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When you’re applying for a job that requires you to submit a curriculum vitae (CV), employers are expecting a specific set of qualifications. CVs are commonly used in the sciences and academic roles, so employers request them to analyze your entire educational record, publications, and unique work experiences, such as fellowships or teaching positions.
Because CVs are extensive, highly detailed, and uniquely tailored to your industry or role, it’s easy to forget to include key information. In this guide, we’ll cover everything you need to know to customize a CV for a successful job application, such as:
- Definition and purpose of a CV
- How to write a CV step by step
- Practical examples for each CV section
- Differences between CVs and resumes
- CV dos and don’ts
- CV tips to grab recruiters’ attention
If you’re eager to write a CV for a job, let’s get started by learning the basics first.
What Is a CV?
A CV is a job application document that outlines your entire professional experience, education, skills, and achievements. A curriculum vitae, or CV for short, is the standard application document for roles in academia and the sciences, research opportunities, and international jobs.
A well-formatted CV must provide a comprehensive overview of your qualifications. Unlike a resume, a CV is longer and includes unique sections. Your CV may include a combination of the following sections.
Your CV will always include:
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Contact information
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Professional summary
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General skills
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Professional experience
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Education
Your CV might include these sections based on your professional experience and current job goals:
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Academic history
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Research interests
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Publications
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Presentations
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Scholarships, honors, and awards
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Languages
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Licenses, certifications, special skills, and achievements
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Professional memberships or affiliations
Wondering how to create a CV? Save time and hassle by using our CV Builder, which uses AI-powered tools to auto-suggest phrases and keywords relevant to the industry that you are applying to.
You can list these CV sections in different orders, depending on which areas you want to highlight. With this in mind, here’s some essential guidance on how to write a good CV, section by section.
How to Write a Professional CV in 8 Steps
This eight-step guide walks you through exactly how to write a strong CV, from organizing your experience to choosing the right words. You’ll also learn simple formatting guidelines that make your CV easy to read, professional, and ready to impress both recruiters and applicant tracking systems (ATS).
1 Format your CV
Your CV format should follow the standard layout to pass ATS scans and maximize readability:
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0.5 to 1 inch margins
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10, 11, or 12-point text
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Fonts like Helvetica, Arial, or Geneva
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Bold and 14-point section headers
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Bullet points
2 Add your contact information
Your CV will begin with your name and contact information. Start with your full name in a prominent and bold font. Then, add your current contact information, including your email and phone number.
How to write a CV header:
April Barnes Portland, OR 555-555-5555 example@example.com
3 Write a professional summary
A professional summary is a three- to four-sentence defining statement that tells employers your expertise and achievements. Keep it concise and relevant by customizing this section to match the job description. Here’s an example:
“Dedicated and detail-oriented Physics Ph.D. candidate specializing in particle physics, focusing on Higgs boson research. Proficient in advanced data analysis, simulation tools, and experimental design. Experienced in collaborating on large-scale research projects, presenting findings at international conferences, and publishing in peer-reviewed journals. Passionate about advancing knowledge in fundamental physics.”
4 Detail your academic history
If you’re applying to a graduate program, teaching role, or research position, place your education section above your work experience. Include the school’s name, your graduation year, and key details like the title of your dissertation or thesis.
List your education in reverse-chronological order, starting with your highest degree. For example, put a Ph.D. first, followed by any master’s degrees, and then your undergraduate education.
Here’s a sample of how to write a CV education section:
Education
Master of Science in Physics | University of Michigan Ann Arbor, MI | Graduation Date: June 2025
Bachelor of Science in Physics | University of California, Berkeley Berkeley, CA | Graduation Date: June 2020
5 Outline your professional experience
Create a work history section that lists each employer, your job title, and your dates of employment, followed by a clear summary of your skills and achievements. Use bullet points that highlight accomplishments and include a mix of hard, soft, and technical resume skills.
Here’s a work history sample for an undergraduate physics student:
Undergraduate Research Assistant – Hadron Collider Experiment SLAC National Accelerator Laboratory, Menlo Park, CA January 2024 – December 2024
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Assisted in high-energy particle collision experiments focused on Higgs boson detection and decay processes
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Analyzed large datasets using Python and ROOT to identify particle signatures and anomalies
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Collaborated with a multidisciplinary team to optimize detector performance and data accuracy
6 Mention your credentials
Include licenses and certifications, along with any awards or honors you received for them, in dedicated sections or under relevant headings. If you have more than one, list them in reverse-chronological order, providing the name, issuing organization, and date of each. For example, this applicant is a research scientist listing all their relevant lab certifications:
Certifications & Licenses
- Certified Clinical Research Professional (CCRP) — Society of Clinical Research Associates, 2023–2026
- Good Clinical Practice (GCP) Certification — NIH, 2024
- Laboratory Animal Science Certification — AALAS, 2022
- Biosafety Level 2 (BSL-2) Training — University Research Compliance Office, 2025
7 List your skill sets
Create multiple, dedicated skills sections based on the application’s requirements, such as math skills, technical skills, or analytical skills. For example, this undergraduate might list their research skills in the following format:
Research Skills
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Data analysis and interpretation
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Spectroscopy and photometry data reduction
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Science communication skills
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Telescope operation
8 Include optional sections
A CV tells the complete story of your academic and professional history, so you can add as much information as you need. Consider including any of the following:
Research interests: If you’re an academic researcher, list your main focus areas.
Publications: List any publications, including books and peer-reviewed journals. Include a complete citation with the co-authors’ names, publication date, and a summary.
Presentation: Mention lectures, conferences, and presentations given. Provide the title, date, venue, and a summary of the subject matter.
Scholarships, honors, and awards: Detail any honors, grants, fellowships, scholarships, or awards you earned. Write the name of each grant or scholarship, the awarding institution, and the date you received it.
Languages: It is always an excellent strategy to show your multilingual fluency. Remember to mention your level of fluency for each language.
Professional memberships and affiliations: Include any relevant professional memberships and affiliations. List each organization’s name, location and the dates of your active membership.
When to Use a CV vs. a Resume
CV
- Let’s you fully detail your academic, research, teaching, or professional background
- Ideal for graduate school, research roles, and medical, legal, and academic positions
- Includes sections like publications, presentations, grants, and certifications
- Has no strict length limit, so you can show your full career history
- Emphasizes credentials, training, and long-term achievements
Resumes
- Keeps your experience concise and focused—usually one to two pages
- Best for most corporate, private-sector, and nonacademic jobs
- Easy to tailor for each job by matching keywords from the job description
- Highlights your most relevant skills and achievements quickly
- Designed to pass applicant tracking systems (ATS) and grab recruiter attention fast
When should you use a CV?
You should use a CV in job applications that explicitly require it and for jobs in academia, the sciences, research, medicine, and law. A CV is also the best choice when applying for jobs outside the U.S., since resumes are less common in places like Europe or Asia. That said, a CV outside the U.S. resembles a resume in its content.
If a job application mentions that both CVs and resumes are acceptable, go with the document that you feel best represents your strengths. In this type of situation, use a CV instead of a resume when an employer emphasizes culture fit, professional reputation, and academic background, and seeks well-rounded, highly accomplished candidates.
Here are a few of the jobs that may require a CV:
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Scientists
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Academic researchers
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Art curators
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Teachers
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Professors
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Clinicians
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Federal jobs
Do’s and Don’ts to Make Your CV Stand Out
Do’s
- Start your CV strong. Use your summary, skills, and critical accomplishments to attract the recruiter’s attention.
- Do focus on the visual appearance of your CV. Use a CV template with easy-to-read layouts.
- Always proofread your CV to avoid grammatical errors. Have a second pair of eyes read your CV, not only for typos and spelling but also for general readability.
Don’ts
- Avoid being outdated and only use information that is relevant to the job.
- Avoid vague summaries; instead, use the opportunity to create compelling descriptions of your skills and accomplishments.
- Do not include references or write “References available upon request.”
- Never lie or exaggerate information on your CV.
4 CV Formatting Tips to Get Noticed
The average time hiring managers or recruiters spend reviewing a CV is six to eight seconds. Additionally, recruitment agencies usually rely on ATS and AI screening tools to scan for candidates. Considering this, let’s review the four best formatting tips for how to write a CV that gets recruiters to notice you.
If your CV lands you the job, you’ll want to be prepared to respond professionally with a job acceptance letter to confirm your offer and make a great first impression.
Use a Cover Letter to Express Yourself
A cover letter can expand further on the foundation you created with your CV. Add a cover letter to share one or two examples of how you excelled in similar roles or how your skills match a company’s needs. Use this sample as a guide, or visit our helpful resources to boost your application.
How to Write a CV FAQ
Is a CV the same as a resume?
A CV is not exactly the same as a resume. While they serve the same purpose of summarizing your qualifications for a job, a CV consists of a much more detailed account of your entire career. A resume is a concise summary tailored to the specific job you’re applying for.
What should a CV look like?
A CV should look clean, professional, and easy to read. Use these design tips to avoid a cluttered document.
- Use consistent margins set to 0.5 to 1 inches.
- Add bullet points for clarity.
- Use traditional fonts like Helvetica or Arial.
- Bold section headers.
- Choose 10, 11, or 12-point text.
What makes a good CV?
A good CV clearly shows your most important skills, experience, and achievements in a way that’s easy to follow. It’s tailored to the job you’re applying for, free of mistakes, highlights real accomplishments, and looks polished and professional throughout.
Gabriela Barcenas
CPRW, Career WriterGabriela 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 seven years providing comprehensive guidance on resume writing and job search strategies for individuals across diverse career paths. She holds a bachelor's degree in English and creative writing 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.
