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Curriculum Vitae

CV HANDOUT MATERIAL

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What is a Curriculum Vitae (CV)

A curriculum vitae, often referred to as a CV, A Curriculum Vitae (CV) provides a comprehensive overview of your scholarly and academic achievements and professional accomplishments.  

· A Curriculum Vitae (CV) is the standard document in the US for presenting your qualifications for academic employment.

· A CV provides a comprehensive overview of your academic achievements and professional accomplishments.

· A professional CV is not subject to the brevity and page requirement of resumes and are, in most cases, several pages long.

· Other than research positions or corporate “partnerships” with institutions of higher education, CVs are generally inappropriate for most jobs in the public and private sector in the US.

· Unless a CV is specifically requested, assume all academic positions at four-year universities (and some community colleges) require CVs and all other positions require resumes

When to use it

It is common to use when applying for:

  • Academic and research positions
  • Grants, fellowships, and awards
  • Some graduate school programs
  • Overseas employment and international organization(each country may have a differnt format for CV's. Do you research.

Differences between a CV and a Resume

Resume
  • Industry employment in the U.S.
  • Brief synopsis
  • Goal is to construct a professional identity
  • Do not include references
  • 1-2 pages max
 CV
  • Academic, Research, Scientific & International Employment
  • Detailed summary
  • Goal is to construct a scholarly
    identity
  • Include references
  • No page limit

Sections of a CV

Required Sections for your CV

  • Name, email, phone number, mailing address, links to portfolio and/or  your LinkedIn URL
  • Education
  • References 

Common Sections for your CV

  • Honors/Awards/Distinctions
  • Fellowships/Grants
  • Teaching Experience ( courses taught)
  • Research Experience
  • Publications
  • Presentations

Other Possible Sections for Your CV

  • Works in Progress
  • Research Interests
  • Other Professional Experience (clinical, consulting, fieldwork, etc.)
  • Professional Training
  • Professional Service
  • Memberships or Professional Affiliations
  • Languages
  • Dissertation or Thesis
  • Academic Service
  • Special Training
  • Research Techniques/Computer Skills/Laboratory or Other Specialized Skills
  • Additional Activities
  • Volunteer work/Service Activities
  • Committee Assignments
  • Community Involvement
  • Study Abroad
  • Book Reviews
  • Conference Presentations
  • Certifications/Licenses/Credentials
  • Internships
  • Leadership
  • Patents
  • Workshops/Panels
  • Summary/Profile
  • Practica

Formatting your CV

  • Use a standard font like Times and Helvetica, 10-12 point
  • Use text formatting to make information easy to find (i.e., bold, bullets)
  • Include your name on every page, and a page number
  • Put most relevant and compelling information at the top  
  • Avoid the overuse of jargon, acronyms, and abbreviations
  • Know your audience
  • Split long lists into subcategories
  • Highlight results and accomplishments – not just tasks
  • Quantify and qualify
  • Break up long sentences
  • Be consistent
  • Absolutely no mistakes allowed
  • Ensure that all entries within each section are in reverse chronological order
  • Save it in a pdf document, and name it with your name and date, such as "J.CohenVita2010.pdf"
  • Keep in mind that overseas employers often expect to read personal information such as birthdate, marital status, nationality, etc., as well as a personal photo.

For a complete handout of Curriculumn Vitae information click here

If you have specific questions or concerns, contact an adviser via email or phone