All about Curriculum Vitae (CV)

Curriculum Vitae (CV) is one of the fundamental documents that can help people find jobs or advance their careers. A CV is a professional summary of your career, education, skills, experience, contributions, awards, and publications.

In recent years, many employers have started asking applicants to submit CVs instead of resumes. Not only does a CV concisely present you but it helps you highlight your best qualities and abilities. In addition to helping you land better opportunities, a good CV can also protect you in case the organization goes bankrupt.

There are several different types of CVs. Below we list the most commonly seen ones.

Resume

A resume is normally created after 6 months of work history and listing your job responsibilities and achievements at each position. Resumes are sometimes known as chronological resumes since they follow the order of employment chronologically. It's the traditional format that is still widely preferred by recruiters and hiring managers.

Executive Summary

An executive summary is a short document that summarizes the information contained in your resume. It should cover everything related to your career, including education, training, certifications, previous positions held, experiences, skills, knowledge, and accomplishments.

The length of an executive summary varies depending on the type of job you're applying for. If a recruiter is interested in a specific role, he may request details about your experience. In this case, you'll need to provide the minimum amount of information about yourself - your educational background, your prior experience, and your skills.

If you're looking for a generalist position, then a brief description of your qualifications and relevant experiences are enough.

Personal Profile

Your profile includes any non-work-related activities, hobbies, interests, and special talents. You might want to use this section to add any extra information about yourself, such as volunteer work.

Personal statement

You can include a couple of paragraphs describing your personality and how well you match the requirements of the job. Your goal here is to convince the reader that you're a suitable candidate for the position.

Cover letter

A cover letter is a separate letter that accompanies your resume and is often included in the application packet. You can use it to explain why you believe you're qualified for the job. Recruiters and hiring managers often ask candidates to attach cover letters when sending them applications.