Resumes and Curriculum Vitae

Some graduate school applications will require you to submit a resume or curriculum vitae in addition to the rest of your application materials.

Other programs may request that you bring one with you to supplement your interview. Even if the school does not specifically request it, you may want to have one or the other (or both) ready just in case. You may even adapt them for your job search later on.

The UIS Career Development Center offers resume/CV critiques and a number of resources you can consult as you write your CV or Resume.

What are the differences?

The Curriculum Vitae is much more thorough about your academic experience and your relevant accomplishments.Resumes, on the other hand, focus mostly on your professional skills and development, only briefly describing your educational background. While a resume is usually one page and should never exceed two pages, a CV typically has a minimum of two pages. CVs include all the basics of a resume and then some.

In the United States, the resume is the standard format for most occasions. You should only prepare a CV when specifically asked to do so. Both the resume and the CV should always be accompanied by a well written cover letter, printed on white or ivory resume paper, and proofread for spelling and grammar mistakes.

The Resume

When to Use a Resume:

When requested by an interviewer or application directions.
As a part of your portfolio or for a grad school interview.

Information to Include:

Your name and contact information
Any post-secondary degrees you have received (or will receive)
Your work experience
Your relevant skills
Any relevant certifications
Awards and Honors
Relevant Professional Associations

In addition to this basic information, you may want to include a profile section detailing some of your personal skills. Depending on your field of expertise, you may also need a technical skills category, or even professional development or volunteer experience headings.

Here is a sample resume for a graduate school application.

The Curriculum Vitae (CV)

When to Use a CV

When specifically requested.
Scientific and research positions will usually find the curriculum vitae more useful than a resume.
Overseas applications typically prefer the CV.
A CV is often more appropriate than a resume when applying for fellowships or grants.

Information to Include:

Your name and contact information
Any post-secondary degrees you have received (or will receive)
Your work experience
Your relevant skills

In addition to this typical information listed on a resume, the Curriculum Vitae should also include:

Your educational/academic background
Any teaching experience
Research work or projects you have done
Publications
Presentations
Awards and Honors
Affiliations
Licenses or Certifications

The easiest way to tackle composing all the information included in a CV is to write out all your background information and accomplishments made. After doing so, organize all the information into categories first, and then into reverse chronological order. Be sure to include those dates!

Here is a sample CV for a graduate school application.