Using a Curriculum Vitae Information NOT to include in your CV

An otherwise well-constructed CV can quickly become a liability for you if it includes irrelevant information. Generally, the following information should be excluded.

• Age

• Ethnic identity

• Political affiliation

• Religious preference

• Hobbies

• Marital status

• Sexual orientation

• Place of birth

• Photographs

• Height, weight, health(continued)Format and Quality

Remember when working on your CV, that there is not one standard format. A good CV is one that emphasizes the points that are considered to be most important in your discipline.

When it comes to electronic standards, generic word processing programs are generally 

acceptable. It is recommended that CV’s be saved in either MS Word or Adobe PDF format. You just want to make sure that your CV can be opened with the majority of the current software systems. Commercial copy stores will take electronic files (via email or USB) and make multiple copies professional quality printers. For most applications, however, an inkjet or home laser printer will produce acceptable copies.Paper Quality

Always use standard white, ivory, or neutral 8.5 x 11 inch heavyweight paper. Keep in mind that colored paper and ink may look hazy after copying. Departments will oftentimes make multiple copies of a CV and distribute it all the members of a search committee. While royal blue or apple red may look great, there is a greater likelihood that they will pose difficulties in the copying process, and may also not look quite as professional.Double-Siding and Footers

Never “double-side” a CV or resume. If the prospective department is photocopying the CV, they may omit the backside of a page. In this case, search committee members will only receive

partial information about you. Additionally, always place a cumulative footer at the bottom of

the page. A cumulative footer tells the reader which page they are on out of a certain total of pages. The footer is most appropriately placed in the lower center or right hand corner of the page and may be in smaller font size.Font style and size

The most commonly used fonts are “Times New Roman” or “Helvetica/Arial.” The actual choice is a matter of taste and preference. Point size should be no less than 10 points, but not greater than 12 points. Do not overuse boldface, italics, and underlining, however occasional use should guide the eye and help the reader find useful information.

Font style and size

The most commonly used fonts are “Times New Roman” or “Helvetica/Arial.” The actual choice is a matter of taste and preference. Point size should be no less than 10 points, but not greater than 12 points. Do not overuse boldface, italics, and underlining, however occasional use should guide the eye and help the reader find useful information.

Writing an Effective Curriculum Vitae

Resume or Curriculum Vitae (CV)? The primary differences are:

• Length

• Content • 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 CV, on the other hand, is a longer (three or more pages), more detailed synopsis of your accomplishments. 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.When to use a CV

In the United States, a curriculum vitae is used primarily when applying for international, 

academic, education, scientific or research positions, or when applying for fellowships or grants. As with a resume, you may need different versions of a CV for different type of positions.What to include in your CV

Start by making a list of all your background information, then organize it into categories. Make sure you include dates on all experiences and publications. A CV should include:

● Your name

• Contact information

● Education

● Skills

● Experience

● Research and teaching experience