This document discusses the differences between resumes and CVs. Resumes are used for industry job searches and summarize work experience and skills. CVs are used for academic/research positions and provide a comprehensive history of credentials and accomplishments. The document outlines the purpose, format, content and appropriate use of resumes versus CVs to highlight qualifications for different career paths. It also provides tips on developing strong resumes/CVs, cover letters, and research statements.

2.  ResumesVS CVs
 Purpose of a Resume
 Purpose of a CV
 Resume Formats & Content
 CV Formats & Content
 Differences Between a CV and a Resume
 Resume/CV Dos and Don’ts
 Cover Letters
 Research Statements

3.  Resumes are required for an Industry Job
Search Process Resumes are the written
inventory of your work experience and
accomplishments, skill set, career and
educational highlightsCVs are required
by environments that demand doctoral
degrees – SAM communities
 CVs are a chronological representation of
credentials – “the course of one’s life”

4.  MarketingTool
 Key component in the job search process
 To get you an interview
 Resumes are as unique and individual as the
individuals they represent
 Tailored to the specific job.

5.  Important piece of documentation
 Key component in the search for scientific,
academic, or medical positions
 Usually accompanied by a cover letter and a
research statement
 To highlight your credentials
 CV follows a specific structure
 Only one version of a CV is enough.

6.  Reverse Chronological – Lists your experiences in reverse
chronological order, beginning with most recent position.
 Functional – Promotes and headlines skills and
accomplishments, without emphasizing where or when you developed
those skills.
 Combination – Utilizes reverse chronological order as well as
organizes experiences in order of importance.

7.  What opportunity are you seeking?
 What is your specific background that relates
to this opportunity?
 What are the roles, relevant work experiences
and education that provided you with this
experience?
 What are your unique accomplishments?

8.  Easy to read – Resume should be in a consistent format and the
reader should have a clear understanding of who you are.
 Easy to find out what you are good at – effective
formatting, clear articulate language and pertinent information will
enable the reader to access what is important.
 Length of Resume – Keep your resume concise – make every
word count – 2 page optimum.

9.  Contact Information
 Profile Summary Skill Set vs. Objective
 Work Experience
 Education
 Professional Associations and Membership.

10.  Avoid use of confusing terms or acronyms
 Avoid use of long sentences or paragraphs
 Focus on concise factual statements
 Emphasize hard skills, e.g. computer
software applications
 Focus on specific action verbs.

11.  Show a progressive history of success (increased
responsibilities, promotions, etc)
 Address specific accomplishments – PAR
statements
 Identify your unique achievements within
organizations
 Provide metrics that support these
accomplishments.

12.  Project: Recognized a need for an interactive videodisc/computer
database for students and faculty
 Action : Analyzed database and procedural requirements and
designed an interactive tool
 Result : Installed in MIT Libraries
 Putting it all together : Identified the need for and led the
design and delivery of a database project which resulted in easier access
of information for faculty, students and staff through MIT Libraries.

13.  1.Think about an accomplishment or project that
you wish to include in your resume.With a
partner, describe the issue or challenges that
you addressed
 2.Write down the following:
 (P)What was the issue and subsequent project
 (A)What actions you took using action verbs
 (R)The result or impact of the project.

14.  AcademicCV
 ExecutiveCV
 InternationalCV .

15.  Easy to Read – line item presentation of your
credentials and academic history
 Must have
▪ Professional
▪ Address
▪ Educational
▪ History
▪ Honors and Awards
▪ Publications
 References Length of CVs – no restrictions; 5 -
10 pages is optimum.

16. ▪ Contact Information
▪ Education/Doctoral Dissertation
▪ Medical orAcademic Posts
▪ Research – with mentors and institutions
▪ Publications
▪ Teaching
▪ Presentations
▪ Honors and Awards
▪ Appointments
▪ Committees
▪ Other Activities .

17.  Not included or required in a Resume – can be an
addendum
 Typically required and listed in a CV – very
important piece of information for in academic
searches
 Consistent list between CV and applications for
academic positions
▪ Up to 5 reference letters are required in academic searches
▪ Post Doc mentor and Ph. D. mentor come first – most
important.

18. Category CurriculumVitae Resume
Essence A full list of your professional
and educational history
A summary of your experience and
skills that are most pertinent to the
job
Length Not restricted; 5 - 10 –
optimum for a seasoned
academic
1 to 2 pages
Usage SAM/Science – Academia -
Medical positions
Every other type of job outside of
academia and research science
Publications Yes – full list Rarely
Style and
Format
Not important; content
matters
Very important/Make it easy to read
and follow
Number of
versions
One is enough/minor
modifications are OK
Many version/Tailor to each job of
interest
References Yes No

19.  Do not include personal information in
resume or academicCV
 Do not send a photograph
 Do not embellish your resume/CV with false
statements
 Do not use full sentences or pronouns
 Do not use abbreviations or acronyms

20.  Obtain an objective review of your
resume/CV
 Share your resume/CV with a colleague in the
specific department that you are targeting
for a job
 Keep updating resume and CV
 Be true to the facts.

21.  Cover Letters – Industry Job Search Cover Letter +
Resume = Industry Job Search
 Paragraph 1 – Express interest in opportunity + How you
found out about it
 Paragraph 2 – What you have to offer to the potential
employer; specific matches between your qualifications
and the job
 Paragraph 3- follow up and next steps

22.  Cover Letter + CV = Academic Job Search
 Paragraph 1 – Express interest in opportunity +
funding situation
 Paragraphs 2/3 –Work/mentors as a Post Doc +
work/mentors as a Ph.D.
 Paragraph 4 – Future research focus
 Paragraph 5 –follow up andnext steps

23.  Research Summary
 Graduate Research (mentor + lab)
 Post Doctoral Research (mentor + lab)
 Future Research Plans (may include abstracts)
 Optimum is 3-5 pages; may be more if abstracts are
included
 Educational Plan/Teaching Plan may also be required