About Curriculum Vitae
Though many of us may not recognize the term, most of us have seen one. Derived from the Latin language, curriculum vitae is a phrase most often used in the UK.
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Identification
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A curriculum vitae is a summary of a person's educational background, work background and job qualifications. The term curriculum vitae derives from the Latin language and means "course of life." A curriculum vitae details the course of one's educational and professional life. The term is commonly used in the United Kingdom. A curriculum vitae is also commonly known by the initials CV. Like a resume, a curriculum vitae is used most often in preparation of a job search. The CV is used to show in detail to potential employers a person's educational background as well as previous jobs held. It also provides an objective (what the person wishes to accomplish) and details the person's qualifications for a specific job. A curriculum vitae usually gives a more detailed description of a person's background and is most often used for positions in the field of research or academics.
Features
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Unlike a simple resume, which is usually only one page in length, a curriculum vitae is at least two pages and often more. The length of the CV depends on the degree of education and experience a person has. For instance, a person holding a bachelor's degree would probably have a CV of one to three pages, while a person with a doctorate degree could have a CV of three to five pages. A person with experience in the academic or research field could have a CV of five or more pages. A curriculum vitae contains all of the basic information about education and work history. It also contains information about any rewards, grants and other specialized information. These can include master's theses, dissertation topic, course highlights, internships, publications, special certificates and licenses, academic awards, academic scholarships, academic fellowships and foreign study or travel.
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Types
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There are several types of curriculum vitae. The type used is dependent upon the area of expertise and each different style may require a different approach to the information. A chronological CV outlines education and experience in reverse chronological order, beginning with the most recent achievements and courses of study and working backwards. A skill-based CV focuses on skills acquired rather than experience in a specific area. For instance, it is possible to acquire leadership skills from jobs or volunteer work in an area that is different from the specific area a person is applying for. An academic CV focuses on academic achievements such as research in a specific area and published articles in this area--things that qualify a person as an expert in the specific area. A scientific CV focuses on coursework, technical equipment used and procedures performed in a specific area. A law CV is a chronological CV that focuses on experience and education in subjects or employment within the scope of law. A creative CV allows a person to use their imagination. This type of CV is used for creative positions and grants such as advertising, media, graphics and writing.
Function
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The curriculum vitae is used when it is necessary to go beyond the basic educational and profession experience. A CV outlines in great details a person's achievements. It not only shows job experience, but also outlines the highlights of the experience. It shows a potential employer when a person excelled in a particular area. A CV also shows a person's involvement in leadership roles both in the workforce and the community. A CV is most often used when applying for positions in the educational and scientific spectrum and details for the potential employer education and experience in a specific field.
Benefits
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The benefits of using a curriculum vitae is that it allows a potential employer or grant applicant to outline in more detail the education and experience that has been acquired in the quest for a certain position or area of study. The CV highlights in detail any accomplishments, awards, and publications in the specific area. This document allows an applicant to prove to the potential employer or grant reviewer his/her expertise in a specific course of study.
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