CVs

Curriculum vitae, or CV, is a comprehensive document detailing a person’s education, work history, publications, and professional achievements. It is used for academic posts, research funding, fellowships, and some international or specialized occupations. Unlike a resume, a CV is typically longer, cumulative, and updated over time rather than tailored to a single position.

Common CV sections include contact information, education, employment history, research and teaching experience, publications and presentations, grants and awards, licenses and certifications, professional affiliations, languages, skills, and references or a note that they are available on request.

Academic CVs emphasize research, publications, and funding and may span many pages, while professional CVs for non-academic jobs are usually shorter but still comprehensive. Regional norms vary: in some countries CVs are standard for all jobs; in others a concise resume is preferred for private sector roles.

Best practices include accuracy, clear headings, reverse-chronological order for experience, concise language, and tailoring to the position. Quantify achievements where possible and proofread carefully.

Digital considerations include saving as PDF to preserve formatting and including identifiers such as ORCID or links to professional profiles.

References are commonly provided on request. A CV should be a truthful, well-organized record of qualifications and achievements.