Writing a Curriculum Vitae

In the United States, a curriculum vitae, often called a CV or vitae is used when applying for academic and research positions, fellowships, and grants.

Note: The term CV is also used in many foreign countries to describe a résumé. Keep in mind, overseas employers often expect to receive personal information that would not be included on a U.S. résumé such as a photo, place of birth, nationality, gender, number of dependents, and marital status.

A CV is longer than a résumé (at least two pages) and represents your accomplishments, areas of expertise, and professional skills in a detailed and organized manner. It is best to discuss any special CV formatting your field may require with a mentor or trusted member in your department (i.e., faculty member or adviser). As with a résumé, you may need different versions of a CV for different types of positions.

Vitae Categories

A CV is a summary of your educational and academic background as well as teaching, research, and service/engagement experience, publications, presentations, honors and awards, affiliations, and other details. Include the categories below which best highlight your experience.

Personal Contact Information

Name, address, phone number, e-mail, online portfolio (if applicable).

Education

Degree, major, institution (city & state), and date of completion (or expected date of completion). List the most recent or expected degree first, writing in reverse chronological order.

Dissertation or Thesis

Include title and brief description of research work.

Competencies/Expertise

Include scholarly interests, professional competencies, educational highlights, scholarly proficiencies, areas of expertise, areas of experience, areas of concentration, academic interests, research interests, and professional interests.

Professional Experience

Teaching

Courses taught, student advising, guest lectures, trainings, seminars conducted, workshops conducted, and/ or invited lectures

Research

• Presentation Experience: Scholarly presentations, conference presentations, workshop presentations, conference leadership, conference papers presented, and/or poster presentations
• Publications: Published works, books/book reviews, professional papers, articles, conference papers, reviews, and/or exhibitions

Service/Engagement

• Academic Service/Leadership: Academic service, professional services, departmental or university committees, groups or task forces served or led, faculty leadership/governance, professional association leadership, professional association activities, outreach program, conference review service, community service relevant to discipline
• Professional Memberships: Memberships, affiliations, professional association memberships, scholarly societies, conference presentations

Professional Work Experience

• Academic Service/Leadership: Academic service, professional services, departmental or university committees, groups or task forces served or led, faculty leadership/governance, professional association leadership, professional association activities, outreach program, conference review service, community service relevant to discipline
• Professional Experience: Professional overview, professional background, teaching experience, experience summary, experience highlights, research experience, research overview, administrative experience, consulting experience
• Work Experience: Internships, teaching assistantships, research assistantships, graduate fieldwork, graduate practicum, graduate internship, professional achievements, career achievements, career highlights, professional work experience

Professional Development

List special trainings or conferences attended to develop professional skills. For example: Preparing for Future Faculty training, WebCT Vista Technology training, or SPSS Statistical Software competency.

Honors, Awards, Fellowships, Scholarships

List recognition received from a college, university, association, or honorary society.

Other Categories

• Languages/International: International study, study abroad, research abroad, language competencies, languages
• Licenses/Certifications: Professional certification, certification, licensure, special training, endorsements
• Credentials: Placement/Credential file, dossier, references, recommendations

Strategies for Success

• Tailor your CV to a specific position. Organize it so the most relevant categories come first.
• Keep the layout and design of your CV organized, consistent, and attractive.
• Consider creating a complete CV and an abridged CV, a shorter version which highlights some of your most relevant and reputable experiences.
• Avoid the use of acronyms; spell everything out.
• Have your CV reviewed by your adviser, career counselor, or other professional.

(Adapted from the University of Minnesota)