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Preparing a Curriculum Vitae

A curriculum vitae, or CV, is a type of resume used by professionals in the fields of academia, medicine, teaching, and research.

Differences between a resume and a CV

• Education is always listed first. Most candidates who use a CV have an educational background directly related to the positions they seek.


• CV’s almost never list an objective and seldom have a long narrative profile. If you want to make a more elaborate argument for your application, do it in a cover letter.


• CV’s should be understated. Self-congratulation is likely to backfire on the author so keep your CV looking simple.


• Name-dropping is more common in CV’s than resumes. For example, if you performed research under a certain professor, you would probably include her name and title. Science and academia are small worlds, and it is likely that a prospective employer will have heard of a given specialist in her own field.


• CV’s can run on for pages and pages. This is different from resumes, which need to be one to two pages, maximum. CV’s should, however, be very neatly organized with clear headings and distinct conceptual divisions.


• CV’s often contain many more categories of information than resumes. Experience may be divided between headings for TEACHING and RESEARCH; education may be divided between DEGREES and CONTINUING EDUCATION or ADVANCED TRAINING. How you organize this material determines its impact on your reader.

Information to include on a CV

The organization and presentation of your CV is extremely important. Your presentation will be judged largely on the number and nature of listings. Review your total universe of material before deciding what to include, what to feature, and what to omit. Review all potential data in the following categories:

Degrees Dissertations Theses All other college studies Clinics Training Specialization Expertise Profession Interests Employment Class projects Research

Study abroad Teaching Workshops Continuing education Seminars Conferences Symposia Publications Translations Presentations Papers Lectures Exhibitions

Volunteer experience Service Languages Additional activities Technical skills Computer skills Licenses Credentials Honors Scholarships Fellowships Assistantships Grants

Appointments Consulting Practica Travel (non tourist) Laboratory skills Sports Awards Bibliography Addenda Affiliation Pro bono Committees

After compiling this information, organize it on your CV in accordance with your desired impact on the reader. If you’re looking for a job in research, emphasize the research in which you’ve already participated or relevant coursework. All information should be listed in reverse chronological order.

Note: Adapted from the College of Natural Sciences Career Services with CV information provided by From College to Career, by Donald Asher, Ten Speed Press, 1992

Sample Curriculum Vitae

There is no one standard format for a CV since different fields have different emphases. This sample CV (PDF, 95KB) should be used as a source for strategy and not an exact model to be reproduced in every detail.

Additional help

Further help on preparing your CV can be found on the following websites:

• The Undergraduate Writing Center at the University of Texas at Austin
• The online writing lab at Purdue University (as recommended by the Undergraduate Writing Center at the University of Texas at Austin)