Build Your Resume/CV
Your resume or CV is a marketing tool to help sell you. It is not your autobiography, thesis or a historical document outlining everything you have ever done. Its sole purpose is to land you an interview, so it must be customized, concise, factual and organized by relevance.
It should demonstrate your capabilities, responsibilities and interests as it relates to the specific job/industry in which you are applying. Developing one resume (or CV) and using it to apply to different industries, employers or positions is not effective because it will sound generic and won't speak to the specific employer requirements.
Think like an employer. Imagine that you have 30 resumes sitting in front of you and it’s your job to narrow the pile down to interview 4 people. What would you look for? How much time would you spend trying to find the information? Making your resume specific to the job and easy for an employer to find your skills and accomplishments is an important part of writing any resume.
Curriculum Vitae
A curriculum vitae, or CV, is in some ways similar to a resume, but differs in that it is a more comprehensive document detailing your qualifications and experience.
In Canada a CV is often used when applying for:
- Graduate studies
- Professional programs (law school, medical school)
- Academic positions
- Executive or advanced level positions
- Field specific research positions (Science, Engineering)
- Performing and studio art positions
- Professional association membership or designation
Like the resume, your CV needs to be logically organized and have clear headings so that information can be easily accessed by a potential employer. Depending on your experience, there are a variety of headings that may be applicable. Click here for a list of headings to consider.
Some employers use the term resume and CV interchangeably. If an employer is requesting a CV and you are not applying in one of the areas listed above, it is more than likely a resume is required of you. Ask for clarification regarding the desired format if you are unsure.
When you're satisfied with the design of your CV, attend an appointment with a Career Advisor to review the content and discuss ways to further enhance your CV.
Additional CV Resources:
CV or resume: A beginner's guide to non-academic applications