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During your job search, you might come across job applications that request resumes, others CVs, and sometimes they give you the option to submit either one. If you’re wondering what CV stands for, how it differs from a resume, or which application document you should use, this guide will help you make an informed decision so you can start applying fast and land the job.

What Is a CV?

“CV” stands for curriculum vitae or, in Latin, “course of life.” So, what does a CV mean on a job application? When an employer specifically asks for a CV, they expect a detailed summary of your academic and professional life in a document that is usually more than two pages long.

In most cases, a CV is required for highly specialized jobs in academia, law, medical research, finance, or business. For this reason, although your CV briefly summarizes your work history, the main purpose of a CV is to showcase your academic credentials and research experience to potential employers.

If you’re already convinced the curriculum vitae is for you, feel free to jump ahead and build your custom CV with our professional CV Builder. Get content suggestions tailored to your target role and easily add as many sections as you like to showcase your unique qualifications!

What to include in a CV

A CV is highly customizable and can include multiple sections that, altogether, can span between two and 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: 

  1. Name and contact details
  2. Professional summary or resume objective
  3. General resume skills
  4. Work experience
  5. Research history
  6. Academic background
  7. 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. 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?

When comparing a CV vs a resume, you’ll want to note the following four key distinctions:

1Purpose

A CV is credential-based and used to apply for scientific and medical roles or international positions. In the U.S., candidates use resumes to apply for most 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 professional skills.

4Length

A resume should be no more than 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 scenarios and industries: 

  1. Government jobs
  2. Local and state civil jobs
  3. Academia
  4. Medicine
  5. Legal
  6. Research
  7. Scientific labs
  8. Grants and fellowships

CV Writing Tips to Land the Job

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

1. Format your CV to focus on your strengths.

Place your strongest selling points on the first page of your CV to entice employers to read more. Consider your publications, work history, and research experience, and decide which of these highlights best showcases your strengths. 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 your work has been featured in many publications, classify them by type—research papers, books, conferences.

Here are extra formatting tips:

  1. Use reader-friendly fonts like Helvetica or Arial.
  2. Keep your font size between 10.5 and 12.
  3. 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 through applicant tracking systems (ATS) 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 home in on your strengths:

  1. Research focus
  2. Academic presentations
  3. Conference presentations
  4. Conference attendance
  5. Scholarships
  6. Grants
  7. Fellowships
  8. Honors and awards
  9. Language skills
  10. Digital skills
  11. Specialized skills
  12. Professional licenses
  13. Certifications and achievements
  14. Professional memberships
  15. Professional affiliations

CV Examples

Check out our professionally written CV examples to get an idea of how your curriculum vitae should look before hitting submit on your application.

Research assistant

You can use this CV sample as a reference when applying for a job in a research lab or even for a grant or scholarship. In those cases, showcasing ample research experience and impressive accolades in your field will be key to impressing employers and committee members.

Research assistant
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College professor

This CV example shows you what an academic CV should include if you want to land a position as a university professor. Flex your educational degrees, but also highlight your teaching experience to show you’re more than ready to thrive on the job.

College professor
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Doctor

The medical field is an industry where employers prefer a CV over a resume. Because medical positions are incredibly competitive and require a long list of credentials, the curriculum vitae is better suited for applicants.

Doctor
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When debating between a CV and a resume, keep in mind that CVs are rarely used in the U.S. except in specific fields such as academia, research, law, and medicine. However, in the case that your desired employer requests you submit a CV, they likely want to get to know more about you beyond your work history, so include extra sections like certifications, awards or honors, volunteer work, or even hobbies and interests to create a more well-rounded picture of who you are as a professional and an individual.

Learn more about the details of writing and formatting your curriculum vitae in our How to Write a CV guide.

Key Takeaways

We covered what a CV means for jobs, when to use it, and a few tips on how to write one. Let’s wrap 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 conference presentations, among other highlights.

  • In the U.S., CVs are primarily used in academic, medical, legal, or research-oriented positions. However, the CV is 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.

FAQ

Is a CV the same as a resume?

No, although CVs and resumes are both standard job applications, they differ in a few key areas. Where CVs are longer and can extend to multiple pages, a resume should be no more than two pages. CVs are more customizable and include various extra sections, whereas resumes usually consist of the same five key resume sections.

Is a CV a cover letter or resume?

Neither. A CV is an entirely different document from a cover letter or resume. The CV, or curriculum vitae, summarizes your work history, academic achievements, research, and publications for job or grant applications.

What is a CV for a job?

A CV for a job simply means that you’re going to use your CV to apply for a job instead of an academic degree, a grant, or a fellowship. In that case, you should tailor your achievement bullet points to reflect the particular role requirements by incorporating keywords from the job ad and measurable accomplishments.

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

 

Natalia Merced

Natalia Merced

CPRW, Career Writer

Natalia is a Certified Professional Resume Writer (CPRW) and member of the Professional Association of Resume Writers & Career Coaches and has worked in the career industry for more than two years providing comprehensive guidance on resume writing and job search strategies for individuals across diverse career paths. She holds a master's degree in counseling psychology and a bachelor's degree in public relations and advertising and is passionate about helping job seekers present their professional story effectively through well-crafted resumes and cover letters that demonstrate their value, skills, and experience to potential employers. Some of her work has been featured on JobHero's resume examples career center.

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