The Curriculum Vitae (CV):
Design Basics for Students
Aleta Wolfe
Career Counselor
What is a CV?
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Curriculum vitae
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Latin “course of life”
Used in lieu of a resume for professional,
academic or international positions.
Used for application purposes, as well as a
means for introducing invited speakers
How is a CV different than a
Resume?
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Longer (2+ pages)
In the U.S., a CV is used
primarily when applying for
international, academic,
education, scientific or
research positions or when
applying for fellowships or
grants.
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Content
 Summary of academic,
teaching, research,
publications,
presentations, honors,
and service
Purpose
 Career biography
 Resume is a marketing
tool
Contents of a Standard CV
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Contact information
Professional objective
Education
Professional licenses and
certifications
Work experience
Clinical rotation
experiences
Presentations
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Publications
Research experience
Scholarly activities
Awards and honors
Grants
Professional
memberships
Community service
activities
References
Contents of Standard CV
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Complete contact information
Include your mailing address
 List professional email address
 Add your phone/cell with area code
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Professional objective
The more specific the better
 Tailor to each position you target
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Residency versus clinical position
Contents of Standard CV
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Education
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Professional licenses/certifications
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Degree completion dates
Major
Institution attended (California State University, Fresno)
Include licensure/certification numbers/dates of expiration
Work experience
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Title of position, dates of employment
Name of organization, location
Description of experience, responsibilities, and achievements
Contents of Standard CV
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Internship/lab/clinical rotation experiences
List experiences similar to work experiences
 List lab equipment used
 List rotation site, preceptor, short description of
activities for clinical experience (if applicable)
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Presentations
List titles, audience, dates
 Include academic presentations to highlight
communication skills
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Contents of Standard CVs
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Publications/Posters
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Research experiences
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List all publications in AMA style
Include newsletters, case reports, original research
List any research experiences (lab technician, data collection
experience, faculty projects, etc.)
Describe research skills developed
Scholarly activities
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List involvement in special projects and activities
Examples: data collection role in study, experiences with
relevant class projects, etc.
Contents of Standard CV
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Awards and honors
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Grants
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List specific awards, scholarships, recognitions
List grant (submitted and funded), funding source,
amount, dates
Professional & student memberships
List membership in organizations/campus clubs
 Leadership positions held and committee
involvement (dates)
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Contents of Standard CVs
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Community service activities
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List/describe volunteer and community service
activities
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Remember: activities with student organizations
References
Generally provided separately
 Ask before listing someone as reference
 Give them an updated copy of your CV in advance
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Different Versions of CVs
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One CV does not fit all positions
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Update and reorganize titles and content
Prioritize key experiences important for the
position to be presented early within CV
Professional objective tailored to the position
Stylistic Considerations
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Order of contents of CV should reflect individuals
strengths and take into consideration experiences
necessary for the position
Use action words when describing experiences
List items in reverse chronological order
Conservative, 12-14 size font throughout
Avoid excessive lines, graphics, shading, etc.
When printing:
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Use 8 ½ X 11 inch resume quality paper
Single sided laser printing (Career Services Computer Lab)
Important “Cs” of CVs
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Clear
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Concise
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Includes everything-you need to show qualifications
Consistent
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Include relevant and necessary information
Complete
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Well-organized, content flows well
Use consistent design, fonts, layout
Current
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Keep up to date, update at least annually
Important “Don’ts” for CVs
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Spelling or grammatical errors
Proof, proof, proof . . . . then proof again!!
 Have numerous people review
 Submit for review in OptimalResume
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Difficult to read fonts/small font size
Minimal 12 point font
 Standard fonts preferred
 Think conservative
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Cheap paper
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Use white, cream, gray resume paper
Important “Don’ts” for CVs (cont.)
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Folding, stapling
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“Mass” mailing “to whom it may concern”
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Send in large envelope to organization
Target specific individual within a company
Weak objective/philosophy
Lack cover letter
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First impression; need strong letter
Cover Letters
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It’s the introduction to your skills, abilities,
passion, and interest in the position
Need to make your letter unique
to stand out from the rest
Creative/unique letters
Show that you have researched the
position and/or organization
 Refer to connections that you might have
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Faculty members, employees, supervisors, etc.
Cover Letters (cont.)
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Cover letters should be addressed to a specific
individual
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Verify correct name spelling, title, gender
First paragraph
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State interest in the position
Add name of individual that referred you to this opening
Include several sentences which indicate interest in position
and qualifications
“After spending a great deal of time working as an intern in a
pharmaceutical laboratory, I was interested to learn about the
position for a Lab Assistant at Medicines Are Us.”
Cover Letters
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Second/third paragraph
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Refer to CV enclosed and highlight experiences that prepare
you for the position
Personalize the qualities listed on CV pertinent to the
position
“The most enjoyable experience I have had during my
summer internship with XYZ Company occurred during my
group project. Seeing the sense of accomplishment on the
faces of my project team members really made me feel proud
. . .”
Closing statement
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List contact information if any questions, enthusiasm for
position, offer to provide any additional information
On-line Resource Materials for CVs
and Cover Letters
Numerous on-line resources providing examples
and templates for CVs and letters:
 Top 10 Curriculum Vitae Writing Tips
 Writing a Curriculum Vitae
 CV Tips
Questions?
Thomas Building, Room 103
559.278.2381
www.fresnostate.edu/careers
careerservices@csufresno.edu