Curriculum Vita
Sara Van de Streek
NDSU Career Center
Goals for todays
presentation …
1: Discuss the importance of
creating a focused CV
2: Provide recommendations and general tips for format
and layout of a CV
3: Present additional resources
that are available
Areas to be addressed
o Comparison to Resume
o The CV Details
Format & Length
Categories
o Creation Steps
o Helpful Hints
o Considerations
o Resources
Comparisons - Differences
Curriculum Vitae
Scholarly/Research Identity
Mostly used in Higher Ed & Research
Full professional work history & experience
Comprehensive statement focused
on professional qualifications and
activities
More diverse experiences
Resume
Professional/Industry Identity
Mostly used in industry
Focused only on strongest, most relevant qualifications and
experiences
Demonstrates “fit” for job or position
Tailored summary of education and
experiences
Comparisons – Similarities
Primary Goal “Interest to Interview”
Though both are used for other reasons:
Committees & Panels, Research & Focus Groups, Speaker &
Presenters for Conferences
Designed to be balanced and easy to read
Completely error free
Both communicate and market your “value”
CV Details
FORMAT
No preset format to follow - You
will find multiple ways
Font – Readable 10-12, Name
bigger 14-18
Create emphasis – indentations,
capitalization & italics
Create hierarchy & focus through
headings and categories
LENGTH
No set length limit, however, no excessively long
Not a license to “fluff” your experience
Generally 2-6 pages (new professional) 4-8+ (experienced)
Talk to people that have been on search committees about preferred length
CV Details – Categories/Headings
Contact Information:
Name, Address (one), Phone, Email, website/Linked URL
Objective/Summary:
Tailored to position
Education:
Can include Thesis/Dissertation and advisor
Lab/Research Experience:
Include scope and duties
Teaching Experience & Presentation:
Complete information
Publications:
Proper Citations
Grants:
Include PI or Co-PI
Writing a CV…starts with reflection
Considerations before beginning
Ask yourself questions
What do I want my message to be?
What makes me a good match or fit?
What do you want them to know about you?
What is the organizations focus (research, population, specialty, etc.)?
How does this experience fit into my long range career goals?
Understand however
Employers vary what they put emphasis on
get started – CV
Development Process
1. Review and record all your activities
Create categories to organize them
2. Look at CV examples
Start with own faculty/dept. and peers
Review professionals that do what you
want to do
3. Find a position based within your
focused area
Research institution/specific
department or company
Talk with your advisors
4. Create a draft CV and have it
reviewed
Understand people will have
recommendations specific to their own
experiences
Helpful Hints
Pay attention to organization and layout of document
Always use reverse chronological order for all headings
Use phrases, not complete sentences
Grammar, spelling, and typing should be flawless
Name and page number on each page, after the 1st
Readable font size and type
Additional
Tips …
No dates on the left hand side
Can add URL of website/LinkedIn to header
Use appropriate Verb Tense (past or present)
Include your name as file name and make as PDF
Recommendation – Create a Base Document
Multiple Versions of CV
Research Focused – Heavy Publications
Teaching Focused – Classroom Activities
Administrative Focused – Jobs/Positions
Remember the company “needs” outweigh any of the aforementioned rules
Pay close attention to what the department or organization may be needing (important)
American Style – for International Students
Do not include personal details
Date/Place of birth
Age, gender, health, marital status
Ethnic or Racial information
Religious/Political Affiliation
Considerations
References
3-5 references
Layout should include
Name
Position/title
Company name
Department (if applicable)
Employer address
Phone
Good References
Research Supervisor
Work Supervisor
Faculty Advisor
Mentor
Student Org Advisor
Considerations for references
Questions to ask yourself
How well do they know me?
Can they provide positive examples that support the position I
am interested in?
What is their background (academic, work, previous training,
specialties)?
Do they know the environment I am applying to?
What they need from
you…
Time
Details about
How to be submitted
Where it is going
When it needs to get
there
What to give them
Your GPA
Updated CV
Clear motivation WHY
you are pursuing the
position
Resources
Your NDSU Department, Advisor, Faculty and Researchers
NDSU Career Center
Chronicle of Higher Education
Advice Blog “The CV Doctor”
http://chronicle.com/blogs/onhiring/the-cv-doctor-is-back/32085
Purdue OWL
Writing the Curriculum Vitae
http://owl.english.purdue.edu/owl/
Questions?
NDSU Career Center
701.231.7111
306 Ceres Hall
www.ndsu.edu/career
Sara Van de Streek
Career Specialist - Alumni
701.231.7237