Curriculum Vitae Tips

Top 10 Curriculum Vita Tips: Writing a CV can be trickier than writing a resume this is because the format of the Curriculum Vitae changes depends on what type of position you are applying for, your location, and what you need to include in your CV also changes. Here are some useful tips that will guide you in writing a curriculum vitae, choosing the right template, writing of cover letters for curriculum vitae, formatting your CV, what to include in a CV, and many more CV writing tips and examples.

1. What to Include in Your Curriculum Vitae
When writing a curriculum vitae it’s important to include all the right information so the hiring manager can see, at first glance, why you are a strong candidate for the job.

What information should a CV include?When writing curriculum vitas it’s important to include all the right information needed so the hiring manager or employer can view your profile at first glance, you should be able to clarify why you believe you are a stronger candidate for the job

Kevin Fitzgerald, North American Marketing Communications Manager, Michael Page International, one of the world’s leading professional recruitment consultancies, shares his advice on what information should be include in a curriculum vitae.

Information to be included in CV:

• Personal details. Most CVs start with these but take care to avoid superfluous details, such as religious affiliation, children’s names and so on.
• Education and qualifications. Take care to include the names of institutions and dates attended in reverse order; university before school results.
• Work experience. The most widely accepted style of employment record is the chronological CV. Career history is presented in reverse date order starting with most recent. Achievements and responsibilities are listed against each role. More emphasis/information should be put on more recent jobs.
• Skills. Include computer skills and (genuine) foreign language skills and any other recent training/development that is relevant to the role applied for.
• Hobbies and Interests. Keep this section short.
• Referees. These can simply be ‘Available on request’.

How long should a CV be?

Good Curriculum Vitae should ideally cover no more than two pages and never more than three. Aimed to ensure the content is clear, structured, concise and relevant. Using bullet points rather than full sentences can help minimize word usage.

2. Start Your CV From a Template
Microsoft curriculum vitae (CV) templates are available as a free download for Microsoft Word users, or available within your Word program, to use to create a curriculum vitae. CV template options include basic resumes, job-specific and career-specific resumes.

Technology experts Microsoft Corporation; manufacturers of Microsoft word has made quite a variety of Curriculum Vitae (CV) Templates available for free download. These CVs templates come in different format with quite attractive designs. Microsoft Word users can easily use to it to create a CV or resume for themselves.

The curriculum vitae templates are mixed in with the resume templates, so the best way to find them is to search or quarry their database (using the search box at top of page) and using the keyword Resumes and CVs section for curriculum vitae or cv or better still you can download them from our list of CV and resume templates

To access these curriculum vitae templates from your computer:

Open Microsoft Word, and then click on:
File
New
Templates or New from Template

Click on:
Office Online (browse a large selection)
Click on
Resumes and CVs

To access CV templates from the web: Visit Microsoft Resume and CV Templates, search for a CV template or browse through the resume templates, then click on the curriculum vitae title to preview the sample. Click the Download Now button, and then follow the instructions to download the template to your computer.

Use the Curriculum Vitae Template to Create a Customized CV

Once you have downloaded or opened a curriculum vitae template file, type over the text in the file to create your own, personalized CV.

3. Create a Custom CV
It definitely takes more time to write a custom CV, but, it’s worth the effort, especially when applying for jobs that are a good match for your skills and experience.

Creating a Custom Curriculum Vitae: It is important create a custom curriculum vitae that specifically highlights the experience you have that is relevant to the job you are applying for.

It definitely takes more time to write a custom CV, but, it’s worth the effort if properly constructed, especially when applying for a job that is a good match for your skills, experience and expertise

International CV writing expert Fern Beauchamp, Plain Words Limited, explains why it’s important to customize your CV:

Employers have very short time to look through your CV, particularly in the current employment market with the large number of candidates applying for each job. To get ahead of your competitors, you need to sit down and focus on the job description/functions and pick out the key points they are looking for. This is what should be highlighted in your CV.

This should include your achievements, personality attributes and previous work experience. It will not only demonstrate that you’re able to do the job, but it will also make it easier for the employer to find the relevant information he is looking for. This will also be emphasized by a focused covering letter.

4. Include a Covering Letter With Your CV
A covering letter should be included with every curriculum vitae you send. Your covering letter provides detailed information on why are you are qualified for the job and explains the reasons for your interest in the company.

5. Writing a CV for Academia
When writing a CV for academia it should include research and teaching experience, publications, grants and fellowships, professional associations and licenses, awards and other information relevant to the position you are applying for.

When writing an academic or Academia CV (A CV to be sent to an academic institution) it should include research and teaching experience, written publications by you (if any), grants and fellowships, professional associations/body and licenses, awards and honors. Other information relevant to the position you are applying for should be included as well.

It’s important to take Curriculum Vitae a step further and tailor your CV so it stands out from your competitors and also the content of your CV should reflects to your audience (i.e. the organization that you want to work for)

Here are some useful tips on how to get your academic CV noticed in a very crowded job market.

1 Consider a Combination CV

If you are applying for an academic position, a combination CV is our best choice. On which includes a summary of your job descriptions and accomplishments just like a regular resume, along with all the additional information (such as presentations, publications, education, membership, certifications, awards, honors etc) as in traditional CV’s.

2 Target Your CV to Your Audience

Since a CV is different and longer (two or more pages) than a resume, it should be carefully targeted and well organized to best way ever in order to represent you in the light of your audience. First step here is, of course, careful study of the available job description.

Second, find a good network by find out who will be making the final candidate decision, and learn as much background information on each of these people as possible. That probably meansnetworking your way to future peers, and finding out, if possibly, what and how they got there. Be sure to ask questions about the employment nature or culture within the organization; it will not only give you clues in how to present your CV but will help you know one or more persons in the company. You can get more about networking on our job search strategies

Arrange the CV contents and organize your facts in accordance with what you’ve learned sequentially as they affect the position and the company. For example, if a new post at a major university places particular emphasis on publishing and article writing, highlight your credits early, and include a bibliography listing of your articles/publications from most recent to oldest.

6. Writing a European CV
European curriculum vitae are similar to US CVs, with the with the exception of the personal information that’s included on a CV for European applicants. Here’s what you should, and shouldn’t, include on your CV.

Writing a European CV is similar to writing aUS Curriculum Vitas, but with the exception of the personal information that’s usually included on a European CV for applicants.

International CV expert, Danielle Beauparlant Moser, Career Strategist / Partner, Blended Learning Team LLC, shares her tips on how to write and what to include on a European Curriculum Vitae:

How to Write a European CV

1. Use accomplishment oriented bullets that start with an action version and include a result.

1. Start with a Professional Profile (also called a Summary) that highlights the best of what the candidate is offering.
2. Edit content to include those areas of expertise, skills, and knowledge for which the marketplace is looking, not all the details of your history (work, research, fellowships, etc.)

Personal Information to Include On a European CV

• Marital Status
• Age
• Number of children (ages optional)
• Personal Interests like hobbies
• All education including high school / secondary school
• Photos are also recommended (professional headshot is best)

7. Choose Between a Resume and a Curriculum Vitae
What’s the difference between a resume and a CV? When should you use a resume and when should you use a curriculum vitae? Here are the differences between a curriculum vitae and a resume and when to use

What’s the difference between a resumeand a CV? The primary differences are the length, the content and the purpose. A resume is usually shorter (a one or two page summary of your skills, experience and education). The goal of resume writing is to be brief and concise since, at best; the resume reader will want to spend a minute or less reviewing your qualifications.

Curriculum Vitae commonly referred to as CV or a curriculum vita is a longer (two or more pages) and a more detailed synopsis. It includes a summary of your educational and academic backgrounds as well as teaching and research experience, publications, presentations, awards, honors, affiliations and other details that are relevant to a potential employer and best describes your skills, experiences and expertise for the job

Know When to Use a CV

In the United States a Curriculum Vitae is used primarily when applying for an international job (jobs outside the United States), academic and educational jobs, scientific or research positions or when applying for fellowships or grants. As with a resume, you may need different versions of a CV for different type of positions.

Know What to Include in Your CV

Like a resume, your CV should include your name, contact information, education, skills and experience. In addition to these bases, a CV includes research and teaching experience, publications, grants and fellowships, professional associations and licenses, awards and other information relevant to the position you are applying for. If you do not keep records for you these list and other achievement, I suggest you start by making a list of all your background information, and then organize it into categories. Make sure you include dates on all the publications you include in a sequential manner

8. Review Curriculum Vitae Samples
Review curriculum vitae samples, formats and templates including academic and international CVs, including CVs for a variety of countries.

9. When to Use a Curriculum Vitae
In the United States, a curriculum vitae is used primarily when applying for academic, education, scientific or research positions. It is also applicable when applying for fellowships or grants.

When should job seekers use Curriculum Vitae or a CV, rather than a resume? In the United States, a curriculum vita is used primarily when applying for academic, education, scientific or research positions. It is also applicable when applying for fellowships or grants.

When asking for a job in Europe, Middle East, Africa, or Asia, expect to submit a CV rather than a resume. Keep in mind that overseas employers often expect to read the type of personal information on a curriculum vitae that would never be included on an American resume, such as date of birth, nationality and place of birth. United States law on what information job applicants can be asked to provide does not apply outside the country.

The Differences between a Resume and a CV

There are several differences between a curriculum vitae and a resume. A curriculum vitae is a longer (up to two or more pages), more detailed synopsis of your background and skills, whereas a Curriculum vitae includes a summary of your educational and academic backgrounds as well as teaching and research experience, publications, presentations, awards, honors, affiliations and other details. As with a resume, you may need different versions of curriculum vitae for different types of positions.

Like a resume, curriculum vitae should include your name, contact information, education, skills and experience at the top of your sheet. In addition to the basics, a Curriculum Vita includes research and teaching experience, publications, grants and fellowships, professional associations and licenses, awards and other information relevant to the position you are applying for. Start by making a list of all your background information, and then organize it into categories. Make sure you include the dates on all the publications in a sequential manner

10. More CV Tips
Need more help with your CV? Review these tips so you can include the appropriate information in your curriculum vitae (CV) and format your curriculum vitae correctly. Remember, the first impression is the one that matters, so, your CV needs to be perfect!?