Academic CVs

Academic CVs

This booklet is about writing CVs for academic jobs. We suggest that
each CV you send should be tailored for the job you are applying to, and
to the institution.

The Selection Panel for Academic jobs will look at your experience in
research, teaching, and administration. You will be considered only on
the basis of what you write on your application so even if you are already
known at the institution, supply detailed evidence of how you meet the
selection criteria and ensure that you give enough information for the
panel to make positive judgements about you.

Layout and Presentaton
You can find guidance on how to present your CV and what basic
information needs to be included on our website:
www.sussex.ac.uk/careers/cvs

There are however some differences in producing a CV for academic
jobs compared with a standard CV.

It is acceptable for academic CVs to be more than the traditional two
pages in length and exact length will depend on your previous
experience. You may choose to add appendices to supply detailed
information such as a teaching portfolio.

Write in a clear, concise and positive style using action words.
Remember that some non-specialists may read your CV as well as other
academics so avoid too many technical words and jargon.

Preparaton
Start with a blank sheet of paper and think about what you have to offer.
Employers are particularly likely to value:

the quality and quantity of your research experience.
your teaching experience.
the ways you have added value to previous positions and made
your presence felt.

Match your skills and experiences to those the post requires. List the
requirements using your research into the job, your knowledge of the
University, the job description, and person specification. Beside this, note
down your evidence for each point. Include as much detail as possible at
this stage.

If you find it difficult to come up with examples you can find ideas from
the Creating Effective CVs section on www.vitae.ac.uk We also have
worksheets in the Careers and Employability Centre that will be helpful in
analysing your own skills and experiences.

Consider too how you will add to the institution, department or subject
area going forward. Show you have ideas in line with the departments
direction and how you can fill any gaps.

You will now start to see how suitable you are for the job and you can
convince the selector. It is too risky to hope that the reader will assume
the same as you do about your evidence, dont be afraid of stating the
obvious.
Content
Statement of Research Interests
An outline of your current research, expected outcomes of scholarly work
or research, as well as possible future developments is a helpful
introduction. Ensure you show that your research interests go beyond
your PhD.

Emphasise the creative and innovative aspects of your research output.
Aim to show you are able to attract future research funding and
contribute to the department's research profile. You can also support this
part of your application with a detailed appendix and if you do so,
mention it here.

Education
Offer dates and details of your academic experiences and show what
you can offer an employer. Include University, College and School details
with qualifications obtained or expected and dates.

Answer the question what have you gained from your studies? Rather
than a list of courses, give examples of what your degrees have given
you. For example; confidence in promoting your point of view, accuracy
in researching, fluency in writing, ability to plan and meet deadlines,
thinking laterally and problem solving. Include your thesis, projects, and
dissertations, and highlight their relevance to the job and emphasise how
they illustrate your achievements. If you have overseas qualifications,
offer their UK equivalents. You can find out about equivalencies on:
www.naric.org.uk

Work Experience
Find recent and relevant examples to show how you will contribute to
your department and University. Also include service to your subject in
work outside the University eg. conference attendance, contributions to
journals and membership of professional bodies.

Include skills and experience from administrative roles or other duties.
Quantify the work you did; size and scope of the job, what value you
added, changes you made, procedures you created. Give details that
show you understand the value of this work in a University. Think about
your responsibilities within a Department, for specific courses, for groups
of students, involvement in admissions, your role in examining and
invigilation, service on committees or external bodies.

Research Activity
supervision of undergraduate and postgraduate students. Be
specific about numbers of students.
invited contributions to conferences and conference proceedings
(you could mention inter and intra-departmental activities here).
academic visits (UK and overseas).
invitations to write review articles and commissioned books or
chapters.
refereeing for journals.
formal acknowledgements from other members of the academic
community.
involvement in writing research proposals and applying for grants.

Public engagement
Try to give evidence on how you have engaged with your local
community and the general public. Highlight where you have helped your
community to participate in research or to be more aware of it. This could
include public speaking, encouraging children to go into higher
education, or doing voluntary or mentoring work.

Prizes or Awards
Make sure you mention any prizes or awards as they add your success
as a researcher. Also include any successful bids for funding. Research
scholarships, special bursaries, and prizes also show your potential if
they are recent.

Conferences
Include details of presentations made at conferences. Early in your
career these may not be prestigious events, but it is worth mentioning
your involvement and contribution even if this is at a local inter-
departmental level. Your attendance at key conferences, presentations
and workshops also shows your commitment and interest in the subject.

Professional Memberships
Include category of membership and affiliation to any professional
associations. Mention any involvement, for example if you regularly
attend meetings, are on a committee or have contributed to a journal.

Publications List
List all the research you have published and show how you contributed
to it. Distinguish between work published, in press, submitted/accepted
or under review.

Interests and Activities
Describe what you do when you are not studying and working. Illustrate
other sides of your personality to show you are a rounded person.

Specific details make it interesting to the reader so give examples. Offer
variety and avoid lists.

Referees
Include the names and contact details for at least three academic
referees and include contact telephone numbers and email addresses.

Your supervisor is likely to be one referee but choose others carefully.
Think about their academic reputation and whether they are able to
comment on your teaching skills or expertise with a particular piece of
equipment. Choose your referees to meet the needs of the post and
keep them up-to-date with your job search. It is essential that you ask
their permission and feel confident they will write well about you.

Teaching Portfolio (optional)
Suggestions for areas to include:
seminar/tutorial teaching (indicate level, number of hours and
numbers of students for each).
laboratory teaching, practical classes and fieldwork.
occasional 'guest' and other invited lectures.
development of teaching methods and materials.
new ways of supporting students learning.
assessment methods.
course organisation and preparation, including initiation and
design of syllabus.
internal examining responsibilities and other assessment
procedures.
supervision of projects, including taught postgraduate students; be
specific about numbers.
reliable information on students' experience including comments
from feedback questionnaires or colleagues observations and the
results of these assessments.
other course-related responsibilities eg. pastoral care activities.

Research Interests Appendix (optional)
This appendix expands on your Statement of Research Interests and
provides details not included on your CV. Some examples you can use
to illustrate research achievement and potential include:
public performances, poster presentations and exhibitions, media
work.
collaboration, both internal and external to the University. Mention
industrial links / commercial potential if appropriate.
research collaborations and membership of research groups. Can
be useful to highlight membership here if it will strengthen your
application.
external funding obtained eg. research grants, awards, bursaries,
fellowships.
Further Resources
Ask in the Careers and Employability Centre if you need unbiased,
confidential feedback on your CV or covering letter. One-on-one career
advice and CV reviews are available, and hour long consultations are
available for researchers.

Advice and CV examples can be found on the Vitae website:
www.vitae.ac.uk

Available in Careers and Employability Centre:

Reference books
Cracking the Academic Nut: A Guide for Preparing for Your
Academic Career
The Academic Career Handbook
Managing Your Academic Career

Take away booklets and handouts
Reviewing Your Skills Worksheet
Skills Checklist