The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly of CV Writing

By Ellie Santonato

Resumes and Curriculum Vitae (CVs)

Depending on the type of job, you will need to craft a curriculum vitae (CV) or a resume. Both documents encapsulate your qualifications but are tailored for different audiences and formats. The term ‘resume’ is derived from the French word for ‘summary,’ while ‘Curriculum Vitae,’ often referred to as a CV, translates to ‘course of life’ in Latin. It’s crucial to understand the nuances of each and tailor your document accordingly.

When to Use a Resume

In the United States, resumes are the norm for non-academic positions. These are typically one or two-page summaries of your experience, education, and skills. Employers usually spend only a few minutes reviewing a resume, so it’s crucial that it’s concise and has enough white space to make it easy to scan.

When to Use a CV

International employers often use CVs when applying for academic, scientific, or research positions. A CV can be two pages or several pages long. Professionals seeking academic and non-academic positions in science, higher education, research, and health care typically use a CV.

CV Formatting Best Practices

Your CV must be well-organized and easy to read. Choose an effective format and be consistent.

Use bolds, italics, underlines, and capitalization to draw attention. List all relevant items in reverse chronological order in each section.
Strategically place the most important information near the page’s top and/or left side.
- In general, place the name of the position, title, award, or institution on the left side of the page and associated dates on the right.
Use a footer with page numbers and your last name, in case pages get separated.

Final Thoughts: CV Edition

A CV is a catalog of academic, professional, and personal accomplishments.
A CV is used when applying for graduate school, fellowships, grants, and academic positions.
It always begins with education. When appropriate, include these sections: publications, conferences, papers, exhibitions, presentations, honors and awards, extracurricular and volunteer experience, teaching, research, certifications and licensure, professional associations, and languages.

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Not sure what the future holds? Need support along the way? That’s exactly where we come in. Whether you’re a freshman or an alumnus, it’s never too early (or too late) to utilize our services. Book an appointment with Ellie, or another member of the advising community through Handshake, or by calling the front desk at (773) 325-7431.