Cvs & Resumes For Graduate Students
Cvs & Resumes For Graduate Students
for Graduate
Students
Whats the difference between a CV and a resume? A curriculum vitae (CV or vita) should tell the reader what you know; a
resume should tell the reader what you know how to do. A resume summarizes your background and experience in order to
demonstrate your ability to do well in a specific position. A CV is a longer and more detailed document that focuses more exclusively
on your academic training and related pursuits in order to demonstrate your potential as a scholar or researcher. Typically, youll need
a CV if youre applying for an academic position (e.g., a position at a college, university, or research institution); youll need a resume
if youre applying for a non-academic position in the private or public sector. Because of these distinctions, CVs and resumes tend to
be phrased and organized differently.
HOW TO WRITE A CV
The Process
Begin by brainstorming a list of relevant facts. What qualifies
you for the position you want? What distinguishes you
from other applicants? After writing down everything you can
think of, start organizing this information into categories.
Within each category, list your accomplishments in reverse
chronological order.
The Format
For what type of position are you applying? What aspects
of your background qualify you most strongly for that position?
To a large extent, considerations like these will determine
the format of your CV. It is a good idea to ask someone in
your academic department for advice, since different disciplines
have different conventions when it comes to writing CVs.
Generally speaking, if your degree is in the sciences, you
should emphasize your research experience, while if your
degree is in the humanities, you should emphasize your
dissertation and teaching experience. Of course, many types of
information will end up on your CV regardless of your academic
field.
What to Include in Your CV
The following list of categories is by no means exhaustive;
if you have relevant qualifications that are not covered by
any of these categories, feel free to add more. You should
check with someone in your department to find out what a CV in
your field should include or emphasize.
Personal information (Heading). This section includes your
name, address, area code, telephone number, and e-mail
address. Your name should be at the top of the page in bold
print. Consider using a larger font size than the rest of the
document. Use formal names; never abbreviate on a CV or
resume. List your mailing address, along with the best phone
number to reach you.
Educational history. In this section, list every post-secondary
school you have attended. For each school, include your major,
degree, date of completion (or expected date), the titles of your
theses and dissertations, and your advisor. Also list minors,
subfields, and any honors you have received; however, if you
have several prestigious honors and awards, you may want to
list them in a separate section. If your field is in the humanities,
you may want to have a separate Dissertation section in which
you give a short summary of your dissertation and the names of
your dissertation readers.
Professional experience. All teaching or research positions
you have held should go here. Include the course name, dates,
and a brief description for each course you have taught. If you
want to give a greater emphasis to teaching, research, or any
other aspect of your professional experience, you can split this
category into multiple categories, such as Teaching Experience,
Research Experience, or Fieldwork. Do not forget to use action
verbs when describing your responsibilities; they will grab the
readers attention more forcefully and make your resume more
memorable.
Academic service. Include the names of all committees you
have served on and a description of each academic service
position you have held.
Memberships. List all national, regional, state, or local
professional organizations to which you belong, with dates of
membership. Past memberships and student memberships
should be listed if they are relevant.
Suggested CV Categories
Publications. Give bibliographic citations
(using the format appropriate to your
particular academic discipline) for articles,
pamphlets, chapters in books, research
reports, etc. that you have authored or coauthored. For people in fine arts areas,
this can include descriptions of recitals,
art exhibits, etc. Materials pending
publication, marked as such, go in this
section as well.
Papers presented. Give titles of
professional presentations (using the
format appropriate to your particular
academic discipline), name of conference
or event, dates, and location. If
appropriate in your discipline, you can
also include a brief description. Also list
any professional workshops you have
conducted here.
Papers currently under submission. Do
not forget to update your CV when the
status of one of your papers changes.
Grants. For each grant, include the name
of the grant, the name of the granting
agency, the date received, and the
title or purpose of the research project.
Teaching and research interests.
Generally, these will be two separate
categories. Again, if you have a degree in
the sciences, you will probably want to
emphasize research.
Other sections. If you have relevant
skills or qualifications that do not fit into
any of these categories, you can include
sections such as Languages, Community
Involvement, or Educational Travel.
Before you add anything to your CV,
make sure that it is relevant to the
position you are applying for, and
remember that a CVs focus is narrower
than that of a resume.
References. Your references should go
on a separate sheet.
Academic Preparation
Academic Training
Academic Background
Education
Educational Background
Educational Overview
Professional Studies
Degrees
Principal Teachers
Thesis
Masters Project
Comprehensive Areas
Dissertation
Dissertation Title
Professional Competencies
Educational Highlights
Course Highlights
Proficiencies
Areas of Knowledge
Areas of Expertise
Areas of Experience
Areas of Concentration in
Graduate Study
Professional Experience
Professional Overview
Professional Background
Teaching Experience
Teaching Overview
Experience Summary
Experience Highlights
Research Experience
Research Overview
Administrative Experience
Consulting Experience
Continuing Education
Experience
Related Experience
Internships
Teaching/Research
Assistantships
Graduate Fieldwork
Graduate Practica
Academic Accomplishments
Professional Achievements
Career Achievements
Career Highlights
Background
Publications
Scholarly Publications
Scholarly Works
Books
Professional Papers
Articles/Monographs
Reviews
Exhibits/Exhibitions
Arrangements/Scores
Academic Service
Professional Service
University Involvement
Service
Faculty Leadership
Committee Leadership
Departmental Leadership
Professional Association
Leadership and Activities
Scholarly Presentations
Conference Presentations
Convention Addresses
Workshop Presentations
Workshops and Conventions
Programs and Workshops
Conferences Attended
Conference Participation
Conference Leadership
Memberships
Affiliations
Professional Memberships
Memberships in Scholarly
Societies
Professional Organizations
Professional Certification
Certificates
Licensure
Special Training
Endorsements
Teaching Interests
Academic Interests
Research Interests
Educational Interests
Professional Interests
Scholarships
Fellowships
Academic Awards
Special Honors
Distinctions
College Distinctions
Activities and Distinctions
Honors and Distinctions
Honors and Awards
Prizes
College Activities
Foreign Study
Study Abroad
Travel Abroad
Languages
Language Competencies
Dossier
Credentials
Placement File
References
Recommendations
The Curriculum Vitae Handbook. Anthony, Rebecca and Gerald Roe, Rudi Publishing, Iowa City, 1994.
Sample CVs
Martin pp. 2 of 2
PAT M. MARTIN
Environmental Sciences Division ! !
Oak Ridge National Laboratory ! !
Oak Ridge, TN 37831-6036 !
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(615) 483-1234
[email protected]
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!
EDUCATION
Rice University, Houston, TX, 2005-2010
Ph.D. in Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, 2010, Specialization: Population
Ecology
M.A. in Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, 2006
Northwestern University, Evanston, IL, 2001-2005
B.A. in Biological Sciences, concentration in Ecology and Evolutionary
Biology
B.A. in Biochemistry, Molecular Biology, and Cell Biology with honors
B.A. in Integrated Science Program, with honors
AWARDS and HONORS
RESEARCH INTERESTS
The roles that spatial patterns and processes play in shaping communities
Chemistry Laboratory
Sandra Jones
"
"
EDUCATION:
Ph.D. Rice University, Department of English, degree expected June 2009
A.B. Harvard University, June 2000
DISSERTATION:
Race, Reenslavement, and Representation: The Troubled Birth of
American Realism
PUBLICATIONS:
Co-Author: Instructors Manual for The Short Story: An Introduction, 2nd
ed. Ed. Stone, Packer, & Hoopes. New York: McGraw Hill, 2007.
ACADEMIC SERVICE:
This study discusses the social and racial implications of the campaign for
American literary realism during the late 19th century, examining works
that range from the novels of W.D. Howell and Henry James to W.E.B.
Duboiss The Philadelphia Negro and The Souls of Black Folk.
Dissertation Readers: Professor John Doe (chair), Professor Jane Smith,
Professor Joseph Brown
FELLOWSHIPS:
Fulbright Junior Lectureship, 2008
Dorothy Danforth-Compton Dissertation Fellowship, 2007-08
Dorothy Danforth-Compton Graduate Fellowship, 2003-2007
PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE:
The New University of Lisbon, Departamento de Estudos AngloPortugueses
Fulbright Junior Lecturer in American Studies "
Jan 2008-June 2008
North American Literature: Introduction to American Literature 1850-1950
Department of English, Rice University, Spring 2007.
Course Reader "
"
"
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Henry James and Mark Twain
Spring 2007
Instructor ""
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Freshman Composition, Emotion in Writing and Art "
Spring 2007
"
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Fall 2006
Teaching Assistant! !
Shakespeare "
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Spring 2005
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TEACHING INTERESTS:
Nineteenth- and twentieth-century American prose fiction
Nineteenth- and twentieth-century African-American literature
Literature of the American South
American poetry, 1840-1930
Freshman composition
PAPERS AND LECTURES:
Americans and African-American Literature: Some Vital Connections, The
Department of American Studies, University of Coimbra, Coimbra,
Portugal, May 2001.
Richard Wright and the African-American Short Story, Annual Seminar on
American Literature: The Dark Mirror of American Consciousness:
American and African-American Literature, sponsored by the Center for
American Studies, Rome, Italy, May 2001.
Action
Verbs
abstracted
accomplished
acquired
acted
addressed
advised
analyzed
arranged
articulated
assessed
assisted
authored
budgeted
catalogued
chaired
coauthored
collaborated
collected
communicated
compiled
completed
composed
conducted
consulted
coordinated
counseled
created
delivered
designed
developed
directed
drafted
earned
edited
elected
encouraged
established
evaluated
examined
expanded
facilitated
founded
generated
guided
identified
illustrated
implemented
improved
increased
initiated
instructed
integrated
interpreted
interviewed
introduced
invented
investigated
lectured
maintained
managed
mastered
monitored
motivated
negotiated
nominated
observed
organized
originated
participated
performed
planned
prepared
presented
presided
produced
programmed
projected
promoted
published
recognized
recruited
represented
researched
reviewed
revised
scheduled
screened
selected
served
solved
sponsored
streamlined
strengthened
studied
supervised
taught
tested
trained
translated
tutored
verified
volunteered
wrote
Sample Resumes
SARAH MYERS
3439 Banbury
Houston, TX 77027
Home: (713)621-5304
Office: (713)527-8101 ext. 3265
OBJECTIVE: Seeking a position in chemical research and development.
EDUCATION:
Rice University, Houston, TX
Ph.D. in Chemistry, anticipated Spring 2010. GPA: 3.8/4.0
B.A. in Chemistry, May 2005. GPA: 3.5/4.0
EXPERIENCE:
Rice University, Houston, TX. August 2006 Present.
Graduate Student under Dr. Marco A. Ciufolini.
Developed and applied new methods for the synthesis of both aliphatic and aromatic nitrogen-containing
compounds.
Planned and executed total syntheses of biologically active natural products.
Applied various spectroscopic methods including 3000 MHz NMR, mass spectrometry, IR and UV-VIS toward the
identification of organic compounds.
Taught and helped organize six semesters of organic laboratory.
Tutored undergraduates in analytical and organic chemistry.
Mobay Corporation, Baytown, TX. Summer 2005.
Summer Research Technician
Improved and developed new application and quality control testing methods for the companys polyurethane
product line.
Independently modified new and existing methods to increase efficiency and reliability. Summarized findings and
reported directly to plant managers.
HONORS:
Robert A. Welch Predoctoral Fellow, 2008-2010
Harry B. Weiser Teaching Award in Chemistry, 2007
Z.W. Salsburg Memorial Award in Chemistry, 2006
Presidents Honor Roll
ACTIVITIES:
Chemistry Department Safety Committee
Chief Justice of Lovett College, 2005
Rice University Swim Team, Captain 2005, Letter 2004
PUBLICATIONS:
Synthetic Studies Towards Cystodytin A: The Preparation of Novel
Cystodytin Congeners, Ciufolini, M.A.; Myers, S.J. Tetrahedron Lett. 2009, 30,
5559-5562
Chemoenzymatic Preparation of trans-2,6,-Dialkylpiperidines and of Other
Azacycle Building Blocks. Total Synthesis of (+)-Desoxoprosopinine, Ciufolini,
M.A.; Hermann, C.W.; Whitmire, K.H.; Myers, S.J. J. Am. Chem. Soc. 2009, 111,
3473-3475.
Modified Knoevenagel-Stobbe Preparation of Substituted Pyridines: A New
Approach to Streptonigrinoids, CiufoliniM.A.; Myers, S.J. J. Chem. Soc., Chem.
Commun. 2008, 1230-1231.
PAUL GARDNER
8901 Braesmont #258
Houston, TX 77096
(713)667-8348 (evening)
(713)527-8101x3552 (day)
EDUCATION
Rice University, Houston, TX
Ph.D. in American History, Spring 2009
M.A. in American History, Spring 2006
University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA
B.A. in History and Journalism, Summa Cum Laude, May 2001
EXPERIENCE
Rice University, Houston, TX
Postdoctoral Fellow, 2005-present. Conducted a research project exploring the history
of the working class in the United States from 1900-1940. Results will be published in
three journal articles.
Lecturer, 2007-2009. Taught courses on American history. Formulated course structures
and requirements. Created syllabi. Lectured and administered all grades.
Teaching Assistant, 2004-2006. Assisted with history course, The United States in
1945. Helped create curriculum, composed exams and term paper assignments, led
weekly discussion sections, graded all written work and determined final grades.
Heritage Society, Houston, TX
Researcher, 2004-2006. Conducted basic historical research. Selected writers. Assisted
in formulating entry lists.
Houghton-Mifflin, Boston, MA
Writer, 2002-2004. Researched and wrote articles on various topics in American
history.
ABC News, New York, NY
Researcher, 2001-2002. Verified the historical accuracy of programs on American
history.
SKILLS
Foreign Languages: Proficient in French, Spanish, and Modern Greek. Working knowledge
of Italian.
Computers: Microsoft Word, Excel, SPSS, and Claris Works.
OTHER CONSIDERATIONS
What Not to Include in Your CV or Resume
You should not include any personal information that is irrelevant
to the position you want. This includes your age, sex, sexual
orientation, marital status, race, and religious beliefs. If you are
an international student, you should not include your Visa status
unless you have permanent residence.
Layout
Your CV or resume should be as clear, concise, and as
consistent as possible. Do not use too many different fonts or font
sizes. Be judicious in your use of boldface and italics, and pay
attention to the appearance of the text on the page. Use space
effectively; you do not want to end up with a narrow column of
print along the left side of the page and a huge expanse of white
space on the right. Both the CV and the resume are intended to
get you to the next level of the selection process, so you should
organize your CV or resume so that your greatest strengths are
emphasized.
The Electronic (e-mail) CV or Resume
Many companies require you to submit your resume
electronically through their Web site or via email. You will want to
create several versions of your resume: a print version (ready to
print and handout to your network or interviewers), a scannable
version (limit the italics and other word processing treatments),
and a plain text version (a plain text file or Text-Only document
can be copied and pasted into online applications).