Glossary

What is Curriculum Vitae?

A curriculum vitae (CV) is a structured document summarising your education, work experience, skills, and achievements for employers.

In the UK and much of Europe, 'CV' is the standard term; North American employers often say 'résumé' for a similar document. For job seekers, the practical difference is regional labelling — the underlying goal is identical: present a credible, scannable record of your professional story.

A strong CV is not a biography. It is a marketing document constrained by conventions: clear sections, consistent dates, bullet points with measurable outcomes, and no personal data employers cannot legally use in hiring decisions.

Length guidance varies by seniority. Many early-career CVs fit two pages; experienced professionals may extend further when every line adds relevant evidence. Clarity beats cramming.

Cvaluate evaluates CVs against real job descriptions, helping you refine content before submission. Start from our complete CV writing guide if you are building a document from scratch.

Related reading

See how your CV scores — free

See how curriculum vitae affects your CV — run a free Cvaluate analysis.

Analyse my CV

Free to try · Sign in in one click · No credit card