The Curriculum Vitae (CV): Design Basics for Students

1. The Curriculum Vitae (CV):Design Basics for Students Aleta Wolfe Career Counselor

2. What is a CV? • Curriculum vitae • Latin “course of life” • Used in lieu of a resume for professional, academic or international positions. • Used for application purposes, as well as a means for introducing invited speakers

3. How is a CV different than a Resume? • Longer (2+ pages) • In the U.S., a CV is used primarily when applyingfor international, academic, education, scientific or research positions or when applying for fellowships or grants. • Content • Summary of academic, teaching, research, publications, presentations, honors, and service • Purpose • Career biography • Resume is a marketing tool

4. Contact information Professional objective Education Professional licenses and certifications Work experience Clinical rotation experiences Presentations Publications Research experience Scholarly activities Awards and honors Grants Professional memberships Community service activities References Contents of a Standard CV

5. Contents of Standard CV • Complete contact information • Include your mailing address • List professional email address • Add your phone/cell with area code • Professional objective • The more specific the better • Tailor to each position you target • Residency versus clinical position

6. Contents of Standard CV • Education • Degree completion dates • Major • Institution attended (California State University, Fresno) • Professional licenses/certifications • Include licensure/certification numbers/dates of expiration • Work experience • Title of position, dates of employment • Name of organization, location • Description of experience, responsibilities, and achievements

7. Contents of Standard CV • Internship/lab/clinical rotation experiences • List experiences similar to work experiences • List lab equipment used • List rotation site, preceptor, short description of activities for clinical experience (if applicable) • Presentations • List titles, audience, dates • Include academic presentations to highlight communication skills

8. Contents of Standard CVs • Publications/Posters • List all publications in AMA style • Include newsletters, case reports, original research • Research experiences • List any research experiences (lab technician, data collection experience, faculty projects, etc.) • Describe research skills developed • Scholarly activities • List involvement in special projects and activities • Examples: data collection role in study, experiences with relevant class projects, etc.

9. Contents of Standard CV • Awards and honors • List specific awards, scholarships, recognitions • Grants • List grant (submitted and funded), funding source, amount, dates • Professional & student memberships • List membership in organizations/campus clubs • Leadership positions held and committee involvement (dates)

10. Contents of Standard CVs • Community service activities • List/describe volunteer and community service activities • Remember: activities with student organizations • References • Generally provided separately • Ask before listing someone as reference • Give them an updated copy of your CV in advance

11. Different Versions of CVs • One CV does not fit all positions • Update and reorganize titles and content • Prioritize key experiences important for the position to be presented early within CV • Professional objective tailored to the position

12. Stylistic Considerations • Order of contents of CV should reflect individuals strengths and take into consideration experiences necessary for the position • Use action words when describing experiences • List items in reverse chronological order • Conservative, 12-14 size font throughout • Avoid excessive lines, graphics, shading, etc. • When printing: • Use 8 ½ X 11 inch resume quality paper • Single sided laser printing (Career Services Computer Lab)

13. Important “Cs” of CVs • Clear • Well-organized, content flows well • Concise • Include relevant and necessary information • Complete • Includes everything-you need to show qualifications • Consistent • Use consistent design, fonts, layout • Current • Keep up to date, update at least annually

14. Important “Don’ts” for CVs • Spelling or grammatical errors • Proof, proof, proof . . . . then proof again!! • Have numerous people review • Submit for review in OptimalResume • Difficult to read fonts/small font size • Minimal 12 point font • Standard fonts preferred • Think conservative • Cheap paper • Use white, cream, gray resume paper

15. Important “Don’ts” for CVs (cont.) • Folding, stapling • Send in large envelope to organization • “Mass” mailing “to whom it may concern” • Target specific individual within a company • Weak objective/philosophy • Lack cover letter • First impression; need strong letter

16. Cover Letters • It’s the introduction to your skills, abilities, passion, and interest in the position • Need to make your letter unique to stand out from the rest • Creative/unique letters • Show that you have researched the position and/or organization • Refer to connections that you might have • Faculty members, employees, supervisors, etc.

17. Cover Letters (cont.) • Cover letters should be addressed to a specific individual • Verify correct name spelling, title, gender • First paragraph • State interest in the position • Add name of individual that referred you to this opening • Include several sentences which indicate interest in position and qualifications • “After spending a great deal of time working as an intern in a pharmaceutical laboratory, I was interested to learn about the position for a Lab Assistant at Medicines Are Us.”

18. Cover Letters • Second/third paragraph • Refer to CV enclosed and highlight experiences that prepare you for the position • Personalize the qualities listed on CV pertinent to the position • “The most enjoyable experience I have had during my summer internship with XYZ Company occurred during my group project. Seeing the sense of accomplishment on the faces of my project team members really made me feel proud . . .” • Closing statement • List contact information if any questions, enthusiasm for position, offer to provide any additional information

19. On-line Resource Materials for CVs and Cover Letters Numerous on-line resources providing examples and templates for CVs and letters: • Top 10 Curriculum Vitae Writing Tips • Writing a Curriculum Vitae • CV Tips

20. Questions? Thomas Building, Room 103 559.278.2381 www.fresnostate.edu/careers careerservices@csufresno.edu