"What the Heck is a Curriculum Vita"  is a topic of interest of many who find this page.  It is also the title of a chapter in Sue Ireland's The Complete Idiot's Guide to the Perfect Resume , one or my favorite 'how-to' resume books.

    If you're seeking a faculty, research, clinical, or  scientific position, you will
need a "CV" or Curriculum Vita.  A CV is  a little more formal in format than
a resume, usually two pages (or more, if you are highly experienced).  It is a
detailed listing that usually includes publications, presentations, professional
activities, honors, and additional information.  Usually there is no objective
statement, but format varies.  A general discussion of which format may be
appropriate for you can be found at Columbia University,  Job Smart ,or at
the Colorado College Career Center.

    European CV's have varying formats according to the Career Services Office
at the Johns Hopkins School of Public Health.  Each European country has
different recruitment practices, but all use CV's  instead of resumes.  "A CV
is like a chronological shopping list of what you've achieved rather than a
description of your education and work history.  The UK CV comes closest to the American resume,
but in other European countries, list your achievements using keywords."

    As a student of Latin, I would presume that 'vita' -- the singular for life would be appropriate in describing one's life course as opposed to vitae, a plural form (it is ONE life, no?).

     After several emails on the subject, I consulted Webster's  II New Riverside University Dictionary (1988), which is as good a guide to everyday American English as any.  There was no listing for 'curriculum vita' but curriculum vitae was, indeed listed.  Curriculum vitae is the common usage and therefore less likely to elicit questions from potential employers.

    If you are interested in a technical explanation:
 

"It is vitae because "life" in the phrase "course of life" (or "a life's course")
is in the genitive singular. If you consult your handy declension tables,
you will note that a genitive singular feminine noun from the first
declension ends in "ae" not "a."

 

               The objective of the cover letter is to present a brief overview
               of yourself to the employer. By presenting your personal
               information in a coherent format, your objective is to convince
               the employer that your skills are valuable to the employer. Below
               are some tips to aid you in preparing a concise cover letter.

                1. Avoid lengthy letters exceeding 1 page. Most cover letters
                consist of 3 paragraphs.

                     - Paragraph 1: Brief self-introduction including a
                     description of your career objective.

                     - Paragraph 2: A short description of your education,
                     skills and other relevant information.

                     - Paragraph 3: A closing paragraph indicating your salary
                     requirements, contact address and contact number. Ensure
                     that you include your email and fax contact if available.