COLLEGE OF

Education and Human Development

Curriculum vitae (CV)

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

What is a curriculum vitae?

A CV in the U.S. is not the same as a CV in other parts of the world. European and other countries use the term “CV” to describe the document known as a “resume” in the U.S. [link to 3.1.4.3 Resumes]. Employers overseas may expect to receive personal information on a CV that is inappropriate to include on a U.S. résumé such as a photo, place of birth, nationality, gender, number of dependents, and marital status.

Resume vs. CV

Both resumes and CVs are marketing documents that provide key information about your skills, experiences, education, and personal qualities that show you as an ideal candidate. However, resumes and CVs differ in use, format, and length.

Resumes and CVs are documents that you will update throughout your academic and professional careers. You will likely have multiple versions of your resume and CV to highlight experiences that are relevant for different types of positions. Connect with a mentor, faculty member, or advisor in your department to ask about special CV formatting your academic area may require.

Your CV is longer and more structured than your résumé(s) because it includes more categories of experiences. The University of Minnesota’s TRIO McNair program shares more about the differences between a resume and a CV in the United States.

Writing your CV

Contact information

Include your name and pronouns, address (city and state), phone number, email, and online portfolio (if applicable).

Education

  • List the most recent or current degree program first (reverse chronological order)
  • Include your undergraduate and graduate degrees, majors/minors/areas of study, educational institution (city and state), and graduation date (or expected date of completion)
  • Cite full name of professional licenses and certifications, credentialing authority, and dates of validation – can include in Education or in a separate section

Dissertation or Thesis

This section includes a title and brief description of your research work.     

Expertise, interests or areas of concentration

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

Experience sections

Experiences are typically divided into categories to highlight your accomplishments. Below are common titles for sections on your CV.

  • Teaching: Courses you taught; student advising; guest lectures; invited lectures; training, seminars, and workshops you led.
  • Presentation of research: Scholarly presentations, conference presentations, workshops, conference leadership, conference papers presented, and/or poster presentations.
  • Publications: Published books, articles, peer-reviewed journals, professional papers, books/book reviews, and/or exhibitions.

Service/engagement

  • Academic service/leadership: Departmental or university committees, groups or task forces served or led, faculty leadership/governance, professional association leadership and activities, community service relevant to discipline.
  • Memberships: Affiliations with academic or industry-specific associations, scholarly societies, or conference planning.

Work experience

  • Employment: Administrative experience, leadership positions, consulting, entrepreneurial opportunities, community work.
  • Related experiences: Teaching assistantships, research assistantships, graduate fieldwork/practicum/internships.

Professional development

List special training or conferences you attended that helped you gain relevant skills and knowledge. For example: Preparing Future Faculty program, WebCT Vista Technology training, or SPSS Statistical Software competency.

Honors, awards, fellowships, and scholarships

Include a list of recognitions received from a college, university, association, or honorary society.

Other categories

  • Languages/global: International experiences, study and research abroad opportunities, language competencies (speaking, reading and writing abilities).
  • Licenses/certifications: Certification, licensure, special trainings, endorsements
  • Credentials: Placement/Credential file, dossier, references, recommendations

Tips for a better CV

  • Understand your values, and the priorities of the organizations you are applying to. Which of your identities, values, and career ambitions should you share to set you apart?
  • Curate your CV to a specific opportunity using keywords in the position description. Organize your CV so the most relevant categories come first.
  • Research the organization and the specific position. Shift your categories in alignment with their priorities.
    Keep the layout and design of your CV organized, consistent, and relevant. Explore visual options and layouts for your CV.
  • Create a long, complete CV with all of your experiences and career information. Also develop industry/academic-specific versions of your CV that are shorter and highlight your most relevant and reputable experiences.
  • Avoid the use of acronyms by spelling everything out.
  • Connect with your advisor, faculty, a career coach, industry connections, or a trusted mentor to review your CV.

Additional resources