H OW TO W RITE A C URRICULUM V ITA (CV) Prepared by Markell Steele, Counseling Manager, Graduate Student Services 1/2011 Modified by Arlene Russell 2/2012

C OMMON J OB S EARCH M ATERIALS Curriculum Vita (CV) Cover Letter Teaching Philosophy Research Statement Writing Samples Portfolio Syllabi, exams, labs, etc Letters of Recommendation Very important Others?

W HAT IS A C URRICULUM V ITA ? A document, similar to a resume, used to apply for teaching or academic research positions, grant proposals, and professional development.

L ET ’ S C OMPARE … Unlimited length Complete, professional history Limited in length (1-2 pgs.) Focused on most relevant qualifications within a specific time frame (usually 10 years) Self-marketing focus Curriculum VitaResume

A S YOU WRITE YOUR C URRICULUM V ITA Know Your Audience Human resources Department chair Hiring committee member Colleague Grant funder Anticipate Questions and Concerns Experience and skill gaps Employment gaps Transitioning across functions/fields Emphasize “fit”

C ONTENT A REAS Contact Info Honors and Awards Education Teaching Experience Dissertation Teaching Interests Research Interests Publications Grants and Fellowships Presentations Languages Professional Affiliations Other Professional Experience Professional Training Univ/Dept/Prof’l Service References

A CADEMIC – NOT RESEARCH FOCUS C ONTENT A REAS Contact Info Education Dissertation Honors and Awards Teaching Experience Teaching Interests ?? Research Interests Publications Grants and Fellowships Presentations Languages Professional Affiliations Other Professional Experience Professional Training Univ/Dept/Prof’l Service References

A CADEMIC – R ESEARCH F OCUS C ONTENT A REAS Contact Info Education Dissertation Post Doc affiliation Honors and Awards Research Interests Grants and Fellowships Teaching Experience Teaching Interests Publications Presentations Languages Professional Affiliations Other Professional Experience Professional Training Univ/Dept/Prof’l Service References Research related

C URRICULUM V ITA S ECTIONS Contact Info: Name, address, phone, , website Education: Graduate degree (s) Degree (PhD, MA), Field of Study/Discipline, Completion date Concentrations or other relevant focus Dissertation topic, advisor and brief description Undergraduate degree (s) Degree (BA, BS, AA, AS), Field of Study/Discipline, Completion date Posdoc experiences with brief descriptions Academic Honors

C URRICULUM V ITA S ECTIONS, C ONT ’ D Licensure, certification, registration Research Experience Your title, Lab name University, Location, Dept., dates of research Brief project description and objective Teaching Experience Your title, Course Title University, Location, Dept., dates of teaching Description of class make up, size, level, main objective

C URRICULUM V ITA S ECTIONS, C ONT ’ D Other academic related qualifications Research interests, collaborations developed, areas of expertise, technical skills, teaching interests, University service, leadership experience, professional development

L AYOUT AND F ORMATTING T IPS Information presented in an organized, easy to follow manner Use language commonly understood in one’s discipline Consistent formatting throughout (font style/ size) Free of typos and misspellings; proofread Address key qualifications Dates: place on right margin Include footer with name and page numbers

C OVER L ETTERS Also referred to as Letter of Interest All CV submissions should include one Brief overview of relevant qualifications Grab the reader’s attention Free of typos and misspellings; proofread Straightforward and easy to read Address your interest clearly Get advisor and career counselor critique

G REETING OR S ALUTATION Dear Dr. Smith: Dear Professor Jones: Dear Search Committee: Dear Committee Members:

O PENING P ARAGRAPH Indicate why you are writing I would like to apply for… I’m submitting my application materials to be considered for… Indicate position, include req. #, if provided Indicate source the faculty position advertised in Science (the Chronicle of Higher Education) Dr. Smith suggested I contact you

M IDDLE P ARAGRAPHS Demonstrate the “match” and “fit” Describe how your qualifications and accomplishments meet their hiring needs, job requirements Do not repeat what is in the CV or teaching philosophy Explain your interest in the position, institution, research focus, campus setting, department If no teaching philosophy, include ideas about this in the cover letter and/or courses you would be willing and would like to teach. (remember the “fit)

F INAL P ARAGRAPH Indicate next steps Contact them to follow up You’ll be in the area and available to meet Offer to provide additional or extra materials Direct to online portfolio Thank the reader When you are available for an interview

O THER L ETTERS Thank You letters Letter of Introduction, Inquiry Letter accepting or declining offers

O THER L ETTERS Letters of Recommendation Letter of Introduction, Inquiry Letter accepting or declining offers

L ETTERS OF R ECOMMENDATION Individuals who are evaluating applicants are trying to identify those individuals who are most likely to succeed and who look as if they will make the greatest contributions to the institutios and department. Letters of recommendation can provide insights into your prior successes and comments on your potential future contributions. If you are applying to a research focused program the best references will come from senior scientists who know the importance of your research. Your postdoc and PhD advisors, are essential; other collaborators are useful. If you are applying to a teaching focused program, the best references will be individuals you have taught for (as a TA) and a department chair or faculty mentor who has observed you teach and has access to your student evaluations. A research advisor is still necessary, but that letter should comment on your “service” in the group, your independence and ability to get things done – personal traits that will be valuable later (and the importance of your research).

L ETTERS OF R ECOMMENDATION Provide your references with a current copy of your CV; a description of the positions you are applying to; stamped, addressed envelopes if their letters are to be submitted as hard copies; and perhaps suggestions of areas you would like them to address in their letters, particularly if it is a teaching focused program. A spreadsheet with the positions, the due dates for the letters, whether a letter is required or requested, and how the letter should be sent. If there is a link to the job announcement that may also be helpful. However don’t expect your recommender to have to hunt out the relevant information from the announcement.

22 UCLA C AREER C ENTER Strathmore Building, 2 nd & 3 rd floors 501 Westwood Plaza 9 am – 5 pm

23 C AREER RESOURCES AND S ERVICES Same Day Appointments Monday – Friday, 10 am – 4 pm Targeted Drop-Ins for PhD’s Tuesday & Thursday, 11 am – 12 pm at GSRC (Student Activities Center, B11) Career Center website: BruinView TM – for job/internship listings, employer information sessions and workshop information: aspx aspx

C AREER RESOURCES AND S ERVICES UCLA Career Guide Career Lab & Library Workshops & Career Week Programs Internships & International Opportunities Career Fairs Academic Job Search Handbook (available in the UCLA Career Library

26 C ONTACTS AND R ESOURCES Markell Steele: Counseling Manager, Graduate Student Services