3 key takeaways
- A CV (Curriculum Vitae) is an in-depth document showcasing your complete academic and professional history.
- A CV offers a detailed, comprehensive account of your entire career, potentially spanning multiple pages.
- Teal’s flexible design within the free CV Builder can help you build a CV that's optimized for every unique job.
You may know that a CV (Curriculum Vitae) is somewhat like a resume, but what sets it apart, and when should you use each format?
In this guide, you'll learn the ins and outs of a CV, its purpose, and what sections you need depending on your industry, experience, and the job you're applying for.
Struggling to land interviews with your CV? Get started with Teal’s free CV Builder.
What is a CV?
The term "Curriculum Vitae" comes from Latin, meaning "course of life." This definition reflects the CV’s role in presenting a comprehensive overview of your professional experience.
A CV provides a detailed account of your academic background, professional milestones, and research contributions. It emphasizes your growth, achievements, and expertise and is particularly popular in fields like academia, research, and specialized industries.
Purpose and function of a CV
A CV serves as an extensive professional profile and biography, particularly in academia and research settings. Its primary function is to give a slightly more comprehensive view of professional accomplishments
A CV provides a thorough account of your professional life, allowing potential employers or academic institutions to assess your qualifications and contributions to your field.
When to use a CV instead of a resume
Both a resume and a CV should answer the same primary question about the value you bring to the workplace. And some job seekers even use these terms interchangeably. However, the choice between a resume and a CV often depends on your industry or geographic location.
While resumes are widely used across various industries, CVs are preferred or required in specific contexts:
- When requested by a prospective employer
- Academic positions (e.g., professorships, research fellowships)
- Medical or scientific positions
- Research roles in laboratories or institutions
- Grant applications
- Fellowship or scholarship applications
- International job applications outside the US, where a CV is more commonly used
CV vs. resume
Understanding the key differences between a CV vs. a resume can help you choose the right format for your job search.
While a US resume spans 1-3 pages, a CV may be slightly longer (depending on your experience and accomplishments) and typically includes two columns. The length also hinges on where you're applying. An international CV may require a more comprehensive overview of your career experience that includes job responsibilities.
A CV also emphasizes your academic and research achievements, as well as relevant certifications, more than a traditional resume. That is to say, these sections aren't necessarily optional. A resume is a bit more focused on recent work experience, key skills, and achievements that are directly related to the job you're applying for. In either case, both documents should be tailored to the job you're applying for.
CV vs. cover letter
A CV and a cover letter serve different purposes in the job application process. A CV provides a detailed overview of your academic and professional history, including your skills, experiences, and accomplishments.
In contrast, a cover letter is a concise, personalized document that introduces you to the employer, explains why you’re a strong fit for the position, and highlights the most relevant aspects of your CV tailored to the job description. While the CV offers a comprehensive look at your qualifications, the cover letter is your opportunity to make a strong, tailored first impression.
Parts of a CV
Understanding the key sections of a CV helps in crafting a comprehensive document that effectively showcases your qualifications. Here’s the ones you need:
Contact Information
Your CV should begin with your contact information, including:
- Full name
- Location (including address only if you're creating a CV in international job markets)
- Phone number
- Email address
- Professional social media profiles (e.g., LinkedIn, ResearchGate)
Ensure this information is current and professional. Use an email address that incorporates your name rather than a casual or humorous one.
Personal Statement
Known as a personal profile or personal statement outside the US, this CV summary offers a brief overview of your qualifications and career aspirations. It should be 3-5 sentences and tailored to the position you’re applying for—focusing on your most relevant skills, experiences, and achievements. In academic CVs, this may align more closely with a research statement or teaching philosophy.
Career Experience
Your CV should detail your roles and achievements in reverse chronological order. It should also include quantifiable achievements where possible to demonstrate impact, particularly in research or technical roles.
- Your title
- Name of company
- Dates of employment
- 3-5 CV bullet points that highlight your achievements (with impact) that are relevant to the position you're applying for
Education
The education section is crucial in a CV, especially for academic positions. List your academic history in reverse chronological order, starting with your highest degree, and include:
University: List the full name of the institution. For international applications, fully spell out the location and institution’s name to avoid confusion.
Year graduated: This helps potential employers or academic institutions understand the timeline of your educational background and verify any details through background checks
Degree earned: Specify the degree (e.g., Ph.D., Master’s, Bachelor’s)
Dissertation or Thesis Title: Include if applicable to your role or industry
If you're a recent graduate or your industry requires, consider adding:
Honors: Outside of the US, these are often referred to as qualifications (e.g., First-Class Honors, Dean's List 2016-2018).
Coursework: Particularly if the courses are highly relevant to the job you’re applying for and you're creating a CV with limited career experience
Projects: Especially relevant for most job seekers in research-focused fields
Skills
Your CV Skills section should focus on the technical skills necessary for you to excel in your job. Usually referred to as hard skills, these abilities are specific and measurable.
Consider skills like:
- Lab techniques
- Programming languages
- Statistical analysis software
- Foreign languages
Pro Tip: If you're looking for an all-inclusive solution to creating a CV, Teal's flexible CV design has everything you need—without having to manually format every section or detail.
Choose from plenty of 2-column templates, incorporate additional sections, rename and reorder your experience to fit your industry and market, and more.
Optional parts of a CV
Much like a resume, which can be tailored with additional sections based on your industry and experience, a CV also offers flexibility with optional parts. These additional sections help you highlight specific skills, achievements, or experiences that are relevant to the role or field you’re pursuing, allowing you to present a more comprehensive picture of your qualifications.
Research
CVs are popular for research positions, which require more in-depth sharing of past experience and expertise than resumes. In this CV section, highlight how your research has contributed to your field and any notable impacts or innovations resulting from your published work.
For research-focused positions, this section is vital. Include research experience such as:
- Research projects you’ve worked on
- Your role in each project
- Methodologies used
- Key findings or outcomes
- Funding sources (if applicable)
Teaching Experience
If you're applying for a teaching-focused academic position, such as a professor role, your teaching experience is the core of your career experience. However, a dedicated Teaching Experience section can also be valuable if you have instructional positions that complement your primary professional focus or if you're applying for positions where teaching is not the central responsibility but still plays a significant role.
For example, if you've taught courses or conducted training sessions in addition to your primary job duties in positions that combine research, industry expertise, and teaching or if you're an academic who has taken on significant teaching responsibilities beyond the norm for your role—such as designing new courses and leading educational initiatives
In this section, include the following:
- Courses
- Institutions
- Dates
- Achievements
Publications and Presentations
Publications and presentations are key components of a CV, especially in academic and research-focused fields, as they highlight your scholarly contributions and expertise. These can include various types of work, such as:
- Peer-reviewed journal articles
- Book chapters
- Conference presentations like invited talks or poster sessions
- Technical reports
Awards
The Awards section can be an important contribution to your CV that highlights the recognition you’ve received for your academic and professional achievements. This section not only showcases your excellence but also provides evidence of your contributions and impact in your field. Just remember any award should be relevant to the job you're applying for.
Consider including the following:
- Academic awards
- Research grants
- Fellowships
- Scholarships
- Professional honors
Professional Associations
This CV section highlights your active involvement in your professional community. Being a member of relevant academic or industry organizations demonstrates your commitment to staying connected with current professional development in your field, as well as your engagement with professional networks. Focus on:
- Organization names
- Your membership status
- Leadership titles held
- Significant contributions to the organization
CV examples and templates
Whether you're applying for an academic, research, or professional role, examining CV examples tailored to your field can provide invaluable insights into the formatting, content, and presentation expected by employers.
Academic CV example
An academic CV focuses on your educational background and academic achievements. It includes detailed information about your degrees, institutions attended, and relevant coursework. Additionally, it highlights your teaching experience, academic honors, professional skills, and a thorough list of publications and presentations.
Research CV example
A research CV is designed to detail your contributions to scientific or academic research. It includes an in-depth look at your research projects, methodologies, and significant findings.
This CV should also feature your published papers, conference presentations, and any research grants or funding received, providing a comprehensive view of your academic impact and expertise.
Professional CV example
A professional CV is tailored to showcase your career achievements and professional experience. It emphasizes your recent job roles, key responsibilities, and accomplishments in the workplace.
This CV is designed to highlight your industry-specific skills, leadership roles, and career progression, aiming to present you as a strong candidate for high-level positions in your field.
Pro Tip: Need more guidance? Explore CV examples broken out by experience level, sector, specialty, and more. Or, skip the search and get started with one of Teal's customizable CV templates to easily create a polished and professional CV tailored to your needs and industry.
Write your CV with Teal
Your CV is more than just a document—it's a strategic tool for shaping your professional narrative. By focusing on the right details and tailoring your content to each opportunity, you can craft an in-depth, compelling story that highlights your strengths and achievements.
Teal’s CV builder offers customizable templates designed to meet the needs of any industry or role. Whether you're applying for an academic position, transitioning to a new career, or aiming for a promotion, Teal's flexible design options ensure that your CV is formatted perfectly and includes all the right sections to underscore your value.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is a CV a resume or cover letter?
A CV is neither a resume nor a cover letter. A CV, or Curriculum Vitae, is a detailed document that provides an in-depth overview of your academic and professional history, while a resume is a concise summary of your most relevant experiences. A cover letter, on the other hand, is a personalized document that introduces you to the employer and explains why you’re a great fit for the job.
What is a CV for a job?
A CV for a job is a comprehensive document that outlines your academic background, professional experience, skills, and accomplishments. It is commonly used in academic, research, and international job applications, providing a full picture of your qualifications to potential employers.
Can I use my resume as a CV?
While resumes and CVs share similarities, they serve different purposes. A resume provides a brief overview tailored for a specific job, while a curriculum vitae offers a more comprehensive account of your entire academic and professional history. If both versions are accepted during the application process, then they can be used interchangeably. However, if a CV is required, make sure you expand your details to include the necessary information.
What is a resume CV?
A resume CV isn't a recognized term. Typically, a resume is a concise 1-3 page document focused on relevant work experience and skills, while a CV is a more detailed document covering your academic and professional history. It's important to choose the appropriate format based on the job or industry requirements.
