Developing Your CV And other career-related tips!

Resume vs. Curriculum Vitae RESUME Length – SHORT Content – inclusive summary of skills, experiences, and education Purpose – obtain employment (or interview) CV Length – as long as it needs to be Content – specific listing of education and academic background Purpose – detail background and qualifications

curriculum vitae (or “CV”) Latin: the race (or course) of one’s life

Activity Be the Hiring Manager!

Why now? Time goes by fast Helps you organize important things for your future career (which organizations to join; what is missing) Assists in setting goals Assists when getting letters of recommendations or applying for other programs/committees.

Important Note There is not really a “right” way to do a CV. However, there are some things that make the viewing easier, make you look more professional, and include things reviewers want to see. Your CV may be different than someone else.

Technical Tips Number pages Single-sided white paper Same font throughout (may vary sizing some) Use bolding and CAPS to have headings or important words stand out No underlining No bullets or asterisks Margins – 1” all around No graphics Font size – point Times New Roman (recommended)

The 5 “C”’s Clear - well-organized and logical Concise - relevant and necessary Complete - includes answers to their questions Consistent - don't mix styles or fonts Current - up-to-date

Contact Information Full name (sometimes other names used) Mailing Address Phone number(s)

Sections on the CV ALWAYS Education (always first on the CV) Honors and Awards Professional Experience Employment Extracurricular and Volunteer Experience Interests

Sections (Ctnd.) AS NEEDED/APPROPRIATE Objective Certifications and Licensure Professional Affiliations Professional Activities Research Publications and Presentations Added Qualifications

Education Most current first (include your current educational work) Only include diploma distinctions Get the schools’ names correct! Degrees/certifications are what’s important – not the time spent Thesis/Dissertation titles listed

Honors and Awards List with most recent first Honors/Award Title (date received) Go back to undergrad but not before – only academic and/or professional Scholarships count

Professional Experience Includes anything you were paid to do or was extensive, regular volunteer Only include those items relevant to your career List most recent first If listing research, include the lab experiences

Certifications/Licensure List those that are current only Can group certifications or more commonly, are done by date of expirations Can mark ones that are pending… “Results Pending”

Professional Affiliations Only those current Alphabetical listing Include all dates of affilation Note any positions Activities Past and present Most current first Only those very specific to academic / medical / research career Can include school or university- sponsored committees Include role

Research Experience List with most current first Make sure you mention who you researched under unless it truly was your lab ownership If you gained grant funds, include those

Presentations and Publications Two views on which way to list first (most recent or in order of publication), generally in order of publication Always bold your name in authorship You may include submitted and/or pending publications and/or presentations Make sure you have copies of your publications and/or presentations in case they are asked for

Additional Skills Added qualifications should be verifiable Include language fluency (and level – “fluent,” “conversational,”) Cultural knowledge may be included, especially if you’ve had hands-on experience or training Technical skills are also very relevant

THE CV CHECKLIST Is it readable? Is it well designed, organized and attractive? Are categories of information clearly labeled? Is it easy for reviewers to find certain sections of interest? Has it been printed with letter quality print? Is it on heavyweight, smooth finished white paper? Have you avoided using acronyms?

THE CV CHECKLIST (II) Is it targeted? Have you asked yourself who is the reader and what do you know about the needs and interests of this particular employer? Has your advisor reviewed and critiqued it? Have you been completely honest with all things included in the document? Have you and others proofread it several times? If scanned, would the most important things stand out?

Cover Letters Allows you to introduce yourself and provide a context for your CV Allows you to emphasize and elaborate on certain elements in your CV and show connections between you and position Allows you to present a professional yet personal face to your application materials

Format Overall format Heading Salutation 1 st paragraph 2 nd (& 3 rd ) paragraph 3 rd or 4 th paragraph Closure

Questions?