history, starting with your most recent role.
Optional section that helps establish you as a recognized voice in your field of study/work.
Optional section if you frequently lecture or present at conference. Indicates your expertise in your field.
Optional section if you frequently attend relevant conferences. Indicates your updating knowledge and interest in the field.
Optional section that helps establish academic financial support for your projects.
Optional section that helps establish your lauded interest in the field
Optional section that provides additional information about your academic socializing within your field of study.
Recommended section if you speak two or more languages at varying levels of fluency.
Recommended section if you specialize in computer or programming.
Optional section that provides additional information about your personal contributions
Step 1: Click the ‘Build A Resume’ button and select a template. Begin the building process by entering your contact information and work history. Follow the guided steps per section until you’ve finished curating your work history, adding skills, education, and your summary.
Step 2: After completing the summary section, you’ll be able to customize your document by adding and creating your own relevant sections. On the left-hand side of the editing dashboard, click the plus sign that says ‘Add a Section,’ and that will direct you to the menu with available add-ons such as Accomplishments, Certifications, and Websites. You can also select “Add Your Own” to create your own sections.
Step 3: When you’ve finished adding a new section, you will be directed back to the editing menu, where you can go over the section with your mouse to move, edit, or delete unnecessary information. That area will be selected, and an icon with arrows will pop on your right. This way, you can organize the layout of your document accordingly.
Step 4: To adjust your document’s format, once you have returned to the editing menu, simply select ‘formatting’ at the bottom of the page, in between ‘template’ and ’color.’ Once in the ‘formatting’ section, click the gear icon on the far right to reach the ‘Custom’ menu. That’s where you can adjust the margins, font size, font style, and spacing.
Step 5: If you would like to change your template, go back to the bottom menu and select the ‘template’ tab.
Step 6: If you would like to choose between our custom colors for your document, select the ‘color’ tab.
Step 7: When finished customizing your document, make sure to click on the ‘A’ icon at the top left to spell check your work and ensure there are no grammatical errors.
Step 8: Once you’re satisfied with your CV, “Save and Next” so your work isn’t lost, then you can click “Download” to save the document to your computer.
Since the curriculum vitae isn’t as common as the resume, we know it can be tricky to find helpful information or starting guides. We’ve gathered our favorite tools to help you get started on your graduate applications or career path.
How to Write a CVBefore you can write a CV for your first job, you have to make sure that this document is the correct format for you. Use a CV if you’re:
If you’re applying to any of the previously mentioned jobs, a CV will help you because it highlights all of your highly-specialized skills and experience, regardless of whether you gained it in a formal or informal setting like volunteering.
Since your CV highlights all of your experience, your CV will follow the same advice as a senior level resume, but you’ll need to fold a few of your sections into one section. For example:
Since a CV is so highly detailed, you’re best template option should be simple or minimal. There is so much information on your CV that a heavily designed document can make it difficult for the hiring manager to scan or read your document.
We gathered a few of our favorite designs into one template library to help you find the perfect CV for your job search.
The answer to this question depends on your location. If you’re in any of the following countries or regions, you should absolutely add a picture of yourself on your CV:
Hiring managers in these countries like to pair a face to the name of their candidates and prefer photos on your CV. However, if you’re applying for jobs in the United States or any other country not listed above, you should delete your photo. They’re considered distracting and unnecessary.
The CV is unique because it holds so much information. However, here are some topics that you should not include on your curriculum vitae.
Build a Resume 
How to Format a Resume in Word 
Resume Formats 
Resume Examples 
How to Write a Resume 
Resume Skills 
Resume Objectives 
Build a Cover Letter 
Cover Letter Formats 
Cover Letter Examples 
How to Write a Cover Letter 
How to Write a CV 
CV Samples 
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Title / Cover Page 
Invitation 
Certificate 
Invoice 
Fax Cover Sheet 
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