Developing and Enhancing your CV

UK Preparing Future Faculty Program

The Application Materials

Curriculum vita (cv)Cover letterTeaching Philosophy/ Teaching StatementResearch StatementRecommendation lettersTranscriptsDissertation Abstract

Teaching EvaluationsReprints and/or writing sampleTeaching portfolioSample syllabi, grant proposal, or other materialsFunding historyWWW page

Most applications Some applications

CV vs. Resume

Resume Usually 1-2 pages More suitable for

corporate jobs Often contain an

objective Frequently scanned

electronically No lists of references,

publications, presentations, service, honors, grants, teaching, …

CV Longer than resumes More suitable for

academic institutions, nonprofits

Don’t have “objective” Tailored to specific job

announcement No standard format (but

within some disciplines there may be accepted formats)

Includes much more…

2 uses of “CV”

In the United States, a "CV" or "vita" is "a comprehensive, biographical statement emphasizing your professional qualifications and activities." It is used in pursuit of an academic or research position.

In other countries, the CV is the standard resume, although the format and some of the information may differ from customary practice in the U.S.

Curriculum vitae (CV)“vita” is singular; “vitae” is plural

“course of life”

Much more detailed than a resume – your ‘complete’ professional history

Summarizes your educational background & experiences

Can be useful to your references when writing letters for you; awards, consulting, ….

CV may containDependable contact information; include web page if professional and adds valueEducation (include degree status, advisor, dissertation title, completion date)Teaching experiencesResearch experiencesEmployment (professional)Honors, awards, patentsGrants, fellowships

PublicationsPresentationsSpecial skills, languagesService (professional)Licenses and certificatesProfessional organizations and conferencesComplete reference contact information (mail, phone, e-mail, fax)May have short (2-3 sentence research summary)

A typical CV starts with …

Education: Ph.D., university, location, dates Dissertation title Advisor

Graduate Certificates or other certs.M.A. university, location, date Thesis title

B.A., major, university, location, date (Could add study abroad experience, etc.)

ExperiencePlace highlights and strengths first in order of most recent experience Tailor the order in which you list your experiences according to the job requirements Required info for experiences: Title, dates, institution, location (city/state or city/country) Description of duties

Use statements NOT sentences Format with bullets at the beginning of each statement

(paragraphs are too much to read) Begin each statement with an action verb Use present tense if still performing in a certain job Use past tense for jobs in the past

“Experience” may be multiple sections

Teaching ExperienceResearch ExperienceClinical ExperienceRelevant non-academic experience ….

Use organization of your cv to highlight information relevant to the particular position

Other categories might includeResearch OverviewConsulting Experience, Academic ServicePresentations and Publications Committee WorkRefereed Journal ArticlesAdvisingOutreachConference Presentations Workshop PresentationsInvited AddressesColloquiaEditorial AppointmentsBook ReviewsGallery Talks

Keynote AddressesAreas of Expertise (Specialization, Competence)Graduate PracticaInternshipsSpecialized Training/SkillsTeaching AssistantshipsAwardsGrantsFunded ProjectsExhibitionsLanguagesProfessional Membershipsetc….

Your CVShould be concise, well-written (clear, jargon-free)Proofread carefully – no misspellings or grammar errors, get details correctProfessional look and feelBe realistic and honestCommunicate degree status appropriatelyEasy to scan visually and organized so that important information is easily found

12-point font, easily readableSingle-sided printing; Light-colored paperYour name on every page; pages numberedNo gimmicksNo offensive or provocative language or examples Originals when possible No bad copies!Consistent formatting

Important Points

There is NO one best format – you will have several versions depending on the type of institution you are applying toKnow what styles and formats are common in your disciplineCitation formats should be in appropriate disciplinary style (APA, MLA, Chicago, …)Look at lots of cvs, and get lots of feedback, before you submit yours

DODOInclude relevant

information

Reverse chronological order

Good contact information (e-mail address that you check regularly; phone with answering system)

Include information about undergraduates and/or graduate students you have mentored in research

Don’tInclude GPA, birth date, Social

Security #, Marital status, hobbies, sex, race, religion, politics, exam scores, high school activities, license numbers, other irrelevant information

Mix font stylesInclude “non-professional” e-mail

addresses (lvrboy@romance.com, slacker@lazy.net or other non-professional information

No padding!

As a graduate student Generally you will lump together more categories on your

CV than will more senior people. As you gain experience you will want to refine categories and distinguish more types of experiences.

“Publications," for you, might include everything. Later on you will definitely need to distinguish between "Refereed Articles" and "Articles" and "Reviews" and "Book Reviews", etc… Make sure and know what the norm is for your discipline!

More experiences call for more specific categories