Curriculum Vitae or Resume: Which One is Right for Me? Anne Scammon, Director, Career Learning & Experience GW Career Center

Goals for today What is a CV? What does it include? How is it organized? How does it differ from a resume? Where can I get help writing my CV?

VITA DEFINED -- a summary of one’s personal history and professional qualifications submitted as part of a job, graduate school, or internship application process

VITA FORMAT No standard formula for preparing a vita Designed around the strengths and achievements of the individual Length determined by the unique experiences of the individual and the target audience for the vita

BASIC CATEGORIES  CONTACT INFORMATION  EDUCATION/TRAINING  EXPERIENCE  OPTIONAL CATEGORIES  REFERENCES

CONTACT INFORMATION Name Licensure abbreviations (with Name) Address Phone Number Address Website

EDUCATION/TRAINING NAME OF DEGREE DATE OF DEGREE (GRAD DATE) NAME & LOCATION OF INSTITUTION MAJOR/MINOR/CONCENTRATION(S) OPTIONAL INFO –Relevant Coursework –Academic Honors –Study Abroad Experience

EXPERIENCE Can include: – PAID/NON-PAID – PART-TIME/FULL-TIME – INTERNSHIPS/PRACTICA – VOLUNTEER/COMMUNITY SERVICE – MILITARY Variations –SUMMARY OF QUALIFICATIONS –RELATED EXPERIENCE –ADDITIONAL EXPERIENCE

Organizing Experience Chronological –Jobs organized by date, reverse chronological order –Stable employment record put in best perspective Functional –Experiences grouped by functional skill areas –More flexible and creative format –De-emphasizes employment gaps Combination –Combines the features of Chronological & Functional

SAMPLE FUNCTIONAL HEADINGS ADMINISTRATIVE COMMUNICATION CONSULTING DESIGN FUND RAISING GRANT WRITING INSTRUCTIONAL DESIGN ORGANIZATION PLANNING PROGRAM DEVELOPMENT RESEARCH SYSTEMS MANAGEMENT TEACHING TECHNICAL

EXPERIENCE INCLUDE: position title name of organization organization’s location – City & State or Country Dates – Month & Year duties/skills used/responsibilities accomplishments/results

Sample Vita Category Headings ACADEMIC PREPARATION CERTIFICATIONS COURSES TAUGHT CONSULTING ASSISTANTSHIPS/ FELLOWSHIPS INTERNSHIPS/ PRACTICA PRESENTATIONS PROFESSIONAL ACTIVITIES PROFESSIONAL AFFILIATIONS RESEARCH EXPERIENCE RESEARCH INTERESTS SERVICE ACTIVITIES

SAMPLE VITA CATEGORIES Academic Preparation Academic Background Education/Educational Background Educational Overview Professional Studies Degrees Thesis Master’s Project Comprehensive Areas Dissertation Dissertation Title Professional Competencies Professional Highlights Course Highlights Proficiencies Areas of Knowledge Areas of Expertise Areas of Experience

SAMPLE VITA CATEGORY HEADINGS (CONTINUED) Professional Experience Professional Overview Professional Background Teaching Experience Experience Summary Experience Highlights Research Experience Administrative Experience Consulting Experience Related Experiences Academic Service Professional Service University Service Faculty Leadership Committee Leadership Departmental Leadership Professional Activities

SAMPLE VITA CATEGORIES (CONTINUED) Scholarly Presentations Conference Presentations Convention Addresses Workshop Presentations Programs and Workshops Conference Participation Conference Leadership Memberships/Affiliations Professional Memberships Professional Organizations Professional Certification(s) Certificates Licensure Special Training Teaching Interests Academic Interests Research Interests Educational Interests Professional Interests

REFERENCES AVAILABLE UPON REQUEST OR LIST ON SEPARATE SHEET Other options: Credentials, Dossier, Portfolio

REFERENCES 3-5 References3-5 References –Name & Title –Address –Phone Number(s) – (if used regularly) Use Combination of ReferencesUse Combination of References –Employment, Academic Be Sure to Ask PermissionBe Sure to Ask Permission

PERSONAL DATA (GENERALLY NOT INCLUDED) MARITAL STATUS CITIZENSHIP CITY/COUNTRY OF BIRTH BIRTHDATE HEALTH PHOTO HEIGHT/WEIGHT WILLING TO TRAVEL/RELOCATE

DO’S BE CLEAR, CONCISE, CONSISTENT POSITIVE CREATE A “RELEVANCY GRADIENT” HONEST USE BOLD, UNDERLINE, AND/OR ITALICS TO HIGHLIGHT CERTAIN AREAS DON’TS STATE SALARY REQUIREMENTS GIVE REASONS FOR LEAVING EMPLOYERS LIMIT GEOGRAPHIC RANGE EXPOUND ON PHILOSOPHY –this may be a separate document OFFER ANY NEGATIVE INFORMATION

COMMON MISTAKES DISORGANIZED POORLY TYPED/PRINTED OVERWRITTEN TOO SPARSE NOT RESULTS ORIENTED IRRELEVANCIES MISSPELLINGS, TYPOS DOESN’T MATCH OBJECTIVE

TIPS KEEP ONE MASTER DOCUMENT UPDATE IT REGULARLY TAKE THE TIME TO TAILOR IT TO YOUR AUDIENCE KEEP IT UNDER YOUR CONTROL

CV vs. Resume Purpose –Resume = Marketing tool –CV = History of You Content –Resume = succinct and relevant to reader –CV = broader in content but should maintain relevancy Page Length –Resume = 1 page –CV = 3 pages and up

Career Center Services Career workshops / programs Consulting 48-Hour Critique Service Online Resources Mock interviewing Career Fairs Federal Work Study CCInfo Cooperative Education GWork Job listings On-Campus Recruiting Career Resource Room Experiential Education

Questions? GW Career Center 1922 F Street NW ~ (202) Monday - Thursday 8:30AM to 6:00PM Friday 8:30AM to 5:00PM