Graduate students are often uncertain whether a resume or curriculum vitae is most appropriate for their needs. In
some cases, both may be necessary depending upon your professional objective.

What are the differences? Generally speaking, a CV is appropriate for the academic and research environment. A resume is most appropriate for the business and non-profit sectors.

The CV is generally longer and more comprehensive, while the resume is more concise and usually runs one page for recent graduates and two pages for more experienced people. Typically, the CV highlights research, teaching and administrative experience. Other categories may include the dissertation title and one sentence description, teaching interests and competencies, presentations and publications, professional affiliations, honors and awards, and special skills.

The CV can be used for preliminary screening foremployment or as a support document in the following ways:

• for a grant or contract proposal
• for a tenure review or annual review by an employer
• to support an application for a professional association
• as a biography for an introduction at conferences or
  professional presentations
• to provide information for professional publications
  or activities

As such, the curriculum vitae (literally translated as "course of life") has many uses and is an important document in your professional life. Consult the menu below to choose the most appropriate categories for your CV.