Curriculum Vitae (CV) vs Resumé | What You Need to Know

Summary

This video explains the purpose, structure, and best practices for creating a curriculum vitae (CV), particularly for medical and academic settings. Dr. Jubal clarifies the differences between a CV and a resume, highlighting that CVs provide a comprehensive overview of academic achievements, research, and professional experience, while resumes are concise and job-focused. The video details how to organize a CV into sections like personal information, education and awards, experiences, extracurriculars, and publications, emphasizing clarity, professionalism, and the use of action verbs. It also offers tips on formatting, tailoring content to the audience, and avoiding fluff or exaggeration to make a strong first impression.

Takeaways

• 😀 CV (Curriculum Vitae) is a detailed summary of your academic and professional achievements, unlike a resume which is tailored to job applications.
• 😀 CVs are commonly used in academic or research settings, while resumes are geared toward job applications with a focus on skills and experience.
• 😀 A CV can be as long as necessary, whereas a resume should be no longer than two pages.
• 😀 Organize your CV chronologically, starting with the most recent experience, and ensure it’s easy to follow and free from errors.
• 😀 Use professional fonts (e.g., Arial or Helvetica) and a size of 11 or 12 for readability. Avoid over-complicating with design elements.
• 😀 The five major sections of a CV are: personal information, education and awards, professional experience, extracurricular experience, and research/publications.
• 😀 Personal information should include your name, title, contact details, but avoid sensitive or irrelevant data such as marital status or nationality.
• 😀 The education and awards section should mention your most recent degrees and honors. Avoid listing outdated or irrelevant awards from high school or undergrad.
• 😀 In the experience section, use action verbs and quantify achievements where possible to highlight the impact of your work.
• 😀 The extracurricular activities section allows you to showcase leadership skills and team contributions, emphasizing accomplishments over roles.
• 😀 For the publications and presentations section, only include significant works like peer-reviewed papers or major presentations, and avoid fluff or repetition.

Q & A

What does CV stand for and what is its purpose?

CV stands for 'Curriculum Vitae,' which is Latin for 'course of life.' Its purpose is to provide a comprehensive, chronological summary of your academic achievements, credentials, and experiences, primarily for academic, research, or medical positions.

How does a CV differ from a resume?

A CV is typically used in academic or research settings and can be any length, focusing on a complete record of education, awards, research, and publications. A resume is used for job applications, is usually 1–2 pages, and emphasizes job-specific skills and experiences.

What are the key formatting guidelines for creating a professional CV?

Use an easy-to-read professional font like Arial or Helvetica in 11–12 pt, maintain consistent 0.5–1 inch margins, organize sections chronologically, avoid excessive bolding or graphics, and proofread carefully for spelling and grammatical errors.

What information should be included in the personal information section of a CV?

Include your name, title, and contact information such as address, email, and phone number. Avoid sensitive or irrelevant information like Social Security number, marital status, nationality, or spiritual beliefs.

How should education and awards be presented in a CV?

List your most recent degrees along with graduation dates, include thesis titles for advanced degrees, and mention relevant honors, scholarships, and grants. Limit older or high school awards for advanced applicants to avoid unnecessary fluff.

What is the best way to present experiences in a CV?

Organize experiences into categories like work, research, and volunteering. Include details such as role, location, duration, and supervisor (for research/shadowing). Use action verbs, highlight accomplishments, quantify results when possible, and avoid exaggeration.

How can extracurricular activities be effectively highlighted in a CV?

Describe leadership roles, teamwork, and events organized. Include role, duration, hours per week, and achievements. Use strong action verbs like 'founded,' 'established,' or 'organized' to emphasize contributions and impact.

What should be included in the publications and presentations section?

Include peer-reviewed papers, published papers, oral presentations, and poster presentations. Avoid classroom-only projects, duplicate entries, or minor presentations that do not add value to your academic profile.

Are there additional optional sections that can be included in a CV?

Yes. Depending on the position, you may include certifications (for clinical or research roles) or involvement in societies and student interest groups. All optional sections should be organized clearly and avoid fluff.

What general advice does the script provide for making a CV effective?

Ensure the CV is clear, well-organized, and professional. First impressions matter, so avoid padding or duplication, use action verbs, quantify accomplishments, tailor the CV to the audience, and be truthful about all included information.

Why is it important to quantify achievements on a CV?

Quantifying achievements provides a clearer picture of your impact and makes your contributions more impressive. For example, stating 'managed social media outreach for 1,000 students' is more impactful than simply 'managed social media.'

What role do action verbs play in CV writing?

Action verbs effectively frame experiences and convey concrete actions taken. They help demonstrate traits such as leadership, initiative, and problem-solving, making the CV more dynamic and compelling.