“Curriculum vitae”, often abbreviated as “CV”, is a Latin phrase meaning “course of life.” In modern usage, it refers to a document used in job applications and educational settings that summarizes a person’s education, work experience, skills, achievements, and other qualifications. A CV typically includes information such as the person’s contact information, education history, employment history, publications, awards and honors, professional affiliations, and references. The exact format and content of a CV may vary depending on the purpose for which it is being used and the preferences of the person or organization making the request.
Writing a high-quality curriculum vitae (CV) involves several key steps:
- Tailor your CV to the job or program you are applying for: Review the job or program description carefully and make sure your CV includes relevant information that highlights your qualifications for the position.
- Use clear, concise language: Employers and admissions committees are often busy and don’t have time to read lengthy descriptions. Keep your language succinct and to-the-point.
- Highlight your most relevant experience: Start with your most recent education and work experience and emphasize the duties and achievements that are most relevant to the position you’re applying for.
- Focus on specific achievements: Rather than simply listing your responsibilities in previous jobs, highlight specific accomplishments and quantify them as much as possible (e.g., “Increased sales by 20% in one quarter”).
- Use action-oriented language: Use strong verbs to describe your experiences and accomplishments, such as “led,” “developed,” “managed,” “created,” etc.
- Include relevant skills: In addition to outlining your work experience, be sure to include any relevant skills, certifications, or training programs you’ve completed.
- Check for errors: Before submitting your CV, proofread it carefully to ensure there are no spelling or grammatical errors. Consider having someone else review it to provide feedback and catch any mistakes you may have missed.
Overall, writing a high-quality CV requires careful attention to detail and an understanding of what employers and admissions committees are looking for. By following these steps, you can create a compelling document that highlights your qualifications and makes a strong impression.
Here’s an example of a high-quality curriculum vitae:
[Your Name] [Address] [Phone number] [Email]
Objective: [Insert your objective here (optional)]
Education: [Degree], [Major], [Graduation date], [University name] [GPA (if it is above 3.0)] [Related coursework or thesis/dissertation title]
Work experience: [Job title], [Company name], [Employment dates]
- [Bullet point describing your responsibilities and accomplishments]
- [Bullet point describing your responsibilities and accomplishments]
[Job title], [Company name], [Employment dates]
- [Bullet point describing your responsibilities and accomplishments]
- [Bullet point describing your responsibilities and accomplishments]
Skills:
- [Skill 1]
- [Skill 2]
- [Skill 3]
Certifications:
- [Certification 1]
- [Certification 2]
- [Certification 3]
Professional affiliations:
- [Affiliation 1]
- [Affiliation 2]
- [Affiliation 3]
Awards and honors:
- [Award/honor 1]
- [Award/honor 2]
- [Award/honor 3]
References: [Name, title, company, phone number, email] [Name, title, company, phone number, email] [Name, title, company, phone number, email]
Note that this is just a template and should be customized to fit your specific qualifications and experiences.