Creating a Winning CV and Personal Statement

www.trinity.edu/career210.999.8321careerservices@trinity.edu

How to Communicate Your Experience on a CV

CV vs. ResumeResume

Brief summary of your skills and experience over 1 or 2 pages

Highly customizable: tailored to each position

No particular format rule

CV More detailed; can stretch

well beyond 2 pages Static: any changes will be in

cover letter Clear chronological order

covering one’s entire career

When do you use which?

When to Use WhichCurriculum Vitae Résumé

Grad/Professional School Admissions Business & Non-profit Professions

Used when applying to academic teaching and research positions

Summary of education, relevant skills and experience

Science-based Professions Marketing tool to obtain internships and interviews

No page limit 2-pages, max

Includes unique sections not used in a résumé

Content is tailored to the position/audience

References may be included at the end Does not include references

Developing a Curriculum Vitae

Requirements

• Contact information– Name– Address– Phone number– Email address – Name and page numbers on all pages

(except 1st)

Requirements

• Education– Name of Institution– Location of Institution– Degree earned– Year awarded or expected date of award– Name of Thesis or Dissertation– Name of Advisor or Committee

EducationEx.

M.A. in American History, 1996

Columbia University, New York, NY

Master’s Thesis: “The Use of Video in Presidential Campaigns”

Committee: Profs. Michael Jackson, Demi Moore, and Sting

B.A. in History and Journalism, 1994

Southwest Texas State University, San Marcos, Texas

Undergraduate Honors Thesis: “Rhetoric of Clinton Campaign”

Advisor: Rock Hudson

From this point on you have more latitude in shaping the organization of your CV. You should be guided by your strengths, requirements for the job, and conventions of your discipline.

Other Sections to Include• Honors/Awards (Grants, Fellowships and Patents)• Research Experience• Teaching Experience• Publications and Presentations• Related Professional Experience• Languages

Research Experience

Teaching Experience

Teaching Experience

Publications & Presentations

Optional• Memberships or Professional Affiliations• Scholarly Associations• Travel or Study Abroad• Technical or specialized skills• Community Involvement• Certifications or Credentials• Relevant Coursework• Professional Development and Training

Writing a Personal Statement

What is a Personal Statement?

A response to a prompt, question or questions on a graduate or professional school application form

The personal statement gives you the opportunity to promote yourself to the selection committee

Important!!! No set formula

Only choices to make

Understand and Explain Yourself

Show yourself as:

Interesting Insightful Revealing Non-generic

Set Yourself Apart

Be sure to:

Engage the readers

Clearly demonstrate what makes you a unique candidate (take a personal inventory)

Answer the Questions Be sure your response, fits the prompt or question/s

Do not use the same statement for all applications

Tailor your response to each prompt or question and each school

Tell a Story Make yourself memorable

And…

Be truthful and stick to the facts

Find an Angle Your life doesn’t have to be a soap opera Use the personal inventory to help you find your story

Concentrate on Your Opening Paragraph Introduce relevant elements

Develop your thesis

Refer back to the thesis to ensure it is being supported

Tell Who You Are and What You Know Show who you are, what makes you tick, and what

makes you stand out from the crowd Demonstrate your knowledge of the field Highlight specific experiences in your field (work,

research, teaching etc.) Use the language professionals’ use in conveying this

information

Be Meticulous and Proofread Be clear and concise Adhere to stated word limits Spell check (visit the writing center)

Ask Yourself: Are my goals well articulated? Do I explain why I have selected this school and/or

program in particular? Do I demonstrate knowledge of this school or

program? Do I include interesting details that prove my claims

about myself? Is my tone confident?

Questions?

Office of Career ServicesCoates University Center, Suite 215

(210) 999-8321careerservices@trinity.edu

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