When applying for senior professional positions, you may be required to submit a curriculum vitae (CV) rather than a resume. CVs are typically used for academic, medical, research, and scientific applications.

A CV provides more information than your typical resume. It includes a summary of your experience, academic background, teaching experience, degrees, research, awards, publications, presentations, skills and credentials.

In Australia, a CV can also be used to apply for fellowships or grants. In Europe, the Middle East, Africa, or Asia, employers may expect to receive a curriculum vitae rather than a resume.

What to include in a CV

Most CVs start with contact information and personal data but take care to avoid superfluous details, such as religious affiliation, children’s names, and so on.

Be sure to include the names of institutions and dates attended in reverse order and your qualifications: Ph.D, Masters, undergraduate, etc.

Your career history is presented in reverse date order starting with the most recent appointment. More emphasis/information should be placed on recent jobs.

Include computer skills, foreign language skills, and any other recent training that is relevant to the role applied for such as training, post graduate qualifications, research experience, teaching and publications, grants and scholarships, awards and honours, language skills and professional licences, certifications and memberships.

No need to include your photo, your salary history or the reason you left your previous position.

List references separately and give them to your prospective employers upon request.