CareerKit CV Tools
Is your CV ready for the academic and professional world — at a glance?
A CV is judged differently from a resume. Upload yours and get an instant readiness score with specific fixes for structure, depth, and completeness.
Why it matters
What this CV checker looks for
A CV is more detailed than a resume — it needs the right sections, depth, and academic or professional credentials clearly laid out.
CV length & depth
Unlike a resume, a CV can run 2+ pages. We check it has enough depth without padding, and flags if it's too thin for the context.
Contact & identity
We verify that your name, email, phone, and professional links (LinkedIn, ORCID, portfolio) are present and easy to find.
Education section
Degrees, institutions, and years are the backbone of a CV. We check these are clearly listed in reverse chronological order.
Publications & research
We check whether your CV includes a publications or research section — critical for academic and research-facing roles.
Key sections present
Experience, skills, and professional summary all need to be clearly labelled so reviewers — and ATS — can find them instantly.
Achievements & awards
Honours, scholarships, and recognition strengthen a CV significantly. We check whether this section is present and populated.
Strong language
CVs still benefit from active, confident writing. We check for action verbs and professional tone rather than passive descriptions.
Overall CV score
Every check feeds a single score — a fast read on how complete and professional your CV looks to reviewers and screening systems.
Try it now
Upload your CV for a free instant check
We scan for the key sections, depth, and language that academic institutions and professional employers expect to see in a strong CV.
Drag & drop your CV here
or choose a file from your computer
Want a CV that's built right from the start?
CareerKit's CV templates are structured for completeness — every key section in the right place, ready for you to fill in.
Browse CV TemplatesNext steps
More tools to strengthen your application
The CV checker is just the start. Here's what else CareerKit has to help you land the role.
Free CV check
Run your CV through our checker as many times as you like — no account, no charge, nothing stored.
Check another CV →Resume checker
Applying to a corporate role? Check your resume instead — optimised for ATS filtering in industry hiring.
Check your resume →Cover letter checker
Make sure your cover letter hits the right notes — structure, tone, and the key elements that get read.
Check your cover letter →1:1 CV review
Book a session for line-by-line expert feedback beyond what a scanner can give you.
Book a session →Common questions
CV checker FAQ
Things people usually ask before running their CV through the checker.
What's the difference between a CV and a resume?
A resume is a short, tailored document (1–2 pages) used for most corporate job applications. A CV (Curriculum Vitae) is a comprehensive record of your academic and professional history — typically used in academia, research, medicine, and international applications. A CV can run 3–10+ pages depending on your career stage.
What does this CV checker look for?
It checks for the core elements a strong CV needs: contact information, a professional profile or summary, education section, work experience, publications or research, skills, achievements, and appropriate length. You get a score out of 100 and a note on each item.
What's a good CV score?
A score of 80 or above means your CV covers the key sections expected by reviewers. To get there, make sure you have clearly labelled sections for education, experience, publications (if applicable), skills, and a professional summary — with consistent formatting throughout.
Is my CV stored anywhere?
No. The file is read directly in your browser and never leaves your device. Nothing is uploaded to a server or saved by SNDS CareerKit. Run it as many times as you like.
Should I use PDF or DOCX for my CV?
PDF preserves your formatting and is the safest choice for most submissions. If the institution or employer specifically asks for a Word file (.docx), use that. For this checker, both formats are fully supported.
Ready to put your score to work?
Run another CV through the checker, explore CareerKit's templates, or book a 1:1 review for feedback a scanner can't give.