The Anatomy of a Curriculum Vitae (CV)

One of the struggles in applying for a job is the appropriate career tool to use, including the million-dollar question “what should I submit? A resume or a CV?”, this is also one of the ways on how to leave a good impression on the hiring managers – following instructions and knowing what to do. 

What is a Curriculum Vitae (CV)?
 
A Curriculum vitae (CV) is a career marketing document, presented in an easy-to-digest format that provides key information about the jobseeker’s skills, experiences, education, and personal qualities to prove that the applicant is an ideal candidate for the target job.
 
So, what is the difference between a CV and a resume?
 
As stated, the three major differences between CVs and resumes are the length, the purpose, and the layout. Whereas a resume is a summary of one’s skills and experience over one or two pages, a CV is more detailed and can stretch well beyond two pages.
 
How and when to use a CV?
 
There are many points to consider in writing and using a CV in job applications:
 

1. Job target and industry: CV documents are usually utilized by researchers, academia professionals, scientists or by professionals = in the healthcare settings
2. Target market: If the job position is located in Australia, South America, Europe, Asia, Southeast Asia, you may use the CV format

 
How to write a CV?
 
1.Create a detailed career summary
 
The most critical aspect of your CV is your job overview. Employers can only read the first few sentences of your content, so make it appealing, straightforward, and to the point. Without using buzzwords or clichés, an optimal profile summarizes your achievements, qualifications, and abilities.
 
2.Choose a traditional format
 
Unlike the resume, wherein you can use colors and graphics.. CVs are traditional, they are more focused on the content, especially on your achievements. Make sure to use friendly fonts and style, including Times New Roman and Garamond, as well as black and white in colors and style.
 
3.Use visual aids
 
To make it easy to read, use bullet points, bold and italicized formatting, line breaks, tables, and lines. Columns may use sparingly, because of their presentation and compatibility with another Word processor. Remember the consistency throughout your document and prevent confusion because of different styles.
 
4.Monitor the length
 
Your CV should be seen as a professional document rather than a personal biography. Maintain a laser-like emphasis on the main selling points. If you have less than 10 years of experience, use a two-page CV; if you have more than 10 years of experience, use two pages or more. If you're a senior executive with a long track record of achievements, consider a three-page CV or more.

These are just the tip of the iceberg in writing a CV. If you are still having a hard time making your own. You may ask for our professional assistance. We have experts to help you. Just contact us and we will do the job in no time.

​
To learn more about how to write a Curriculum Vitae (CV),  schedule a call today to speak with one of our career experts. 
 
(P.S. Tired of spinning your wheels with your career? If you're ready to turn your resume into a hard-hitting marketing tool then take our FREE resume quiz today to see exactly which services are right for you!  ​