If you’ve started your job search, or are getting ready to do so, you’ve probably begun preparing your curriculum vitae – or CV. Recruiters receive many CVs from interested candidates, so you want to keep yours concise, with necessary, accurate information and exclude any nonessential details.

Having a detailed – yet – succinct CV is one way to help with your job search. Here are the items you should include and exclude when writing your CV:

 

Do include:

• Name and contact information
• Education
• Licensures and certifications
• Experience
• Academic and leadership positions
• Personal information
• Training and titles
• Grants and awards
• Publications and presentations
• A cover letter
• Uniform font and format throughout your CV and cover letter

Don’t include:

• Information irrelevant to the position for which you are applying
• Gaps longer than three months if you can fill them with training or practice – or at least be prepared to explain the gaps if there are any in your related experience
• Career statements or job objectives (instead add them to your cover letter to keep the CV succinct)
• Photos
• Salary information
• Marital status
• References (they will be requested when needed)