CV 101: What Is a CV?

August 27 2020 - Let's face it, most people think a resume and a CV are the same thing. They might not think twice on the matter when applying for jobs. The same document get sent out in every situation.

Unfortunately, if you are one of these people, you could be hindering your job search.

There is a significant difference between the two. Whether you are applying for work or furthering your academic career, it is important to know what makes up a CV.

A proper understanding and use of these documents could give you the edge in landing a dream job or school.

Read on to discover what CV means, what is in it, and when to use it.

CV Definition

CV stands for Curriculum Vitae. This is a Latin term meaning "course of life." The clue is in the name. A CV is an in-depth documentation of your life's accomplishments.

It has been suggested that Leonardo Da Vinci was the first person to write a Curriculum Vitae. This is quite a fitting story. A man known as a painter, sculptor, inventor, and architect would need a way to represent his body of work.

What Is in a CV?

A resume uses work history and experience to target a specific job. Contained to one or two pages, resumes offer the hiring party a quick glance at your work-related skills.

Alternatively, the length of a CV is determined by your experience. Some CVs can span several pages. A Curriculum Vitae is a comprehensive look into your professional accomplishments.

Specifically, a CV highlights your academic career. Acceptable CV entries could be school history, published articles, thesis research, and presentations. You can even add academic references to a CV to bolster the contents. A cv writing service can help formulate ideas.

Remember the term "course of life"? Well, much like your life, a CV is a document that evolves and grows as you gather experiences.

When to Use a CV

Depending on the application preferences, many positions will accept a CV or a resume. However, a CV is always the preferred document when applying in the academic community.

Graduate schools, grants, and fellowship applications will all call for a CV. These parties will want an extensive record of your accomplishments.

Be sure to check the applications to see if a CV is appropriate. If it is not clear, you can always reach out to the employer to discover which they prefer.

So, Is a CV Right for You?

Now, that you know the basics, determine whether a CV is right for your situation. Remember, because CVs grow over time, it is never too early to get started on yours. You can always punch it up as you gain experience.

A CV is the first impression that an employer will get. Make sure yours perfect. If you are struggling on how to begin or looking for some tips to help polish your CV, there is a wealth of available information in the jobs section of this site.

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