The Bulletin

Whereas a resume is most often used when applying for a job, a curriculum vitae (CV) may be made available on your institution’s website or requested as part of grant and award applications. It also is more commonly used than a resume outside the United States. A CV typically is several pages and includes information about academic background, teaching and work experience, association participation, honors received, publications, and presentations. 

When formatting your CV, you want your information organized to showcase your skills effectively. Depending on your employment, history, and skills, there are many ways to approach is composition.  

The most common type of CV is the chronological format. It focuses on presenting information on an employer-by-employer basis, with information in reverse chronological order. This CV is advantageous since it will demonstrate career progression. It can be disadvantageous because gaps in employment, publications, and presentations become more obvious.  

A functional CV emphasizes skills and expertise rather than employment. It highlights experience and transferable skills for those that may have switched jobs frequently or have gaps. However, it less successfully highlights consistent career progression.  

A combined CV starts with a career summary featuring your value proposition, then includes job descriptions, accomplishments, and other traditional CV information. This format is ideal for those with a strong career progression who also want to highlight their strengths and skills. This CV typically becomes slightly longer.  

Overall, with each format, make sure the style and content is uniform. When using a CV to apply for a position, ensure it is desirable over a shorter resume and that it is tailored to fit the specific opportunity.