How to Write a Resume for Higher Education

While a resume is typically a one to two page listing of information, a curriculum vitae (CV) takes the information you would use in a shortened amount on a resume and lengthens it to give thorough descriptions of your accomplishments and experience. A CV is used when applying to middle level and management positions as well positions in higher education for things such as research. 

• Don't list a citation or activity more than once. People will see this as padding or poor editing.


• Be consistent in style, font and grammar. Do not mix styles in any category. Use parallelism by keeping your verb usage consistent throughout your entire CV.


• List things in reverse chronological order. Start with your most current employer and work your way back. Do not mix the chronological order.


• Use the important points in your CV's. While CV's tend to usually be around three to four pages they should still be summaries of your work and publications. You don't need to list every detail of what you've done, stick only to the relevant information.


• Look at other people’s curriculum vitae's in your field. Since there is no standard format for a curriculum vitae see how other people are formatting theirs. What things seem to be popular in their drafting?


• Keep your CV constant. Update your CV multiple times a year keeping it constant by updating your summaries on work you are currently doing and anything you have published.


• Have an academic professional look over your CV. This is something great to do if they are familiar with the work that you have done. They can help you when it comes to including relevant information.


• Include a reference list of three to five references. This is something that you don't have to do in a resume but is important that you use in a CV.


• Write down a description of what the employer is looking for use this as a blueprint when writing your CV to show that you are the best candidate for the job.


• Place your name at the head of the CV but other contact information at the foot. This will throw the employer into the information about you right away and hook them into learning more about you.