There are a number of differences between a curriculum vitae (C.V.) and a resume. Length is one of the more obvious. While a C.V. is often six pages or more, resumes need to be succint, rarely more than one to two pages in length. C.V.’s are a detailed history of projects and outcomes. A resume is more specific to a given position for which you are applying. More is expected from a professional C.V. than from a resume. However, both have the same ultimate goal: to earn you an interview for a new position or promotion.
It goes without saying that a C.V. must look and be professional in presentation. This is no less important than for a dissertation or a paper for publication. There are many different types of professional careers but the basics of C.V. writing are the same for each. The most important rule is that a C.V. is a marketing document, and you are the marketable item. To this end, you need your C.V. to be concise, precise, relevant and factual.
Common dilemmas are usually:
· Where to start?
· What to put in?
· What to leave out?
· How to say it?
Where to Start:
Start with a plan, as you would for any project. Presumably, you have a position or goal in mind. Be specific to that position or goal. What is it? What does it require of me? What have I done, achieved, experienced so far that fulfils the needs of this position or goal? If you are planning for a goal, also ask yourself what it is you need to acquire, learn or qualify in order to achieve the goal. Once these criteria are established, you have the skeleton upon which to build your flesh. Break it down into component parts and then begin applying your qualifications, experiences and achievements.
What to Put In?
Relevancy is the key to this question. You might be applying for a research position in anthropology. If you have previous research, teaching or field experience in anthropology, this is all relevant, obviously. However, a summer spent selling tours to the Pyramids is not. If you are seeking a teaching position in, say, anthropology, and you have teaching experience in another discipline, this is relevant; but needs to be backed up with experience or qualification pertinent to anthropology.
Always include the results of previous research, with at least a one page summary; a list of papers, publications, citations etc.; awards and honours; funding and grants, with a brief summary of application and expenditure; collaborations; peer reviews; professional activities such as committees, boards, forums etc.; and if appropriate, networking contacts, either associations or associates.
Any projects you have been involved in or undertaken as supervisor should be included. If their subject is not relevant, still include a brief summary because it will show you have the capacity and experience to undertake future projects. Prospective employers are always interested in outcomes, whether commercial, scientific or public service.
What to Leave Out?
Excess information. Irrelevant information. Detailed personal information. Unverified, or unverifiable information. Your disappointments, failures and career stalls. If you had a paper published, and it then became controversial and or was withdrawn, for whatever reason, a brief mention can be made of it, and any similar situation. You don’t want to look like you’re hiding something that will most probably be known. There is no reason to draw attention to or highlight things that will not be known. You can chalk many things up to experience and self-knowledge, and learn from them: it is unnecessary to lay it all on the table for a prospective employer or superior. Remember, this is a marketing document. You need to highlight the appropriate and focus on the positives.
How to Say It?
Again, precisely, concisely and flawlessly. Use technical terms if they are relevant, but don’t use them for the sake of appearing clever. Say it boldly and proudly. If you hide your light under a bushel, no-one will see it. Your prospective employer wants to know that you have the credentials and the confidence and ability to implement them. As a professional, your attitude towards yourself and your work must also be professional.
It goes without saying that presentation must also be professional. If grammar and spelling are not your strengths, always have your C.V. edited or use a professional service either to write or to edit. After all, your C.V. is an important document to sell yourself through your experiences and expertise, so if you don't have the ability or confidence to write it yourself, then seek someone that does.
Remember, your C.V. is not a dissertation or thesis. It is not going to be published. It will be one of many. Therefore, you need detail that is balanced between overview or summary and book length manuscript. There are no rules about how many pages or words. The sum total will depend on the position you are applying for and your relevant information. If you are applying for you first senior position, perhaps you will have four or five pages. However, further along in your career, you might have ten or more pages of relevant information.
The key word is always
relevance. All the other information about you can be learned by your colleagues once you have the position.
- This is an exerpt from my Too-Write! eBook: "Creating a professional C.V." , which includes more details on creating your professional C.V., specifics for inclusion, a template and layout to use, tips and hints for making it more powerful and positive and more.
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