Curriculum Vitae
Curriculum vitae: meaning and format
Quick answer
Curriculum vitae, usually shortened to CV, is Latin for 'course of life'. It is the document you send to an employer to apply for a job, listing your contact details, professional summary, work experience, education and skills. In Africa and most countries a curriculum vitae is one to two pages and tailored to the specific role you want.
- Latin for course of life
- Usually shortened to CV
- Free to build in minutes
The meaning of curriculum vitae
Curriculum vitae is a Latin phrase that means 'course of life'. In everyday use almost everyone shortens it to CV. It is simply the professional document you send to an employer when you apply for a job, and in Tanzania and across Africa it is the standard first step in every application.
Outside the United States, curriculum vitae and CV describe the same short, one to two page job document. Inside the US, the full phrase 'curriculum vitae' is reserved for a longer academic record, while everyday job seekers there use a resume instead.
Standard curriculum vitae format
| Section | What to put in it |
|---|---|
| Contact details | Full name, phone number, professional email and city |
| Professional summary | Two or three lines on who you are and the value you bring |
| Work experience | Each role newest first, with achievement-focused bullet points |
| Education | Qualifications, institution and years, most recent first |
| Skills | Technical and personal skills that match the job |
| Extras | Certifications, languages, references and relevant links |
Tips for a strong curriculum vitae
- Keep it to one or two pages and lead with what matters most for the role
- Use clear, standard headings so applicant tracking software can read it
- Turn job duties into achievements that show the result of your work
- Tailor the summary and skills to each job advert before you apply
- Save and send it as a PDF so the layout never breaks on the employer's device
Curriculum vitae vs resume
If you have seen both words used, do not worry: for jobs in Africa a curriculum vitae and a resume are the same document. The word resume is simply the American term. You only need the long academic version of a curriculum vitae for university, lecturing or research posts.
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Frequently asked questions
What is a curriculum vitae?
A curriculum vitae, or CV, is the professional document you send to an employer to apply for a job. It lists your contact details, summary, work experience, education and skills, usually across one to two pages.
What is the full form of CV?
CV stands for curriculum vitae, a Latin phrase meaning 'course of life'.
What is the correct curriculum vitae format?
A standard CV has contact details, a professional summary, work experience with achievement bullets, education, and skills, with optional certifications, languages and references. Keep it to one or two pages and save it as a PDF.
How many pages should a curriculum vitae be?
One page early in your career and up to two pages with more experience. The long, multi-page curriculum vitae is only for academic and research roles.
Is curriculum vitae the same as a resume?
For jobs in Africa and most of the world, yes. 'Resume' is the American word for the same one to two page document. Only US academic roles use the long-form curriculum vitae.
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