Resume vs. CV: How different is a resume from a CV?

When applying for a job, most employers require a resume. However, education and health positions commonly require a CV.  

Resume in French means résumé: “summary, synopsis." On the other hand, CV comes from Latin Curriculum Vitae, which means “course of action of one’s life, career). Therefore, a resume will be the shorter version of your CV. They are usually a one or two-page document. They should be short and concise, with a layout easy to scan. On the other hand, a CV is a detailed description of your education and professional background.

CV Content: What are the essentials on a CV?

Length is so troublesome in resumes, but it is also one issue we should not worry about when writing a CV. However, freedom to write does not mean freedom to bore.

Some essential items to be included in a CV are:

• Name and contact information 

            Make sure your name and different contact information such as e-mail, telephone number, WhatsApp,         Skype user, etc. are clear and easy to find.

• Formal Education
• Professional Development and other training
•  Research Experience. You may want to mention your research interests, as well. 
• Past Employment 

            This section should specify all your demonstrable experience and classes taught, including TFs, etc. It is     also advisable to state your non-academic positions. 

• Hard Skills

            Besides your technical knowledge, it may be helpful to give some detail on your expertise in educational technology, computer skills, and licenses, if applicable.

• Soft Skills 

            Soft skills in education are often related mainly to ‘communication’ and ‘management’. Some necessary       communication skills focus on:

• collaborative work,        
• interpersonal relations, 
• leadership, and 
• positive attitude, 
• mediator skills, among others.         

            Management skills often refer to time management and organizational skills, such as:

• course and lesson planning, 
• student assessment,
• lecture and discussion planning and delivery,
• group management -small and large-, etc.

• Ph.D. specific Skills such as:

• research, interpretation, and analysis,
• critical thinking and problem solving, 
• synthesis of ideas and data, 
• self-management such as initiative and motivation,
• ability to convey complex concepts to new learners, etc.

• Grants, Honors, and Awards 
• Presentations and Publications
• Fellowships
• Scholar and Professional Memberships
• References

A few tips on writing a CV

• When writing your entries, first decide which skills you want to focus on and give some detail on what actions you took the results you obtained.

• If you need to send an electronic version of a CV, put your name, address, and phone number at the top and avoid using special characters. 

• Check if the hiring institution has a sample CV and tips they consider essential. If this is the case, their website will offer guidelines and recommendations on how to write it, such as layout, format, etc. Following their advice will help you customize your CV.

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