Resumes and CV's

A CV is a detailed document that provides a comprehensive overview of your academic and professional accomplishments. It can include, but is not limited to:

• Name & contact information
• Education (degrees, thesis/dissertation titles, advisors)
• Research experience
• Publications and presentations
• Awards, grants, fellowships, and honors
• Teaching experience
• Mentoring experience 
• Leadership
• Professional service, memberships, or professional associations
• Patents
• Languates
• Skills – which may include subcategories 
• References

When to Use a CV:

• Applying for academic positions (faculty, research roles, postdocs).
• Submitting grant or fellowship applications.
• Presenting your qualifications in contexts where academic achievements are prioritized.

CVs can be multiple pages long, as they aim to include a full history of your academic work and achievements. You may aim to have two CVs: an authoritative CV with all information and a tailored CV, edited for a specific position or type of role.

A resume services several key functions:

• Motivate the employer to interview you. It showcases your potential contributions to the job and demonstrates your ability to adapt to new environments.
• Provide a concise summary of your relevant experience and background. Tailor this information to align closely with the job for which you are applying.
• Highlight your competencies and accomplishments. Use the resume as a marketing tool to showcase your skills effectively.

Resumes typically include:

• Skills, which may include subcategories
• A brief summary or objective (you may decide to exclude this if you submit a cover letter)
• Relevant work experience (emphasizing transferable skills)
• Key achievements
• Select education and certifications

When to Use a Resume:

• Applying for jobs outside academia, such as in industry, government, or nonprofit sectors.
• Seeking roles where the focus is on skills, accomplishments, and relevant experience, rather than academic background.

Resumes are generally 1–2 pages long and tailored to the specific job posting.

The type of document to submit depends on the expectations of the role you’re applying for:

• Academic Jobs: Always use a CV.
• Industry Jobs: Use a resume, unless a CV is explicitly requested
• Hybrid Roles: For positions that blend academic and professional expertise (e.g., policy roles, research in industry), you may need a hybrid CV/resume or decide based on the job description.

Step One. Tailor Your Resume to the Job

Customize your resume for each position. Focus on skills and experiences that align with the job description, incorporating relevant keywords to enhance visibility during keyword scanning processes used by employers.

Step Two: Choose a Consistent Format

Aim for a clean, simple layout. Use a font size that is easy to read (10-14 point) and maintain half-inch margins. While a one-page format is ideal, two pages are acceptable if including publications. Ensure consistency in style across accompanying documents.

Step Three. Use Strong Action Verbs and Specific Examples

Begin bullet points with powerful action verbs such as “developed,” “coordinated,” or “managed.” Eliminate non-essential phrases, and communicate your achievements using quantitative and qualitative information. For example, state “Increased sales by 10%” rather than using passive language.

Step Four. Highlight Achievements

Emphasize your impact through concrete accomplishments. For instance, instead of simply stating responsibilities, articulate achievements like “received an award for excellence in the design and implementation of an innovative computer program.” This showcases skills gained and responsibilities managed.

Step Five. Presentation and Layout

Ensure your resume is visually appealing:

• Use methods like bold, italics, and underlining to highlight key sections, but avoid making the document look cluttered.
• Maintain balanced margins and white space for easier reading.
• Be mindful of verb tenses, and remember to avoid using “I” in your descriptions.
• Proofread multiple times to catch any errors.

Additional Tips

Avoid including personal details such as age, weight, race, or marital status. Citizenship details are not required, but it can be beneficial to indicate U.S. citizenship or permanent residency.

• National Institutes of Health (NIH) CV Guide and Templates
• University of California, Berkeley CV Resources
• Non-academic samples from the University of California, San Francisco
• Academic samples from the University of California, San Francisco
• Samples from Columbia University
• Samples from University of Pennsylvania
• Chronicle of Higher Education’s CV Doctor

Resume Templates:

• Indeed’s Free Resume Templates
• Harvard Career Services Resume Examples