What Goes in a Resume or CV? Case Western Reserve University

Career Center / Kimberly PaikSeptember 25, 2008

http://studentaffairs.case.edu/careers/

Agenda What is a resume? What is a CV? Uses / purposes Basic principles Sections / content areas Tips on preparing an effective

document

What is a resume/CV? A key part of your job search A summary of work experiences

and qualifications A genuine writing project A marketing tool – what can you

sell the employer/institution?

A resume/CV should… Get you more, high quality

interviews Give employers their first

impression of your professional talents

Market your skills and abilities Catch an employer’s attention Answer key questions

What is the difference between a resume and a CV? Primary differences are the length, the content and

the purpose. A resume is a one or two page summary of your

skills, experience and education. A goal of resume writing is to be brief and concise since, at best, the resume reader will spend a minute or so reviewing your qualifications.

A CV is a longer (two or more pages), more detailed synopsis. It includes a summary of your educational and academic backgrounds as well as teaching and research experience, publications, presentations, awards, honors, affiliations and other details.

What is the difference between a resume and a CV? The curriculum vitae (also referred to as the

vita or CV) is a summary of an individual’s educational background and experience as related to the interests of academia.

CV displays your academic credentials and accomplishments in great detail.

The CV is used when applying for teaching and administrative positions in academia or for a fellowship or grant.

A resume is used to summarize an individual’s education and experiences related to a specific career objective in the public or private sector.

Uses and Purposes Job Search Tool – The purpose of a

Resume / CV is to land an interview A CV can also be used for these purposes:

o supporting document with a grant or contract funding proposal

o requirement for an annual review by your employero requirement with an application for membership in a

professional society / organizationo background statement for an introduction at an

important convention presentation.

Basic Principles: Layout

Pages: name and page number on each page except the first

Do NOT use a template Double-check for spelling and grammatical errors Paper Size: 8 ½” x 11” / Margins: .5” - 1” Font Size: 10-12 (11 is often ideal); Ink: black Format: use boldface to highlight information, but be

consistent in your use Design: leave enough white space so it is easy to read Use a laser printer, avoid colored inks Do not staple Use bond, neutral colored paper Keep format simple

Resume / CV Know-How How do I grab the employer’s

attention? Easy to read Logical flow Focused on accomplishments

PAR statements Targeted to reader

Key Points – The Do’s Clean format that is easy to read/easy to

scan Most important information first Choose strong headings Stress results, skills, and accomplishments

rather than duties Write to an outsider Use consistent tense Begin sentences with action verbs Laser print on quality paper

Key Points – The Don’ts #1 mistake???? ERRORS!!! Do not include personal information Avoid personal pronouns Vague, poorly focused Don’t include the word “resume” or

“CV” at top Photo Salary history Reason you left your previous position

Possible Categories of a Resume / CV

Identifying Information Summary Education Research Experience Teaching Experience Work Experience Skills Activities, Honors, Awards Service Publications / Presentations What categories suit you?

Identifying Information Name Permanent address Temporary address (if applicable) Phone number E-mail address

Summary A clear, concise statement describing

your skills/experience and expressing your goal

Gives structure Be specific 3 ways to focus

Knowledge, experience or skills offered Job function (position) desired Organization type, industry, or field desired

Sample Summaries PhD candidate in Environmental Science with 9

years of work experience in forest and prairie ecology seeking faculty position.

Doctoral candidate in Biochemistry with 10+ years of experience in the healthcare industry. Skilled in project management, research, and facilitating presentations. Seeking consulting opportunity.

PhD candidate in Operations Research with research experience in Scheduling, Linear/Integer programming, Statistics, Logistics and Combinatorial Optimization. Research interests include Forecasting, Revenue Management, Inventory Management and Simulation.

Education

University and degree(s) Graduation Date Majors & Minors Relevant Coursework Can include honors or separate

section Date of completion

Dissertation / Thesis Date dissertation will be finished. Dates describing your current status

(“Completed coursework, June 20xx,” “Passed qualifying exam, March, 20xx”).

Provide the title and a brief description of your work, its framework, your conclusions, your advisor.

Sample EducationCase Western Reserve University, Cleveland, OH

Ph.D., Mechanical Engineering, May 2012 Dissertation title Advisor

Master of Science, Electrical Engineering, May 2008 Thesis title Advisor

Bachelor of Science in Electrical Engineering, May 2006

Multiple Scholarship Recipient, Dean’s List

Sample EducationCase Western Reserve University, Cleveland, OH Ph.D., Chemistry, May 2012 Dissertation: XXX Advisor: Person’s name GPA: 3.6 / 4.0

Iowa State University, Des Moines, IA M.S. in Chemistry, May 2008 GPA: 3.5 / 4.0

The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH B.S. in Chemical Engineering, May 2006 Minor in Biology Studied abroad for 3 weeks in South Africa GPA: 3.5 / 4.0

ExperienceCompany LocationTitle Dates Action + goal / result Action + skill developed

Include job title, the name of the employer/institution, your responsibilities and accomplishments, dates.

You may want to divide the experience into Teaching and Research

Stress what you contributed and accomplished using verb/active skills:

“Delivered 8 class lectures on composite materials and developed 5 supporting problem sets and a midterm examination”

versus “Responsibilities included preparing class lectures, homework

assignment, and exams.”

“Developed and implemented a scholarship plan which increased membership grade point average through use of study groups.”

ExperienceResearch ExperiencePostdoctoral Research: Environmental Science Division, Oak Ridge National Laboratory, 2007-

present(research advisor: Dr. Stephen H. Smith) Developed a quantitative theory of hierarchical structure in ecological systems. Analyzed how ecological communities reflect environmental heterogeneity at different

scales. Completed a numerical study of foraging behavior with short and long range movement in

heterogeneous environments.

Doctoral Research: Department of Biological Sciences, Stanford University, 1999-2004(research advisor: Dr. Jane Advisorname) Studied the impact of avian predation on lizards in the eastern Caribbean. Documented the

importance of differences in spatial scale between prey and predators. Completed analysis that demonstrates how species interaction can sharpen underlying

environmental patterns and how heterogeneous environments can stabilize predator and prey populations.

Undergraduate Honors Research: Department of Biochemistry, Northwestern University, 1995-1999

(research advisor: Dr. Advisor Name) Investigated primary events of bacterial photosynthesis

ExperienceTeaching Experience University of Kansas, Lawrence, Kansas

Department of Cell BiologyAssistant Professor (tenure track), Summer 2005 to present; Assistant Professor, acting (tenure track), 2004-2005

University of Illinois, Chicago, IllinoisDepartment of Biology; Adjunct Instructor, Spring 2004

DePaul University, Chicago, IllinoisDepartment of Neuroscience;Visiting Instructor, Fall 2003 to Spring 2004Adjunct Instructor, Fall 2002 to Spring 2003

University of IowaDepartment of Biochemistry; Graduate Student Teaching Assistant, Fall 1997 to Fall 2000; Summer 2001

Skills Computer Technical Laboratory Communication Leadership Language

Sample Skills Protein and biochemical: cell

fractionation, enzyme assays, protein phosphorylation assays, atomic absorption spectroscopy

Proficient with SolidWorks (CAD software), C++, MatLab, MetaFluor, PageMaker

Advanced experience with SPSS and Microsoft Excel

Fluent in French and Arabic What is relevant?

Activities, Honors Professional Associations Leadership Roles Clubs Include only if active member

Professional AssociationsPROFESSIONAL ASSOCIATIONSCollege Art Association, 2000-PresentModern Language Association, 2004-2006

MEMBERSHIPSCollege Art Association; Historians of

Netherlandish Art; Association of Art Historians; ICOM (International Council of Museums) & ICFA (Fine Arts Committee); Sixteenth Century Studies Society; Renaissance Society of America

Awards Receipt of competitive assistantships,

scholarships, fellowships, teaching or research awards

Award, Date

University ServiceUNIVERSITY SERVICE: Curriculum Committee, Visual Culture Studies Research

Cluster, 2002-present. Humanities Center, Advisory Committee, invited for

2006-2007. Department Representative to University Senate, 2003-

2004. Faculty Mentor for First-Year Undergraduate Research

Scholars Program, 2005. Faculty mentor for Undergraduates creating the first

independent major in XXX.

Publications Publications listed in standard biographic form,

classified by type (journal and conference).

See examples.

PresentationsINVITED PRESENTATIONS:

“Title of Presentation,” Genetics Conference, Northwestern University, October 2006.

Be consistent!!

Tips for Success The very best CVs are drafted with

particular applications in mind, and clearly targeted

As you prepare your CV, think about what the organization is likely to value:

the quality and quantity of your research (achievement and potential)

your previous experience the ways you have “added value” to your current

job or department and made your presence felt your education

References

On separate page from resume At least 3 to support your candidacy Talk with your references FIRST Bring to interview Include all particulars (name, title,

company, address, phone, email)

ReferencesDr. Jane Smith, ProfessorDepartment of Electrical EngineeringCase Western Reserve University206 SearsCleveland, Ohio 44106216-368-5555email@case.edu

Dr. Somebody Jones, Assistant ProfessorDepartment of BiologyOhio State UniversityXXX BuildingColumbus, Ohio 43214614-555-5555email@osu.edu

Resources / Websites http://chronicle.com/jobs/tools/cvdoctor/

2007/01.htm http://www.training.nih.gov/careers/careercenter/

cv.html http://www.vpul.upenn.edu/careerservices/

gradstud/samples.html http://www.quintcareers.com/

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

Resume/CV AdviceVisit the Career Center for a resume/CV

critique

Monday – Thursday11:00am-2:00pmWalk in hoursCareer Center, Room 206 SearsNo appointment needed

Or call 368-4446 to schedule an appointment