What does CV stand for? In job searches it stands for curriculum vitae, a Latin phrase usually translated as "the course of one's life." A CV is a written record of your education, work history, research and achievements that you send when applying for a position.
In the United States, a CV is mostly used for academic, medical, scientific and research jobs, and it can run many pages. In the United Kingdom and much of the world, people say CV for the short document Americans call a resume.
Quick facts
Stands for
Curriculum vitae (Latin)Literal meaning
Course of lifeType
Initialism, said C VPlural
CVs; in Latin, curricula vitaeUsed in
Academic, medical, research and international jobsNot to be confused with
Resume, a shorter summary used for most US jobs
What does CV stand for in a resume search?
The two letters come from two Latin words:
| Letter | Latin word | English sense |
|---|---|---|
| C | Curriculum | Course or path, from a word for running |
| V | Vitae | Of life |
Say it as "C V," letter by letter. The full phrase is usually said "kuh-RIK-yuh-lum VEE-tie" in American English, though you will hear a few other versions. The full form of CV is rarely spelled out on an application; employers simply ask for "a CV."
CV vs resume in the United States
American employers treat the two as different documents.
| Feature | CV | Resume |
|---|---|---|
| Length | Often 2 pages or many more | Usually 1 to 2 pages |
| Content | Full record of degrees, research, papers, talks, grants | Selected skills and jobs that fit the role |
| Changes per job | Grows over a career, adjusted lightly | Tailored for each application |
| Typical fields | Universities, medicine, science, some government roles | Most business, trade and service jobs |
If a US posting asks for a CV but the job is not academic or medical, the employer may simply mean a resume. When in doubt, ask, or send a resume with a clear structure.
What does CV stand for in jobs abroad?
Outside the United States, CV is the everyday word. In the UK, Ireland, Australia and many parts of Europe and Asia, a CV is a two-page summary much like an American resume. Some countries expect a photo, a date of birth or a personal statement on it, while American employers generally prefer you leave those out. Read the posting or check local customs before you apply.
Job ad for a research lab: "Please submit a cover letter, a full CV and the names of three references." The lab wants a complete list of your degrees, publications and research experience, not a one-page summary.
What goes on an academic CV
- Contact information
- Education, with degrees, schools and dates
- Research interests and experience
- Publications and presentations
- Teaching experience
- Grants, awards and fellowships
- Professional memberships and service
- Skills such as languages or lab methods
- References, if requested
Medical CVs add residencies, board certifications and licenses. A PhD candidate's CV might already run three or four pages.
What CV stands for in other fields
The same pair of letters shows up in other fields:
- Cardiovascular: in health care, CV refers to the heart and blood vessels.
- Constant velocity: mechanics talk about CV joints on a car's axles.
- Coefficient of variation: a statistics measure of spread.
- Computer vision: the tech field that teaches machines to interpret images.
- Cabo Verde: the island nation's two-letter country code.
If the conversation is about jobs, hiring or school, CV means curriculum vitae.
Writing CV correctly
Write the CV abbreviation as two capitals without periods, and add a small s for more than one: CVs. Use a before it, since C is said "see": a CV, a CV template. In formal writing the full phrase is lowercase, curriculum vitae, unless it starts a sentence. Some writers italicize it as a foreign phrase, but most American style guides now treat it as ordinary English.
More everyday letters are gathered in the famous acronyms list, or compare letter-based words in acronym vs abbreviation.
Questions people ask
Is a CV the same as a resume?
In the United States, no. A CV is a longer, complete record used mainly for academic and medical jobs, while a resume is a short, targeted summary. In many other countries, CV is simply the word for a resume.
What is the plural of curriculum vitae?
The Latin plural is curricula vitae. In everyday English, CVs is the most common plural.
How long should a CV be?
An academic or medical CV has no fixed limit and grows over a career. A CV for a job in the UK or Europe is usually about two pages.
What is CV stand for in medicine?
In a job context it is still curriculum vitae. On a chart or in a lab report, CV often means cardiovascular, which relates to the heart and blood vessels.
Should I put a photo on my CV?
For US employers, usually not. Some countries expect one, so check the norms of the place where you are applying.