Curriculum Vitae

Like a resume, a CV (curriculum vitae) serves as an employer’s initial glimpse into your professional and academic qualifications. It's crucial to format it in a manner that effectively highlights your achievements and experience. Positions in academia or medicine typically call for a CV instead of a resume, and a CV is also essential for opportunities such as grant applications, fellowships, and international employment prospects.

CV Checklist

Begin creating your CV by using our checklist. Ensure that in each section, you organize information in reverse chronological order.

Name

Eye-catching in a larger font (4 – 6 points larger than the body text).

Contact Information

Consistently spaced, professional, permanent.

Education

• In reverse chronological order and includes
• Full name of school and location
• Degree and programs
• Graduation month and year
• Dissertation or thesis title (required for PhD, optional for others)
• Advisor(s) name(s) (required for PhD, optional for others)

Teaching or Research Interests

It is optional, but if included, it should align with the job posting.

Teaching or Research Experience

• Full name of employer and location
• Job title = Research Assistant, Lab Instructor, Dissertation Project, Guest Lecturer, etc.
• Inclusive start and end dates (or "- present" if still in progress)
• Bulleted list of 2-6 action verb job duties for each position
• Include all job titles to show you were promoted and took on more responsibility
• Can create multiple research categories to highlight the diversity of experiences

Publications and Conferences

If extensive, it can be divided into multiple sections (Publications, Posters, Presentations, etc.)

List all in reverse chronological order, but subdivide by Published/Accepted, Under Review, and In Progress.

Include author names (if multi-author), title of paper, title of journal or book, volume #, pages, year, etc. (use whatever style your field uses for citations)

For Under Review, indicate the name of the journal or conference where under submission.

For In Progress, use tentative paper titles only.

Professional Memberships

List professional organizations you are a member of, along with the timeline.

Professional Service

List all committees, student mentoring, review work, judging, etc., you have done.

Grants, Funding, Honors, Awards, Media Appearances, Patents

Could be divided into separate sections or subheadings if necessary

List all received or pending, but not rejections.

One-Page CVs

Some fellowship and scholarship applications request applicants submit a concise one-page CV. In those instances, choose your most impactful academic and professional accomplishments.

Additional CV Resources

For help writing a CV, visit Indeed for How to Write a CV: Tips, Template and Example

Use our CV Templates to help you write your own!

• Template 1
• Template 2