How to Write a Curriculum Vita (CV)

1. How to Write a Curriculum Vita (CV) Prepared by MarkellSteele, Counseling Manager, Graduate Student Services 1/2011 Modified by Arlene Russell 2/2012

2. Common Job Search Materials • Curriculum Vita (CV) • Cover Letter • Teaching Philosophy • Research Statement • Writing Samples • Portfolio • Syllabi, exams, labs, etc • Letters of Recommendation • Very important • Others?

3. What is a Curriculum Vita? A document, similar to a resume, used to apply for teaching or academic research positions, grant proposals, and professional development.

4. Let’s Compare… Curriculum Vita Resume • Unlimited length • Complete, professional history • Limited in length (1-2 pgs.) • Focused on most relevant qualifications within a specific time frame (usually 10 years) • Self-marketing focus

5. As you write your Curriculum Vita • Know Your Audience • Human resources • Department chair • Hiring committee member • Colleague • Grant funder • Anticipate Questions and Concerns • Experience and skill gaps • Employment gaps • Transitioning across functions/fields • Emphasize “fit”

6. Content Areas • Contact Info • Honors and Awards • Education • Teaching Experience • Dissertation • Teaching Interests • Research Interests • Publications • Grants and Fellowships • Presentations • Languages • Professional Affiliations • Other Professional Experience • Professional Training • Univ/Dept/Prof’l Service • References

7. Academic –not research focusContent Areas • Contact Info • Education • Dissertation • Honors and Awards • Teaching Experience • Teaching Interests ?? • Research Interests • Publications • Grants and Fellowships • Presentations • Languages • Professional Affiliations • Other Professional Experience • Professional Training • Univ/Dept/Prof’lService • References

8. Academic – Research FocusContent Areas • Contact Info • Education • Dissertation • Post Doc affiliation • Honors and Awards • Research Interests • Grants and Fellowships • Teaching Experience • Teaching Interests • Publications • Presentations • Languages • Professional Affiliations • Other Professional Experience • Professional Training • Univ/Dept/Prof’l Service • References • Research related

9. Curriculum Vita Sections • Contact Info: Name, address, phone, email, website • Education: • Graduate degree (s) • Degree (PhD, MA), Field of Study/Discipline, Completion date • Concentrations or other relevant focus • Dissertation topic, advisor and brief description • Undergraduate degree (s) • Degree (BA, BS, AA, AS), Field of Study/Discipline, Completion date • Posdoc experiences with brief descriptions • Academic Honors

10. Curriculum Vita Sections, Cont’d • Licensure, certification, registration • Research Experience • Your title, Lab name • University, Location, Dept., dates of research • Brief project description and objective • Teaching Experience • Your title, Course Title • University, Location, Dept., dates of teaching • Description of class make up, size, level, main objective

11. Curriculum Vita Sections, Cont’d • Other academic related qualifications • Research interests, collaborations developed, areas of expertise, technical skills, teaching interests, University service, leadership experience, professional development

12. Layout and Formatting Tips • Information presented in an organized, easy to follow manner • Use language commonly understood in one’s discipline • Consistent formatting throughout (font style/ size) • Free of typos and misspellings; proofread • Address key qualifications • Dates: place on right margin • Include footer with name and page numbers

13. Cover Letters Also referred to as Letter of Interest • All CV submissions should include one • Brief overview of relevant qualifications • Grab the reader’s attention • Free of typos and misspellings; proofread • Straightforward and easy to read • Address your interest clearly • Get advisor and career counselor critique

14. Greeting or Salutation • Dear Dr. Smith: • Dear Professor Jones: • Dear Search Committee: • Dear Committee Members:

15. Opening Paragraph • Indicate why you are writing • I would like to apply for… • I’m submitting my application materials to be considered for… • Indicate position, include req. #, if provided • Indicate source • the faculty position advertised in Science (the Chronicle of Higher Education) • Dr. Smith suggested I contact you

16. Middle Paragraphs • Demonstrate the “match” and “fit” • Describe how your qualifications and accomplishments meet their hiring needs, job requirements • Do not repeat what is in the CV or teaching philosophy • Explain your interest in the position, institution, research focus, campus setting, department • If no teaching philosophy, include ideas about this in the cover letter and/or courses you would be willing and would like to teach. (remember the “fit)

17. Final Paragraph • Indicate next steps • Contact them to follow up • You’ll be in the area and available to meet • Offer to provide additional or extra materials • Direct to online portfolio • Thank the reader • When you are available for an interview

18. Other Letters • Thank You letters • Letter of Introduction, Inquiry • Letter accepting or declining offers

19. Other Letters • Letters of Recommendation • Letter of Introduction, Inquiry • Letter accepting or declining offers

20. Letters of Recommendation • Individuals who are evaluating applicants are trying to identify those individuals who are most likely to succeed and who look as if they will make the greatest contributions to the institutios and department. Letters of recommendation can provide insights into your prior successes and comments on your potential future contributions. • If you are applying to a research focused program the best references will come from senior scientists who know the importance of your research. Your postdoc and PhD advisors, are essential; other collaborators are useful. If you are applying to a teaching focused program, the best references will be individuals you have taught for (as a TA) and a department chair or faculty mentor who has observed you teach and has access to your student evaluations. A research advisor is still necessary, but that letter should comment on your “service” in the group, your independence and ability to get things done – personal traits that will be valuable later (and the importance of your research).

21. Letters of Recommendation • Provide your references with a current copy of your CV; a description of the positions you are applying to; stamped, addressed envelopes if their letters are to be submitted as hard copies; and perhaps suggestions of areas you would like them to address in their letters, particularly if it is a teaching focused program. • A spreadsheet with the positions, the due dates for the letters, whether a letter is required or requested, and how the letter should be sent . If there is a link to the job announcement that may also be helpful. However don’t expect your recommender to have to hunt out the relevant information from the announcement.

22. UCLA Career Center Strathmore Building, 2nd & 3rd floors 501 Westwood Plaza 9 am – 5 pm

23. Career resources and Services • Same Day Appointments • Monday – Friday, 10 am – 4 pm • Targeted Drop-Ins for PhD’s • Tuesday & Thursday, 11 am – 12 pm at GSRC (Student Activities Center, B11) • Career Center website: http://career.ucla.edu • BruinViewTM – for job/internship listings, employer information sessions and workshop information: https://secure.career.ucla.edu/BruinViewLogin/Login.aspx

24. Career resources and Services • UCLA Career Guide • Career Lab & Library • Workshops & Career Week Programs • Internships & International Opportunities • Career Fairs • Academic Job Search Handbook (available in the UCLA Career Library

26. Contacts and Resources Markell Steele: msteele@career.ucla.edu Counseling Manager, Graduate Student Services