A strong CV is a clear, well-organized, and detailed record of your academic and professional journey. It highlights your education, research, work experience, publications, awards, and relevant skills.

A well-crafted CV not only lists what you’ve done but also shows how you’ve grown and what you can contribute to your next role or program.

What’s the difference between a CV and a resume?

Here are key tips to help you make a good CV:

• Use a clear structure & include standard sections such as:
  • Contact Information (name, email)
  • Education (degrees, institutions, graduation dates)
  • Research or Work Experience
  • Publications and Presentations (if applicable)
  • Awards and Honors
  • Skills (technical, language, lab, etc.)
  • Professional Affiliations or Volunteer Work (if relevant)
  • List all relevant roles and experiences, and include 2–4 bullet points under each to describe your key responsibilities, skills used, and outcomes. Focus on achievements, not just tasks.
• Use consistent formatting
  • Choose a simple, professional font. Make sure headings, dates, and bullet points are formatted consistently. Align dates to the right and keep section headings bold or slightly larger.
• Start bullet points with action verbs
  • Use strong verbs like “Conducted,” “Led,” “Analyzed,” “Presented,” “Developed,” or “Collaborated” to show active engagement.
• Quantify your accomplishments
  • Where possible, add numbers or measurable outcomes (e.g., “Collected survey data from 120 participants,” “Analyzed datasets using R and SPSS”).
• Tailor for relevance
  • Although a CV is comprehensive, you can reorder sections or highlight certain experiences depending on the position or opportunity you’re applying for.
• Proofread carefully
  • Check for typos, formatting issues, or unclear descriptions. Ask a mentor or peer to review your CV for clarity and professionalism.
• Update regularly
  • Keep your CV up to date with new experiences, presentations, publications, or awards as they happen.