Creating a Winning CV and Personal Statement
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Transcript of Creating a Winning CV and Personal Statement
Creating a Winning CV and Personal Statement
www.trinity.edu/[email protected]
How to Communicate Your Experience on a CV
CV vs. ResumeResume
Brief summary of your skills and experience over 1 or 2 pages
Highly customizable: tailored to each position
No particular format rule
CV More detailed; can stretch
well beyond 2 pages Static: any changes will be in
cover letter Clear chronological order
covering one’s entire career
When do you use which?
When to Use WhichCurriculum Vitae Résumé
Grad/Professional School Admissions Business & Non-profit Professions
Used when applying to academic teaching and research positions
Summary of education, relevant skills and experience
Science-based Professions Marketing tool to obtain internships and interviews
No page limit 2-pages, max
Includes unique sections not used in a résumé
Content is tailored to the position/audience
References may be included at the end Does not include references
Developing a Curriculum Vitae
Requirements
• Contact information– Name– Address– Phone number– Email address – Name and page numbers on all pages
(except 1st)
Requirements
• Education– Name of Institution– Location of Institution– Degree earned– Year awarded or expected date of award– Name of Thesis or Dissertation– Name of Advisor or Committee
EducationEx.
M.A. in American History, 1996
Columbia University, New York, NY
Master’s Thesis: “The Use of Video in Presidential Campaigns”
Committee: Profs. Michael Jackson, Demi Moore, and Sting
B.A. in History and Journalism, 1994
Southwest Texas State University, San Marcos, Texas
Undergraduate Honors Thesis: “Rhetoric of Clinton Campaign”
Advisor: Rock Hudson
From this point on you have more latitude in shaping the organization of your CV. You should be guided by your strengths, requirements for the job, and conventions of your discipline.
Other Sections to Include• Honors/Awards (Grants, Fellowships and Patents)• Research Experience• Teaching Experience• Publications and Presentations• Related Professional Experience• Languages
Research Experience
Teaching Experience
Teaching Experience
Publications & Presentations
Optional• Memberships or Professional Affiliations• Scholarly Associations• Travel or Study Abroad• Technical or specialized skills• Community Involvement• Certifications or Credentials• Relevant Coursework• Professional Development and Training
Writing a Personal Statement
What is a Personal Statement?
A response to a prompt, question or questions on a graduate or professional school application form
The personal statement gives you the opportunity to promote yourself to the selection committee
Important!!! No set formula
Only choices to make
Understand and Explain Yourself
Show yourself as:
Interesting Insightful Revealing Non-generic
Set Yourself Apart
Be sure to:
Engage the readers
Clearly demonstrate what makes you a unique candidate (take a personal inventory)
Answer the Questions Be sure your response, fits the prompt or question/s
Do not use the same statement for all applications
Tailor your response to each prompt or question and each school
Tell a Story Make yourself memorable
And…
Be truthful and stick to the facts
Find an Angle Your life doesn’t have to be a soap opera Use the personal inventory to help you find your story
Concentrate on Your Opening Paragraph Introduce relevant elements
Develop your thesis
Refer back to the thesis to ensure it is being supported
Tell Who You Are and What You Know Show who you are, what makes you tick, and what
makes you stand out from the crowd Demonstrate your knowledge of the field Highlight specific experiences in your field (work,
research, teaching etc.) Use the language professionals’ use in conveying this
information
Be Meticulous and Proofread Be clear and concise Adhere to stated word limits Spell check (visit the writing center)
Ask Yourself: Are my goals well articulated? Do I explain why I have selected this school and/or
program in particular? Do I demonstrate knowledge of this school or
program? Do I include interesting details that prove my claims
about myself? Is my tone confident?
Questions?
Office of Career ServicesCoates University Center, Suite 215
(210) [email protected]
http://web.trinity.edu/x6325.xml