resumes and cvs
TRANSCRIPT
Agenda Resumes VS CVs Purpose of a Resume Purpose of a CV Resume Formats & Content CV Formats & Content Differences Between a CV and a Resume Resume/CV Dos and Don’ts Cover Letters Research Statements
Resumes vs Curriculum Vitae (CVs)
Resumes are required for an Industry Job Search Process
Resumes are the written inventory of your work experience and accomplishments, skill set, career and educational highlights CVs are required by environments that demand doctoral degrees – SAM communities
CVs are a chronological representation of credentials – “the course of one’s life”
A Resume and its Purpose
Marketing Tool Key component in the job search
process To get you an interview Resumes are as unique and
individual as the individuals they represent
Tailored to the specific job.
A CV and its Purpose
Important piece of documentation Key component in the search for
scientific, academic, or medical positions
Usually accompanied by a cover letter and a research statement
To highlight your credentials CV follows a specific structure Only one version of a CV is enough.
Resume Formats
Reverse Chronological – Lists your experiences in reverse chronological order, beginning with most recent position.
Functional – Promotes and headlines skills and accomplishments, without emphasizing where or when you developed those skills.
Combination – Utilizes reverse chronological order as well as organizes experiences in order of importance.
The Four Ws of a Resume
What opportunity are you seeking?
What is your specific background that relates to this opportunity?
What are the roles, relevant work experiences and education that provided you with this experience?
What are your unique accomplishments?
Resume Guidelines/Length
Easy to read – Resume should be in a consistent format and the reader should have a clear understanding of who you are.
Easy to find out what you are good at – effective formatting, clear articulate language and pertinent information will enable the reader to access what is important.
Length of Resume – Keep your resume concise – make every word count – 2 page optimum.
Resume Headings
Contact Information
Profile Summary Skill Set vs. Objective
Work Experience
Education
Professional Associations and Membership.
Use Words Carefully Avoid use of confusing terms or acronyms
Avoid use of long sentences or paragraphs
Focus on concise factual statements
Emphasize hard skills, e.g. computer software applications
Focus on specific action verbs.
Resume Content Show a progressive history of success
(increased responsibilities, promotions, etc)
Address specific accomplishments – PAR statements
Identify your unique achievements within
organizations
Provide metrics that support these accomplishments.
PAR – Example
Project: Recognized a need for an interactive videodisc/computer database for students and faculty
Action : Analyzed database and procedural requirements and designed an interactive tool
Result : Installed in MIT Libraries
Putting it all together : Identified the need for and led the design and delivery of a database project which resulted in easier access of information for faculty, students and staff through MIT Libraries.
PAR Statement Practice
1. Think about an accomplishment or project that you wish to include in your resume. With a partner, describe the issue or challenges that you addressed
2. Write down the following: (P) What was the issue and subsequent
project (A) What actions you took using action
verbs (R) The result or impact of the project.
CV Guidelines/Length
Easy to Read – line item presentation of your credentials and academic history
Must have▪ Professional ▪ Address ▪ Educational ▪ History ▪ Honors and Awards ▪ Publications
References Length of CVs – no restrictions; 5 - 10 pages is optimum.
CV Headings ▪ Contact Information ▪ Education/Doctoral Dissertation ▪ Medical or Academic Posts ▪ Research – with mentors and institutions ▪ Publications ▪ Teaching ▪ Presentations▪ Honors and Awards▪ Appointments ▪ Committees▪ Other Activities .
References – Resume vs CV Not included or required in a Resume –
can be an addendum Typically required and listed in a CV – very
important piece of information for in academic searches
Consistent list between CV and applications for academic positions ▪ Up to 5 reference letters are required in academic
searches▪ Post Doc mentor and Ph. D. mentor come first –
most important.
Differences – Resume vs CV
Category Curriculum Vitae ResumeEssence A full list of your
professional and educational history
A summary of your experience and skills that are most pertinent to the job
Length Not restricted; 5 - 10 – optimum for a seasoned academic
1 to 2 pages
Usage SAM/Science – Academia - Medical positions
Every other type of job outside of academia and research science
Publications Yes – full list RarelyStyle and Format
Not important; content matters
Very important/Make it easy to read and follow
Number of versions
One is enough/minor modifications are OK
Many version/Tailor to each job of interest
References Yes No
Do Not's of Resumes & CVs Do not include personal information
in resume or academic CV Do not send a photograph Do not embellish your resume/CV
with false statements Do not use full sentences or
pronouns Do not use abbreviations or
acronyms
Don’t be Shy to Share
Obtain an objective review of your resume/CV
Share your resume/CV with a colleague in the specific department that you are targeting for a job
Keep updating resume and CV
Be true to the facts.
Cover Letters – Industry Job Search Cover Letters – Industry Job Search Cover
Letter + Resume = Industry Job Search Paragraph 1 – Express interest in opportunity
+ How you found out about it Paragraph 2 – What you have to offer to the
potential employer; specific matches between your qualifications and the job
Paragraph 3- follow up and next steps
Cover Letters –Academic Job Search Cover Letter + CV = Academic Job Search
Paragraph 1 – Express interest in opportunity + funding situation
Paragraphs 2/3 – Work/mentors as a Post Doc + work/mentors as a Ph.D.
Paragraph 4 – Future research focus Paragraph 5 –follow up andnext steps
Research Statements – Academic Job Search
Research Summary
Graduate Research (mentor + lab)
Post Doctoral Research (mentor + lab)
Future Research Plans (may include abstracts)
Optimum is 3-5 pages; may be more if abstracts are included
Educational Plan/Teaching Plan may also be required