24 Haziran 2015 Çarşamba

Postgraduate and Academic CVs

Postgraduate and Academic CVs




  • When an employer asks for applications to be received in this format.
  • When an employer states “apply to ...” without specifying the format.
  • When making speculative applications (i.e. when writing to an employer who has not actually advertised a vacancy).

Contents of a CV

  • Personal details and contact details
  • Education and qualifications
  • Work experience (full or part-time, paid and voluntary)
  • Interests, activities, posts of responsibility, etc
  • Skills (practical skills such as IT and languages)
  • Referees
A CV should normally be no longer than two sides of A4: some people prefer a one side CV, but this can sometimes be rather too cramped, especially for postgraduates.

See the example CVs to give you an idea of layout. There are many ways to set out a CV and you will find other examples in file 013 in the Careers Information Room and the booklet "How to Write a CV" which can be borrowed from the Careers and Employability Service against a returnable deposit.

Targeting your Application

Targeting your application demonstrates to the employer that you have thought about what you have to offer and why the job appeals to you. This is particularly important if you are applying for positions where your degree is not directly relevant to the work or where a postgraduate qualification is not actually specified.
  • Whatever your subject of study, you need to aim your curriculum vitae directly at the needs, aims, objectives and requirements of the employer.
  • There should be no waffle or superfluous detail in the CV. Every point you make should count.
  • Give evidence . Don't make general statements such as "I am a determined and numerate person with good communication skills" - show how you have demonstrated these qualities in your work, study or extra-curricular activities.
  • Your Activities and Interests should add extra selling points.
  • If applying for non-academic posts, such Eleanor Estraven’s application for Management Training, you must make all the points you make work for you. It is not enough for Eleanor to simply list what she did in the Students' Union. She must describe it in terms relevant to her application. Campus Tour Guide, for example, becomes “experience in representing the institution to outside organisations”;
  • Research career areas and employers thoroughly, using the resources listed at www.kent.ac.uk/careers/careersfind.htm#employers ;
  • Use "action verbs" , such as "achieved", "devised", "co-ordinated" - these create a positive and businesslike impression. See www.kent.ac.uk/careers/cv/actionverbs.htm for a list of examples;
  • Use personal names wherever possible; "Dear Ms. Dashwood" rather than "Dear Sir or Madam".
  • For more information on making applications see our general application pages www.kent.ac.uk/careers/applicn.htm, File 013 in the Careers Information Room and the DVD "Looking Good on Paper" available in the Careers Service. Also look out for regular Careers Service Talks – see www.kent.ac.uk/careers/casevents.htm

Some Points to Consider

  • If the career you have in mind is not linked to your studies then you must emphasise the general uses to which the skills you have developed can be put. Skills such as working to tight deadlines, under pressure, presenting to groups, the in-depth research and analysis of a topic, team/independent working etc.
  • You will notice that the student in the example Postgraduate Humanities CV declares her possession of a AHRB grant. These grants are very hard to obtain, especially by students with an Upper Second Class degree. Hence it has become an item to declare with pride on her CV, perhaps demonstrating her ability as a student rather more strongly than the 2:1. In any case she would probably need to draw out this point in her covering letter.
  • You may wish to focus a potential employer’s attention onto areas of your experience outside your postgraduate study. This would be particularly wise if you are concerned about their response to your recent study, for example if you are applying to a small/medium sized employer unfamiliar with your subject of study.
  • Some may even have "attitudes" about applicants with very good qualifications (regarding you as "over-qualified") which you will need to counter by demonstrating your all-round employability anddetermination to muck-in when necessary.
  • The amount of space you devote to your first degree and your postgraduate qualification respectively is significant. The most recent study should predominate. Only points relevant to your application (i.e. the job or course you are applying for) should be included with your qualifications.

CVs for Academic Posts

An academic CV from a PhD student applying for research posts follows a different format from a normal CV and can be longer than the normal 2 sides. It might include:
  • A section on conferences attended (including any presentations made or poster displays)
  • Publications produced: normally in chronological order, but if the most recent is not the most relevant you could use a subheading such a "Relevant publications". Other subheadings could include "Peer reviewed", "In Progress", and "Conference Proceedings". If you have a long list of publications, include these as an appendix;
  • A synopsis of your PhD at the beginning or as an appendix;
  • More than the usual two references . One or more from your postgraduate degree and one from an employer or other individual who can comment about your personal qualities as opposed to your academic performance;
  • Evidence of teaching/presenting skills , such as running seminars or practicals. Also administration experience, plus any record in attracting funding;
  • List of scientific techniques used e.g. NMR, HPLC etc;
  • Give evidence of IT, time management, project management and report writing skills;
  • For research posts in industry mention any contact with industry that you have had, such as placements;

One strategy is to produce a two side CV and then to put a synopsis of your research, conferences, publications and references on a third (and perhaps fourth) page.
Find out the research interests and papers published within the department you are applying to: this will help you to target your CV.
Get feedback and advice from your supervisor, who will have experience of academic CVs, and see below for examples

CVS for applications for a Master's Degree or PhD

An academic CV might sometimes be required if you are applying for a Master's degree or PhD. Here your work experience will be less important than your academic achievements. Normally these CVs will be chronological rather than skills-based.
Detail all the courses you have studied during your degree by year and give grades (if they are good!). Also give details of any projects, extended essays or dissertations you have done - especially if the subject area was related to the study area you are applying to. If you have any relevant interests, put them in. For example, if you are applying for a PhD in Space Science, mention that you are a member of the Astronomy Society and that you have your own telescope. Use headings to emphasise technical content e.g. "relevant work experience", "areas of scientific interest", "laboratory skills and techniques".
In your covering letter, say why you want to go to the particular university (for example - excellent reputation in that field of research) and try to show real enthusiasm for the subject you will be studying ( for example - evidence that you have read around the subject and know about recent developments).

Example applications from postgraduates:

Examples of PhD’s CVs for both academic and non-academic posts can be found at:

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