You may have heard "curriculum vitae" being used to describe a resume. Although they are slightly different documents, some people use the terms inter-changeably. You may want to use a curriculum vitae (C.V.) if you are applying to a position which is academic or research-oriented. Many graduate students use a C.V. if they are applying to advanced programs or to employers such as those just mentioned.
Often referred to as a "vitae." A vitae is very similar to a resume. It highlights a speaker's education and key jobs held. A speaker in the academic community usually uses curriculum vitae. A special type of resume traditionally used within the academic community. Earned degrees, teaching and research experience, publications, presentations, and related activities are featured. Unlike a resume, a CV tends to be longer and more informational than promotional in tone.
The primary difference between a CV and a resume is the length and the purpose. A resume is a one or two page summary of your skills, experience and education. A goal of resume writing is to be brief and concise since, at best; the resume reader will spend a minute or so reviewing your qualifications.
A Curriculum Vitae, commonly referred to as CV, is a longer (two or more pages), more detailed synopsis. It includes a summary of your educational and academic backgrounds as well as teaching and research experience, publications, presentations, awards, honors, affiliations and other details. A curriculum vitae, meaning "course of one's life, is a document that gives much more detail than does a resume about your academic and professional accomplishments.
When seeking a faculty, research, or leadership position at an academic or scientific organization, you need a special resume called curriculum vitae. Candidates who use a CV have an educational background directly related to the positions they seek, education is always featured first. Even after twenty years of research, your degrees and the schools where you earned them will overshadow your experience.
Following are the things to include in a CV
Like a resume, your CV should include your name, contact information, education, skills and experience. In addition to the basics, a CV includes research and teaching experience, publications, grants and fellowships, professional associations and licenses, awards and other information relevant to the position you are applying for. Start by making a list of all your background information, and then organize it into categories. Make sure you include dates on all the publications you include.
Name dropping is more common in CV's than in resumes. For example, if you performed research under a certain professor, you would probably include her name and title. Science and academia are small worlds, and it is likely that a prospective employer will have heard of a given specialist in her own field. Similarly, if you went on clinical rotations at a given hospital, name it; your future employer might have hospital privileges there.