What Goes in a Resume or CV Case

What Goes in a Resume or CV? Case Western Reserve University Career Center / Kimberly Paik September 25, 2008 http: //studentaffairs. case. edu/careers/

Agenda n n n What is a resume? What is a CV? Uses / purposes Basic principles Sections / content areas Tips on preparing an effective document

What is a resume/CV? n n A key part of your job search A summary of work experiences and qualifications A genuine writing project A marketing tool – what can you sell the employer/institution?

A resume/CV should… n n n Get you more, high quality interviews Give employers their first impression of your professional talents Market your skills and abilities Catch an employer’s attention Answer key questions

What is the difference between a resume and a CV? n n n Primary differences are the length, the content and the purpose. A resume is a one or two page summary of your skills, experience and education. A goal of resume writing is to be brief and concise since, at best, the resume reader will spend a minute or so reviewing your qualifications. A CV is a longer (two or more pages), more detailed synopsis. It includes a summary of your educational and academic backgrounds as well as teaching and research experience, publications, presentations, awards, honors, affiliations and other details.

What is the difference between a resume and a CV? n The curriculum vitae (also referred to as the vita or CV) is a summary of an individual’s educational background and experience as related to the interests of academia. n n n CV displays your academic credentials and accomplishments in great detail. The CV is used when applying for teaching and administrative positions in academia or for a fellowship or grant. A resume is used to summarize an individual’s education and experiences related to a specific career objective in the public or private sector.

Uses and Purposes n n Job Search Tool – The purpose of a Resume / CV is to land an interview A CV can also be used for these purposes: o o supporting document with a grant or contract funding proposal requirement for an annual review by your employer requirement with an application for membership in a professional society / organization background statement for an introduction at an important convention presentation.

Basic Principles: Layout n n n Pages: name and page number on each page except the first Do NOT use a template Double-check for spelling and grammatical errors Paper Size: 8 ½” x 11” / Margins: . 5” - 1” Font Size: 10 -12 (11 is often ideal); Ink: black Format: use boldface to highlight information, but be consistent in your use Design: leave enough white space so it is easy to read Use a laser printer, avoid colored inks Do not staple Use bond, neutral colored paper Keep format simple

Resume / CV Know-How n How do I grab the employer’s attention? n Easy to read n Logical flow n Focused on accomplishments n PAR statements n Targeted to reader

Key Points – The Do’s n n n n Clean format that is easy to read/easy to scan Most important information first Choose strong headings Stress results, skills, and accomplishments rather than duties Write to an outsider Use consistent tense Begin sentences with action verbs Laser print on quality paper

Key Points – The Don’ts n n n n #1 mistake? ? ERRORS!!! Do not include personal information Avoid personal pronouns Vague, poorly focused Don’t include the word “resume” or “CV” at top Photo Salary history Reason you left your previous position

Possible Categories of a Resume / CV n n n Identifying Information Summary Education Research Experience Teaching Experience Work Experience Skills Activities, Honors, Awards Service Publications / Presentations What categories suit you?

Identifying Information n n Name Permanent address Temporary address (if applicable) Phone number E-mail address

Summary n n A clear, concise statement describing your skills/experience and expressing your goal Gives structure Be specific 3 ways to focus n n n Knowledge, experience or skills offered Job function (position) desired Organization type, industry, or field desired

Sample Summaries n n n Ph. D candidate in Environmental Science with 9 years of work experience in forest and prairie ecology seeking faculty position. Doctoral candidate in Biochemistry with 10+ years of experience in the healthcare industry. Skilled in project management, research, and facilitating presentations. Seeking consulting opportunity. Ph. D candidate in Operations Research with research experience in Scheduling, Linear/Integer programming, Statistics, Logistics and Combinatorial Optimization. Research interests include Forecasting, Revenue Management, Inventory Management and Simulation.

Education n n n University and degree(s) Graduation Date Majors & Minors Relevant Coursework Can include honors or separate section Date of completion

Dissertation / Thesis n n n Date dissertation will be finished. Dates describing your current status (“Completed coursework, June 20 xx, ” “Passed qualifying exam, March, 20 xx”). Provide the title and a brief description of your work, its framework, your conclusions, your advisor.

Sample Education Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, OH Ph. D. , Mechanical Engineering, May 2012 n n Dissertation title Advisor Master of Science, Electrical Engineering, May 2008 n n Thesis title Advisor Bachelor of Science in Electrical Engineering, May 2006 n Multiple Scholarship Recipient, Dean’s List

Sample Education Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, OH n Ph. D. , Chemistry, May 2012 n Dissertation: XXX n Advisor: Person’s name n GPA: 3. 6 / 4. 0 Iowa State University, Des Moines, IA n M. S. in Chemistry, May 2008 n GPA: 3. 5 / 4. 0 The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH n B. S. in Chemical Engineering, May 2006 n Minor in Biology n Studied abroad for 3 weeks in South Africa n GPA: 3. 5 / 4. 0

Experience Company Title n Action + goal / result n Action + skill developed n n n Location Dates Include job title, the name of the employer/institution, your responsibilities and accomplishments, dates. You may want to divide the experience into Teaching and Research Stress what you contributed and accomplished using verb/active skills: “Delivered 8 class lectures on composite materials and developed 5 supporting problem sets and a midterm examination” versus “Responsibilities included preparing class lectures, homework assignment, and exams. ” “Developed and implemented a scholarship plan which increased membership grade point average through use of study groups. ”

Experience Research Experience Postdoctoral Research: Environmental Science Division, Oak Ridge National Laboratory, 2007 -present (research advisor: Dr. Stephen H. Smith) n Developed a quantitative theory of hierarchical structure in ecological systems. n Analyzed how ecological communities reflect environmental heterogeneity at different scales. n Completed a numerical study of foraging behavior with short and long range movement in heterogeneous environments. Doctoral Research: Department of Biological Sciences, Stanford University, 1999 -2004 (research advisor: Dr. Jane Advisorname) n Studied the impact of avian predation on lizards in the eastern Caribbean. Documented the importance of differences in spatial scale between prey and predators. n Completed analysis that demonstrates how species interaction can sharpen underlying environmental patterns and how heterogeneous environments can stabilize predator and prey populations. Undergraduate Honors Research: Department of Biochemistry, Northwestern University, 1995 -1999 (research advisor: Dr. Advisor Name) n Investigated primary events of bacterial photosynthesis

Experience Teaching Experience n n University of Kansas, Lawrence, Kansas Department of Cell Biology Assistant Professor (tenure track), Summer 2005 to present; Assistant Professor, acting (tenure track), 2004 -2005 University of Illinois, Chicago, Illinois Department of Biology; Adjunct Instructor, Spring 2004 De. Paul University, Chicago, Illinois Department of Neuroscience; Visiting Instructor, Fall 2003 to Spring 2004 Adjunct Instructor, Fall 2002 to Spring 2003 University of Iowa Department of Biochemistry; Graduate Student Teaching Assistant, Fall 1997 to Fall 2000; Summer 2001

Skills n n n Computer Technical Laboratory Communication Leadership Language

Sample Skills n n n Protein and biochemical: cell fractionation, enzyme assays, protein phosphorylation assays, atomic absorption spectroscopy Proficient with Solid. Works (CAD software), C++, Mat. Lab, Meta. Fluor, Page. Maker Advanced experience with SPSS and Microsoft Excel Fluent in French and Arabic What is relevant?

Activities, Honors n n Professional Associations Leadership Roles Clubs Include only if active member

Professional Associations PROFESSIONAL ASSOCIATIONS College Art Association, 2000 -Present Modern Language Association, 2004 -2006 MEMBERSHIPS College Art Association; Historians of Netherlandish Art; Association of Art Historians; ICOM (International Council of Museums) & ICFA (Fine Arts Committee); Sixteenth Century Studies Society; Renaissance Society of America

Awards n n Receipt of competitive assistantships, scholarships, fellowships, teaching or research awards Award, Date

University Service UNIVERSITY SERVICE: n Curriculum Committee, Visual Culture Studies Research Cluster, 2002 -present. n Humanities Center, Advisory Committee, invited for 2006 -2007. n Department Representative to University Senate, 2003 -2004. n Faculty Mentor for First-Year Undergraduate Research Scholars Program, 2005. n Faculty mentor for Undergraduates creating the first independent major in XXX.

Publications listed in standard biographic form, classified by type (journal and conference). n See examples.

Presentations INVITED PRESENTATIONS: n “Title of Presentation, ” Genetics Conference, Northwestern University, October 2006. n Be consistent!!

Tips for Success n n The very best CVs are drafted with particular applications in mind, and clearly targeted As you prepare your CV, think about what the organization is likely to value: n n the quality and quantity of your research (achievement and potential) your previous experience the ways you have “added value” to your current job or department and made your presence felt your education

References n n n On separate page from resume At least 3 to support your candidacy Talk with your references FIRST Bring to interview Include all particulars (name, title, company, address, phone, email)

References Dr. Jane Smith, Professor Department of Electrical Engineering Case Western Reserve University 206 Sears Cleveland, Ohio 44106 216 -368 -5555 email@case. edu Dr. Somebody Jones, Assistant Professor Department of Biology Ohio State University XXX Building Columbus, Ohio 43214 614 -5555 email@osu. edu

Resources / Websites n n n http: //chronicle. com/jobs/tools/cvdoctor/2007/01. htm http: //www. training. nih. gov/careers/careercenter/cv. html http: //www. vpul. upenn. edu/careerservices/gradstud/sam ples. html http: //www. quintcareers. com/curriculum_vitae. html http: //www. quintcareers. com/vita_samples. html

Resume/CV Advice Visit the Career Center for a resume/CV critique Monday – Thursday 11: 00 am-2: 00 pm Walk in hours Career Center, Room 206 Sears No appointment needed Or call 368 -4446 to schedule an appointment