Curriculum Vitae (CV) are commonly required by potential employers within the academic job sector. According to Whitaker, “The first thing many search-committee members skim over in your application file is your curriculum vitae. It relays the most basic information about you as a candidate. In my experience, committees remove approximately 10 to 15 percent of applicants from consideration at this early stage because they have the wrong degree or lack the required experience. If 100 people have applied for the opening, we are already down to 85 candidates” (4). Therefore, GTAs, and all other job applicants, must complete a strong CV to continue in the hiring process. Like cover letters, CVs should be modified for each institution to which a GTA is applying. For example, if the school to which a GTA is applying is a research-institution, research should appear higher on the CV than if the GTA were applying to a liberal arts institution. Patton agrees by stating, “If you are applying for a research position, start your CV by listing research interests and experience. However, if you apply for a teaching position, move your teaching and presentation experience to the top. Putting the most relevant things on the front page will make sure your reader doesn’t have to get 3 pages deep before finding what they’re looking for” (9). Paying attention to order, organization, and relevance when creating a CV is crucial for GTAs’ success in the academic job sector.
CV TIPS:
Depending on the type of university/college to which a GTA is applying, different topics on their CV may appear. GTAs should order their topics with the most relevant information for that position appearing first. Below are possible topic headings GTAs may consider including in their CVs. Note, including every single topic is not necessary or encouraged; instead GTAs should tailor their CVs for the institute to which they are applying.
- Education
- Teaching Experience
- Research Experience
- Program Service
- Administrative Duties
- Publications
- Awards
- Certifications
- Conference Presentations
- Relevant Coursework
- Professional Development in Teaching
- Related Work Experience
- Related Academic Experience
- Projects in Process
- Research Interests
- Community Engagement
- Volunteer Work
- Professional Development
CV SAMPLE BY AUTHOR:
LINKS TO WEBINARES ON CV WRITING IN ACADEMIA:
- Karen Kelskey’s “How to Write a CV”
LINKS TO POPULAR/SCHOLARLY SOURCES ON CV WRITING IN ACADEMIA:
- Heather Patton’s “The Academic CV: 5 Common Mistakes”
- Menachem Wrecker’s “Common Pitfalls to Avoid in Your CV”
- Rob Jenkin’s “Changing My Mind About CVs”
- David Pearlmutter’s “Administration 101: Prepping for the Job Hunt”
- Manya Whitaker’s “The Job Market: Picking Apart Your Application”