What is a curriculum vitae? Meaning, use and how it differs

A curriculum vitae, usually shortened to CV, is a document that summarises your education, work experience and skills so that an employer can decide whether to interview you. The Latin phrase means "course of life". In South Africa and many other countries, CV is the everyday word for a job application document.

Key points

• "Curriculum vitae" is Latin for "course of life" and is usually shortened to CV.
• A CV lists your work, education and skills, with dates.
• In many countries CV and resume mean much the same thing, but not everywhere.
• It is sent with job applications, and it is not the same as a cover letter.
• Most CVs are one to three pages, depending on experience.

What does curriculum vitae mean?

The phrase comes from Latin. "Curriculum" means a course or path, and "vitae" means of life. A curriculum vitae is therefore an account of the path of your working and learning life. In English it is almost always called a CV, and people say "see-vee" rather than the full words.

The Latin phrase is also used in academic and formal settings. You may see "vitae" in the plural form in some writing, but "curriculum vitae" is the form used for one person.

What is a CV used for?

A CV is used to apply for jobs, learnerships, internships, bursaries, scholarships, volunteer roles and sometimes courses. You send it, upload it or hand it in. The reader uses it to understand what you have done and to decide whether to contact you.

It is also useful outside applications. Many people keep an up-to-date CV so they can respond quickly to an opportunity, a request from a recruiter or a networking contact.

What does a CV contain?

Most CVs include the same core parts:

• Contact details: your name, town, phone number and email address.
• Profile: a short summary of who you are and what you offer.
• Work experience: your jobs, listed with titles, employers, dates and what you did.
• Education and training: your qualifications, matric and courses.
• Skills: tools, equipment, software or languages.
• Extras: volunteering, licences, awards or references, where relevant.

The order and detail depend on your situation. A school leaver puts education first. Someone with many years of work puts experience first.

How is a CV different from a resume?

In many places, the two words are used for the same document. A difference appears in some countries. In the United States and Canada, "resume" usually means a short document of one or two pages tailored to a job, while "CV" can mean a longer academic document with publications and research. In the United Kingdom, Ireland, South Africa and many other countries, "CV" is the usual word for the job application document, and "resume" is understood but less common.

If you apply abroad, check which term the employer uses and what length and style they expect. The article on CV versus resume covers this in detail.

How is a CV different from a cover letter?

A CV is a factual summary of your history and skills. A cover letter is a short message that goes with it and explains why you are applying for this particular job. The CV stays mostly the same. The letter is written for each job. Some employers want both, and some want only a CV.

How long should a CV be?

There is no single rule, and length should follow content. A school leaver or first-time job seeker often needs one page. Most people with some work history use two pages. Longer CVs are typical for senior, technical or academic careers. If there is detail that does not help the reader, cut it.

Frequently asked questions

What does CV stand for?

CV stands for curriculum vitae, which is Latin for "course of life". It refers to a document that sets out your education, work history and skills. People usually say "CV" rather than the full phrase.

What is the difference between a CV and a resume?

In many countries they mean the same thing: a document used to apply for jobs. In the United States and Canada, a resume is usually a short, tailored document, and a CV is a longer, more detailed record, often used in academic work. Check the norm where you apply.

What should I put on my CV?

Include contact details, a short profile, work experience, education and training, and skills. Add languages, licences, volunteering or references when they help for the job. Keep it accurate and clear, and leave out details that do not help the reader.

Is a curriculum vitae the same as a bio-data?

In some countries, "bio-data" is used for a form or document with personal details and work history. A curriculum vitae is usually more focused on work and education. Terms differ by region, so follow what the employer asks for.

Next steps

Write a master list of your jobs, education and skills, then use it to build a CV for the job you want. If you want a guided way to put this together, you can build your CV step by step with CV Sorted: it is free to build and preview.