Printer-friendly versionA curriculum vitae (also known as a vita or CV) provides a detailed and comprehensive description of your academic credentials and achievements. A CV differs from the more concise resume, which summarizes your skills and experience in relation to a specific career objective. Those who hold master’s or doctoral degrees should submit a CV when they apply for teaching or research positions at colleges, universities, or research institutions. Other industries and educational institutions, including public and private schools, prefer a resume.

What should I include?

Your CV is your on-paper persona; it must be appealing and convince a search committee of your qualifications. Include the following information (not necessarily in this order):

• Name, address, telephone number, and/or e-mail address
• Degrees, institutions, and degree dates
• Dissertation or thesis title(s), names of advisor and committee members
• Awards, fellowships, and grants
• Publications and presentations
• Teaching experience and interests
• Research experience and interests
• Related experience (for example, administrative or editorial experience)
• Language, computer, and/or other skills
• Activities and/or interests (optional)
• Service and membership in professional associations (e.g., Modern Language Association)

Different disciplines may warrant additional sections, such as Data Sets (sciences), Performances (performing arts), Film Production Highlights (MFA), etc. Consult with your advisor and other faculty members to learn more about what the conventions are for your specific field. Regardless of area of specialization, do not include personal information such as your age, marital status, race, ethnic background, or religion for positions in the U.S.

How should I organize my CV?

Present your qualifications and achievements in a clear, concise, and organized fashion. Use topical headings and consider their order; what comes first will receive more emphasis. One typically opens with one's academic preparation, drawing attention to the degrees. There are no universal rules for vitae, so check with your advisor. Many faculty members post their CV on line, so review examples from new faculty in your field.

Formatting should support and not obscure the content of your CV. Consider your audience and make your CV easy to read. Names, titles, and dates should appear in the same place within each entry. Be consistent in your use of punctuation, type face, and indentation. Also, liberal use of white space and judicious use of bold type can help make your CV a swift and pleasant read.

Finally, meet with a career counselor to review your CV, and show it to your peers and professors to solicit their feedback.

How long should my CV be?

Content determines the length of the CV. The CV of a student or junior professor may be two to four pages in length; senior faculty may produce CVs that run to ten or more pages.

Books available in the CCE’s Resource Center:

• The Academic Job Search Handbook
• The Curriculum Vitae Handbook
• How to Prepare Your Curriculum Vitae
• Cracking The Academia Nut

Additional Online Resources:

• CCE Sample CV
• Search the archives of The Chronicle of Higher Education’s career section for “c.v.” and “cv.” You will find very helpful articles, advice, and sample CVs.
• Stanford University's Guide to CVs and Cover Letters (pdf)
• University of Pennsylvania's CV samples