Curriculum Vitae (CV)
A Curriculum Vitae (CV) is a comprehensive document showcasing your professional journey, qualifications, and achievements.
From Latin "course of life" - your professional story in document form
What is a CV?
A CV is your professional passport — a detailed record of your academic background, work experience, skills, publications, honors, and other accomplishments.
Unlike a resume (typically 1–2 pages), a CV can be longer and more comprehensive, especially important for academic, medical, scientific, or research positions.
Need a quick start? Try our CV Builder or browse free templates.
CV vs Resume: Key Differences
| Aspect | CV | Resume |
|---|---|---|
| Length | 2+ pages (as needed) | 1-2 pages max |
| Purpose | Comprehensive career overview | Targeted skills for specific job |
| Common Use | Academic, medical, international | Corporate jobs (US/Canada) |
Essential CV Sections
1. Personal Information
- Full name
- Professional title
- Contact information
- Optional: LinkedIn/profile links
2. Professional Summary
- 3-5 sentence overview
- Key qualifications
- Career objectives
3. Work Experience
- Reverse chronological order
- Company names & positions
- Key achievements (quantifiable)
4. Education
- Degrees & certifications
- Institutions & dates
- Honors/theses if relevant
Professional CV Tips
Tailor Your CV
Customize for each application by emphasizing relevant experience and keywords from the job description.
Quantify Achievements
Use numbers and metrics ("Increased sales by 30%") to demonstrate impact.
Keep Formatting Clean
Use consistent fonts (10-12pt), clear headings, and sufficient white space.
Understanding Key CV Components
Skills
- Technical abilities you've learned
- Measurable and testable (e.g., Python, Photoshop)
- Best organized in categories (Technical, Language, Soft Skills)
Competencies
- How you apply your skills
- Behavioral patterns (e.g., Problem Solving, Leadership)
- Demonstrate with achievements ("Led team of 5 developers")
Motivations
- Your professional drivers
- Should align with company values
- Express in summary ("Passionate about sustainable design")
Pro Tip: Use the "SCM" formula: Skill + Competency + Motivation = Strong Application
Building a CV as a Student with No Experience
Everyone starts somewhere — your potential matters just as much as your past.
What to Include
- Academic projects with outcomes or results
- Volunteer experience demonstrating soft skills
- Personal work like blogs, designs, or GitHub repos
- Relevant coursework tailored to the role
- Certifications or online learning credentials
Presentation Tips
- Lead with your education if you're a recent graduate
- Use a "Projects" section in place of "Work Experience"
- Highlight transferable skills over job history
- Use a functional CV layout, not just chronological
- Quantify achievements where possible ("Top 5% of class")
Example Section Headers
Words to Avoid in Your CV
Strong language creates stronger impressions. Ditch the fluff and aim for clarity.
Overused Buzzwords
- Team player
- Hard worker
- Detail-oriented
- Go-getter
- Synergy
- Think outside the box
- Results-driven
- Self-starter
These are vague and offer no real context or proof.
Weak Action Verbs
- Worked on → Developed
- Helped with → Collaborated on
- Was responsible for → Managed / Oversaw
Vague Quantifiers
- Many → 15+
- Various → 7 different
- Increased significantly → Boosted by 37%
Power Words to Use Instead
- Spearheaded
- Optimized
- Pioneered
- Transformed
- Streamlined
- Architected
- Amplified
- Mentored
Ready to Create Your CV?
Download our free CV template or use our builder tool to create a professional CV in minutes.