ELEMENTS OF A CURRICULUM VITAE (CV)

A “curriculum vitae,” or “CV,” is a document that you may use instead of a resume
to apply for academic jobs. It typically follows the same format as a resume. The
main difference between a resume and a CV is that the CV can be multiple pages,
and typically includes additional sections (see our list below for brainstorming ideas).
Your academic CV should:
 Convey clearly the variety and depth of your academic and professional
experiences.
 Follow the combination format in which the CV is arranged according to
categories of experience with specific entries listed chronologically (most
recent first).
CV ELEMENTS
 Identifying Information: name, address, phone numbers and e-mail
address. Leave off date of birth, marital status, number of children, or other
information that is not relevant.
 Education: begin with your most recent or expected degree. List degrees,
majors, institutions, and dates of completion (or expected date) in reverse
chronological order (most recent first). Also include your minors, subfields,
and honors.
 Dissertation or thesis: provide the title and a brief description of your work,
its theoretical framework, your conclusions, your director (and readers, if their
names or departments add breadth or new perspectives to your area of
research).
 Awards, honors, fellowships, scholarships, grants: recognition of
scholarship by the university or in the field is very important. Membership in
honorary societies belong in this section too, unless they have already been
listed under your "Education" section.
 Professional experience: this category is often divided into several possible
categories such as "Research Experience," "Consulting," "Fieldwork,"
"Teaching Experience," or "Postdoctoral Work," as well as many others,
depending on your discipline. Reverse chronological order is again the rule.
 Publications, invited papers, exhibits, conference presentations, etc:
this category may be modified to read "Papers and Publications," "Programs
and Workshops" or other titles that accurately reflect the professional work
you have produced in your discipline. These should be arranged in reverse
chronological order and may be subdivided into sections. You may include
works in progress.
 Teaching, research interests: list the courses you are prepared to teach and
topics that indicate your present and future research directions. If your
background would allow you to teach in several fields, you may want to
include a list of graduate courses taken.
 Academic Service: list all departmental and university groups, committees,
or task forces on which you served. Student groups are valid as well. You
should demonstrate that you have demonstrated leadership and you will
assume certain departmental administrative duties if hired. If relevant to the
position, community service may also be included.
 Memberships or professional affiliations: list all professional groups (e.g.,
American Counseling Association) to which you belong and any offices you
have held.
 Languages: list all languages you read and speak and note those in which
you are fluent.