Resume v. CV
Overview
You probably already have some form of a CV, and if you do, this can be useful in creating your resume. Take care, though, not to get stuck in an academic mindset if your targeted audience for the resume is nonacademic. You will need to shift your thinking, and doing so may pose some challenges.
A big consideration for you should be your audience. Who will read your materials? A group of PhDs? If you are applying for research positions in industry, you may still want to use a CV (naturally tailoring it to the job). Pay attention to what the employer asks for. In contrast, if you suspect that your audience is less academically oriented and the job you want is removed from the academic world, you should use a resume. Employers often read hundreds of job applications, and each resume is reviewed for an average of 15-30 seconds. Your resume must therefore be concise and clear enough to have a strong impact on the reader. It must immediately persuade the reader that you have qualifications that directly relate to the job.
CV versus Resume
| CV | Resume |
|---|---|
| Audience: other PhDs. | Audience: general. |
| Length: flexible. | Length: usually one page—two at the most. |
| Comprehensive list of academic qualifications and experiences for academic and research-oriented jobs. | Focuses on practical skills and results as they directly relate to the job (what you can DO more than what you KNOW). |
| Includes references. | Does not include references. |
| Does not include an objective or summary statement. | May include an objective or summary statement. |
If you are applying for a nonacademic research-oriented position (say, for a think tank) or an administrative job in higher education, you may decide to create a sort of hybrid document that is a cross between a CV and resume. Your audience may be sophisticated and interested in your most significant research/academic achievements. In this case, aim for a two-page document that selectively presents your qualifications without giving a full history.
General Resume Tips
Sample Resumes
Sample Resume (.pdf, 66KB)
Sample Resume (.pdf, 18KB)
Sample Resume (.pdf, 17KB)
Sample Resume (.pdf, 69KB)
Sample CV/Resume for Industry Research (.pdf, 23KB)
Resources
Recommended Reading
“From C.V. to Résumé,” Margaret Newhouse, Chronicle of Higher Education (1999)
“From CV to Résumé,” Kim Thompson and Terren Ilana Wein, Chronicle of Higher Education (2004)
“Notes From a Recruiter’s Diary: A Plethora of CVs,” Dave Jensen, Science Careers (2002)
“Recasting Yourself for Non-Academic Jobs,” Robin Wagner, Chronicle of Higher Education (2000)