Tips for writing a (hopefully good) CV or resume

• Sometimes, e.g. when applying for a grant, the CV/resume is called a biosketch.
• Different funding organizations (or employers) will have specific requirements regarding content and formatting of CV/resume/biosketch.
• Always read and follow the instructions carefully!

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• Often structured along the academic areas of research/teaching/service (or outreach).
• Often contains “everything” you have done, even if only tangentially relevant (bean counting).
• A lot of things on the CV don’t matter much, but if you leave them off, it might raise red flags.
• Position the most important items in a way that they jump out.

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1. Money
2. Funding
3. Did I mention money?
4. Publications
5. Teaching
6. Everything Else

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This is the order for tenure-track positions in STEM areas at research-heavy institutions. It can be different for other positions/areas/institutions. E.g. teaching might be #1 at teaching-heavy institutions or funding might be less important in the humanities. You might need to tailor your CV to the position.

• Short (1 page) and to the point.
• Often has an objective at the top (which needs to fit the position!).
• Focus on most relevant past accomplishments.
• Measurable (numbers).

I have little experience with resumes, thus won’t discuss them much. There is a ton of good information out there.

• Reverse chronological (newest first) is common in the US, chronological in other countries.
• Organizing both by time and topic (with either being the main) is useful.
• The exact structure doesn’t matter (unless it is specified), but it needs to be well organized and easy to skim!

• Examples:
  • Nistara Randhawa
  • Minaz Mawani

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• A CV can often be used for multiple positions if you can target your writing in the other documents (e.g. cover letter).
• If you apply to very different places, you should target your CV.
• Resumes always need to be tailored.

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• List mainly things that produced something
  • Published papers, not unfinished projects
  • Awarded grants/fellowships, not unsuccessful ones
  • Work projects that had a measurable impact, not those that got canceled

That said, sometimes showing effort is a good idea, even if it failed. Especially for low-chance items (e.g. grants, high-risk ventures).

Example of “failed effort”.

• Explain possible red flags either in the CV/resume or in other materials (e.g. cover letter):
  • That one semester your grades were really low.
  • That position you had for only a few months before leaving again.
  • That missing year in your CV.
• Don’t let the reader guess (it will be to your disadvantage).
  • Not Good: Got awarded The cool scholarship.
  • Good: The cool scholarship $50,000 competitive award to pursue my own research on topic X.

• (Generally) no jokes/fun/whimsy ☹️.
• Don’t provide a picture or personal details (age, marital status, etc.) - at least for US applications.
• Pay attention when you copy & paste! An HR person at company X won’t be happy to read that your objective is to get a job at company Y!
• Don’t try to squeeze a lot of information on a single page. Everything needs to be easily skimmable.
• Avoid poor formatting or grammar/typo mistakes. Those immediately count against you.

• Some people include a list of references at the end of their CV (I’m not sure about resume).
• If you do so, make sure those are up-to-date and those individuals know that they are in your document!
• Personally, I prefer to not include those in the CV and instead supply as needed (easier to tailor).

• Start writing your CV/resume ASAP.
• Start to keep track of relevant things. The earlier, the better!
• Figure out what is required for the positions you want to apply to (CV/resume/other).
• Find examples online, take inspiration from those that you like.
• Have multiple people proofread and critique your materials.

• Your CV/resume needs regular maintenance and updating.
• Either update the document directly (e.g. CV) or have a separate document where you write down anything relevant you did.
• Do this at least twice a year, otherwise you’ll forget things you did!

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• A strong cover letter is important. Often this is the first filter. Keep it short and focused, open with the strongest part. Example.
• It’s good to give links in your CV/resume to more materials (e.g. your website), but don’t expect readers to go there.
• Other documents (e.g. statement of research, personal statement) are often requested. Keep those on target (why should they choose you?), short, and easy to skim.

• Imagine being the person reviewing your application (and many others!) and write your materials accordingly.
  • Don’t waste their time and energy.
  • Don’t assume they know what you are talking about.
  • Don’t expect them to carefully read your materials.

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• UGA career center, grad school. You can/should request support!
• Tons of online advice (e.g. other university career centers).
• People who’ve gone through the process recently.
• People who have been involved in reviewing applications.