Writing a curriculum vitae (CV)

A CV (Curriculum Vitae) is a biographical representation of one’s educational and work background. The origin of the term is Latin and means “the course of one’s life or career.”

January 23, 2025

CVs are used in specific fields such as academia, research and in the application processes for graduate schools. The major focus of a CV is on credentials including education publications, abstracts, academic achievements, research, fellowships, internships, and residencies.

Your CV may closely resemble a resume if you have not yet amassed those types of experiences. Focus on elaborating on your education, if relevant, by describing major project(s), research paper(s) or brief description of relevant learning from courses.  

What is the difference between a resume and a CV?

The primary differences between a CV and a resume are length, content and purpose.

A Resume

  • Demonstrates ‘fit’ and ‘competence’ for a position/organization  
  • The more relevant you are, the  
  • better ‘fit’  and more ‘competent’ you are 
  • Typically used outside of academic or research roles  
  • Includes summary of your skills, education, and experience written to market the qualifications required for a specific position 
  • One or two page page limit 
  • Goal of the resume is to be brief and concise 

A CV

  • Demonstrates expertise 
  • established through experience over time 
  • The more you’ve done, the greater  
  • ‘expertise’ you have 
  • Typically used where experience in academia and/or research 
  • is most valued  
  • Includes comprehensive listing of your accomplishments and experiences 
  • No page limit  
  • Goal of the CV is to highlight academic-related experience such as teaching and research, publications, presentations, awards, honours, affiliations etc.   

Note: Your CV may closely resemble a resume if you have not yet amassed those types of experiences. Focus on elaborating on your education, if relevant, by describing major project(s), research paper(s) or brief description of relevant learning from courses.

What do I include in my CV?

The categories in a CV are organized to highlight skills and experiences that are most relevant to the position you are seeking. There can be particular conventions for different faculties, so ensure you obtain advice from those in your field.  For example, if you are applying for a research position, you should list your Research Experiences and Research Interests first.

Supplementary Links: 

Here are some helpful links to reference as needed, Offers samples of a variety of different CVs:

Common CV Category Headings 

Personal Data 

  • Name, Address, Telephone Number, Work Phone Number, Email Address, LinkedIn public URL and URL for your personal website (optional) 

Educational Background 

  • Usually listed first; includes complete post-secondary academic history 
  • List in reverse chronological order 
  • Name of institution & degree (if you have not completed your program, indicate expected graduation date or the status of dissertation) 
  • Include minors and/or secondary fields of specialization 

Thesis 

  • Brief synopsis- no more than a few typed lines, or append a one page abstract in which you describe your dissertation and indicate how it contributes to the field. Indicate name of supervisor

Coursework 

  • Provide any relevant coursework titles, with brief description so the reader has a clear indication that course content is congruent with role or program requirements 
  • Do not include course numbers or abbreviations as they are institution specific.
  • List all courses in groups that support and strengthen your professional/ career objectives

Scholarships, Academic Awards, Research Grants 

  • Focus on presenting yourself as a ‘fundable entity’. If you have several, put them on the first page of your CV. List from most current to least current awards and include a brief description of why it was awarded, if relevant

Teaching Experience 

  • Brief description of courses taught, teaching responsibilities, dates, and awards
  • Include course title, Department, Institution, your Position Title, date(s)

Teaching Interests (optional) 

  • Areas in which you are qualified to teach undergraduate and graduate courses, as well as areas in which you are able to teach introductory or junior- level courses

Research / Laboratory Experience 

  • Be as specific and precise as possible regarding the description of your research interests.  Relate experiences to the area you are applying.
  • Include your Role, Institution (Location), Supervisor, Project Information, Relevant Research Techniques
  • Include associates, supervisors, (optional) and dates

Research Interests (optional) 

  • Include your interests as relevant to your target audience 

Instrumentation Experience / Laboratory Skills 

  • Describe the relevant technical skills and equipment you have used

Publications 

  • Articles, books and chapters of books written and edited. Cite all authors as they appear in publications
  • Include journal abbreviations, volume number, inclusive title page numbers and date of publication; indicate if the journal is refereed
  • State whether you are the primary, secondary or joint author and use a citation format that is usually accepted within your discipline (APA, MLA)
  • If you have several publications, consider using Sub Headings to clarify: Peer Reviewed; Works in Press, Works in Progress; Editorial, Journal Reviews

Presentation (Papers) and Lectures 

  • Title, Place, Date (Optional)
  • List in reverse chronological order and provide a brief description 
  • Highlight any conference awards received

Academic and Administrative Experience 

  • Paid and unpaid experience, especially that which is related to the position for which you are applying and demonstrates considerable responsibility (e.g. organizing a conference)
  • Administrative positions held within a post-secondary institution
  • Membership on academic and professional councils and committees
  • Include name of position, dates, department, university, brief description of the type of committee, your contributions/initiatives

Professional Experience 

  • Include non-academic experience and describe your responsibilities using accomplishment statements

Addititional Skills and Qualification 

  • Describe specialized skills – interpersonal, leadership or analytical, as well as their applications and the contexts in which you have used them e.g., quantitative/qualitative research skills, computer-related skills etc.

Professional Affiliations and Memberships 

  • List any memberships in organizations/ associations (past and present)

Community Service 

  • Include volunteer work, committee memberships, etc. 

Travel 

  • Include extended international travel as a result of academic study or community work abroad

Languages 

  • Include the languages you have and level of proficiency

References 

  • Provide a list, indicate “Available upon request”, or bring to an interview
  • You may also attach letters of recommendation; these are sometimes a requirement

Portfolio / Teaching Dossier (optional) 

  • If not included as part of your application package, indicate “Available upon request” or “Available at Interview”

Adapted from How to Prepare your Curriculum Vitae, University of Alberta & Academic CV Writing, Wilfrid Laurier University