This document provides an overview of resumes and CVs for graduate students in education. It discusses the key differences between resumes, which are brief advertisements of qualifications used in industry, and CVs, which are more comprehensive summaries of qualifications used in academic settings. The document outlines the basic categories and sections that should be included in a CV, such as contact information, education, experience, and references. It provides guidance on how to describe experiences, skills, and other sections for both CVs and resumes.

1. Résumé/CV Writing for
Graduate Students in
Education
Molly Steen

2. What this workshop
will cover
 Overview of Résumés and CVs
 Specific Sections of the CV and the Résumé

3. Resume v. CV:
Résumé Curriculum Vitae
A comprehensive summary
A brief advertisement intended
to evoke interest and action. of qualifications.
Used in industry & the private Used in education and
sector – and community research/scientific
colleges
institutions.
A focused marketing piece
presenting information relevant A detailed and inclusive
to the position sought document about an
applicant’s past

4. Curriculum Vitae - length
 A CV for a recent Master’s or Doctoral
graduate would normally be 3-5 pages.
 For someone with extensive professional
experience, it could run much longer.

5. Basic Categories for a
Curriculum Vitae
 Contact info
 Education
 Experience
 Use appropriate and thoughtfully sequenced
sub-categories
 References

6. CV: Education
 List most recent degree first. Include
institution, academic discipline, city, state,
and date degrees conferred (or expected).
 Include titles of dissertations and theses.
 Consider including attendance at institutions
where you did not earn a degree when this
information highlights specialized study or
geographic location.

7. CV: Experience
 List in reverse chronological order, with
descriptive statements and
achievements.
 Include sub-sections on teaching,
research, community service.
 Include as appropriate: graduate
assistantships, internships, postdoctoral
fellowships, etc.
 Non-academic positions? Include under
“Other Experience”.

8. CV: Additional Categories
 Areas of expertise:
Use this to demonstrate areas you are qualified to teach – beyond
courses already taught.
 Publications:
Include research papers, pamphlets, monographs, articles, etc.
 Presentations and Workshops:
State the title of papers presented, poster sessions conducted, names
of conferences, locations, and dates.
 Committees and Appointments:
List your titles, names of committees, locations, dates, and, if
appropriate, results achieved.
 Professional Affiliations:
List in alphabetical order or in order of importance.

9. CV: Even More
Possible Categories
 Symposia
 Military Service
 Awards/Scholarships/Honors
 Exhibitions

10. A sample CV
 From the CV Doctor Returns

11. The last word…
 We’re here to help:
 Grad student drop in hours
 Tues. 1-2 and Fri. 11-12
 Drop in hours for everyone M-F 11-4
 Individual appointments
 Best wishes on your job search!

12. Additional Information on
CVs
 Books in CRR
Developing A Professional Vita or Resume
The Global Resume and CV Guide

13. The Résumé
 Brief, focused. Purpose is to “advertise”
 Allows flexibility and creativity with
respect to format, content, and style.
 Purpose is to get you an interview.

14. Steps to Take Before
Writing
 Define your objective. (Consider Career Leader)
 Review your work experience, skills, etc. to
identify what’s relevant.
 Read the job description. Highlight skills and
qualities the employer is seeking.
 Conduct research on the position or occupation
(e.g. “editor”), noting skills used.
 Emphasize on your résumé how you have used
these skills.

15. Basic Categories for a
Résumé
 Contact info
 Objective
 Education
 Experience

16. Additional Categories
(optional)
 Honors
 Activities
 Community Service
 Special Skills, e.g., relevant computer skills, lab
skills, languages
 Research Projects
 Affiliations or Memberships
 Travel

17. Objectives
 An objective shows what you want and/or
what you have to offer.
 A research and development engineer
position in the manufacturing industry
 A position in publishing to utilize my skills in
writing, editing, and my knowledge of cross-
cultural education.

18. Education
 Include institution, degree, academic
discipline, actual or expected graduation
date.

19. Experience
 Determine how to organize the résumé
 What will promote your best experiences for the
position to the top of the résumé?

20. Describe Skills or Work
Experience
 Use action verbs
 Focus on accomplishments
 Be concrete and specific.
 Quantify:
 e.g. “Taught over one hundred undergraduate
students.”
 e.g. “Supervised a staff of three.”
 e.g. “Increased production efficiency by 75%.”

21. Experience
 Teaching Assistant, University of California,Santa Barbara, CA
 Taught child development to over 100 undergraduate students .
 Designed course materials and prepared weekly lectures.
 Received Award of Merit for teaching service.
(9/10-present)
 Curriculum Assistant, Miami-Dade College, Miami, FL
 Assisted in writing of course competencies.
 Prepared materials and forms in accordance with College
standards and requirements.
 Collaborated closely with other curriculum development team
members.
(9/08-8/10)

22. Skills
 Teaching
 Taught advanced physics to over 100 students.
 Designed course materials and prepared lectures.
 Provided orientation training to incoming employees.
 Received Award of Merit for teaching service.
 Management
 Reconciled daily receipts of up to $1500.
 Selected and supervised three employees.
 Oversaw department in manager’s absence.
 Work History
 Teaching Assistant, University of California, Santa Barbara,
CA 9/10-present
 Assistant Manager, J.C.Penneys, Stockton, CA Summers
2008-2010

23. Language for Résumés and
CVs
 Phrases rule
 Avoid personal pronouns
 Use descriptive language
 Avoid acronyms

24. Aesthetics
 Easy to read
 Use eye relief techniques
 Use easy-to-read fonts

25. References
 “Available upon request” – optional
 Prepare separate page of references
 Ask permission
 Provide a copy of your résumé to your
referrers
 Thank your referrers

26. Reference Page
 References for Susana Searcher
 name
 title
 organization
 work address
 work phone number and email address
 context

27. Additional Resources for
CV and Résumé
 Obtain a critique from a career
counselor
 Consult examples from books in Career
Resources

28. Last minute tips
 Use eyes of others
 Be positive and be persistent
 Be truthful and accurate