CV Templates for Graduate Students

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Whatʼs the difference between a CV and a resume? A curriculum vitae (CV or vita) should tell the reader what you know; a

resume should tell the reader what you know how to do. A resume summarizes your background and experience in order to

demonstrate your ability to do well in a specific position. A CV is a longer and more detailed document that focuses more exclusively

on your academic training and related pursuits in order to demonstrate your potential as a scholar or researcher. Typically, youʼll need

a CV if youʼre applying for an academic position (e.g., a position at a college, university, or research institution); youʼll need a resume

if youʼre applying for a non-academic position in the private or public sector. Because of these distinctions, CVs and resumes tend to

be phrased and organized differently.

Within each category, list your accomplishments in reverse

chronological order.

The Format

For what type of position are you applying? What aspects

of your background qualify you most strongly for that position?

To a large extent, considerations like these will determine

the format of your CV. It is a good idea to ask someone in

your academic department for advice, since different disciplines

have different conventions when it comes to writing CVs.

Generally speaking, if your degree is in the sciences, you

The following list of categories is by no means exhaustive;

if you have relevant qualifications that are not covered by

any of these categories, feel free to add more. You should

check with someone in your department to find out what a CV in

your field should include or emphasize.

Personal information (Heading). This section includes your

name, address, area code, telephone number, and e-mail

address. Your name should be at the top of the page in bold

print. Consider using a larger font size than the rest of the

document. Use formal names; never abbreviate on a CV or

subfields, and any honors you have received; however, if you

have several prestigious honors and awards, you may want to

list them in a separate section. If your field is in the humanities,

you may want to have a separate Dissertation section in which

you give a short summary of your dissertation and the names of

your dissertation readers.

Professional experience. All teaching or research positions

you have held should go here. Include the course name, dates,

and a brief description for each course you have taught. If you

want to give a greater emphasis to teaching, research, or any

Academic service. Include the names of all committees you

have served on and a description of each academic service

position you have held.

Memberships. List all national, regional, state, or local

professional organizations to which you belong, with dates of

membership. Past memberships and student memberships

should be listed if they are relevant.

CVs & Resumes

for Graduate

Students