What is a CV? Differences & Examples

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The employer asked you for a CV, but what does it even mean? Below, we’ll cover what a CV is, when to use it, writing tips, plus a CV example. You’ll be ready to create a great CV in no time!

What is a CV?

“CV” stands for curriculum vitae. This Latin phrase is the technical meaning of a CV and stands for “course of life.” So, what does a CV mean on a job application? It’s a detailed summary of your academic and professional life — this document usually is more than two pages long.

You usually write a CV for highly specialized jobs in academia, law, medical research, finance or business. Although your CV briefly summarizes your work history, the purpose of a CV is to sell your school credentials to potential employers.

Here is our how to write a cv guide.

What to include in a CV

A CV is highly customizable and can include multiple sections that span two to five pages, depending on your academic background and years of experience. If you don’t know where to start, these are the standard CV sections:

Name and contact details
Professional summary or resume objective
General resume skills
Work experience
Research history
Academic background
Publications

Your CV should focus on specialized labs, certifications, notable awards and achievements within your field of work and study, research projects, published articles or books, peer-reviewed research, and professional memberships or affiliations you joined. This information helps hiring managers gauge your academic and career contributions within your chosen field of work or study.

What is The Difference Between a CV and a Resume?

What is the difference between a CV vs a Resume? While both a resume and a CV are used to apply for a job, they have four key distinctions:

1Purpose:

A CV is credential-based and used to apply for scientific and medical roles or international positions. Candidates use their resumes to apply for most U.S. jobs.

2Location:

CVs are the standard document for job applications outside the U.S. and Canada.

3Focus:

A CV tells your entire academic and professional history, while a resume is a snapshot of your most significant achievements and skills.

4Length:

A resume should be at most two pages, but a CV can run longer.

When to Use a CV

For U.S.-based jobs, employers will likely ask for a CV in these professional fields:

Government jobs
Local and state civil jobs
Academia
Medicine
Legal
Research
Scientific labs
Grants and fellowships

3 Tips for Writing a CV

Follow these tips to write an impressive CV, no matter your chosen field.

1. Choose the right format

The key to organizing your CV is placing your strongest selling points on the first page to entice employers to read more. Consider your publications, work history and research experience, and decide which highlights your strengths best. Always arrange your sections in reverse-chronological order, with your most recent experience at the top.

Additionally, consider breaking up long sections into smaller categories. For example, if you have many publications, classify them by type — research papers, books, conferences.

Here are extra formatting tips:

Use reader-friendly fonts like Helvetica or Arial.
Keep your font size between 10.5 and 12.
Maintain margins between ½ inch and 1 inch.

2. Tailor your CV to the job description

Tailoring your CV to the role will allow your document to pass ATS (applicant tracking systems) and show employers that you have the qualifications to perform the role effectively. Carefully read the job description and identify keywords that indicate the skills and credentials the employer seeks. Ensure your CV includes these keywords.

3. Add extra sections

Because a CV is so customizable, you can add or omit sections depending on your goals. Consider adding these extra sections to hone in on your strengths:

Research focus
Academic presentations
Conference presentations
Conference attendance
Scholarships
Grants
Fellowships
Honors and awards
Language skills
Digital skills
Specialized skills
Professional licenses
Certifications and achievements
Professional memberships
Professional affiliations

CV Example

Key Takeaways

We covered what does CV mean for jobs, when to use it and a few tips on how to write one. Let’s wrap it up with a few key points:

A CV, or curriculum vitae, tells a detailed account of your academic and professional history. Because of its focus on academic credentials, it’s an excellent way to showcase your publications, research papers and conferences, among others.
In the U.S., CVs are primarily used in academic, medical, legal or research-oriented positions. However, it’s the standard document for job applications in the rest of the world.
When formatting your CV, emphasize your most substantial qualifications by placing them on the first page.
Like a resume, tailoring your CV to the role you’re applying for is essential.
While a resume must be two pages at most and have specific sections, a CV is customizable and can run several pages.

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JobHero has published in-depth career guides, resume and cover letter articles since 2014. We aim to share job-seeking tools and empower job seekers throughout their careers!

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Last edited by: Ami Icanberry, Content Editing Manager - July 15, 2024

Natalia Merced

Content Writer

Natalia holds an M.A. in Counseling Psychology and a B.A. in Public Relations and Advertising. Her focus on music, pop culture, and its intersections with race and gender led her to publish editorial work in Remezcla, Hasta ‘Bajo Project, La Aguja Negra, Diarios Negros and Buena Vibra.

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What Does CV Mean? Writing Tips + Example