How to Prepare a CV/Resume
There is often confusion over the terminology for these documents. The word “resume” usually refers to a short (1-2 page) document that includes the history of an applicant’s education, experience and other information related to a position outside academia. The CV, short for Curriculum Vitae, is a living document that records an individual’s career. It may begin as a short document, but will be expanded over a lifetime of achievement in academic or research positions in particular.
Whichever document you are preparing, the most important thing to remember is that the reader needs to be able to find the pertinent information without a struggle. Your ability to represent yourself clearly will be appreciated.
There are many examples of resumes and CVs for you to use and follow on the Internet. Regardless of the format you use, be sure to observe the following:
- Use a standard font, and a font size of 10 or higher
- Be consistent with headings, indents, underlining, etc.
- Put your full name and contact information at the top
- Start with your education: degree, place, date (if you have not yet graduated, put “anticipated graduation” and date) Be sure to use the correct title of your degree: e.g. Master of Library and Information Studies
- You do not need to include your GPA
- Include city and state for educational institutions as well as elsewhere in your document
- Under experience, work experience, positions, etc. begin with the most recent. State your official position title, the place of employment, city and state and inclusive dates
- List your honors, awards, and scholarships, and indicate the dates and organizations or institutions from which you received them
- You may include other sections in your CV/resume such as Publications, Professional Presentations, Teaching Experience, Service (such as membership and offices in organizations), etc.
- Always include a Skills section. Here you can be specific about many different types of skills, such as language, organizational, interpersonal, graphics, technical, and so on. Don’t be shy
- Do not leave gaps in your CV/resume. If you spent a year traveling abroad, say so. Do not give the reader a chance to make assumptions about you