What is a Curriculum Vitae?

A curriculum vitae is summary of personal qualifications of one’s educational and work background. A CV is more formal in format than a resume and includes a detailed listing of academic information, publications, presentations, professional activities, honors, and additional information that is relevant to the position you are applying for.

How is a CV different from a Resume?

CVs are more complete and typically longer than resumes. A CV is appropriate to use when applying for international, academic, education, scientific or research positions or when applying for fellowships or grants.  A curriculum vitae is commonly used by PhDs for positions in higher education (although masters can use it for positions in community colleges as well). It is also appropriate for positions that require a PhD for high-level research in industry or government and highly specialized careers in consulting.

What information should I include in my curriculum vitae?

Heading
Includes your name, current address, zip code, area code and telephone number. If your current address is temporary, you should also include a permanent address and telephone number. As long as you have an appropriate e-mail address, it should be included. 

Professional, Vocational or Research Objective
A concise statement about career or educational goals and/or to express your interest in their program.

Education including Post Graduate, Graduate and Undergraduate Degrees and Studies
In reverse chronological order include degree, major, minor, institution, city and state where institution is located, and date of graduation. Relevant coursework for position/graduate program may be added. If your cumulative GPA or major GPA is above a 3.0 you may want to consider including it.

Professional Licenses or Certifications
State the name of the certification, date received, organization obtained through, and expiration date, if applicable.

Educational or Professional Honors or Awards
Includes scholarships, academic honors such as the Dean’s List and any other awards or special recognition you have received (such as Employee of the Month). List name of award, description of what the award was for, institution awarded for, and date awarded.

Scientific or Academic Research, Laboratory Experience and Related Skills
List the name of the project, professor, institution, and dates. Also list any contributions you made to the project, include substance worked with or techniques used, if applicable.

Description of Thesis or Dissertation, Papers Written, Publications, Presentations
Provide a list with dates, titles and locations. Avoid writing abstracts.

Related Extracurricular Activities
List clubs, honor societies, organizations, and sports. Make sure if you held an office you include the position and a few bullets about your accomplishments. 

Community Involvement
List organizations you have volunteered for and the position title (if applicable), include city, state and dates. Also describe what you did using bulleted statements. 

Work Experience
In reverse chronological order you should include the job title, employer name and location (city and state), dates of employment, and description of your responsibilities and accomplishments using action verbs

Technical and Specialized Skills
List computer skills including languages, systems, and programs. Also include any special instrument knowledge such as instruments used in a laboratory.

Foreign Language Skills
Specify the language and state ability: native, fluent, proficient, or working knowledge.

Optional Sections:

• Summary of Qualifications
  Five to seven statements that are effective in describing your personal strengths. Write these descriptions specifically for the type of position/graduate program that you are applying for. Make sure the statements are relevant, positive, and serious qualifications that will help you succeed in what you are applying for. Make sure you begin with action verbs.
• Travel / Exposure to Cultural Experiences
• Professional and Association Memberships
• Additional Information that May Support Objective or Qualifications

What Should NOT Be Included in a CV?

Personal information such as age, gender, marital status, race, ethnic background, and religion should never be included on a curriculum vita.

Helpful Hints

Curriculum Vitae should always be written in a concise, clear and organized manner. Names, titles, and dates should appear in the same place for every entry. Use action verbs to begin bulleted statements.

Information in the Career Discovery Center

1. Various resources in the Green Section
2. The Complete Guide to Graduate School Admission: Psychology, Counseling, and Related Professions (p. 266)
3. Insider’s Guide to Graduate Programs in Clinical and Counseling Psychology (p. 66)
4. Resumes For Dummies (p. 45)
5. How to Prepare Your Curriculum Vitae