Job Discussion Forums

Gordon · Joined: 28 Jan 2003 Posts: 5309 Location: Japan

Being an ignorant Canadian, I am wondering what is typically in a CV. I know it is much more comprehensive than a resume, but not sure exactly what it contains. How many pages is a typical CV? Sorry if this has been asked before, I am sure everything has been asked at least once on Dave's.

furiousmilksheikali · Posted: Tue Nov 21, 2006 12:54 pm Post subject:

As far as I know a CV is no different to a resume, CV is merely the preferred term in "British-English".

It contains your educational background and employment history as well as a personal statement and any interests that you have.

Unless you have a lot of relevant experience it shouldn't run to more than a couple of pages (for those just out of University, one side of A4 should suffice). Just make sure that you don't leave any gaps to avoid questions like "Just what were you doing between 1991-1996?" If you spent the whole time on the dole then you're going to have to come up with something a little better on your CV.

Cleopatra · Posted: Tue Nov 21, 2006 2:05 pm Post subject:

The above poster is correct as far as I know. I have always assumed that CV is the British term for 'resume'. I also agree that CVs - or resumes if you prefer the term - should not run to more than 2 pages unless you've had a truly interesting life.

Gordon · Joined: 28 Jan 2003 Posts: 5309 Location: Japan

I was always under the impression that a CV was a little more than a resume. I see a resume as one's educational background, work experience and interests related to work (publications and presentations). It is about 2 pages, at least mine is.
Would a CV have more in it? More personal related stuff?
I am trying to curtail the CV/resume for Middle East employers, hence why it is posted in this forum. I know a resume is slightly different depending on your target audience.

Thanks so far

dmb · Joined: 12 Feb 2003 Posts: 8397

denise · Joined: 23 Apr 2003 Posts: 3419 Location: finally home-ish

Actually, in the US (and Canada?!?!?) they are different things. A resume is generally a one-page work and education history, listed chronologically. A CV of course has those elements, but there is more room to expand and organize it differently. CVS (at least within the TESOL field in the US... don't know about anywhere else!) can get longer if you add publications, presentations, non-classroom education experience (designing curricula, assessment, etc.) Of course, it still shouldn't be padded... I've got mine arranged semi-chronologically: overseas teaching experience, US teaching experience, curriculum design experience, professional development activities... I think that's it. And a separate page that includes full contact information for references, whereas my resume just said "references available upon request."

I know some countries/regions have requirements about listing marital status, including a photo, etc. And since I'm still a Middle East newbie (arriving in Oman on November 30th!), I wasn't sure about those... I generally leave them off unless I see a specific job ad that specifically requests them.

d

taikibansei · Joined: 14 Sep 2004 Posts: 811 Location: Japan

Here are some links explaining the differences from a North American perspective:

http://chronicle.com/jobs/99/12/99120301c.htm
http://jobsearch.about.com/cs/curriculumvitae/f/cvresume.htm

This statement, from the second link, stands out to me: "In Europe, the Middle East, Africa, or Asia, employers expect to receive a curriculum vitae."

While true for some university positions in Japan, for all other positions here, and for most other positions I know of in Asia, a resume would be much preferred. What is the true situation in the Middle East?

stoth1972 · Posted: Wed Nov 22, 2006 12:14 am Post subject:

I was thinking along the lines of Denise. I always sent a resume out, though, and call it a CV when it came to applying for jobs in the UAE. Technically, a CV is much more comprehensive. In N. America, we value a concise and to-the-point resume. Anyone have experience with potential employers in the Gulf wanting more details?

furiousmilksheikali · Posted: Wed Nov 22, 2006 12:25 am Post subject:

I think most people who accept CVs prefer them to be concise and to the point as well.

Here's a tip: Don't write "CV", "Curriculum Vitae", or "Resume" at the top. Most employers will be able to (should be able to) recognize what it is and will consider it to be a "CV" or a "resume" depending upon their associative bias.

Just title it "Gordon" or whatever you will prefer your future employers to call you.

taikibansei · Joined: 14 Sep 2004 Posts: 811 Location: Japan

Gordon · Joined: 28 Jan 2003 Posts: 5309 Location: Japan

Gordon · Joined: 28 Jan 2003 Posts: 5309 Location: Japan

Thanks everyone. The reason I am asking the question is because the ads I am seeing for Gulf university positions are asking for a CV. I am used to writing a 2 page resume, so do not want to leave some details out that might be important to employers.

My headings are: education background, work experience, publications and presentations. Anything I am missing, for you ME vets? Do they want personal info, which is a no-no in North America, but not here in Japan.
Should I put personal info, kids, wife, age.... on my cover letter or leave it out?

stoth1972 · Posted: Wed Nov 22, 2006 1:38 am Post subject:

Some places like Nationality, Age, Marital Status, Photo...it can make you a more appealing candidate depending on what you put.

veiledsentiments · Joined: 20 Feb 2003 Posts: 17644 Location: USA

Gordon,

To summarize what everyone has said, just send the same 2 page summary of your education/work experience... with the heading being your name and contact information. ME universities also like to know your age, marital status, kids, and get a picture. In your cover letter, emphasize your related experience (academic English... especially reading/writing for university level).

VS

Stephen Jones · Joined: 21 Feb 2003 Posts: 4124

To the British CV means resume.

The American idea of fitting it all on one page is out-of-favor; I don't know how many unreadable resumes I have read with the print too small so it would fit on one page. You should manage two or three pages maximum.

For the Middle East make sure you list all experience with beginning and starting dates.

Every insititution has different ideas, so there is no general rule. Do check that it looks OK printed out though, and put in page breaks manually as otherwise a change from letter to A4 might mess up the formatting.

Send as a .doc extension or a.rtf file. Do not use the Hangul Korean Word Processor, as it will not be possible to open the file without a special reader, and don't use Microsoft Works as other programs, including Word, can't open that either.