1. CVs and Cover Letters Veronica Perrigan Becky Weir
Assistant Director for Student Services
Engineering Co-op & Career Services
Introductions
- ask which program they are enrolled in and when they will graduate
Becky Weir
Assistant Director
University Career Center & The President’s Promise

2. The Curriculum Vitae
A curriculum vitae (also known as a CV or vita) is:
Job search tool outlining credentials for academic positions
Targeted document whose main purpose is to secure interviews for faculty and research positions in academia or other research arenas
Cumulative record of professional achievements, academic preparation and qualifications in your discipline
Organized in a way to reflect an understanding of the needs of a particular institution or organization
Slightly different from discipline to discipline; look at CV’s in your field and seek feedback from your advisor
Updated periodically to reflect additional experience and publications
Gets the reader to take a closer look at you and your other application materials and ultimately invite you for an interview.
Some of you – those who are interested in different positions or types of institutions, e.g., teaching vs. research institutions – will need more than one cv. This is because different positions will place different degrees of emphasis on various skills you possess.

3. CV vs. Resume How CV differs from resume:
More comprehensive and longer (averaging between three and six pages for new Ph.D. as opposed to a one- or two-page resume)
Resume focuses mostly on relevant industry experience
Emphasizes scholarly achievement, including education, research interests, grant writing, published works, teaching appointments and related professional experience
Outside the U.S., the term CV suggests a document more like a traditional resume
CVs and resumes both have similar purposes – as marketing documents that provide key information about your skills, experiences, education and personal qualities that show you as the ideal candidate.
Where resume and cv differ is their use, format and length.

4. Uses For a CV Faculty and Other Academic Jobs
Post-Docs/Research Positions in Industry/Government
Conferences and Public Speaking Engagements
Grant or Fellowship Applications/Summer Academic Positions
Publications
Consulting
Awards
Merit or Tenure Review (Promotions)
Sabbatical Opportunities
You will generate a better response with your cv if it is well organized and is packed with relevant information to match and support your professional, academic or research objective.

5. A Word About Search Committees
Advanced knowledge of discipline, not typically HR
First task – narrow down to a select few
Reality – your CV will get seconds (At first, reviewer is looking for who to discard, not who to interview)
Your job is to make it as easy as possible to see the qualifications you bring to the position
Your goal is to have your CV end up in the “deserves further consideration” pile. Make the readers’ job easy – provide them with an organized, professional looking document the includes relevant information in an easy to digest format

6. Personal Branding What is your unique selling point?
Go BEYOND the resume: Social media (LinkedIn, blogging, website, podcasts, Twitter, YouTube, etc.)
Possible ideas:
Start a blog
Find influential blogs and contribute guest articles
Join and contribute to LinkedIn groups
Create an signature
Attend relevant conferences/meetings/networking events
Look for public speaking opportunities related to your interests (in undergraduate classes, to club/organizations….)
Volunteer, intern or find a part-time job related to interests

7. CV Heading Information
Name, address, phone number, and address
Professional appearing address
(NOT -
Voic /answering machine greeting should also be professional
Personal address and phone number
(NOT - work number)
NO picture or personal information such as your social security number, age, marital status, number of children or any other information that is not job related or does not add to your qualifications
Exception: some employers (i.e., government agencies) require certain personal information
This category is pretty straightforward
Only give one address – you don’t want to confuse them
Only give phone numbers at which you would like the institution to contact you

8. CV Heading Information
Example A:
Joey Smith
Address: 86 Elm Street
Greenbelt, MD 20770
Cell phone:
Home:
address:
Work Address: 1131 G. L Martin Hall, College Park, MD 21045
Work Phone: Fax:
Example B:
JOSEPH L. SMITH
86 Elm Street, Greenbelt, Maryland 20770 •
Notice that a work address and phone number are not given.

9. Do you need an objective for a CV?
Objective Statements
Do you need an objective for a CV?
Not used for academic positions, but used when searching for employment in government and industry
Employers like objectives if they are:
Specific
Employer-focused
Include key words relevant to the position and field
Example A:
I would like a challenging position that would enhance my leadership skills and provide an opportunity for advancement.
Example B:
To provide solutions for sustainable energy production and utilization through innovative research.
Do you need an objective?
Not required but is nice to have when searching for employment.
***Remember to delete when providing it for a conference etc.***
Employers like objectives if:
they are specific
they are employer focused rather than self focused (example)
include keywords of interest
Alternatives - often are job titles, job functions, and/or industries

10. CV Education & Training
Example A:
Fall ‘07 – Present
University of Maryland at College Park
Working towards a PhD degree focusing on Thermal Fluid Science
A. James Clark School of Engineering
Example B:
Ph.D. Mechanical Engineering, Expected May 2014
University of Maryland, College Park, MD
GPA: GPA is optional for employment but omit for conferences
Focus: Thermal Fluid Sciences, Energy Systems
Dissertation:
“Development of Multi-Scale, Multi-Physics, Analysis Capability and its
Application to Novel Heat Exchangers Design and Optimization”
Faculty Advisor: Dr. Reinhard Radermacher
GPA is not typically given.
Elaborate on Dissertation/Thesis in experience section
Reverse Chronological Order

11. CV Education & Training
EDUCATION: University of Maryland, College Park, MD Ph.D. in Biochemistry, anticipated May 2014 Dissertation: Regulation of m2 Muscarinic Acetylcholine Receptor Desensitization of Photosphorylation Dissertation Advisor: Richard Chemist M.S. in Biochemistry, 2011 University of Maryland, College Park, MD B.S. in Chemistry, 2008 Butler University, Indianapolis, IN

12. CV Education & Training
EDUCATION Ph.D. in History, anticipated May 2014 University of Maryland, College Park, MD Dissertation: Post-Reconstruction and the American Presidency: a Southern Perspective Dissertation Advisor: Jane S. Wellknown M.A. in History, 2011 B.A. in American Studies, summa cum laude, 2008 Butler University, Indianapolis, IN

13. CV Experience
Generally divided into categories, dictated by your discipline: Research, Grant Writing, Professional, and Teaching are some examples
Include a consistent format with the position title, organization/department name, responsibilities and accomplishments, and dates
Most important and relevant accomplishments should be listed first within position descriptions
Categories listed in decreasing order of importance based on type of institution/position; positions listed in reverse chronological order within categories
List position or institution first depending on which will be more impressive to employer
Have different versions for different jobs.

14. How Do I Highlight My Experience?
Detail how your work benefited the organization, department, team and customers
Provide information on what the challenges were for the position, the actions you took and the results you delivered
Results are best expressed through numbers, dollar figures and percentages
Additional editing tips:
- Omit pronouns - Be concise
- Use action verbs - Use correct tense
Teaching experience should highlight your ability to develop curriculum NOT just teach classes and grade papers.
 What is the big picture? How is your work cutting edge/innovative?
 What is the challenge of your work? Provide the context of the situation to show off the scope and depth of projects.
 Describe your incremental successes – Results of YOUR actions
 Use - Supervise, Achieve, Efficiency action verbs; avoid participated, studied, learned, worked
<Review samples and point out action verbs that get noticed>

15. Example: Responsible for writing a report.
Turning Responsibilities into Accomplishments
Example: Responsible for writing a report.
Who? Who did the work – one individual, two people or a team?
What? What was the subject matter?
Why? What was the purpose of your work?
How? How did you do this work?
When? Did you have to work within a certain timeframe?
How much? Can you quantify your work?
What happened? What happened to your work after you completed it?
Big picture? Did your work have an overall impact on the organization?
Independently researched and wrote a 20-page report on embedded systems to update senior engineers on latest developments in the field.
Report persuaded management to begin using a new technology that increased efficiency 15% during the first six months of its implementation.

16. CV Grant Writing Extremely important in obtaining academic positions
Obtain experience before you graduate by:
Attending any seminars/workshops on grant writing held on campus (Office of Research Administration or through your professional societies
Asking a faculty person if you can write the grant for them in order to obtain a reference
Grants.gov, NSF Fast Lane, NASA NSPIRES, Proposal Central
ORAA has a Proposal Library (examples NIH, NSF, …)
Top consideration for academic jobs at research 1 schools.
This section is used only for CVs

17. CV Publications
List citations using appropriate academic format from your field
Avoid listing unpublished work unless it is being considered for publication
Often refereed articles are separated from everything else
A resume typically lists “Selected Publications” if there are more than 3, while CV lists all
Can you do more than your dissertation?
Are you first author?
Did you work with a variety of faculty?
Once you are in a faculty position they don’t want your papers to be rejected.

18. CV Teaching Experience
Give course titles
Dates and locations
Emphasize positive student evaluations and your experience with curriculum development
Teaching & Research Statements (CTE, Writing Fellows …)

19. CV Presentations
Include presentations at established scholarly societies
Give titles of professional presentations
Name of conference or event
Dates and locations
A resume typically lists “Selected Presentations” if more than 3, while CV lists all

20. CV Memberships/Activities
Active participation in professional societies are a must for graduate students and alumni
List the organization name, dates you have been a member, and the offices you held
Institutional service which includes committees and student groups shows your leadership ability and commitment to your field
Describe any responsibilities/accomplishments with all of these activities
Memberships and service are a great networking exp.

21. CV Certifications and Patents
List all relevant certifications
Include the type of certification and year received
U.S. Patent and invention disclosure show innovation so include even if pending

22. CV Other Useful Content
Technical Skills
Academic Projects
Awards, Fellowships, and Scholarships
Volunteer, community and cross-cultural experiences – typically on a resume but not on a CV

23. CV Final Tips
Do not list personal information such as social security number, marital status and ethnicity
Be honest…Everything in your CV should be true and accurate…Don’t state that something has happened if it hasn’t happened yet
References are optional on CV; do not include on your resume
Format should be consistent, avoid acronyms, font size between 10 – 12, single spacing, and list your name/page number on each page
Review your CV and resume with your faculty advisor and another individual who knows your work
No pictures.
Do not staple!
Have integrity!
Proofread before you take over to your advisor!

24. What is a Cover Letter? Introduces yourself to the employer
Draws the connection between what you have and what they need
Demonstrates your written communication skills
Allows you to introduce yourself and provide a context for your CV; it can be in response to an ad for a specific position, a referral, or just part of prospecting for opportunities
Allows you to emphasize and elaborate on certain elements in your CV and show connections between you and the institution and department (how does your background match the position qualifications, and how interested are you really in this specific institution?)
Allows you to present a professional yet personal face to your application materials

25. Important Things to Consider
Make sure you “read” the job ad and thoroughly research the institution and department; research is very important to the letter’s design, content and construction…the more targeted the letter, the more effective it will be
The purpose is not to rewrite your CV or resume, but to generate employer interest in interviewing you
Write the letter with the employer’s interests in mind
What are the qualities the employer is looking for (and expects to find) in the candidate?
Use the job description as a blueprint for your cover letter
The same amount of time and consideration that you used for your C.V. or resume should be used when drafting a cover letter
A cover letter introduces you to the employer and illustrates the correlation between your experiences and the employer’s needs
Research tends to come before teaching style

26. What Are They Looking For?
Assistant Professor ( )
Department: Epidemiology and Biostatistics
Department's mission is to conduct methodological and collaborative research to examine, develop, test, and apply established and novel epidemiological and biostatistical methods for the purpose of addressing the public health needs of populations…through social behavioral lens.
Our faculty members interact with faculty in Mathematical Statistics and Survey Methodology as well as with researchers in applied fields.
…a unique opportunity to join a growing department and contribute to an exciting research agenda and graduate student training program
The ability to work collaboratively with colleagues in the department, the school, and the university is highly desirable
A wide range of collaborative opportunities exist at the University and nearby…. collaborate in research projects.
Find the keywords for your cover letter in the advertisement. The employer should not have to infer experience …spell it out using their wording.

27. Cover Letter Format
Your Street Address City, State Zip Code Date of writing
Ms. Samantha Jones Job Title Organization Street Address City, State Zip Code Dear Ms. Jones:
First paragraph: States the position desired and how you found out about the position; why you think you should get it (Note: If you have already spoken to them – maybe at a conference prior to application deadline – make reference to it including names of the faculty with whom you spoke)
Body: Provides concrete evidence of the match between your skills, experiences and interests with this particular position
Closing paragraph: States your interest in an interview, mentions enclosed materials, e.g., CV, teaching statement, transcripts, and thanks the employer for their time and consideration
Sincerely,
Sign Your Name Here
Your Name Typed
- Typically does not include your name or phone number
- Include a name, job title, and organization’s full mailing address
- Use formal salutation with colon
When possible, address your letter to a particular person, or begin with “Dear Search Committee Members” or “Dear Search Committee Chair”
Highlight keywords from the advertisement and use them in your letter.
Pull as many skills from the add that will fit onto one page. An employer should not be expected to infer what your skills are.
Include a sentence where you list what materials you have enclosed (e.g., CV, dissertation abstract, transcripts, writing sample, teaching statement/portfolio) and what materials you might be sending separately (e.g., credential file, teaching evaluations).
First Paragraph:
This first paragraph should be just a few sentences
Explain why you are writing, identifying the position you are applying for by title and discipline
Let them know where you learned about the position
If you have already spoken to them about the position (maybe at a conference that occurred prior to application deadline), make reference to it including the names of the faculty with whom you spoke
Identify how far along you are in your program. If you have finished, mention it up front. If not, state when you expect to defend your dissertation (“no later than April 2013”)
Express a sincere interest in the position and institution

28. First Paragraph
I am writing in response to your notice in the October MLA Job Information List for the position of Assistant Professor of Spanish. I am currently completing my dissertation at the University of Maryland and anticipate graduating at the end of this academic year. Because of my extensive coursework and specialization in Latin American literature, my interest in interdisciplinary and cultural studies, and my commitment and success in teaching undergraduates, I would be a strong candidate for the position you describe.

29. Cover Letter: Body
Will vary in content and organization depending on the field and institution (research emphasis vs. teaching emphasis), but does not mean that you exclude one (research or teaching) completely for the other
Focus on your dissertation or thesis (methodology, conclusions, implications) and discuss research interests and future plans for research if you are applying to a research institution
If teaching is key, focus on your teaching experience and discuss your teaching style
When in doubt, unless you are applying to a school that cares only about teaching, a description of your research generally comes first
If the job description stresses service as well as teaching and research, you may want to mention the campus/department committees that you’ve served on 29

30. Body: Dissertation and Research
My dissertation, entitled “Delinquency and Detection: The Neopoliciaco Genre in Cuba and Mexico,” treats the detective novel after 1972, as both cultural construct and ideological tool in these dissimilar post-revolutionary societies. After analyzing the prevailing influence of Anglo-American models, the contributions of Borges and other Southern Cone writers, I use criticism by Jameson, Sontag and others to examine the mechanisms of control-and resistance-embedded in what has been termed a popular genre. My other research interests include nineteenth- and twentieth-century travel literature, superstition in early twentieth-century Argentine literature and contemporary Mexican literary movements.

31. Body: Teaching
Teaching has been an important part of my training at the University of Maryland, and I believe my background would be useful in your department. As a Benjamin Franklin Fellow, I have had considerable undergraduate teaching experience in several different types of classes, including first- and second-year Latin classes and discussion sections of the Classical Mythology class. The latter experience introduced me to the pleasures of leading class discussions and the challenges of transforming new material – some of it unfamiliar to me – into useful discussion sections each week. Since my love of Classics began at a small college, I would relish the chance to contribute to that type of environment at Excellent College.

32. Closing Reiterate your interest in the position
State that you are available for an interview (Mention if you will be attending a conference where they are likely to be conducting first round interviews)
Let them know the best way to get in contact with you (take into account whether you are going to be traveling for any significant portion of the job search)
Include a sentence where you list what materials you have enclosed (e.g., CV, dissertation abstract, transcripts, writing sample, teaching statement/portfolio)

33. Closing
I would enjoy discussing the position with you in the weeks to come. I will be attending the MLA Conference in Boston in January and can meet with you at that time. In the meantime, enclosed are my curriculum vitae, statement of teaching philosophy, and the names and contact information for my three professional references. Please contact me if any additional information is required. Thank you for your consideration. Sincerely, Lily Scholar

34. Cover Letter: Final Reminders
First, make sure you’re a good “fit” for the position and let them know why. You want to show them that your decision to apply was due to in-depth research
Sell yourself! Make the committee want to talk to you. In addition to tailoring your letter to that single opportunity you’re applying to at the moment, be specific with your accomplishments
Proofread carefully. With the number of applications they receive, they’re looking for any reason to narrow the field
Be employer focused rather than self focused
Avoid any self-deprecating statements
Print the letter on 8.5 X 11 paper that matches your CV
Sign the original in black ink. Send the original, but make sure you keep a copy of all your correspondence for your records
When possible, address the letter to a specific person, or begin the letter “Dear Committee Members”)
Keep the appearance of the letter professional and no longer than 1½ to 2 pages

35. Career Services for Graduate Students
A. James Clark School of Engineering Engineering Co-op and Career Service 1131 Glenn L. Martin Hall Robert H. Smith School of Business Office of Career Services 2520 Van Munching Hall School of Public Policy Office of Career Services 2101 Van Munching Hall University Career Center & The President’s Promise 3100 Hornbake Library, South Wing

36. Questions?