science experts network curriculum vitae

science experts network curriculum vitae

Crafting an Effective Curriculum Vitae for Science Experts Network

1. Introduction to Curriculum Vitae (CV) in the Academic and Scientific Communities

Curriculum vitae (CV) development has been reviewed and discussed repeatedly by researchers from different disciplines. However, a set of specific guidelines needed for academic and scientific communities seems to be lacking. A well-written, well-structured CV is an essential step for scientists. It is the first significant document which potential employers (e.g., universities, research institutions or research-related industries) see about you. It turns out that curricula vitae are more than just optimized documents, designed for a highly professional purpose.

Most scientists are employed with universities, private as well as government technical organizations, research laboratories, industries, and nonprofit organizations. According to the type of employment, it’s the curriculum vitae that provides a comprehensive picture of the candidate’s academic qualifications, skills, experiences, and achievements, making it easier for the employer to identify the potential of the candidate. Fundamentally, a curriculum vitae is explicitly designed to focus the reader’s attention on particular sections that are applicable to particular types of jobs. As such, the academic curricula vitae differ in length and structure from others. However, the standard format is two pages long and follows a particular structure as described in the literature.

In the literature, the organization of academic curricula vitae is not based on particular guidelines suggesting that individuals follow general rules to have a better overview of the experienced and qualified candidates. Nonetheless, analysis of some well-organized curricula vitae appears in various lengths and structures that imply a common composition of the document and a general sequence of its elements. In light of the experienced professional and growing young researchers, as well as institutions looking for potential candidates, defining specific curricula vitae development guidelines is thus essential. This contribution is expected to help experts in science, engineering, technology, life, health-related, and internationally-oriented researchers in the context of knowledge economy growth through a comprehensive guide in providing and preparing successful academic curriculum vitae where they can submit their job applications.

2. Key Components of a Science Expert’s CV

Over the years, CEDAR and CEDAR/P have helped hundreds of scientists compile and design their curriculum vitae (CV). There are simple things that a CV can do for scientists. A well-written and well-designed CV contributes to life-changing opportunities. It is crucial to examine key components so that a scientist’s CV effectively communicates who they are, the skills they have, and the experience they can provide. Creating a consistent flow within the CV is as crucial as what details are presented. A well-designed CV inspires the reader to view the scientist in the best possible light. They are the first impression the scientist gets to give when applying for a new project and should represent the ‘best foot forward’ in every sense. More conservative scientists sometimes shy away from a tastefully-designed CV; however, it is important to consider that those perusing it often have to go through hundreds of CVs in a single application period.

At CEDAR, we strongly believe that a well-established track record of overall excellence provides the best justification for hiring or funding. That is why the majority of the CVs we design are intended for individual candidates applying for fellowships and other types of individual positions. The CV is designed primarily to help the scientist stand out from the rest. We will place the cursor back on the first page and say it again. CVs are intended to help the scientist applicant stand out from the rest of the applicants. Position description varieties typically include: faculty positions, post-doctoral and independent senior fellowship opportunities, research assistant and other support and administrative roles, as well as consultant experts. Following are 13 key components scientists must have in their CV.

3. Formatting and Structure Guidelines for an Impactful CV

While there are no strict rules regarding the formatting, structure, and content of a CV, particularly in the field of science, creating an orderly CV is paramount to enabling those reviewing it to quickly extract exactly the information they need. A well-crafted CV should tell a story—your story: where you come from professionally, where you want to go, and how you plan to get there. With this in mind, the information in your CV should be carefully curated and presented in a clear and concise manner. For continuity and easy reading, use a consistent font, color, and style that corresponds with your experience level, industry trends, and the job opening. Make sure that the document is well laid out and easy to navigate. The organization of your CV should enable the review committee to quickly locate and compare a group of key parts, including your educational background, research experience and expertise, skills and techniques you have mastered, and the research interests you propose to further expand on the network.

The first page of your CV should consist of your name, contact information, and career objective. This should be followed by a section on education, to be placed near the top of the CV unless the candidate has several years of relevant research or other work experience that should then be showcased. After this comes your dissertation or thesis research, followed by your additional research experience. If appropriate, include a section on your professional skills. Lastly, in “other experience,” include any other work experience, relevant teaching experience, scientific community service, mentorship, and outreach activities. If space permits, you may also include awards and honors, your bibliography of published and submitted articles, and invited presentations on the last pages. Clearly delineating and organizing each of these sections in a predetermined order will not only help a review committee quickly navigate the document, but also allow them to locate disparate pieces of data that they consider “deal breakers” for a particular position or opportunity.

4. Showcasing Achievements and Research Contributions in the CV

Gone are the days when you write your publication in full, abstract and all, in your CV. It is misguided to present the CV in 100+ page-tombstone fashion. What is expected in today’s fast-paced, information overloaded, high technology society is a short, professionally written exposition of your most important valuable contributions. Imagine an employer with 30 minutes to review hundreds of applications. It is much more helpful for the short-listing if it were possible for the important information to be easily and rapidly obtained. Remember the time an additional minute spent on each CV would translate to one hour more work for a hiring manager. More often than not, the margin of difference between invite to interview and not invited lies in the clarity and the impact of the CV presentation.

Research is not presented in most voce vitae and other job search documents, when it is, it is frequently described very poorly. When you do not present your research, figures and publications in the most effective manner, you miss the opportunity to present your skills as a researcher to employers. Most of the reader does not appreciate the significance of multiple publications in the world of research or whether the papers were published in reputable journals. The number and impact of key publications is an indicator of the applicant’s abilities in research, depth and breadth of research topics, degree of independence, and productivity. Not presenting them also means, for all practical purposes, that your previous studies just vanish from the employers’ eyes. This is not the way to sell your most significant credentials.

5. Tailoring Your CV for Different Opportunities and Audiences

Just as it is important to be skilled at crafting parts of your CV, it is just as critical to target your content and format to match the specific opportunity that you are seeking. Many people also create different versions if they are targeting different areas or considering opportunities at different levels. A curriculum vitae for a federal government application should look quite different to one designed for a relationship-building, private sector partner. Your CV should be seen as an ongoing document that you tailor specifically to various audiences and opportunities. I also recommend that you occasionally eliminate older experiences in detail from your current CV version, unless they are central to what you are trying to achieve. You could add them in a separate section labeled “Past Contracting History: (1995-2002)”.

There are three types of CVs in general use: General CV: Includes only the professional history with emphasis on demonstrating that you have met the requirements of the position. Master CV: A full description of all your employment with emphasis on accomplishments and responsibilities that you have achieved. A master CV is the master list of all of your job-related skills and experiences, especially directed toward performing various types of work. Current CV: Your most current CV, tailored toward demonstrating that you meet the specific qualifications of a job posting.

Info-current CV: Includes an abbreviated copy of the current CV, with less detail and more white space as required, that is specific to the resume size requirements of a specific agency or funder. This brief, tailored CV often needs to be accompanied by an online hyperlink to the full document, so that employer or funder officials have access to the full record of past achievements. Make sure that the online link works and that sharing privileges are turned on, as employers may choose only to access your information through this link. If they cannot access it, your application will be at a distinct competitive disadvantage.