A CV, short for curriculum vitae, is a document that summarizes your education, work experience, research, and professional accomplishments for job applications. The Latin phrase literally translates to “course of life,” and depending on where you live, the term can mean slightly different things.
How a CV Works in the United States
In the U.S., a CV is a specific type of application document, distinct from a resume. It runs two to three pages (sometimes longer for senior professionals) and is designed to showcase the full depth of your academic and professional history. You’ll typically be asked for a CV when applying to universities, medical facilities, or research institutions.
A standard CV includes your name and contact information, your complete educational background, academic and related employment (teaching, editorial, or administrative roles), research projects, conference papers and publications, and departmental or community service. Many CVs also include a reference list, either at the end of the document or on a separate page.
The key difference from a resume: a resume is a brief, one-page snapshot highlighting only the most relevant experience for a specific role. A CV is more comprehensive and grows over the course of your career as you add publications, grants, presentations, and new positions.
How the Term Differs Outside the U.S.
If you’re reading job postings from international employers, be aware that “CV” doesn’t always mean the same lengthy academic document. In the UK, New Zealand, and parts of Europe, employers use the term CV to describe what Americans would call a resume. They rarely use the word “resume” at all. So when a British employer asks for your CV, they typically want a concise one-to-two-page document tailored to the job, not a multi-page academic record.
In South Africa, Australia, and India, the terms CV and resume are used interchangeably. The safest approach when applying internationally is to read the job posting carefully for length or format instructions, and match what’s expected in that country.
What to Include in a CV
A well-organized CV generally follows this structure:
- Contact information: Name, phone number, email, and professional links (like a faculty page or research profile). You don’t need to include your full street address.
- Education: Degrees earned, institutions, dates, dissertation or thesis titles, and relevant coursework.
- Academic and professional experience: Teaching positions, research appointments, editorial roles, and administrative work, listed with dates and brief descriptions of responsibilities.
- Publications: Peer-reviewed articles, book chapters, books, and other scholarly work, formatted in the citation style common to your field.
- Presentations and conferences: Papers delivered, panels organized, or posters presented at academic conferences.
- Grants and fellowships: Funding you’ve received, including the awarding body and amount.
- Service: Committee work, peer review, mentoring, or community engagement related to your profession.
- References: Names and contact information for professional references, or a note that a dossier of confidential references is available.
Unlike a resume, a CV doesn’t need to be trimmed to one page. Early-career academics might have a two-page CV, while a senior professor’s could stretch to ten pages or more. The document grows with you.
Formatting for Digital Submissions
Most CVs today pass through an applicant tracking system (ATS) before a human ever reads them. These systems scan your document for relevant keywords and qualifications, so formatting matters more than design.
Stick to a single-column layout with clear section headings. Avoid tables, multi-column designs, graphics, icons, or images. In the U.S. and UK, do not include a photo. Use a clean, readable font like Calibri, Arial, or Aptos. When saving your file, a text-based PDF (no embedded images) or a Word document (.docx) gives you the best chance of being read correctly by automated systems. Fancy templates from design tools might look impressive on screen but often confuse the software that determines whether your application moves forward.
When You Need a CV Instead of a Resume
If a job posting asks for a CV by name, send one. Beyond that, the rule of thumb in the U.S. is straightforward: academic, scientific, and research positions call for a CV. Most other jobs, from corporate roles to government positions to nonprofit work, expect a resume.
Graduate school applications, postdoctoral fellowships, and grant proposals also typically require a CV. Some medical positions, particularly in academic medical centers, expect one as well. If you’re unsure, check the application instructions or look at what other professionals in your target field use. When applying outside the U.S., remember that “CV” likely just means the local equivalent of a resume, so keep it concise and tailored to the specific role.