1. Vita / Resume Writing Carolyn R. Fallahi, Ph. D. Sponsored by the Psychology Club and Psi Chi, Central Connecticut State University

2. What is the difference between a resume and a curriculum vitae? A resume is: A resume is: summary of employment, education, and skills. summary of employment, education, and skills. used for applying for a new position. used for applying for a new position. career and educational summary. career and educational summary. should highlight your skills and experience. should highlight your skills and experience.

3. The Curriculum Vitae The C.V. is a list meant to document every job and degree ever received. The C.V. is a list meant to document every job and degree ever received. The C.V. includes: The C.V. includes: Education and years attended Education and years attended Work Experience in chronological order (although a professional C.V. is only going to include relevant work experience). Work Experience in chronological order (although a professional C.V. is only going to include relevant work experience).

4. The Curriculum Vitae The C.V. The C.V. Uses paragraph style. Uses paragraph style. Lists the responsibilities and skills. Lists the responsibilities and skills. Uses a first person perspective “I” and “my” Uses a first person perspective “I” and “my” (not done in a professional resume). (not done in a professional resume).

5. The Curriculum Vitae Resume: Resume: written in the third person. written in the third person. includes personal information. includes personal information.

6. The Curriculum Vitae Resume Resume begins with a brief summary of qualifications begins with a brief summary of qualifications then Areas of strengths or professional experiences are listed then Areas of strengths or professional experiences are listed professional experience is written in chronological order (most recent or present job first and going back from there). professional experience is written in chronological order (most recent or present job first and going back from there).

7. The Curriculum Vitae The resume then includes responsibilities and accomplishments for each position. The resume then includes responsibilities and accomplishments for each position. After the work experience, Professional affiliations, computer skills, and education sections should appear. After the work experience, Professional affiliations, computer skills, and education sections should appear. The best resumes should be one to two pages (one is better). The best resumes should be one to two pages (one is better).

8. The Curriculum Vitae The C. V. is often much longer. The C. V. is often much longer. Resumes presents highlights. Resumes presents highlights.

9. The C.V. Vita Personal History: Your NameBirth Date AddressCitizenship Phone NumberMarital Status

10. The C.V. Educational History Post secondary education listed Post secondary education listed For each school, list: For each school, list: major, minor, degree (type and date), honors, titles of research (with the name of the supervisor). major, minor, degree (type and date), honors, titles of research (with the name of the supervisor).

11. The C.V. Professional Positions Professional Positions ordered sequentially. ordered sequentially. can be a little creative. can be a little creative. practicum experience, research assistantships; teaching experiences. practicum experience, research assistantships; teaching experiences. list your title and the name and address of the agency. list your title and the name and address of the agency.

12. The C.V. list the nature of the position, e.g. part-time, full-time, and when it was held. list the nature of the position, e.g. part-time, full-time, and when it was held. list your duties and your supervisor. list your duties and your supervisor. list all the jobs you did. list all the jobs you did.

13. The C.V. Membership in Professional Associations list all of your professional associations (Student or Professional affiliation). list all of your professional associations (Student or Professional affiliation).

14. The C.V. Professional Activities list all the projects you’ve worked on list all the projects you’ve worked on committee memberships you’ve held committee memberships you’ve held departmental committees departmental committees in-service training programs you conducted in-service training programs you conducted important guest lectures that you presented, etc. important guest lectures that you presented, etc.

15. The C.V. Papers Presented list all the papers you presented at professional meetings. list all the papers you presented at professional meetings. alphabetical order. alphabetical order. colloquia. colloquia. papers or talks to nonprofessional audiences (e.g. the PTA, radio talk shows). papers or talks to nonprofessional audiences (e.g. the PTA, radio talk shows).

16. The C.V. Publications organize them by year and by type (articles, chapters in books, books). organize them by year and by type (articles, chapters in books, books). list in APA format. list in APA format. include any papers currently under submission. include any papers currently under submission.

17. The C.V. Projects Underway manuscripts in preparation manuscripts in preparation projects that you are working on projects that you are working on experiments in progress experiments in progress Statements of Professional Interests professional interests. professional interests. start off with a general statement and then conclude with a specific listing. start off with a general statement and then conclude with a specific listing.

18. The C.V. Professional References 3 to 5 professional references who speak very highly of you. 3 to 5 professional references who speak very highly of you. Ask the person b/f you include his/her name as a professional courtesy. Ask the person b/f you include his/her name as a professional courtesy.

19. The C.V. list the number each reference, give their name, title, and address. list the number each reference, give their name, title, and address. “References Available on Request”. “References Available on Request”.

20. Letters of Recommendation In general, the best letters of recommendation come from people who: In general, the best letters of recommendation come from people who: Have worked with you closely Have worked with you closely Have known you long enough to write more than what grade you received in class Have known you long enough to write more than what grade you received in class

21. Letters of Recommendation Have relevant expertise. Have relevant expertise. Are senior and well know. Are senior and well know. Have a positive opinion of you and your abilities. Have a positive opinion of you and your abilities. Have a warm and supportive personal style. Have a warm and supportive personal style. You need to have a personal relationship with them. You need to have a personal relationship with them. Should you ask them if they are going to write a strong letter for you? Absolutely! Should you ask them if they are going to write a strong letter for you? Absolutely!

22. Letters of Recommendation Give your writers a well-organized packet of materials. Give your writers a well-organized packet of materials. Include : copy of your academic transcript. Include : copy of your academic transcript. A copy of your academic vita or resume. A copy of your academic vita or resume. A pre-addressed envelope for each letter. A pre-addressed envelope for each letter. Any forms that are supposed to be submitted with the letter. Type in the recommender’s name, the person’s title, and the contact information. Any forms that are supposed to be submitted with the letter. Type in the recommender’s name, the person’s title, and the contact information. A cover note briefly listing all important information: e.g. your contact information, the deadline for each letter, information you want emphasized in each letter, any other relevant information. A cover note briefly listing all important information: e.g. your contact information, the deadline for each letter, information you want emphasized in each letter, any other relevant information.

23. References Careerbuilder.com (n.d.). Resumes and C.v.s – What’s the difference? Retrieved October 21, 2004, from http://www. http://www careerbuilder.com/JobSeeker/CareerBytes/hints0600.htm Plous, S. (2003). Advice on letters of recommendation. Retrieved on October 21, 2004, from http://www.social http://www.social psychology.org/rectips.htm. Hayes, S. C. & Hayes, L. J. (n.d.). Writing your vita. Retrieved on October 21, 2004, from http://psych.hanover. http://psych.hanover edu/handbook/vita2.html.