Curriculum Vitaes

 

Depending on your career field or targeted work environment, a Curriculum Vitae, or CV, may be expected by employers. A CV will also be necessary when applying for doctoral programs or fellowship opportunities. A CV is a comprehensive biography of educational and professional experiences. CVs are primarily used when applying for professional positions within academic, medicine, scientific, research, or teaching environments.

 

CVs for recent PhDs are usually two to three pages long. PhDs with professional experience can have CVs that are up to six pages or more in length.

 

Formatting a Curriculum Vitae

It is important to include all relevant information that would support your candidacy for a position on your CV. Although there are variations on formatting, typically a CV contains the following information and usually in this order:

• Name, address, phone number, email address
• Education and academic information including names and locations of degree-granting institutions and dates they were earned. List any teaching, research or fellowships in this section, as well as your dissertation summary and any academic honors.
• Relevant professional experience, including teaching, research, or administrative work.  These should be listed in order of importance to the position for which you are applying. Service activities are also listed here.
• Publications and presentations should be listed. Make sure to list all professional publications using the bibliographic style of your discipline.

 

Common Headings used on a Curriculum Vitae

Career Objective
Educational Background
            Teaching
            Research
            Fellowships
Dissertation Topic
Academic Honors
Professional Experience
Certifications
Publications
Presentations

 

Optional Categories for a Curriculum Vitae

Professional Associations and Memberships
Credentials
Areas of Expertise
Teaching or Research Interests
Service and Committee Assignments
Exhibits/Exhibitions
Grants and Contracts
Language Competencies
Licensure
Travel Abroad

 

References will be listed at the end of your CV. 

 

Make sure to include your last name and page numbers on each successive page.

 

Asking to view CVs of faculty members in your major area is appropriate and encouraged.  Faculty CVs and/or resumes are typically kept on file in the main office of your academic department for students to view.  Having someone review your CV is important and should be by done by a professor someone else in your field.

 

Sample CVs

Research CV

Academic CV

 

For additional information, speak to a career specialist or check out these books/websites:

• Career Development Guide
• Tips on creating an academic vita.
• About.com - numerous articles
• Everything that you need to know about a CV
• The CV Doctor (great examples and advice) go to The Chronicle of Higher Education and search for CV
• The Curriculum Vitae Handbook
  by Rebecca Anthony & Gerald Roe (Career Resource Center, Math/Psych 212)
• The Global Resume and CV Guide
  by Mary Anne Thompson (Career Resource Center, Math/Psych 212)