Curriculum Vitae Definition and Differences | Generated by AI
Question: What is a Curriculum Vitae?
Answer:
A Curriculum Vitae (often abbreviated as CV) is a document that provides a detailed overview of a person’s professional and academic history. The term comes from Latin and literally means “course of life.”
Key differences between a CV and a résumé
| Aspect | Curriculum Vitae (CV) | Résumé |
|---|---|---|
| Length | Usually 2+ pages (no strict limit) | Typically 1–2 pages |
| Purpose | Academic, research, medical, or international job applications | Most job applications in business/private sector |
| Content | Comprehensive: education, publications, research, presentations, awards, grants, teaching experience, professional affiliations, etc. | Concise summary of work experience, skills, and achievements tailored to a specific job |
| When it changes | Updated with every new accomplishment | Customized for each job application |
Typical sections in a CV
- Personal/contact information
- Education (degrees, institutions, dates, thesis titles)
- Professional experience / appointments
- Research experience
- Publications (peer-reviewed articles, books, chapters, etc.)
- Conference presentations and posters
- Grants, honors, and awards
- Teaching experience
- Professional service (reviewing, committees, etc.)
- References (often included or “available upon request”)
In the United States and Canada, a CV is mainly used when applying for:
- Academic positions (professors, researchers)
- Research or scientific jobs
- Fellowships, grants, or postdoctoral positions
- Some medical or federal government roles
In most other countries (Europe, UK, Australia, etc.), the term “CV” is used for what Americans call a résumé – i.e., the shorter document for general job applications.
So, in short: a Curriculum Vitae is your full academic and professional life story on paper, used primarily in scholarly or research-oriented contexts.