Curriculum Vitae Writing and Format Tips

Do you need help writing a curriculum vitae? Before you start, review these tips so you can include
the appropriate information in your curriculum vitae (CV) and format your curriculum vitae
correctly. Remember, the first impression is the one that matters, so, your CV needs to be perfect!

When to Use a Curriculum Vitae

In the United States, a curriculum vitae is used when applying for academic, education, scientific or
research positions. A curriculum vitae can also be used to apply for fellowships or grants. In Europe,
the Middle East, Africa, or Asia, employers expect to receive a curriculum vitae rather than a
resume.

Choose an Appropriate Curriculum Vitae Format

Make sure you choose a curriculum vitae format that is appropriate for the position you are applying
for.

If you are applying for fellowship, for example, you won't need to include the personal information
that may be included in an international CV. Review curriculum vitae samples to get suggestions for
the best format for your CV.

Have Several Versions of Your CV

Don't just write one CV and use it for every position you apply for. Have targeted and focused
versions of your curriculum vitae and use them accordingly.

What to Include in Your CV

In addition to your education and work history, your CV should contain your research experience,
publications, grants and fellowships, courses taught, institutional service, professional associations,
accredidation, presentation, licenses, and awards.

What Not to Include

There is no need to include your photo, your salary history, the reason you left your previous
position, or references in your CV. References should be listed seperately and given to employers
upon request.

Curriculum Vitae Format

Double-check your curriculum vitae for typos and grammatical errors. Then ask someone else to
review it for you - it's often hard to catch our own mistakes. Look at the format of your curriculum
vitae, and again, ask someone else to take a look. Is there plenty of white space? Is it cluttered? Is
your formatting consistent (bold, italic, spacing, etc.) and is the overall picture that your CV
provides a professional and polished one?

Keep it Short

If possible, try to keep your CV short - no more than two pages - and concise. Include summaries of
your employment and education, rather than lots of details. Use formal (no slang or abbreviations)
and well-written language, writing simply and clearly.

Tell the Truth

It can be tempting to over-polish a CV and make our educational qualifications or work history
sound a little better than they really are. If you're tempted to stretch the truth about your work
history - don't. It will come back to haunt you. Most employers conduct reference and background
checks and if your curriculum vitae doesn't match your actual work history or education, you will
most likely get caught at some point and you will either not get the job or will fired if you have
already been hired.

What, When, Where and How

When to Use a CV

In the United States a Curriculum Vitae is used primarily when applying for international, academic,
education, scientific or research positions or when applying for fellowships or grants.
As with a resume, you may need different versions of a CV for different type of positions.

What to Include in Your CV

Like a resume, your CV should include your name, contact information, education, skills and
experience. In addition to the basics, a CV includes research and teaching experience, publications,
grants and fellowships, professional associations and licenses, awards and other information
relevant to the position you are applying for. Start by making a list of all your background
information, then organize it into categories. Make sure you include dates on all the publications you
include.

How to Write a Curriculum Vitae

Do you need help writing a curriculum vitae? Before you start, review these tips so you can include
the appropriate information in your curriculum vitae (CV) and format your curriculum vitae
correctly. Remember, the first impression is the one that matters, so, your CV needs to be perfect!