How to write a

Curriculum Vitae

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Curriculum Vitae

United States

• Used to apply for:

• admittance to graduate programs,

• academic faculty positions,

• funding opportunities (grants, private-sector sponsored research etc.),

• tenure and promotion.

• Comprehensive document summarizing experience and accomplishments.

• Should demonstrate how you are developing as a professional in your field.

• Typically, starts at 2 pages, and will continue to grow in length as the professional develops.

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• Definitions are not consistent across

countries/cultures.

• Some countries just use CV for any

document that demonstrates an

applicants’ skills, experience, and

accomplishments.

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• In the United States, it is illegal for

employers to ask for personal

information and employers. If you

include personal information, it may

illicit a negative opinion by reviewers.

• Often expected in other countries. If

you omit personal information,

reviewers may reject your application.

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Major Difference: personal Information: marital status,

age, number of children, ages, and your photo.

Know Your Audience• Applying for a PhD program?

• Investigate programs. Make decisions about which ones you

are interested in, and which programs will likely be interested

in you.

• Applying for a faculty teaching position?

• Check if a CV is appropriate. Often community colleges

prefer a resume.

• Applying for either in another country?

• How you format a CV and what content you include, such as

a photo and personal information will differ between the US

and other cultures.

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Typical sections of

a CV for a recent

graduate.

Order of main sections will

vary, some will not be

included, and others might

be combined.

• Date

• Name and Contact Information

• Education

• Training, Certifications, Licenses

• Teaching Experience

• List courses, institution, dates where you taught

• describe the course and your role

• Research Experience:

• Describe research, your role, and advisor.

• Publications

• Include bibliographical citations or articles, creative writing etc.

• Conference Presentations

• Title, name of conference, dates, and location. Differentiate presentations where you were invited vs. others.

• Honors & Awards

• Academic Service

• List all departmental and university service (committees, task forces etc.), include student groups you participated in. Be certain to point out any leadership positions.

• Grants

• List any grants where you were a Co-PI or if you assisted others who were awarded grants, make that clear in this section. Conferences

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• Document Design Enhances Readability

Design for Eye-At-A-Glance Appeal

• Use headings and subheadings

– nouns and noun phrases

• Bullets

• White Space

• Horizontal lines

Design features should be appropriate for audience and purpose.

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Document design works for graphic

designers. Not for other positions.

Choose Modern

Professional Typefaces

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Choose Modern

Professional Typefaces cont’d.

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For more information, see this article by Canva:

20 Best and Worst Fonts To Use on Your Resume

Organize Content to Target Position• Analyze the position description closely

or the program you want to enter and organize the content of your CV to emphasize how you fit.

• Have realistic expectations. If you cannot identify your fit for the position or program, don’t waste time applying for it.

• Decide if you could build qualifications that would help you be competitive for a similar position or program such as completing one or more internships.

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Name and Contact Heading

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• Include permanent and local addresses, e-mail address, and

phone number.

– If using two addresses, indicate dates you can be reached at

each.

• Centering the information takes up real estate, so consider

creating a table table to justify some information to the left and some to the right. Eliminate table borders when finished.

How to Write Your Degree Information

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• Spell it Out

– Master of Arts in English, [program]

– Master of Fine Arts, English, Creative Writing

– Bachelor of Arts in English, [program]

• Abbreviate

– M.A. in English, [program]

– M.A., English, [program]

– M.F.A, English, Creative Writing

– B.A. in English, [program]

Be consistent. If you abbreviate one degree, abbreviate all others you have earned.

Second Language

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Rate level of proficiency

• Basic

• Conversant

• Fluent

Second Language levels of

proficiency

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• Basic – Able to speak simple phrases and sentences to

communicate basic communicative tasks. May have some difficulty understanding native speakers, elementary reading and writing skills.

• Conversant– Intermediate level of language proficiency. Can easily

participant in conversations but may be less skilled at reading/writing.

• Fluent– A high level of language proficiency (speaking, reading,

and writing).

CV Body

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• Use keywords in headings and

subheadings.

– keywords are nouns or noun

phrases that create visual hierarchy

for the information in the body of

the CV.

– Reviewers do not read linearly.

Visual hierarchy helps them find

how you fit.

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Descriptions should answer:

What? Who? For Whom? Where? Why? How?

Write fragments not complete sentences. Punctuate consistently.

After keywords, use fragments,

and punctuate consistently.

Additional Sections

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References

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Okay to use if you don’t have room, but most employers know that references will be given if asked, so it’s a choice.

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• Proofread. Proofread. Proofread.

• Ask others to review.

Where CVs with surface

errors wind up.

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Curriculum Vitae: Example

CV Audience: Gatekeepers

• First, a staff person in the

department (or in HR if you are

applying for employment) will

review your materials to

determine if your application is

complete.

• Treat these gatekeepers with

respect, they not only deserve

it, but they can help you.

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CV Major AudienceReviewed by Committee:

• Each member ranks the candidates after

reading application materials.

• Members will “google” your name to

investigate your online presence.

• Committee members then meet to discuss differences in ranking and come to an

agreement about which candidates to

– accept into the program and to offer

teaching and/or research assistantships to

or, if you are applying for a full time

teaching position, which candidate to make an offer to.

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On Campus Interviews for Teaching Positions

• One-on-ones. You may meet other faculty and think of these as

mini-interviews. Ask about their research. Focus on the big

picture and where your research fits in.

• Lunch with students. Have fun. A good rapport with students won't help a bad candidate, but a bad interaction with

students could hurt a good candidate.

• Job Talk and/or Teaching Presentation be prepared and

practice, practice, practice.

• Dinner. Relax, be yourself, but remember, this is part of the

interview process also.

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Preparing a Job Talk

• The talk should showcase your qualifications and fit with the department.

• Be prepared to deliver it in a wide wide range of settings. Find out in advance how the department

typically structures a job talk (chalk, PowerPoint,

overheads, etc.).

• Be prepared to discuss future research plans and

answer questions.

• You will get questions, some tougher than others. If

you don’t have an answer, say so in a way that shows you are interested in the question.

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Preparing a Teaching Demonstration

• Demonstrate something you have done

in class that has gone well, and that you

have done more than once, so you can

talk about how students responded.

• Plan out how you will do the

demonstration and involve the

audience.

• Be sure to explain the context and

learning objectives, give clear

directions, allow time for audience to do

the task, and leave time for a follow-up.

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Post Interview• Compose a follow-up email or letter.

• Do this within 24 hours of your

interview.

• Send the follow-up response to the

individual who led the interview.

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Negotiating Job Offers

• Express appreciation for the offer.

• Ask for 24 hours to decide if you need

more time.

• Be flexible and realistic when

negotiating salary and benefits.

• Always send a letter of response,

whether you decide to accept the

offer or not.

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How to Negotiate Salary and Benefits

If you are offered a salary you believe is too low,

1. find out how the figure was arrived at and if it’s negotiable.

2. ask for other benefits that are important to you such as moving

expenses or a new computer or software that would enable

you to better perform your job.

3. let them know you have been offered another position (only if this is true), but that you are interested in the one they are

offering. Be careful not to push here.

Never demand. Negotiate politely.

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