CV, RESUME OR SOMETHING IN BETWEEN?

A Workshop for the Brandeis Women In Science Initiative

Sue Levine, M.Ed.Assistant Director

GSAS Career ServicesBrandeis University

2015

Special thanks to Laura Malisheski, PhD from the Office of Career Services Harvard University for allowing me to use her

workshop content

AGENDA FOR TODAY

CV? Resume? Hybrid? Format Style Common Mistakes Academic vs. Industry CV/Resumes Resumes

CV? RESUME? HYBRID?

Think about Your audience The position Your strengths, relevant skills & experience How much detail Focus on PhD/Post-Doc-specific accomplishments?

RESUMES

Usually 1-2 pages

Summary at top can help target your resume

Publications as addendum (if at all)

Emphasize skills/experiences most relevant to the reader and position

Do not include work/lab address – use personal address

Do not include references

FORMAT

There is no single correct format Highlight you strengths, accomplishments, and

experience Strongest qualities should stand out when skimmed 30 second test Enough supporting detail to stand up to scrutiny

Organize with CATEGORIES Arrange categories in order of importance Reverse chronological order within categories

STYLE

Place most important information:• First page

• Left side of page

• Beginning of sections

• In columns

Use highlighting judiciously Use action verbs to

describe experience

Consult job posting, and include relevant KEYWORDS

Avoid pronouns, articles, jargon

Use sentence fragments PROOF, PROOF, PROOF Ask a friend to PROOF

COMMON MISTAKES

Don’t use another CV or resume as a TEMPLATE Avoid “TOO MANY WORDS” Don’t include PERSONAL information, e.g.

Be careful attributing pre-published papers("in preparation", "under review", "in revision" and "accepted)

Don’t get too creative with paper, style, format

• Marital Status • Gender

• Date of Birth • Photograph

• Citizenship • Native country/language

Academic CVsIndustry CVs/Resumes

Designed for the human eye

Highlight research or teaching

Grants & awards more important

Describe research with more BASIC approach

Designed for the human eye & keyword searches

Always highlight research, not teaching for most

Skills & techniques more important

Describe research with more APPLIED approach

Academic CVsIndustry CVs/Resumes

Exhaustive list of publications and presentations

Include references & contact info

Initial screening by PI or search committee

Hard copy or email attachment

Selected publications & presentations (if too many)

Send reference information if requested

Initial screening usually by HR or pulled from database

E-mail attachment or on-line application: No hard copy to HR

Which Publications/Posters/Talks Does One Include And How?

CV Always include all peer-reviewed publications, review article and talks. In

addition include external presentations at conferences. However there are really no particular limits since CV is a presentation of your full academic life.

- Invited talks vs. contributed talks: If you have enough invited talks, you can split them out (helps the reader understand)

Resume Use the heading “Selected publications” and pick those most applicable to the

job For some jobs - no reason to list these, but can be used to demonstrate “good

oral and written communication skills” Space is a premium, so list invited talks if you have them (vs. department seminar) but both showcase public speaking

Could also create a seaparate document and attach as “Supplemental Documents”

What do I put in the skills section of my Resume/CV and where to put it?

It depends… Academic CV – not necessarily; Industry Resume – most

likely include Put in skills that apply to the job for which you are applying. Include specialized skills also Prioritize what is most relevant to job you are applying for.

Where to put it? - That’s up to you and depends on the organization of your resume – think of the reader (hiring manager/employer)

Should my resume/CV look stylish?

Should look crisp and professional and easy for your reader to navigate

Neat and well-organized always come first Style isn’t important – ease of finding the information is

what’s important Academic CVs want to establish substance over style (no

bells & whistles, but don’t go total opposite either (i.e. format in typewriter font)

Resumes:- Use parallel formatting (Italics, bold), but where it makes sense and

judiciously.

- Try to avoid underlining. If you’re using Word –learn how to use right-justified tabs (http://bit.ly/rjustify)

- Use a max of two font styles (can sometimes be helpful for different font for headings)

How should I list my name?

First Name and Last Name (middle initial is optional) Full name at top of document with contact information. Each subsequent page should have last name in header

with page number For publications, either is fine, but a safe bet is to follow

standard citation format for the field (how are names formatted in the front-ranked journal in the field)

Question can be interpreted as one of personal branding. If you have always introduced/promoted yourself in a certain way – be consistent on your CV/resume. Promoting your research and skills in the technical age requires a consistent “brand”

Tex vs. Not (will I be taken less seriously if I don’t tex my work?)

With manuscripts and other work – possibly yes (less seriously)

CV or resume – no. Unles the job description specifically asks for .tex format a PDF is the best format (don’t send a word file unless asked for.

RESOURCES Sample Resumes/CVs/Hybrids NIH Office of Intramural Training and Education (OITE)

Guide to Resumes & CVs How to Write a Cover Letter

Umass Medical School Center for Biomedical Career Development

Job Hunting in Industry presentation at UMMS by Bill Lindstaedt, Director of the OCPD at UCSF. Topics include uncovering job opportunities & preparing a resume.

USCF Office of Career and Professional Development http://www.career.ucsf.edu/grad-students-postdocs Sample Industry Resumes Job Hunting in Industry presentation

Biospace Career Resource Center Naturejobs Career Toolkit Brandeis GSAS Career Services

Questions?

Connect with GSAS Career Serviceswww.brandeis.edu/gsas/career

gsascareers@brandeis.edu