Curriculum Vita Guide

7/30/2019 Curriculum Vita Guide

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CURRICULUM VITA GUIDE

Table of Contents

1. A Vita or a Résumé?............................................................................................................................2

- Definition of a Résumé

- Definition of a Curriculum Vita

2. F.O.C.U.S. – General Guidelines for Creating a Curriculum Vita………………………..3

- Focus

- Organization

- Content

- Uniformity- Style

3. Form and Style…………………………………………………………………………….4

4. Ingredients for a Vital Vita………………………………………………………………..5

5. C.V. “Don’ts”………………………………………………………………………………6

6. Suggested C.V. Categories………………………………………………………………...7

7. Action Verbs……………………………………………………………………………….8

8. Additional Resources………………………………………………………………………9

9. Curriculum Vitae Template………………………………………………………………10

10. Sample C.V.s……………………………………………………………………………....11

* "Vita" is singular, "Vitae" is plural.

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A Vita or a Résumé?

Resumes and Curriculum Vitae are distinctly different.

A résumé is the more commonly used of the two documents. It is an individually designed

summary (usually one or two pages) of personal, educational, and experience qualifications

intended to demonstrate fitness for a particular position. A résumé focuses its attention on an

individual's strongest qualifications and develops them to fit the specific or general purpose for

which the material is provided (see the Office of Career Counseling Résumé Guide for more

information).

A curriculum vita , or C.V., is a comprehensive biographical statement (generally three or more

pages) emphasizing professional qualifications and activities. Vitae are typically used only in

higher education job searches and are often requested specifically when desired by an employer. If

a vita is not specifically requested, send a resume with a notation stating that a vita (and/or

references) can be sent later upon request. It is far better to start out with a one or two page

résumé than it is to stifle the reader's interest by prematurely sending a long vita.

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F.O.C.U.S. - General Guidelines for Creating a Curriculum Vita

Focus

Should be chosen and developed with a career or work objective in mind.

Organization

Includes three basic types: chronological, chronological cluster, and functional/combination.

Arranges information on the curriculum vita in order of relevance to your objective.

Prioritizes the description of skills and achievements based on their relevance to your

objective and their impressiveness to employers.

Content

Includes descriptions of paid and unpaid experiences, publications, readings, research citings.

Accounts for summer and campus employment, internships, fieldwork placements, volunteer

work, extracurricular involvement, education and academic experience, and activities andinterests.

Stresses skills and accomplishments.

Should be brief, specific, clear and honest.

Allows for creativity.

Does not include personal information like birth date, marital status, or religion.

Uniformity

Requires a consistent style throughout the CV.

Describes experiences using action verbs.

Uses the same format to introduce each experience.

Style

Utilizes visual techniques such as bolding or italicizing to stress important information.

Relies on short descriptive statements instead of complete sentences.

Does not use personal pronouns.

Does not recommend abbreviating titles or degrees

Demands proofreading final copy for grammatical and spelling errors

Requires use of quality bond paper for final copies

Considers color of paper (e.g. white, off-white, gray) used to print CV.

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Form and Style

There are several technical aspects of vitae development and preparation. First, the length is

determined by the content. The more experience applicants have, the longer their vitae are likely

to be. In academia, it is acceptable for those with master's degrees to have a three or four page

vita. However, good vitae are still summaries and contain no complete sentences and littlepunctuation. Photos are rarely required and should not be included. All vitae should be

professionally word-processed and photocopied on white or light-colored paper of at least 20lb.

weight and 25% rag content.

Everything on the vita should be up-to-date and true. Because a vita quickly becomes obsolete as

you complete various research projects, join professional associations, and progress in your

academic studies, it is imperative that you carefully review your vita regularly to improve and

update it.

Follow these simple rules for form and style for best results:

Style: Short phrases; succinct word choice; action verbs

Paper size: 8 ½’”x 11”

Margins: 1-1” ½”

Grammar: parallel, consistent

Typing: error free

Font: 12 point

Reproduction: clear copy

Black ink

Name and page number on each page (no page number necessary on first page)

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Ingredients for a Vital Vita

Personal Data

Your personal information (name, address, phone, and e-mail) should be included at the top of

your C.V. If you are still in school, you may want to list both your current and your permanent

addresses.

Educational Background

List, in reverse chronological order, the name and location of all colleges and universities you

have attended. Include dates attended, degrees completed, concentrations, certificates, and

academic distinctions.

Employment ExperienceWhen listing experience, remember to include volunteer activities, internships, and fieldwork

placements. These may be of equal or greater value than relevant paid employment.

Publications and Creative Works

Bibliographic citations of articles, pamphlets, monographs, chapters in books, research reports,

etc., that have been published. Include descriptions of recitals, art exhibits, etc.

Awards and Honors

List, with dates, membership in professional honorary societies, receipt of competitive

assistantships, scholarships, fellowships, teaching or research awards, etc.

Other Important Items (Optional)

List papers presented at conferences, professional association memberships, and recent or current

research projects.

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C.V. “Don'ts"

Personal Information

Legal restrictions do not prohibit you from offering personal information—you are free to

mention any of these characteristics or any other vital statistic you choose to present (height,

weight, marital status, dependents). But to do so is often perceived as unprofessional. Keepthe focus on your job-related abilities and potential. Inappropriate information can divert

attention from more important elements of your C.V. detailing your professional qualifications

and achievements.

Tell employers what they need to know, not necessarily everything they might want to know.

Biases exist. There is no need to trigger them prematurely. Advertising autobiographical details

in your C.V. may close more doors than it will open.

Do Not Include:

Photographs

Race, religion, ethnicity

Age, date, or place of birth

Physical characteristics

Family information

Gender or sexual orientation

Inaccuracies

Caution: Accuracy about academic degrees and experiences is critical. Even the slightest discrepancy can be

damaging.

Even if all requirements have been met, do not state that you hold a degree until it has been

officially conferred. Include an annotation explaining that all the requirements are completed and

the degree will be conferred on a particular date.

The discovery of inaccuracies, untruths, or misrepresentations will usually preclude further

consideration of your candidacy. Once hired, the discovery that you have provided false

information can be cause for termination.

Employers and the courts take fraud seriously. Protect yourself and your career by telling the

truth.

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Suggested C.V. Categories

AccomplishmentsAcademic AccomplishmentsScholarshipsFellowshipsHonors/Awards

DistinctionsProfessional/CareerAchievementsProfessional Recognition

AffiliationsMembershipsProfessional MembershipsMemberships in ScholarlySocietiesProfessional OrganizationsHonorary Societies

Professional SocietiesMajor CommitteesCommittee LeadershipProfessional Assoc. AdvisoryBoardsAdvisory CommitteesNational Boards

EducationEducational BackgroundEducational Overview

Formal EducationAcademic BackgroundAcademic PreparationAcademic TrainingDegreesPrincipal TeachersDissertation (Title/Topic)Master’s Thesis (Title/Topic)Course HighlightsEducational HighlightsAreas of KnowledgeAreas of Experience

Areas of ExpertiseAcademic InterestsExtracurricular Activities

International ExperienceForeign Study/Study Abroad International ProjectsLanguage Competencies

MiscellaneousCredentialsPlacement FilePortfolioRecommendationsReferencesServiceOutreach

Presentations/Publications/Etc.Conferences AttendedConference Participation

Conference PresentationConference LeadershipWorkshop PresentationsConvention AddressesInvited AddressesInvited LecturesLectures and ColloquiaScholarly PresentationsPrograms and WorkshopsSelected PresentationsExhibits/Exhibitions

Arrangements/ScoresPerformancesRecitals AbstractsPublicationsScholarly PublicationsScholarly WorksBooksChaptersEditorial BoardsProfessional PapersTechnical Papers

Refereed Journal ArticlesEditorial AppointmentsArticles/MonographsReviewsBook Reviews

Professional ExperienceProfessional SummarySelected ExperienceProfessional DevelopmentAreas of Expertise

Proficiencies/SkillsProfessional InterestsAdministrative ExperienceConsulting ExperienceGrants and ContractsPatents

Professional TrainingInternshipsGraduate FieldworkGraduate PracticeSpecialized Training

Professional CertificationLicensureProfessional/Career Training

Teaching/ResearchExperienceTeaching/ResearchAssistantshipsTeaching InterestsResearch InterestsAcademic Appointments

Current AcademicAppointmentsTeaching ExperienceTeaching OverviewResearch AppointmentsResearch ExperienceResearch OverviewResearch AwardsResearch GrantsFunded ProjectsFaculty LeadershipMajor University Assignments



Action WordsAccomplishmentAchievedBecameElected to

EstablishedExpandedImprovedPioneeredReduced (losses)ResolvedRestoredSpearheadedTransformed

CreativeActed

AppearedConceptualizedCreatedCustomizedDecoratedDesignedDevelopedDirectedDisplayedDrewEdited

EntertainedEstablishedFashionedFilmedFoundedIllustratedInitiatedInnovatedInstitutedIntegratedIntroducedInventedOriginatedPerformed

Clerical/DetailApprovedArrangedCatalogued

ChartedClassifiedCollectedCompiled

DeliveredDispatchedDistributedDraftedEditedExecutedFiledGeneratedHostedImplementedInspectedKept

MemorizedMonitoredOperatedOrganizedOutlinedPreparedProcessedPurchasedRecordedRegisteredRelayed

ReorganizedReproducedRetrievedScannedScheduledScreenedSeparatedSimplifiedSpecifiedSystematizedTabulatedTransferred

TypedUpdated

CommunicationAddressedAdvertisedArbitrated

ArrangedArticulatedAttendedAuthored

CollaboratedCommittedConvincedCorrespondedDemonstratedDescribedDevelopedDirectedDiscussedDivertedDraftedDrew

EditedElicitedEmpathizedEmphasizedEnlistedExpressedFacilitatedFormulatedHarmonizedInfluencedInformed

InquiredInteractedInterpretedInterviewedInvitedJustifiedLecturedListenedManipulatedMarketedMediatedModerated

MotivatedNegotiatedNetworkedPerceivedPersuadedPresentedPromoted

ProposedPublicizedRecommendedReconciled

RecruitedReflectedRelatedReportedRepresentedRespondedSettledShowedSignaledSolicitedSpecifiedSpoke

TelephonedTestifiedTranslatedVisitedWrote

FinancialAdministeredAllocatedAnalyzedAppraised

AuditedBalancedBargainedBoughtBudgetedCalculatedComputedDevelopedExchangedForecastedInsuredManagedMarketedPlanned ProjectedPurchasedResearchedSoldSpent

HelpingAccompaniedAdoptedAdvocated

AffectedAidedAssessedAssistedAssumedClarifiedCoachedCollaboratedCombinedCounseledDemonstratedDevoted

DisclosedEducatedEnlargedEnsuredExecutedExpandedExpeditedFacilitatedFamiliarizedFortifiedGuided

HelpedIncreasedInvolvedMaintainedModifiedMotivatedOfferedParticipatedProvidedReferredRehabilitatedReinforcedRepresentedReviewedServedSharedSuggestedSupplied

- 8 -



ManagementAdministeredAllottedAssignedAttainedBroadenedCalled forChairedChangedConsolidatedContractedCoordinatedDecidedDefinedDelegatedDevelopedDevised

DirectedEliminatedEnforcedEvaluatedExecutedFocusedHandledHeadedHired

ImplementedImprovedIncorporatedIncreasedInstitutedIntegrated JudgedLedManagedMobilizedMotivatedOrganizedOverhauledOversawPlannedPrioritizedProducedRecommended

RegulatedResolvedRestitutedReviewedScheduledScreenedShapedSolvedScrutinized

SelectedSoughtSpecializedStrengthenedStructuredSupervisedTerminatedVerified

ResearchAppliedCheckedCitedClarifiedCollectedComparedDetermined

DiagnosedDiscoveredDissectedEstimatedEvaluatedExaminedExploredExtractedForecasted

GraphedIdentifiedInspectedInterpretedInterviewedIsolatedLocatedObservedOrganizedPredictedReadResearchedReviewedStudiedSummarizedSurveyed

TechnicalAdjustedAdvancedAlteredAmplifiedAssembledBuiltCalculated

ComputedDesignedDevisedEngineeredExcavatedInstalledMadeMaintainedMappedMeasuredNavigatedObtainedOperatedOverhauledPlottedProducedProgrammed

RemodeledRenovatedRepairedRestoredRotatedSolvedSynthesizedUpgraded

Additional Resources

INTERNET RESOURCES

Chronicle: http://chronicle.com/jobs/99/09/99091701c.htm The Riley Guide: http://www.rileyguide.com/resprep.html(annotated list of links to C.V.

guide websites)

QuintCareers C.V. Guide: http://www.quintcareers.com/curriculum_vitae.html

Colorado College Career Center – C.V. Guide:

http://www.coloradocollege.edu/careercenter/publications/pdfs/Curriculum%20Vitae.pdf

BOOKS AVAILABLE IN THE OCC LIBRARY

Prepare Your Curriculum Vitae

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http://chronicle.com/jobs/99/09/99091701c.htm


http://www.rileyguide.com/resprep.html

http://www.quintcareers.com/curriculum_vitae.html






http://www.rileyguide.com/resprep.html




Curriculum Vitae Template

Name

Address

Phone NumberE-mail

EDUCATION Organization Name, City, State

Degree -- Dates

HIGHLIGHTS OF

QUALIFICATIONS

PROFESSIONAL

EXPERIENCE

Organization Name, City State

Title of Position Held -- Dates

PUBLICATIONS

AWARDS/

GRANTS

MEMBERSHIPS/

ASSOCIATIONS

References Available Upon Request

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SAMPLE C.V.

Andrea S. BensonPermanent Address: 1 Mead Way, Bronxville, NY 10708

Phone: 111-111-1111Email: [email protected]

EDUCATION

Sarah Lawrence College, Bronxville, NY, May 2006Master of Fine Arts in Writing; Concentration: Poetry; G.P.A. 4.0

Emerson College, Boston, MA, May 2004Bachelor of Fine Arts in Writing, Literature, and Publishing, Magna Cum Laude;Concentration: Creative Writing; G.P.A. 3.73;Honors: Honors Program, Gold Key Honor Society

TEACHING/TUTORING EXPERIENCE

English Instructor, Day and Evening Divisions, Winter and Spring 2006Berkeley College, White Plains, NYTeach the fundamentals of grammar and composition, guide students in the process of researching and writing formal papers, encourage analytical and critical thinking aboutliterature. Courses taught include: Composition I, Composition II, Composition III,Poetry and World Literature (three classes in the Winter, five classes in the Spring)

English Basic Skills Lecturer, Fall 2005Bergen Community College, Paramus NYTaught developmental writing and reading to multicultural population of fourundergraduate classes; introduced students to computer programs, including MicrosoftWord, All-Write, and the Internet; led discussions about contemporary poetry, shortstories and essays; held individual conferences with students.

Teacher for Journalism, and Speech and Debate Classes, Summer 2005Phillips Academy Summer Session, Andover, MAInstructed an international population of students on how to write and presentspeeches; coached students on University-style debate; taught students how to write,edit, and publish a newspaper; supervised thirty-three adolescent girls in residence hall.

Writing Instructor, Spring 2004 - Spring 2005Northern Westchester Center for the Arts, Mount Kisco, NYWorkshops and classes taught: six-week newspaper-writing class taught to first-graders; four-week poetry class taught to junior high students with learning disabilitiesand social adjustment issues; two-hour love sonnet writing workshop.

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mailto:[email protected]





- A. Benson, Page 2 -Teaching Assistant for Undergraduate Poetry Workshop, Fall 2004

Sarah Lawrence College, Bronxville, NYLectured about the craft of contemporary poetry; critiqued students’ work; conferredwith students about formal elements of poetry; suggested reading and writingassignments.

Writing Instructor, Fall 2004Yonkers Prep, Alternative High School, Yonkers, NYConducted weekly writing classes for adolescents with emotional and social adjustmentissues; introduced students to contemporary poetry; guided group writing exercises.

Teaching Assistant for Creative Writing and Essay Writing Classes, Summer 2004Phillips Academy Summer Session, Andover, MAPlanned and taught poetry unit in creative writing class; graded essays; led grammarand vocabulary lessons in essay writing class; supervised thirty-two adolescent girls inresidence hall.

Writing Instructor, November 2004-April 2005Valhalla Women’s Correctional Facility, Valhalla, NYFacilitated weekly writing workshop with inmate population; prepared reading andwriting assignments; led poetry and short fiction discussions; created an anthology of the students’ poetry.

Private Tutor, September 2004-PresentWestchester County, NYAssist eleven-year-old student with the study of vocabulary and math; taught an eight-year-old student with learning disabilities to read using phonetic and whole language

methods; helped a seven-year-old visually impaired student to write research papers andcollege application essays.

PUBLICATIONS

“Optical Options Are No Illusion,” Women’s News , December 2005“Dating Games,” The Worchester Phoenix , September 2005“The Real Deal,” The Worchester Phoenix , September 2004“Learning Curves,” The Worchester Phoenix , August 2003

HONORS AND AWARDS

The Modern Poetry Association, Nominee for the 1997 Ruth Lilly Poetry Fellowship,April 1997

Bucknell Seminar for Younger Poets, Writing Fellowship, June 1996

Emerson College, Noel Peyrouten Award for Best Poetry Manuscript, May 1996

Emerson College, Dean’s Award for Cultural Diversity, May 1995

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- A. Benson, Page 3 -

CAMPUS LEADERSHIP EXPERIENCE

Activity Assistant for Tae-Bo, Berkeley College, White Plains, NY, Spring 2005Contributor to the Faculty Development Program, 2004 Bright Idea Contest, Bergen

Community College, Paramus, NJ, Fall 2005Newspaper Editor, Phillips Academy Summer Sessions, Andover, MA, Summer 2005

WORKSHOPS/CONFERENCES ATTENDED

Cynthia MacDonald: The Power of the Off-Kilter, Writing Workshop, Poets House, NewYork, NY, October 24, 2005

The Sarah Lawrence College Summer Seminar for Writers, Sarah Lawrence College,Bronxville, NY, June 14-19, 2006

Teaching Play Writing and Poetry, Teaching Workshop, Teachers and Writers Collaborative,New York, NY, November 22, 2004

Grace Holmes: Cross-Cultural Workshop, Sarah Lawrence College, Bronxville, NY, October24, 2004Elizabeth Bishop Conference and Poetry Festival, Panel moderator: A Geography of the Self,

Worcester, MA, October 6-12, 2004The Artist as An Agent for Change, Arts Education Workshop, Hudson Valley Writer’s

Center, Sleepy Hollow, NY, April 10, 2004Annual Conference, The Associated Writing Programs, Washington D.C., April 3-5, 2004

PROFESSIONAL AFFILIATIONS

Member of the Modern Language Association

Member of The Associated Writing Programs

RELATED EXPERIENCE

Literary Agent Intern, Spring 2005Curtis Brown, Ltd., Literary Agency, New York, NYRead manuscripts and book queries for a literary agent; wrote reader’s reports;corresponded with authors.

Coordinator of the Right to Write Program, Academic years 2004-2005 and 2005-2006Valhalla Women’s Correctional Facility, Valhalla, New YorkOrganized weekly writing classes which were taught by Sarah Lawrence College

students at the women’s jail.Poetry Editor, Academic 2004-2005Sarah Lawrence Review , Sarah Lawrence College, Bronxville, NYSolicited students’ and professors’ poetry; selected poems for publication.

Editor-in-Chief , Spring 2002Gangsters in Concrete , Emerson College, Boston, MAReviewed student poetry, fiction and nonfiction submissions; copyedited accepted work;supervised staff of twenty; redesigned the layout of the magazine.

Documents

Curriculum Vita Guide