The Ultimate Guide to Writing an Academic CV that Lands You Global Roles+ Examples
Got so many "Thank you for your interest, but we are sorry to inform you..." in 2023? Yes, the job market is fiercely competitive with so many well-experienced young professionals, making it easy to get lost in the large pool of candidates.
Here's a secret most people haven't told you- "the competition isn't always the problem, the culprit might just be your CV. A well-written CV isn't just a list of your qualifications; it's a powerful tool to showcase your strengths, grab recruiters' attention, and get the chance to persuade the company you are the best fit for the role.
Ready to land your dream job in 2024? Here's how to craft a CV that shows off your skills to recruiters and makes them eager to see you?
What Do I Write in an Academic CV?
Start by briefly stating your academic achievements, skills, and qualifications. The purpose of a professional summary is to capture the attention of the reader and persuade them to read the rest of your CV. So, state your most relevant and impressive accomplishments, such as publications, awards, grants, projects, teaching experience, etc.
Write your name and contact details, this includes your email, LinkedIn profile, and phone number. Add your location (please don’t include your home address, just your country and city of residence).
Also, write down your professional affiliations, such as membership in a professional organization, research network, editorial board, etc. This highlights your commitment to your field and helps you stand out to recruiters.
Pro Tip: Avoid irrelevant details such as hobbies, date of birth, marital status, or photos
Highlight your academic journey, starting with your most recent or highest degree. Also, list the professional courses or certifications you have completed to show your commitment to improving your skills.
Also, include any awards, honors, scholarships, or grants you received. You can also include a section for projects, highlighting relevant and impressive aspects of your education, such as journal publications, presentations, research projects, dissertations, or theses.
List your experiences by stating the title, the duration, the institution or organization, your role and responsibilities, and the main outcomes or findings. You should also mention any grants, collaborations, publications, and presentations you received for your research.
When listing your experience, align your skills with the requirements and expectations of the role. For example, if you are applying for a teaching position, emphasize your skills in curriculum design, student engagement, and assessment.
Don't just list your experience—think keywords! Hiring managers often scan resumes for specific skills and qualifications. Sprinkle in relevant keywords throughout your CV to make it stand out and catch their eye.
Pro Tip: Quantify your achievements and impact whenever possible. Instead of saying "I volunteered at a local school", say "I volunteered at a local school for six months with over 50 students and improved the class average performance in maths by 28%".
Talk about your hidden talents! List your technical and soft skills, emphasizing those relevant to the global academic environment. For example, data analysis, grant writing, or multilingual fluency. You can also list the tools you are proficient with such as Microsoft 360, Trello, etc.
Also, don't just list your soft skills like a shopping list- tell a story of how amazing you are. For example, 'worked across teams to solve complex problems (state the specific problems),' 'juggled multiple deadlines with ease,' or 'led my team to achieve record results.'
Showcase any volunteer work or community involvement that you have done or are doing, especially if it relates to your academic field or career goals. For example, you can mention if you have participated in outreach programs, fundraising events, environmental initiatives, or social justice campaigns.
Don't be shy about bragging- boldly spotlight your achievements and uniqueness! Mention any scholarships, fellowships, or awards you've received within or outside of academia. For example, you can mention if you have won a research grant, a teaching award, a fellowship, or a medal.
Think of references as golden endorsements on your CV. Having a respected professional vouch for your skills and work ethic can be the difference between landing an interview and getting lost in the applicant pile.
Don't just use random referees such as your relatives or friends, unless you work with them. Your referees should be people who can vouch for your competence such as your team lead, colleague, and others.
Pro Tip: I know you see "references available on request" in so many CV templates. Please, don't do that, list your references or don't include the section.
What Does a Successful Academic CV Look Like?
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FAQs About Academic CVs
While both documents showcase your skills and experience, they cater to different audiences and career paths. Your CV is an all-encompassing record of your professional life, while an academic CV is a laser-focused documentation of your academic achievements.
Yes, you can include your GPA in your CV, especially academic CVs
For most institutions and organizations, yes. Have a list of referees who can vouch for your skills and competence in relevant fields.
Wrapping Up
A well-crafted CV is not just a list of your qualifications, it's your platform to blow your trumpet and get employers to see how impressive you are. Make sure to follow the best practices in this guide to create a CV that will land you your dream job.
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