Resume and CV Basics
Your resume or CV is an important tool to market your experiences to prospective employers. It is a professional written document that communicates your education, work experiences/research experience, and skills related to the type of position you are seeking.
Do you need a Resume or a Curriculum Vita (CV)?
- Most students need a resume when seeking assistantships or field experiences.
- Most MPHs will need a resume for their careers; MS or PhD may require a CV.
- Those seeking a position in medicine, academia, or a scientific profession will need a CV.
What is the difference between a Resume and a CV?
- A Resume is a required marketing tool in most professions. Typically it is one to two pages in length and gives the reader a summary of how the applicant can benefit the company or organization. You must decide which style of resume is best for your particular job search. The styles range from the traditional reverse chronological resume to a more contemporary functional or combination resume. The style must remain consistent throughout the resume. Resumes focus on the last 10 years of work history or the five most recent job positions. There are two types of resumes:
- Functional: A functional resume focuses on your skills and experience, rather than on your chronological work history. It is used most often by people who are changing careers or who have gaps in their employment history.
- Chronological: A chronological resume starts by listing your work history, with the most recent position listed first. Your jobs are listed in reverse chronological order with your current, or most recent job, first. Employers typically prefer this type of resume because it’s easy to see what jobs you have held and when you have worked at them. This type of resume works well for job seekers with a strong, solid work history.
- A Curriculum Vita is used in place of a resume only if you are seeking a position in an academic, scientific, or medical field. It is often longer than a resume. The length depends on the number of publications, presentations, and academic or other professional experiences. The general format of a CV is patterned after reverse chronological resumes but with more detail and information. A major difference between resumes and CVs is that a CV grows in length as your career matures. Items are continuously added and occasionally re-arranged to showcase your work history and accomplishments.
Reminders:
- Your needs may change as your career progresses. Re-visit your resume or CV annually to see if it still suits your needs. Make the necessary updates so you always have a current resume or CV.
- Read the job description carefully. Target your resume or CV to each particular job.
- List the most important and relevant information first on your resume or CV.
- Resume screening software scans for specific terminology, or for keywords. For positions that require specific skills, use the same language from the position description to list your skills on your resume.
To Get Started
- Make a list of experiences you’ve had: education and training, jobs, internships, research, projects, volunteer, leadership, student organization, etc.
- Think about what you contributed, what skills you used and developed, and your significant achievements.
- Begin to craft your resume or CV by organizing these experiences into sections. (See pg. 2-3)