Curriculum Vitae
Career ID Code
In Latin, “curriculum vitae” means “the course of one’s life or career.” It is also commonly referred to as an academic resume, curriculum vitae, or CV. It is similar to a resume in that it is used to document professional experience and education. However, a CV is more detailed, emphasizes academic achievements, and does not have a page limit. Lengths of curriculum vitae vary depending on an individual’s experience and background. It is most commonly used in higher education and can be requested as part of an application for a job, graduate school, or internship.
Format While there’s no standard formula for preparing a CV, a chronological format is most common along with the following basic categories. Contact Information Identify your legal name and letters, (PhD, EdS, MS, etc.) address, telephone, and professional email for home (and office if non-confidential) at top of first page. All subsequent pages should contain name and page number at top left of page (e.g. Last Name, First Name, Page 2 of 3). Professional Objective A CV typically does not include a “Professional Objective” but if you choose to use one, consider Identifying the position you are seeking in terms of specific role, type(s) of environment, and or skill utilization. You may also include short and long term goals that match the program or position. Education List all entries in reverse chronological order and identify the institution and city, state, type of degree, academic discipline, and graduation date. Also include majors/minors, concentrations, and emphases. Under this category, you may also wish to include coursework related to the professional objective, the title of your dissertation or thesis topic along with the name of your major professor, postgraduate work and additional training, and academic or professional honors and awards such as fellowships and assistantships. Certifications (optional) This category contains certifications and licenses that are pertinent to your professional objective. List the name of the certificate and give status (active, expiration date). Certifications can be placed in order of importance or in reverse chronological order. Professional Experience Depending on your professional objective, you can use one of the general “Professional Experience”, “Relevant Experience”, or “Related Experience” subheadings or subdivide the section into “Teaching Experience” and “Research Experience.” Whichever you decide, make sure to identify all experiences and accomplishments that relate to your specific professional objective (i.e. teaching, research, graduate assistantships, internships, postdoctoral fellowships, etc.) and list position title, name of organization, city and state, dates, and description of duties, skills used and accomplishments. It is important that the descriptions be concise and involves short phrases. List all entries in reverse chronological order.
Additional Categories In addition to the basic categories mentioned above, below are optional categories you may include to highlight your strengths and accomplishments in the field you are attempting to access. Additional Experience Identify additional experiences and accomplishments that you would like to include, that indirectly relate to your professional objective. Use same format as “Professional Experience” section. List all entries in reverse chronological order.
Publications, Presentations, and Performances For publications, identify all articles, audio-visuals, chapters, books, periodicals, book reviews, technical papers, research, and monographs that have been either published or submitted, or are in progress. Be sure to utilize citation style appropriate to your field of study. If the list is extensive, include only the most relevant items and provide an appendix separate from the vita. For presentations, identify all relevant workshops, conferences, exhibitions, lectures, panels, and other speaking engagements. List name of event, topic, location, and month/year. Use citation style appropriate to your field of study. If the list is extensive, include only the most relevant items and provide an appendix separate from the vita. For performances, identify all recitals, invited performances, workshops, and exhibitions. List role, name of performance or event, location, and month/year. Use citation style appropriate to your field of study. If the list is extensive, include only the most relevant items and provide an appendix separate from the vita. Professional Affiliations & Memberships Identify all organizations in which you have held membership and/or leadership positions. List offices held, name of organization, and description of activity (optional). List all entries in order of relevance to your professional objective. (You may also choose to include events/conferences attended that relate to your objective, if they are of significant length or intensity). Professional Activities Identify all activities related to your professional objective that have not been previously mentioned, such as consulting and or committee assignments. List name of organization, title (or involvement), location, and dates. List all entries in order of importance to your professional objective. Research & Grants If appropriate to your field of study, identify research and grants received and in progress. List name of grant/research, funding amount, purpose, program outline, program outcome, and dates. List entries in either order of importance or in reverse chronological order. Additional Skills Use this category to describe “catch all” items that do not fit with any other category. Possible items to include are computer hardware/software skills, extensive travel, volunteer or other community involvement, certifications, and/or language skills (if not listed already). Limit to items related to your professional objective. References & Portfolio This should be the last section listed on a vita if you decide to use it. It is helpful to provide a list of references on a separate page. Include the professional name, official title, department, street address, city/state, zip code, office telephone and email for each reference, as well as the relationship of each individual (ex. advisor, supervisor). Include a list of references only if you are prepared for employers to contact each reference but be prepared to provide your list of references directly after the interview.
Tips Subheadings can be placed left justified or centered. Subheadings and sections should be spaced and emphasized by using capital letters, underlining, indenting, or bolding. Utilize white space appropriately throughout to create a balanced and visually attractive document. Since the vita is a formal document, it should not look cluttered or disorganized. Proofread for typographical errors. Always spell out words (except for names of states—use current 2 letter abbreviations).
Be specific and yet concise with descriptions in each section and precede them with bullet points. Avoid the use of complete sentences in favor of phrases. Utilize “action words” to begin phrases (present tense for current activities and past tense for former ones). Only state salary range if requested to do so. Reframe from making negative statements. Have your CV critiqued by various individuals. Keep one master document that you will continually update.
Career Resources for Graduate Students For additional CV subheadings and information on cover letters, key words or phrases for specific careers or industries, and job searching tips, visit the Career Services Center’s Career Resource Library.
Sample Vitae NAME, Letters
Street Address • City, State, Zip Telephone Number • Email Address EDUCATION
Doctor of Philosophy, subject, university, city, state, expected date Master of Arts, subject, university, city, state, date Bachelor of Arts, subject, university, city, state, date
DISSERTATION
Title Director/Major Professor Brief Summary
ACADEMIC
Fellowships, scholarships, grants-in-aid, etc.; distinctions associated with passing M.A. HONORS and Ph.D. exams; honorary awards
PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE
Title (Teaching Assistant), university, location, dates, a brief description of your accomplishments (especially courses taught), level of students taught. Title (Editorial Assistant or whatever), organization, location, dates a brief description of your accomplishments, as above.
TEACHING COMPETENCIES (alternate heading RESEARCH COMPETENCIES)
Subjects you are prepared to teach or research.
PUBLICATIONS
Author(s), title, where published, when published.
ACADEMIC ACTIVITIES
Committees on which you have served and professional memberships.
LANGUAGES
Include only those in which you have some proficiency.
REFERENCES
Available upon request (and list names, titles, addresses, telephone numbers, etc. on a separate sheet)
Updated 6-2014