Medical CV
Those pursuing an MD or applying for any physician role will benefit from submitting a CV that shares highly relevant experiences such as teaching, research, lab experience and any other experience acquired during residency.
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TABLE OF CONTENTS
What is the meaning of CV?
A CV, or curriculum vitae, is a job application document that recounts your work history and academic achievements. CVs are extensive documents that you should update regularly to showcase all your new accomplishments, skills and experiences.
Depending on the country, a CV will mean different things and suit different people.
CV meaning in U.S.
In the United States, a CV is a job application document similar to a resume but reserved for a few jobs. CVs in the U.S. are mainly used to apply to jobs in medicine, law, academia or entertainment, where your entire education and experiences are relevant.
CV meaning internationally
Outside the U.S., the CV is the standard document all job seekers use to apply for any job, regardless of industry. Sometimes, “resume” and “CV” are used interchangeably depending on the country where you apply. For instance, an employer asking for a one- or two-page CV generally means a resume-like document.
Although the resume and the CV share the same purpose of helping you land a job, they differ in many aspects.
You can read more about CVs and resumes on this page, or you can skip ahead and get a customized curriculum vitae tailored to your desired job with the help of our CV Builder.
Key differences
CV versus resume
CVs and resumes are valid application documents in and outside the U.S. Check out this comparison below to help you determine which document is suitable for you.
CV
Resume
If a resume sounds better suited to your needs, check out our Resume Builder, which will create a fully customized resume tailored to your job’s specifications.
CV for various jobs
Although the resume is the most widely accepted job application document in the U.S., a handful of industries will expect you to apply with a more traditional curriculum vitae.
Legal CV
The legal profession is another one where CVs are the standard. Current students, graduates and licensed attorneys apply for jobs, internships and fellowships utilizing CVs. The curriculum vitae allows them to showcase teaching experience, research, conferences attended and the crucial publications many firms expect to see.
Education CV
It’s no surprise that education professionals place a lot of emphasis on a candidate’s educational experience. Job seekers applying to roles of principal, college professor, superintendent and most administrative positions in education will benefit from a CV that provides a detailed description of their academic achievements.
Research CV
Another set of roles that require job seekers to apply with a CV instead of a resume are research jobs. Whether you’re applying for a job in an academic institution, a laboratory or a research firm, employers will want to see a CV that shows your previous research experience and other relevant publications, fellowships or research grants.
If you’re applying for any of these industries and need to write a curriculum vitae, you can find pre-written and customizable CV examples for your desired job.
The CV format
How you format a CV is highly customizable because the sections you include will vary depending on your job or industry. Whereas there are three resume formats you can choose from, you can combine any of the 12 standard CV sections to create countless custom CV formats.
- 1
Contact information
- 2
Personal statement
- 3
Work experience
- 4
Education
- 5
Key skills and qualifications
- 6
Industry awards
- 7
Certifications
- 8
Publications
- 9
Professional affiliations
- 10
Conferences attended
- 11
Additional training
How to write a CV
Were you planning on writing a CV from scratch? Follow these tips to make the most of your curriculum vitae and land that dream role.
1
Format your contact information correctly
First, ensure all the necessary contact information is placed clearly and neatly on the top of your CV. Add the following details:
- Your full name
- Phone number
- City and state of residence
- Digital portfolio, LinkedIn or any relevant socials (optional)
2
Write a CV summary to impress recruiters
Impress recruiters by writing a CV summary that features your most job-relevant qualifications. For example, a few achievements you can include here are:
- Your job title
- Years of experience
- Area of expertise
- Prestigious fellowships or grants
- In-demand skills for your industry or role
Check out this CV summary example for inspiration:
“Experienced Economics professor with nine years of dedicated service in higher education. Demonstrated expertise in economic theory, curriculum development and innovative teaching methods. Proven track record of research and publications in respected academic journals such as the Quarterly Journal of Economics. Passionate about mentoring students in their educational and career pursuits. Adept at interdisciplinary collaboration and with strong communication skills for effective knowledge dissemination.”
3
Provide a detailed list of your work experiences.
Include a work history section where you showcase every job you’ve had in your respective field.
The format for this section should include the following:
- Job title
- Employer
- Location
- Employment dates
- 3-4 bullet points describing key achievements
A way to maximize this section is understanding the difference between responsibilities and accomplishments. When writing your CV’s work experience section, replace generic job duties with unique achievements that set you apart.
Another way to boost your CV is by including numbers (such as dollar amounts, numbers and percentages) that substantiate your achievements, called quantifiable accomplishments.
Check out how these tips are applied to a CV work experience section:
Research Assistant | IU Health University Hospital – Indianapolis, IN 03/2018 – 9/2023
- Conducted over 300 PCR assays, achieving a 98% success rate, significantly contributing to the efficiency of genetic sample analysis and accelerating research timelines.
- Assisted in publishing a groundbreaking research paper, cited over 50 times, which investigated the genetic basis of a rare disorder, making substantial strides in understanding the condition’s underlying mechanisms.
- Played a pivotal role in managing the lab’s budget, resulting in a 15% cost reduction through efficient procurement practices while maintaining the quality and availability of essential research supplies.
4
Mention core qualifications relevant to the role.
Include a core qualifications section that shows potential employers a preview of your most relevant professional skills.
This section consists of a few skills or succinct phrases detailing your skills and how you applied them throughout your previous experiences.
You should use this section to include keywords from the job description. Think of skills and qualifications that appear on the job description and that you possess. You should be showcasing them front and center on your CV.
Check out this example of core qualifications in a CV:
Core Qualifications
- Advocacy of human rights
- Intercultural communication expertise
- Strong litigation skills
- Levelheaded and calm under pressure
- Leadership, management and negotiation skills
5
Showcase all your educational achievements
In a CV, the education section is one of the most important and should include a detailed overview of your most impressive accomplishments.
Your CV’s education section should include the following:
- Degree title
- College or university
- School location (city and state)
- Graduation date (optional)
If you have multiple degrees, list them in reverse-chronological order, meaning start with your most recent degree and work backward.
Other details you can add to customize your education section are:
- Your GPA
- Dean’s List
- Honors
- Awards
- Relevant coursework
Check out this example of a CV’s education section:
Education
Master of Arts Caribbean Literature Harvard University — Cambridge, MA
Honors: Magna Cum Laude Recipient of The Lurcy Fellowship 2022
Bachelor of Arts
Literature Minor: Women’s and Gender Studies University of Puerto Rico — San Juan, PR
6
Customize your CV with additional sections
Once you complete these five main resume sections, you can customize your resume with sections relevant to the role.
For instance, a lawyer might add sections for their publications, research experience and teaching experience. A translation professor might benefit more from including sections for languages, conferences and affiliations.
Here are some of the sections you can add to your CV:
- Publications
- Research Experience
- Teaching Experience
- Teaching Skills
- Languages
- Affiliations and Memberships
- Conference Participation
- Conference Attendance
- Certifications and Licenses
- Grants and Fellowships
- Awards and Honors
You can learn more about all these sections in our What to Include in a CV guide or let our Builder create a personalized CV.
CV Examples
Are you looking for more inspiration? Check out these CV examples for different jobs and levels of experience.
Economist
Lab Director
Lawyer
Librarian
Nurse Practitioner
Physician
Principal
Professor
Research Assistant
Teaching Assistant
Television Writer
Translator
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Key takeaways
- The meaning of CV is curriculum vitae or course of life. CV refers to a job application document with a detailed overview of your education and career achievements.
- In the U.S., resumes are more prevalent, but CVs are used for jobs in academia, law, entertainment, medicine, research and education.
- Excluding the U.S., CVs are the standard job application document for all types of jobs internationally. CVs usually include more information about the applicant than a resume.
- A CV typically includes a job seeker’s contact information, a summary, a core qualifications section, work experience and education. Depending on the desired role, a CV should include additional sections like publications, research experience, teaching experience, conferences, awards and honors, and more.
- The easiest way to write a CV is by utilizing a tool like our CV Builder, which creates personalized content based on your desired job title and experience.
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