Curriculum vitae is a Latin expression which can be roughly translated as the course of my life. A curriculum vitae, commonly referred to as a CV, is a full record of your educational and academic background as well as research and teaching experience, publications, presentations, honors and awards, professional affiliations, and more.

An effective CV is an aesthetically pleasing document that showcases your professional and personal accomplishments in an organized and easy to follow fashion. A curriculum vitae, just like a résumé, is a living document, one that will change and develop as you gain additional accomplishments, interests, and work experience. Therefore, a CV should be updated regularly and often. When reviewing this information, note that this section discusses CVs and résumés within the context of the American usage of the terms; usage and meaning of the terms vary from country to country.