The term “curriculum vitae” comes from Latin, meaning “course of life.” An academic CV, therefore, refers to a detailed record of your educational journey and professional achievements in academia. Unlike a standard resume, which is often concise and tailored to a specific job, an academic CV is an extensive document that highlights your educational background, research, publications, teaching experience, awards, and professional contributions. Academic CVs are primarily used when applying for positions in higher education, research roles, or graduate programs.
In this article, we’ll explore what an academic CV is, guide you through the steps of writing one, and provide a template to help you get started.
What is an Academic CV?
An academic CV is a specialized document used to demonstrate your qualifications for a role within academia. It is commonly used by those applying for positions at universities, research institutions, or graduate programs. Unlike a traditional resume, which condenses your relevant experience into a few pages, an academic CV provides a comprehensive overview of your academic achievements and professional history. This includes details such as publications, conferences attended, research projects, and teaching experience.
Academic CVs tend to be longer than resumes, often spanning several pages, as they aim to provide a thorough overview of your qualifications rather than just a snapshot. They allow candidates to showcase their entire academic and professional background, making them ideal for positions that require extensive documentation of your work.
How to Write an Academic CV
Follow these steps to create an impactful academic CV:
1. Start with Your Contact Information
Begin by placing your contact details at the top of your CV. Include your full name, phone number, and email address. Adding your physical address is optional, but if you do, limit it to the city and state or province. You may also include a link to your professional website or online portfolio if it features relevant research or publications. Your contact information should be easily accessible so that potential employers can reach you for an interview.
2. Craft a Professional Summary
Below your contact information, include a brief professional summary that encapsulates your academic background, research interests, and relevant experience. This section should be concise—three to five sentences that effectively communicate your expertise and enthusiasm for the field. Use this space to make a strong first impression by highlighting your most compelling qualifications and achievements. More about summary read in our article “How to write summary in CV“.
3. Showcase Your Skills
Next, include a section that highlights your key skills. These can be divided into two categories: hard skills and soft skills. Hard skills are specific, technical abilities you’ve gained through education or work, such as proficiency in certain software, foreign languages, or research methodologies. Soft skills are personal attributes like leadership, critical thinking, and communication. Be sure to tailor these skills to the academic position you’re applying for. You can read more in our article “What skills to put on CV“.
4. Highlight Your Academic Qualifications
List your academic qualifications in reverse chronological order, starting with your most recent degree. For each qualification, include the degree title, institution name, and dates of attendance. If you’re a recent graduate or have limited work experience, consider including your GPA, especially if it is impressive. Advanced degrees, particularly those related to the subject you’re applying to teach or research, are crucial in academia, so make sure they stand out.
5. Detail Your Professional Experience
Following your education, outline your professional experience. This section should focus on relevant positions, particularly those involving teaching, research, or academic leadership. List your roles in reverse chronological order, with each entry including your job title, institution, dates of employment, and a brief description of your responsibilities and achievements. If you lack formal teaching experience, emphasize any related roles or projects that demonstrate your expertise in the subject matter.
6. Include Your Publications and Conference Presentations
One of the key differences between an academic CV and a resume is the inclusion of publications and conference presentations. For publications, list the title, authors, publication date, and a brief description of the work. For conference presentations, include the title of the presentation, the event name, location, and date. This section helps showcase your contributions to your field and your engagement with the academic community.
7. Highlight Awards, Honors, and Grants
In academia, grants and awards are important indicators of your ability to secure funding and recognition for your work. List any grants, fellowships, or awards you’ve received, along with the granting organization and the year of the award. This section demonstrates your ability to bring in external resources, which can be a valuable asset to the department or institution you’re applying to join.
8. Mention Professional Associations
At the end of your CV, list any professional associations or academic organizations you’re a member of. Include the name of the organization, your role (if applicable), and the duration of your membership. Being active in professional organizations shows your commitment to staying connected with peers and staying updated on developments in your field.
9. Proofread for Perfection
Once you’ve completed your academic CV, thoroughly proofread it for spelling, grammar, and clarity. An error-free document not only reflects your attention to detail but also increases your chances of making a strong impression. Consider reading it aloud or asking a colleague for feedback to ensure your CV is clear and concise.
When crafting your academic CV, it’s essential to tailor it to the specific institution and department you’re applying to. Go beyond listing your qualifications by aligning your professional summary and research interests with the department’s current focus areas. Show your potential value to the academic community by emphasizing how your work complements their projects or goals. Additionally, include a section highlighting your most impactful research, focusing on methodologies and outcomes that directly relate to the position or department’s needs.
Another effective strategy is to include measurable impact metrics for your publications and presentations. If your work has been widely cited or published in high-impact journals, mention these details to demonstrate your research’s influence. Additionally, emphasize your ability to secure external funding by providing context on how your grants supported significant projects. These additions will show that not only are you qualified, but you also have the potential to contribute strategically to the institution.
What to Include in an Academic CV
An academic CV offers more flexibility than a resume, allowing you to showcase a wider range of accomplishments. Here’s what to include:
- Name and Contact Information
- Professional Summary: A concise overview of your experience and qualifications.
- Education, Certifications, and Licenses
- Publications, Theses, and Dissertations
- Conferences and Presentations
- Residencies, Fellowships, and Grants
- Honors and Awards
- Research Accomplishments
- Professional Experience and Work History
- Postdoctoral Training
- Professional Associations
- Relevant Interests and Skills
By including these sections, you can provide a comprehensive view of your academic and professional qualifications, helping you stand out as a strong candidate for academic roles.
Academic CV Template
Here is an academic CV template that you can use as a guide for structuring your own CV. This template is flexible and can be tailored to your specific academic background and professional experiences.
[Your Full Name]
[Your Address]
[City, State, ZIP Code]
[Phone Number]
[Email Address]
[LinkedIn Profile | Personal Website (Optional)]
Professional Summary
[Write a brief, compelling summary of your academic background, research interests, and professional experience. This section should be 3-5 sentences long and highlight your most significant achievements and qualifications.]
Education
[Degree Title]
[Institution Name] | [City, State]
[Dates of Attendance]
- GPA: [Optional]
- Thesis/Dissertation Title: [Include if applicable]
- Relevant Coursework: [Optional]
[Degree Title]
[Institution Name] | [City, State]
[Dates of Attendance]
- GPA: [Optional]
- Thesis/Dissertation Title: [Include if applicable]
- Relevant Coursework: [Optional]
Professional Experience
[Job Title]
[Institution/Organization Name] | [City, State]
[Dates of Employment]
- [Brief description of your role, responsibilities, and key accomplishments.]
- [Highlight any specific projects or initiatives you led or contributed to.]
- [Quantify achievements where possible, e.g., “Increased student engagement by 20%.”]
[Job Title]
[Institution/Organization Name] | [City, State]
[Dates of Employment]
- [Brief description of your role, responsibilities, and key accomplishments.]
- [Highlight any specific projects or initiatives you led or contributed to.]
- [Quantify achievements where possible.]
Research Experience
[Research Position Title]
[Institution/Organization Name] | [City, State]
[Dates of Research Involvement]
- [Describe your research focus, methodologies used, and key findings.]
- [Include any notable contributions or publications resulting from this research.]
[Research Position Title]
[Institution/Organization Name] | [City, State]
[Dates of Research Involvement]
- [Describe your research focus, methodologies used, and key findings.]
- [Include any notable contributions or publications resulting from this research.]
Publications
- [Publication Title] | [Authors] | [Journal/Conference Name] | [Date]
[Brief description of the publication, research focus, and key findings.] - [Publication Title] | [Authors] | [Journal/Conference Name] | [Date]
[Brief description of the publication, research focus, and key findings.]
Conference Presentations
- [Presentation Title] | [Conference Name] | [Location] | [Date]
[Brief description of the presentation topic and audience.] - [Presentation Title] | [Conference Name] | [Location] | [Date]
[Brief description of the presentation topic and audience.]
Awards and Honors
- [Award/Grant Title] | [Institution/Organization] | [Year]
[Brief description of the award or grant and its significance.] - [Award/Grant Title] | [Institution/Organization] | [Year]
[Brief description of the award or grant and its significance.]
Grants and Fellowships
- [Grant/Fellowship Title] | [Funding Organization] | [Year(s) Active]
[Brief description of the grant or fellowship and its purpose.] - [Grant/Fellowship Title] | [Funding Organization] | [Year(s) Active]
[Brief description of the grant or fellowship and its purpose.]
Professional Associations
- [Association Name] | [Membership Role] | [Dates of Membership]
[Brief description of your involvement in the organization, if applicable.] - [Association Name] | [Membership Role] | [Dates of Membership]
[Brief description of your involvement in the organization, if applicable.]
Skills
- Hard Skills: [List specific technical skills, software proficiencies, research methodologies, etc.]
- Soft Skills: [List personal attributes such as communication, leadership, critical thinking, etc.]
Languages
- [Language]: [Proficiency Level (e.g., Fluent, Intermediate, Basic)]
- [Language]: [Proficiency Level]
This template is designed to help you structure your academic CV effectively. Be sure to tailor each section to your specific experiences and the role you’re applying for.
