WRITING A

CURRICULUM VITAE
Presentation originally developed by UCLA Graduate
Division

Resume vs. Vitae

Length: Short
Content: Allinclusive
summary of skills,
experiences and
education
Purpose: to get
an interview or
employment

Length: As long as it takes

Content: Area-specific listing of

education and academic background

Purpose: promotion and tenure,

grants, specialist positions, awards,
etc.

Curriculum Vitae (or CV)

Latin origin
Means the course of ones life
Vitae or Vita?

Why do this now?

Time will go by quickly

It will help you organize important things
for your future career
Assists in setting goals for your future
Helps when getting recommendation
letters and applying for positions
Some grants and awards applications
require this

There is no right way to do a CV.

It is most important to keep yours up-todate
Get samples online or from colleagues to
help you get started
Keep it professional edit carefully

General Set-up Suggestions

Same font throughout

(may vary sizing)
Font size: 12 point
best
Regular paper when
printed
No underlining
Single sided

Margins 1 all
around
Use bolding and caps
to have things stand
out
Number your pages
No graphics
Full name on every
page

5 Tips for a CV

Clear well organized and logical

Concise relevant and necessary
Complete includes everything you
need
Consistent dont mix styles or fonts
Current Up-to-date

What should be on a CV?

Start with contact information

Full name
Permanent mailing address
E-mail address that wont expire
Phone numbers

Summary

Education

Honors and Awards

Professional Experience (employment)

Publications and presentations

Extracurricular and volunteer experience

Other sections for a CV

Certifications and licensure

Professional affiliations
Professional activities
Research
Added qualifications

Tips on Education section

Most current schooling first (include your

current educational work)
Only include diploma distinctions
Get the schools names correct!
Degrees/certifications are what is
important not time spent
List Thesis/Dissertation titles

Tips on Honors and Awards Section

List most recent first

Honors/Award Title then date received
Go back to undergrad but not before.

Only academic or professional

Scholarships count

Tips on Professional Experience Section

Includes anything you were paid to do or

was extensive and regular volunteer
work
Only list items relevant to academic
work
List most recent first
If listing research, include the lab and
director/principle investigator

Tips on Extracurricular and Volunteer

Experience Section

List most recent first

This tends to be a long list careful!
It is better to have long-term items or
very relevant items instead of
EVERYTHING
Student organizations go here

Tips for Professional Section

Affiliations
Only those
current
Most current first
Include all dates
of affiliation
Note any
leadership
positions

Activities

Past and present

Most current first

Only those specific to

academic/research

Should be school or university

sponsored

Include your role

Tips for Research Section

List most current first

Make sure you indicate others you
worked with
Include grant funds if obtained
Briefly describe here

Publications and Presentations Section

Two options for listing

Most recent
Order of publication
Always bold your name in authorship
Include submitted and/or pending publications or
presentations
Presentations may be large or small but pertinent
enough to talk about
Have copies of your pubs and/or presentation for
the life of your CV

Added Qualifications
Section

Should be verifiable
Include language fluency
Cultural knowledge maybe. Especially
if you have had hands-on experience
Anything else special

Cover Letters
Application Letters:

Used to get your resume read and generate

interviews.
Used to respond to job advertisements and
demonstrate that your qualifications fit the
position.
Link major job dimensions with your related
past performance, experience, interests, and
education.
RESPONDS TO COMPANYS NEEDS

Writing Style- Cover Letter

Its addressed to a specific
individual.
Its grabs the readers
attention in the first
paragraph.
It sounds confident without
being arrogant.
Its no longer than one
page.
It answers the question:
Why should we hire you?
Its action oriented.
It uses the first person (I)
sparingly.

Cover Letter Format

Your Street Address
City, State, Zip Code
Date
Name of Person
Job Title
Company/Organization
Street Address
City, State, Zip Code
Dear Mr./Dr./Ms../Mrs. XXXXXXXXX:
Dear Hiring Representative:

7007 Chestnut Street

Columbus, OH 43210

February 4, 200X

Dr. Rose Smith

Villa Rosa
56 Northeast Avenue
Dublin, OH 43444

Dear Dr. Smith:

FIRST PARAGRAPH:
The beginning of your letter should catch
the readers attention, but avoid catchy
phrases and gimmicks. Also, tell why you
are writing (e.g., name the specific
position or type of work for which you are
applying) and mention the resource used
in finding out about the opening or
company/organization. Introduce your
second paragraph:
Education, Experiences, Personality
traits

It is with great interest that I am

applying for the position of Volunteer
Management within Villa Rosa. I learned
about this opportunity from Kristen Hall,
of your Volunteer Program, who highly
encouraged me to apply. I believe that
my educational background in Child and
Family Development combined with my
extensive experience at the Columbus
YWCA and my excellent interpersonal
skills make me a strong candidate for the
position.

SECOND PARAGRAPH: (May break in

two)
Flirt a little, show them that you have done
your research on them. Paraphrase their
mission at a minimum.
Explain why you are interested in working for
that employer or in that field of work, and
most importantly, what your qualifications are
(e.g., academic background/training, work
experience, personal skills). Point out
achievements that relate to the field in which
you are applying, without duplicating exactly
what is included in your resume.

What appeals to me about Villa Rosa is your wide range

of vital services to young mothers and expectant mothers
including a prenatal residential program and the Postnatal
House. As you can see in my enclosed resume I have
developed the skills that will make us a good fit. My
Bachelor s degree in Child and Family Development and
my Volunteer Management course taken at the Volunteer
Center of Columbus have acquainted me with the
principles of volunteer recruitment, training, motivation,
supervision, and evaluation. I have considerable experience
in working with young women in a helping capacity, both
through my position as a peer counselor at the Columbus
YWCA, and as a camp counselor at a camp for behaviorally
troubled adolescents. I can also offer you my experience in
individual counseling, facilitating discussion groups, and
teaching young people about health issues all of which
relate directly to the services which I would be training
volunteers to provide within your organization. I enjoy
working with youth and possess a strong desire to facilitate

THIRD PARAGRAPH:
Refer the reader to the enclosed
resume or other application
instrument. Indicate that your resume
summarizes your qualifications and
background.
Include any additional information you
think is relevant for your future
employer to know.

In addition to my related experiences in

the field I also possess strong computer
skills as well as proficiency in Spanish
that may be very useful in your
workplace and may add diversity to your
work environment.


CLOSING PARAGRAPH:

Indicate your desire for an interview. State that

you will call on a specific day to see if an
interview can be arranged at this persons
convenience. If you will be in the geographic
vicinity on a certain day, stress the importance of
setting up an interview on that day.

Sincerely,

Signature
Your Name
Enclosure(s)

I will welcome the opportunity to discuss with

you my suitability for this position. You can
contact me at (614) 555-1212 or by e-mail to
burckeye.1@osu.edu at your convenience.
Thank you very much for your time and
consideration.

Respectfully yours,

Brutus Buckeye

Enclosure

Words of Caution

Your CV is extension of you i.e. presents you

should be flawless.
No grammatical errors.
No spelling errors.
Should be brief to the point.
Text should be left aligned.