CV Template: Academic Careers

This template is a good starting point for higher-level academic students developing their
Curriculum Vitae (CV). Also, request permission to see the CVs of professors in the particular
field and get their guidance in developing this document. This particular example would be
appropriate for any field or discipline. Additionally, ask your professors and other mentors from
your field to review all academic application materials prior to submission.

A general outline of a CV is provided below.

1. Heading and Contact Information

2. Education + Dissertation or Thesis Topic
3. Research Interests / Research Profile
4. Research Experience
5. Areas of Teaching Expertise
6. Teaching Experience
7. Awards / Distinctions
8. Professional Memberships / Organizations
9. Community Involvement / Administrative Activity / Service
10. Publications / Presentations / Abstracts
11. References

Although resume formats vary considerably, academic CVs have remained consistent in their
organization with only minor variations. While the sections and length might change according
to the type and level of academic position sought, this example contains most relevant sections.

Keep the format clean and use white space to draw the reader’s eye to important information.
Since a CV can be longer than a resume, it is possible to use 1 inch margins and plenty of
spacing between sections and bullet points.

As you become established in your career, the format and focus of your CV may change as you
reorder sections to provide the most important information first.

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Your Name (bold, large, 14-18pt)
Street Address
City, State ZIP
Phone/Fax Numbers
Email Address

EDUCATION

Doctor of Philosophy, Major, University, City, State Dates (awaiting defense)

• Thesis title, supervisor and committee
• Comprehensive/preliminary exam fields

Master of (Science, Arts, Engineering), Major, University, City, State Dates

• Thesis title and supervisor
• Academic honors or distinctions

Bachelor of (Science, Arts, Engineering), Major, University, City, State Dates

• Academic honors or distinctions

RESEARCH INTERESTS / RESEARCH PROFILE

Provide an abstract of no more than 1 or 2 paragraphs to outline current and prospective

areas of research. This section quickly conveys to search committee members that your
area of research 1) matches the position, 2) is significant to the discipline, and 3) will
continue to contribute to the field in the future. Researchers in more technically oriented
fields might also specify the primary techniques, approaches, languages or instrumentation
used in conducting their research.

RESEARCH EXPERIENCE

List all research positions held, including doctoral thesis/postdoctoral research and any
industrial or other experience that held a relevant research component. For example:

Postdoctoral Fellow, Department/Lab, University/Company, City, State Dates

• Use short, bulleted lists to outline the research subject and process; ensure that all
information is relevant to the position.
• Focus on discrete outcomes (results, publications, etc.) or skills gained (techniques,
instruments).
• Describe the experience in linear and concrete statements.

Research Assistant, Department, University, City, State 2004-2006

• Use short, bulleted lists to outline the research subject and process; ensure that all
information is relevant to the position.
• Focus on discrete outcomes (results, publications, etc.) or skills gained (techniques,
instruments).
• Describe the experience in linear and concrete statements.

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AREAS OF TEACHING EXPERTISE

Consider a bulleted list that includes areas, topics, and subjects that you feel confident and
qualified to teach. This information is based on your actual teaching activity and advanced
coursework completed in these subjects. Explore the course catalog of the target department or
institution and list in order of relevance to the institution’s needs.

TEACHING EXPERIENCE

This list should include teaching assistantships and all courses taught. For academic and
teaching positions, the teaching sections may precede the research sections. List the course
name, when and where it was taught, a course number, and concise content information. The
emphasis on this list should be as consistent with the job announcement as possible. Amplify
teaching experiences that speak to the job description and the needs of the institution. Highlight
general teaching aptitudes by noting awards or evaluations that help to establish your
pedagogical skills. Whether requested or not, a short teaching statement, as a separate
document included with the CV, is recommended for any position where teaching is expected.

Lecturer: Course Name and Number, Department, University, City, State Dates
• 1-2 bullets that outlines the content of the course.

Teaching Assistant: Course Name and Number, Department, University, City, State Dates
• 1-2 phrases that outlines the content of the course.

AWARDS / DISTINCTIONS

List awards in this section in reverse chronological order with award amounts listed in
brackets. You may choose to list grants that you did not accept with a notation that they
were declined. If you have a fairly short profile, for instance one per degree, you may
choose to capture these as bulleted points under the relevant degree in the education
section.

PROFESSIONAL MEMBERSHIPS / ORGANIZATIONS

Your membership in professional organizations may be relevant to search committees as it

demonstrates your involvement and contribution to your field. Include dates of membership
(2009 – Present; 2010 – 2012, etc.) for each organization. If you held a leadership position
or an office, include bullets to demonstrate your initiatives and accomplishments.

COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT / ADMINISTRATIVE ACTIVITY / SERVICE

Using a bulleted list, represent how you have been active in your community, university, and
department. As a faculty member, you will be expected to take on committee or
administrative roles. Many universities are using service as a measure for tenure-track
professors. Move beyond a simple list of memberships to highlight initiatives or
administrative achievements.

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PUBLICATIONS / PRESENTATIONS / ABSTRACTS

Shorter lists of publications and presentations can be listed here as a simple bulleted list
using the format required by your discipline. More extensive and varied publication lists
should be organized by appropriate subsections (Peer-Reviewed Publications, Book
Reviews, Conference Presentations and Posters, etc.).

• For peer-reviewed publications, the sequence can be formatted based on single or lead
authorship or be listed in reverse chronological order.
• Publications can be listed with qualifying statements such as: Submitted, Under Review,
In Revision, Accepted for Publication.

REFERENCES

Typically, at least three references are expected, including titles, affiliations, and contact
information. Ask for permission to include each person as a reference; then provide each
referee with a copy of the CV and an indication of the institutions and positions you are
targeting. The supervising professor should be listed first. Committee members, faculty mentors,
and established scholars with whom you have worked or collaborated are also acceptable.

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