CV tips for postgraduate researchers

Ensure your CV is relevant for the job role you are applying for and includes evidence of relevant skills, knowledge and attributes.

Wherever you are applying, you should consider the skills an employer is looking for in a potential employee. Match your skills against those required by the employer in the job description and evidence base them in your application.

As well as the materials on this page we strongly encourage you to review the materials within the Job Application Resources which are relevant to all job seekers.

Your CV should:

• list your most relevant achievements and experiences for the role you are applying for and should match the employer's needs
• sell and highlight your strengths and should be tailored for each position you apply to
• demonstrate your work ethic and personality in ensuring you meet the criteria of the employer
• be fully proofread for spelling, punctuation, grammar and layout

There is no perfect or universally accepted format for a CV, however, a clear and concise CV will be appreciated by any recruiter. In the UK a CV is generally no longer than two pages while in the USA, Europe and some other parts of the world a CV is only a one page document.

Don't underestimate the time taken to create a professional CV that is tailored for a specific role.

Types of CV:

• Chronological CV: Written in reverse chronological order it is the most common and familiar British format of a CV. You should pay particular attention to providing evidence of your skills and how these are relevant to the particular job for which you are applying to.
• Skills-based CV: Your skills form the central structure of this CV format which are useful to clearly demonstrate how your skills can be transferred from your research field. The skills-based CV should clearly match your skills to those required in the job specification and/or job description. These CVs can take a considerable amount of time to write.
• Academic CV: Places specific emphasis upon knowledge and academic achievement and should only be used for applications to an academic position within HE. The CV should place a particular focus on details of research, publications, teaching experience and funding awards. It is also worth noting that these CVs are generally two sides of A4 but can include an appendix of your publications etc.

You may also find the Vitae website useful which has information on creating academic and non-academic CVs as well as providing a number of example CVs. You may need to login to access some of the resources.