What curriculum vitae means
Curriculum means “course” and vitae means “of life”, so a curriculum vitae is a summary of the course of your working life. The plural is curricula vitae, though most people simply say “CVs”.
In everyday UK use nobody writes the full Latin on the page. Your name goes at the top as the title; the words “Curriculum vitae” are not needed.
CV, résumé and academic CV compared
The three names describe documents with different conventions. If you are applying in another country, follow that country's convention rather than the UK one.
| UK CV | US résumé | Academic CV | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Usual length | One to two sides of A4 | One page, sometimes two | As long as the record needs |
| What it lists | Work history, education, skills, a short profile | Work history, education, skills, often a summary | Research, publications, teaching, grants, conferences |
| Photo and date of birth | Left out | Left out | Left out in the UK |
| Paper size | A4 | US Letter | A4 in the UK |
What goes in a UK CV
The National Careers Service lists contact details, an introduction, education, work history and references as the sections a CV should have, and says to leave out your age, date of birth, marital status and nationality.
- Your name, phone number, email and town, plus a work profile link if you have one.
- A short profile: who you are in work terms and the job you want.
- Work history, newest first, with what you did and what changed.
- Education and qualifications, with grades where they help.
- Skills the job asks for, backed by your history.
Other countries
Ireland uses “CV” in the same way as the UK. Australia and New Zealand use both “CV” and “résumé” for a work-history document. Some European employers expect a photo and date of birth that a UK CV leaves out, so check the local convention before you apply abroad.