Summer London Internship Program: The Curriculum Vitae (CV) vs. The Résumé

Although in essence they both serve the same purpose, the main difference between a Curriculum Vitae (CV) and a résumé is that a CV acts as a complete record of your professional history. The résumé, on the other hand, is a short, targeted list of transferable skills and accomplishments intended to show how you can be of specific benefit to the particular company to which you are applying.

Throughout most of the world, the CV is the standard format for internship and job applications. However, in the United States, résumés are more common. As a result, many international workers possess both a CV and a résumé and choose between them as necessary.

Features of a CV

The Curriculum Vitae, to give it its Latin name, is an account of your entire education and employment history. The term translates as 'course of life', and it really is that - a record of your working life so far. It is far more detailed than a résumé, from which elements are often excluded if they are considered irrelevant. A CV should include everything you've ever done, listed in reverse chronological order, to make it easier to prioritize more recent information. As a result, a CV is longer than a résumé, although two pages is the recommended length. Information in a CV is arranged according to subheadings, to make it easier for the reader to quickly skim through and find the information he or she needs.

Features of a Résumé

A résumé is a shorter, targeted account of your relevant skills and achievements. Although the exact length of a résumé is open to debate, in general it should not exceed one page in length. It is important to only include information that is most relevant to the position you are targeting. Résumés also often omit personal details that CVs include, such as hobbies and interests. As with CVs, résumés are usually organized into a few essential sections. However, one key difference between a CV and a résumé is that résumés are focused on your skills and accomplishments, rather than providing an objective account of your history

What information will you need?

You should gather together all of the information required below. You may not use all of this information in your CV, but it will provide you with useful reference material when preparing for cover letters and interviews.

Personal Details

You must include your full name, address, and mobile (cell) phone number. Although not required, you may want to include your date of birth and nationality.

Objective/Profile

This is a short summary of your current status as a student or professional, your previous experience, and your future career and/or learning goals. Contain this summary within two to six lines of text.

Education & Qualifications

List your education history and qualifications. Please see the example below:

  • Bachelor of Music in Music Business & Management (08/2005 - present)
  • Berklee College of Music, Boston, Massachusetts, USABerklee College of Music, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
  • Anticipated Graduation: 05/2009Anticipated Graduation: 05/2009
  • GPA: 3.6GPA: 3.6
    • Related Coursework:Related Coursework:
    • MB-255 Computer Applications in the Industry MB-255 Computer Applications in the Industry
    • PM-340 Entrepreneurship PM-340 Entrepreneurship
    • MB-391 Concert and Tour Promotion MB-391 Concert and Tour Promotion
    • MB-401 International Marketing MB-401 International Marketing
    • MB-387 Web Site Design and Management MB-387 Web Site Design and Management
    • MB-331 International Industry Operations: Record Companies MB-331 International Industry Operations: Record Companies
    • MP-247 Business of Music Production MP-247 Business of Music Production
    • PW-161 Tech Tools for the Writer PW-161 Tech Tools for the Writer
    • MB-301 Business Leadership and EthicsMB-301 Business Leadership and Ethics

If you have a degree, you will not need to list coursework. You may list relevant coursework if you feel it will make you a more desirable candidate.

Related Experience

You should include full-time positions, credited or non-credited internships, university work-study office positions, part-time jobs, and relevant vacation jobs.

Note: Any charity or community outreach work, and unpaid work experiences, including relevant achievements, should be included in an "Interests," "Leadership," or "Achievements" section.

Start with your most recent or last experience and work backwards in chronological order. For each position include:

  • Your title (e.g. Manager, Supervisor, etc.)
  • The job title of the person you reported to (e.g. Director, Manager, etc.)
  • The time range (start and end dates)
  • The name of the company, organization, or institution
  • A brief description (two to three lines of text) of their service, using the language they use to describe themselves
  • Set out your main responsibilities and duties
  • Set out achievements, quantifying if possible (e.g. meeting deadlines, budgets, etc, and any information that may be relevant to your next experience)
  • Set out developed skills, being as specific and positive as possible

Computer Skills

List and qualify your skills in an organized format. Please see the example below:

Administrative Computer Applications

  • Platforms:Platforms: Apple, PC-based Apple, PC-based
  • Microsoft Office: Microsoft Office: Word, Excel, Power Point Word, Excel, Power Point
  • Databases:Databases: Filemaker Filemaker ProPro
  • Graphic and Web Design:Graphic and Web Design: Photoshop, Quark & Quark Express, Photoshop, Quark & Quark Express, Macromedia Macromedia DreamweaverDreamweaver, HTML, HTML

Music-Specific Software & Hardware

  • Notation:Notation: Finale, Finale, Sibelius Sibelius
  • Analogue Recording:Analogue Recording: Tape splicing; multi-track recording on 2-inch tape; Tape splicing; multi-track recording on 2-inch tape; mixing mixing 1/41/4 inch tape inch tape
  • Digital Recording:Digital Recording: Multi-track recording experience on DA-88 and ADAT Multi-track recording experience on DA-88 and ADAT
  • Hard Disk Recording:Hard Disk Recording: Pro Tools, Logic, Digital Performer, Pro Tools, Logic, Digital Performer, Cakewalk,Cakewalk, Cool Edit ProCool Edit Pro
  • MIDI Sequencing:MIDI Sequencing: Digital Performer, Pro Tools, Logic, Cakewalk, Vision Digital Performer, Pro Tools, Logic, Cakewalk, VisionList and qualify your skills in an organized format. Please see the example below:

Leadership, Achievements, or Interests

Depending on your unique background, you should choose the correct heading that will represent this section. You may want to include any of the following:

  • Community outreach or charity work
  • Professional memberships
  • Student organizations
  • Professional or academic committees

When listing this information you need to be as specific as possible. Make sure to include:

  • Your role or leadership position
  • The time range (start and end dates)
  • The name of the non-profit organization, professional membership, student organization, or committee
  • A brief description (two to three lines of text) of their purpose, using the language they use to describe themselves
  • Set out your main responsibilities and duties
  • Set out achievements, quantifying if possible (e.g. meeting deadlines, budgets, etc, and any information that may highlight your value)
  • Set out developed skills, being as specific and positive as possible

You will notice that the format for organizing this section is similar to the "Related Experience" section. The main difference between the two sections is monetary reimbursement. It is important to note that experience is not confined to employment.

Referees (References)

You do not normally need to list referees on a CV, but it is a good idea to think about whom you could ask now. If you choose to list referees, limit them to two or three. Please see the example below:

  • Name
  • Title of Position
  • Company/Institution
  • Email Address
  • Work Phone Number

If you have more questions, please contact the Office of Experiential Learning.

Berklee College of Music Office of Experiential Learning
899 Boylston Street, 3rd Floor
experientiallearning@berklee.edu
617-747-2180




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