What is a Curriculum Vitae (CV)?

CV is short for the Latin term "curriculum vitae" which means "the story or course of your life". A CV or Resume is a document briefly outlining your education, skills and experiences. Its main objective is to get you an interview where you will have an opportunity to sell yourself further.

Job seekers should use a CV as a marketing tool, listing the benefits an employer would gain by employing them. Think of it as an advert with you being the product. The résumé or CV gives a potential employer their first impression of a job seeker, and therefore it is worth spending plenty of time perfecting it.

Before you sit down and write your CV, give a thought about what an employer would like to read. Often, employers receive a large number of applicants to job vacancies so it is very important you make your CV stand out from the crowd. Employers usually take under 20 seconds to read a CV so take time to consider what to include and how to present this information.

There are several types of CVs. To find out more about each CV style please click on the links below:

• Chronological CV
• Functional CV
• Combination CV
• Targeted CV