How to write an Academic CV

Academic CVs tend to be longer and a little bit more complex in structure than most others. An academic CV may divide the career history into subsections for teaching, research and also consultancy. There may be a list of publications, grants awarded or presentations at the end of the CV. However, the basic protocols of how to write an effective CV still apply.

Keep the CV to 3 or 4 pages

As there are more sections within an academic CV it can be a struggle to fit in to two pages. However, you should still aim to make it as punchy and succinct as possible. The reader will skim read the CV so by including lots and lots of detail you make it more difficult for the salient points to stand out. It becomes a bit like walking trough treacle. Keep the CV to a maximum of 4 pages. You can summarise the publications to the most recent and have a full list that can be sent as a separate appendix.

Tailor your CV for specific applications

No two job descriptions are the same, so neither should be the CV you use to apply for them. It is important to approach writing a CV from the point of view of the reader – not yourself. You want to make it as easy as possible for the reader to say ‘yes’ to calling you to interview. Read the job description – and most importantly the person specification – and ensure your CV clearly and powerfully meets these criteria.

Use plain English

In many university departments terms and language can develop that are incomprehensible to an outside audience. Even if you work in a highly specialised scientific area, make sure you don’t over rely on acronyms, words or phrases that will not always be understood by an external person. Err on the side of caution. Your CV needs to be accessible to read. Again, this comes back to making it as easy as possible for the reader to say ‘yes’ to calling you to interview.

Consistent formatting and sharp presentation

Ensure the formatting is consistent throughout. When people revisit their CVs after some time the formatting often gets out of kilter. New fonts, bullet point styles and different point sizes start being used. The CV looks like a mish, mash. This is not the best first impression. You want the CV to look clean, professional and consistent.

When writing an academic CV there are three key points to keep in mind. Firstly, keep the CV as short as you can, the reader will not spend long reading it. Second, your CV will perform much better by tailoring it for different applications. Finally, make sure the information is clearly and professionally laid out. First impressions really do count.