Developing Your CV

And other career-related tips!

Resume vs. Curriculum Vitae

RESUME• Length – SHORT• Content – inclusive summary of

skills, experiences, and education

• Purpose – obtain employment (or interview)

CV• Length – as long as it needs to

be• Content – specific listing of

education and academic background

• Purpose – detail background and qualifications

curriculum vitae (or “CV”)

• Latin: the race (or course) of one’s life

Activity

• Be the Hiring Manager!

Why now?

• Time goes by fast• Helps you organize

important things for your future career (which organizations to join; what is missing)

• Assists in setting goals• Assists when getting letters

of recommendations or applying for other programs/committees.

Important Note

• There is not really a “right” way to do a CV.

• However, there are some things that make the viewing easier, make you look more professional, and include things reviewers want to see.

• Your CV may be different than someone else.

Technical Tips

• Number pages• Single-sided white paper • Same font throughout (may vary

sizing some)• Use bolding and CAPS to have

headings or important words stand out

• No underlining• No bullets or asterisks• Margins – 1” all around• No graphics• Font size – 11-12 point • Times New Roman

(recommended)

The 5 “C”’s

• Clear - well-organized and logical

• Concise - relevant and necessary

• Complete - includes answers to their questions

• Consistent - don't mix styles or fonts

• Current - up-to-date

Contact Information

• Full name (sometimes other names used)

• Mailing Address

• E-mail

• Phone number(s)

Sections on the CV

ALWAYS• Education (always first

on the CV)• Honors and Awards• Professional Experience• Employment• Extracurricular and• Volunteer Experience• Interests

Sections (Ctnd.)

AS NEEDED/APPROPRIATE• Objective• Certifications and Licensure• Professional Affiliations• Professional Activities• Research• Publications and

Presentations• Added Qualifications

Education

• Most current first (include your current educational work)

• Only include diploma distinctions

• Get the schools’ names correct!

• Degrees/certifications are what’s important – not the time spent

• Thesis/Dissertation titles listed

Honors and Awards

• List with most recent first

• Honors/Award Title (date received)

• Go back to undergrad but not before – only academic and/or professional

• Scholarships count

Professional Experience

• Includes anything you were paid to do or was extensive, regular volunteer

• Only include those items relevant to your career

• List most recent first• If listing research,

include the lab experiences

Certifications/Licensure

• List those that are current only

• Can group certifications or more commonly, are done by date of expirations

• Can mark ones that are pending… “Results Pending”

Professional

Affiliations• Only those current• Alphabetical listing• Include all dates of affilation• Note any positionsActivities• Past and present• Most current first• Only those very specific to

academic / medical / research career

• Can include school or university-sponsored committees

• Include role

Research Experience

• List with most current first

• Make sure you mention who you researched under unless it truly was your lab ownership

• If you gained grant funds, include those

Presentations and Publications

• Two views on which way to list first (most recent or in order of publication), generally in order of publication

• Always bold your name in authorship

• You may include submitted and/or pending publications and/or presentations

• Make sure you have copies of your publications and/or presentations in case they are asked for

Additional Skills

• Added qualifications should be verifiable

• Include language fluency (and level – “fluent,” “conversational,”)

• Cultural knowledge may be included, especially if you’ve had hands-on experience or training

• Technical skills are also very relevant

THE CV CHECKLIST

• Is it readable?• Is it well designed, organized

and attractive?• Are categories of information

clearly labeled?• Is it easy for reviewers to find

certain sections of interest?• Has it been printed with letter

quality print?• Is it on heavyweight, smooth

finished white paper?• Have you avoided using

acronyms?

THE CV CHECKLIST (II)

• Is it targeted? • Have you asked yourself who is

the reader and what do you know about the needs and interests of this particular employer?

• Has your advisor reviewed and critiqued it?

• Have you been completely honest with all things included in the document?

• Have you and others proofread it several times?

• If scanned, would the most important things stand out?

Cover Letters

• Allows you to introduce yourself and provide a context for your CV

• Allows you to emphasize and elaborate on certain elements in your CV and show connections between you and position

• Allows you to present a professional yet personal face to your application materials

Format

• Overall format

• Heading

• Salutation

• 1st paragraph

• 2nd (& 3rd) paragraph

• 3rd or 4th paragraph

• Closure

Questions?