Resumes and CVs for Academics
We have to dare to be ourselves, however frightening or strange that self may prove to be. -- May Sarton
This week is an exploration of the nuts and bolts of the job responsibilities of online instructors in higher education. Last week, we constructed our teaching philosophy, the first piece of the teaching portfolio. Today we will begin to refine our resumes and curriculum vitae (CV).
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Whether you are happy in your current position, looking to
add another university to the adjunct mix, or seeking full-time work, updating
your credentials is always a good idea. You never know when that next great
opportunity may come along. Four documents are essential to every academic’s
portfolio: a cover letter template, a resume for non-academic jobs, a CV for
academic positions, and a list of current references. Each of these documents
should be stored as an electronic file in an online location such as
dropbox.com for easy access from all your devices.
Consistency across these four documents is also important. Make
sure to use the same font style and sizing throughout your portfolio for a
professional presentation. Update your name and contact information, as well as
that of each person you list in your references. Double check all email
addresses, phone numbers, and hotlinks. Add any new positions, publications,
presentations, professional associations, or volunteer activities.
On my Pinterest Board, “Tips for Interviews, Resumes, and Job Hunting,”
there are numerous resources to help bring your documents up-to-date. Here are four
of my favorites:
- Cover Letter Examples and Guides by Intern Match
- 5 Huge Resume Mistakes Google’s Head of HR Sees All the Time by Scott Dockweiler at The Muse
- Resumes for Post-Acs by Maggie Gover at The Professor Is In
- Writing the Curriculum Vitae by Purdue University’s Online Writing Lab (OWL)
Many of the skills we have as academics transfer to the
corporate world. As teachers, we usually excel at presenting and public
speaking. Generally, we also can easily synthesize information and clearly
convey complex ideas verbally, as well as in writing. Include any grant-writing
experience you may have. Be sure these skills translate through your portfolio
documents with clear, concise, well-organized writing.
Julie Miller Vick and Jennifer Furlough point out in their
recent article that employers may view academics as lacking in the areas teamwork,
supervision, project management, and working with a budget (Vick &
Furlough, 2014). So, work to highlight any activities in which you used and
honed these competencies. Emphasize your strengths in non-academic terms.
Are there additional resources or tips you would like to
share? Please add them to the comments section below.
Lend your voice to our quick January survey, and join me tomorrow as we build our online professional profile
with LinkedIn, Twitter, and Google+.
See you then,
Melynda
#TBCHigherEd
Reference:
Vick, J. M. & Furlong, J. S. (2014). Using
your last two (or more) years wisely: How to build your nonacademic profile while you’re working on
finishing your Ph.D. The Chronicle of
Higher Education. Retrieved from http://chronicle.com/article/Using-Your-Last-Two-or-More/147509/
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