How do I Choose the Best Curriculum Vitae Format?

A curriculum vitae, or CV, usually differs from a resume in terms of length and detail, with CVs usually being much more detailed. The best curriculum vitae format for you depends on the type of position you are applying for and what you want to highlight in the CV. For example, your CV may list your personal data, followed by any publications you have if you want the potential employer to focus on that. Alternatively, it may list your employment and work experience in chronological order at the top.

To determine the best curriculum vitae format to use, it may be helpful to look at sample CVs from others in your field. Ask a mentor if you can review his CV or ask your peers to see theirs. If you are already established at a university or hospital, your employer may have a specific CV format it wants you to use.

Generally, the best curriculum vitae format will include your personal data at the top of the first page. What you include in your personal data varies depending on your field. Some people encourage you to list your birthday, citizenship, and marital status, while other fields may frown on this. You should definitely include your contact information, including address and phone number.

After the personal data section, the best curriculum vitae format will have a section for education. You may want to put your education section below other sections if it is not terribly important in your field. For fields that require a certain level of education, such as law or medicine, place it near the top.

Most CVs should be formatted chronologically by section so that the person reviewing the CV can get a glimpse of how you have spent your life. In the education section, list your degrees in chronological order, with the latest degree at the top. In the professional experience, publications, and grants sections, as well as in any other sections, list your positions in chronological order, starting with the oldest position or publication and working your way to the present.

Although you do have more than a single page for a curriculum vitae, you should aim to keep it less than three pages in length. Use brief, truncated sentences to describe your experiences at each position. To make the best presentation, print your CV on resume paper.