Some employers use the terms resume and curriculum vitae (CV) interchangeably, but the documents have subtle differences and should be used in different situations. While a resume is sufficient for most jobs, a CV is valuable for jobs in the research, medical, scientific and academic fields.
These fields are often technical, but that doesn’t mean that creating a CV must be a complicated process. There are three main differences between a resume and a CV: the length, the applicable jobs and the comprehensiveness of a CV.
A CV is a personal marketing document that includes work experience, an extensive review of academic work, and a long list of certifications or training. To write a winning CV, we provide a quick overview of all the important points.
Focus on Measurable Skills
Most employers come across your CV before they know anything about you, and it’s highly likely that you have competitors with similar credentials. To stand out, focus on your measurable skills that fit the job. Some examples with quantitative statements include the following:
- Reviewed employee productivity and implemented strategies that improved output by 20% over three years.
- Created open-source materials to save students $4 million over the course of five years.
- Partnered with research interns to create new processes that decreased training time by 5%.
In each of these examples, there is a number that highlights exactly how much you improved the process, the system or the business. These are better than ambiguous statements that sound positive but don’t give any real concrete benefits. Give clear information about how you saved money, increased productivity or helped the business bottom line.
Identify Gaps
If you take time off from education or the workforce, don’t avoid that on your CV. Address it directly and justify the gap time. If you don’t provide an explanation, a potential employer may assume the gap means something negative or that you’re hiding something.
Reasonable reasons for gaps include paternity or maternity leave, illness or unemployment, or sabbatical leave. Keep your dates concise even if there is a gap between employment because there is a good chance the employer will verify any employment you document on your CV.
Keep It Simple
While a CV is a longer document than a resume, you still need to keep it simple and concise. A CV doesn’t replace the interview process, but rather gives enough information to get you an interview. Be informative but get straight to the point.
When building a CV, only include the main tasks, skills and experiences you had at previous jobs. Use bullet points rather than paragraphs as they are easier to read. Avoid unnecessary details and keep sentences short. Your CV shouldn’t be more than three pages if possible.
Identify Where You Shine
The facts on your CV are going to look the same as someone else’s. There’s a good chance you have the same education, the same degree or the same experience as someone applying for the same job. Because your CV is used to attract attention and get you to the interview stage, take some time identifying where you shine and how to highlight it. Ask yourself some of the following questions:
- What is important to me?
- What experiences do I have in my professional life that relate to my personal interests?
- How does my job relate to my personal life?
- What specifics can I include with my listed activities?
- Am I being honest and reliable in the information in my CV?
Don’t go into too much detail about anything personal, but if you can connect an interest or experience with a hiring manager or recruiter, it may just be enough to get them to remember you.
Organize Your CV Appropriately
Use defined sections to identify work experience, academic achievements and skills. These should also directly correlate with the requirements of the job. If an interviewer is flipping through your CV, it helps if they can match a need related to the job with something you can offer.
To do this, model your CV after the job description. Check the requirements and tasks listed for the job and try to highlight skills or experience you have that relate to those. To keep your CV current, you’ll need to update it for each job.
Many companies use applicant tracking systems or software to sort through resumes, CVs and applications. They include keywords in the job posting or description to help them sort through the large number of applications they get. Your CV should include as many of those keywords as possible while still including honest, relevant information and experience.
Don’t Let It Gather Dust
Always look at your CV before you attach it to an application or send it to a contact. There may be formatting errors or mistakes that you didn’t notice before. Update your CV at least every six months, sooner if you have big changes or new accomplishments to include.
If you are applying for jobs in different industries and the requirements are significantly different, you may want to create a CV for both rather than adjusting each time. As you apply for many jobs, it’s easy to forget what you’ve sent. Keep a spreadsheet or tracking system to know which copy you sent, and to which contact.
Utilize Feedback
You can only look at your own CV so many times before your brain begins to fill in holes and you miss small typos and errors. Take advantage of feedback where you can get it. Have friends, colleagues or professors proofread your CV and give feedback. If you are the only one who can proofread it, take a break between edits to make sure you aren’t on autopilot.
A good CV can make or break a job opportunity. Take the time to create a quality CV, update it regularly and ask for feedback.
