Résumé & CV
A graduate school résumé/CV typically accompanies your application to a college/university. The purpose of a graduate school résumé/CV is different from that of a résumé for a job.
What is the difference between a graduate school résumé/CV and a job search résumé?
A graduate school résumé and CV are geared primarily to an academic audience by highlighting your academic and intellectual accomplishments. A job search résumé is typically reviewed by hiring managers in nonacademic organizations and should be tailored to this group. Both should offer a persuasive account of your experiences and skills as they relate to the position being sought.
Below is a general description of what the graduate school résumé/CV and job search résumé generally entail.
Graduate School Résumé/CV
- Audience: Fellow academics in your field of study as you apply for graduate studies, faculty jobs, postdocs, or fellowships
- Purpose: Demonstrate your academic achievements and scholarly potential, including research, teaching, and honors
- Length: As long as needed
- Important information: publications, presentations, research and teaching experience, honors, and grants
Job Search Résumé
- Audience: A general audience; employers who hire for a wide variety of positions
- Purpose: Represent the skills and experience necessary to succeed in the position from all areas—job-related, volunteer, and extracurricular activities
- Length: 1 to 2 pages
- Important Information: Only those skills and experiences which are relevant to the position you are seeking
What to Include in a Graduate School Résumé/CV
Your graduate school graduate school résumé/CV will likely vary from other applicants, largely because each résumé/CV is unique to an applicant’s experiences. The information and sections you choose to include should be strategic and should speak to your potential as a scholar and professional.
Some of the most commonly included categories for graduate school résumés and CVs are:
- Education
- Research experience (include any publications)
- Scholarly or professional presentations
- Employment experience
- Teaching experience in higher education (include course information)
- Scholarships/Grants awarded
- Volunteer, community, or extra‐curricular involvement
- Certifications/Licenses
- Professional affiliations
The Graduate Center is available to provide feedback on your résumé/CV for graduate admission by appointment only. This service is free and available to everyone.