If you’ve started your job search, or are getting ready to do so, you’ve probably begun preparing your curriculum vitae – or CV. Recruiters receive many CVs from interested candidates, so you want to keep yours concise, with necessary, accurate information and exclude any nonessential details.
Having a detailed – yet – succinct CV is one way to help with your job search. Here are the items you should include and exclude when writing your CV:
Do include:
- Name and contact information
- Education
- Licensures and certifications
- Experience
- Academic and leadership positions
- Personal information
- Training and titles
- Grants and awards
- Publications and presentations
- A cover letter
- Uniform font and format throughout your CV and cover letter
Don’t include:
- Information irrelevant to the position for which you are applying
- Gaps longer than three months if you can fill them with training or practice – or at least be prepared to explain the gaps if there are any in your related experience
- Career statements or job objectives (instead add them to your cover letter to keep the CV succinct)
- Photos
- Salary information
- Marital status
- References (they will be requested when needed)