What is the Difference between a Curriculum Vitae and a Resume?
For higher education positions, employers frequently want a curriculum vitae (otherwise known as a vita or CV) instead of a resume.
A resume is an individually designed summary (usually one or two pages) of personal, educational, and experience qualifications intended to demonstrate fitness for a particular position or type of position. A resume focuses attention on an individual’s strongest qualifications and develops them to fit the specific or general purpose for which the material is provided. (For more in-depth information see the UCS handout “Writing Resumes.”)
A Curriculum Vitae is a document generally used instead of a resume for an academic audience. Therefore, it is a summary of education and experience qualifications as related to the interests of academia. Ph.D. candidates generally have a two to four page document, due to their limited experience. It develops over time into a comprehensive and lengthy statement detailing professional qualifications and activities. You can easily create a one- or two-page, tightly drawn version and a complete version to use for different purposes.
There are other audiences that will seek a CV (adapted for that audience and purpose) instead of a resume. For instance, a Ph.D. in Organic Chemistry seeking a position as a research scientist in a pharmaceutical company would typically use a vita. A Ph.D. in Economics seeking a position at the Commerce Department would also use a vita. If you are uncertain whether to use a CV, ask yourself “Am I sending this document to other Ph.D.s? Is my Ph.D. required for this position? Is my scholarship relevant for this position?” If the answers to those questions are yes, you are probably going to use a CV, which provides more detail about your academic background than a resume.
Writing your Curriculum Vitae
A Curriculum Vitae (CV) is a summary of your educational and academic background. Its purpose is to outline your credentials for an academic position, fellowship, or grant. Its length can range from 2-4 pages. Please keep in mind each field has a different standard. Ask the faculty in your department for feedback on your CV.
In applying for an academic position, an applicant is asked to submit a CV along with a Dissertation Abstract, a Statement of Research Interests, and a Statement of Teaching Interests. It is important to present a clear and well-organized application. Your goal is to make the search committee want to interview you.
What to include on your CV:
Primary materials
o Applicant Information
o Education
o Dissertation Title and Advisor
o Awards/Honors/Patents
o Grants/Fellowships
o Research Experience
o Teaching Experience
o Publications and Presentations
o Related Professional Experience
o Languages
o Other- Memberships, Associations, Conferences
o References
Supplementary Materials
o Cover Letter
o Dissertation Abstract
o Statement of Research and Scholarly Interests
o Statement of Teaching Interests
o Course lists
Primary materials
Applicant Information
Your name should appear on the top of each page. On the first page include your name, address, phone number, fax number, and email address. Page numbers should appear on all pages except for the first. When including your email address consider this communication with an employer to be professional. It is advised to avoid “nick names” or “cute” automatic responses. This also applies for phone messages.
Education
In reverse chronological order list all of your degrees from college on, with the name of the institution and date they were awarded. List the date you expect to receive the degree for the program you are currently in. It is standard to list the name of your advisor and your thesis title.
From this point on you have more latitude in shaping the organization of your CV. You should be guided by your strengths, requirements for the job, and conventions of your discipline.
Honors and Awards (Grants, Fellowships and Patents, etc.)
Place Honors/Awards near the top of the CV (unless you have few, then put later or omit). This is a good place to list research-related and dissertation-supported grants, fellowships, awards and patents. Scientists may create a separate section for “Research Grants”, which would probably come later in the CV.
Research Experience
Scientists will briefly describe their postdoctoral, doctoral, and possibly undergraduate research. You should include both substance and techniques employed if relevant. List names of the institution, professor, project, and dates. Along with descriptions note any contribution you made (Some scientists append a “Statement of Research Interests”)
Teaching Experience
Where you place this section depends on the target institution (i.e. small teaching college) as well as your strengths as a candidate. The basic information should include: Where, What, When you have taught and your titles i.e. teaching fellow or lecturer.
Publications and Presentations
Where you place this section depends on the strength of your publication record. If substantial, it may come first. If too lengthy or short it can come at the end of the CV or have an additional page. Some candidates will subdivide this category into:
· Publications (if have you enough, you can separate this into Books, Abstracts, Reviews, other publications, etc…). Use standard bibliographic form for publications.
· Papers and Presentations, Include dates/locations with titles of your presentations.
· Avoid listing published abstracts in with papers. List Abstracts as a separate section. Otherwise, it gives the impression of “padding.”
Related Professional Experience
Use this category for any experience that is related to teaching, research, and administration, i.e. conference organizing, tutoring, and committee work.
Languages
Accurately assess your knowledge level of a language: native, fluent, proficient or working knowledge.
Optional Sections
o Memberships of Professional Organizations
o Scholarly Associations
o Travel or Study Abroad
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