CV Formatting and Content

Organization/Content

Try to include and arrange information according to the relevance it holds for your audience. For instance, if you apply to a history grad program, “Performances” won’t be relevant, but a “Performances” section is relevant if you apply to a music program.

  • Heading
    • Write your name at the top on a line by itself.
    • Include contact information under your name.
  • Education
    • List your degree(s) and institutions. Don’t forget to include the degree you’re currently working on!
  • Teaching (does what you’re applying to involve a teaching component?)
    • Include any teaching, tutoring, or mentoring experience you may have. For example: working in a writing center, tutoring students (in any subject), mentoring new students, working as a Teaching Assistant (TA), assisting in a K-12 class, being a camp counselor, etc.
  • Research (are your research or research skills relevant?)
    • You can include your thesis/capstone and any substantial projects or papers you’ve worked on.
    • Additionally, (if these apply to you—many students won’t have these accomplishments yet) include: publications, conference presentations, honors, awards, fellowships, grants, and research experience.
  • Arts Performances/Showcases/Exhibits (is what you’re applying to in a fine or performing arts field?)
    • Include solo or ensemble performances, gallery showings, exhibitions, festivals, arts groups/troupes you belonged to, etc.—anywhere you were able to share your work!
    • You may also include awards or honors.
  • Additional Experience
    • You can include non-academic work, but try not to let it overwhelm your academic/arts work.
    • You may also include school organizations/committees; community outreach; volunteering; professional development; certificates; training; professional affiliations; language skills; technical skills; etc.

Format

  • Don’t use a template. Start from a plain Word or Google doc. You don’t need to make your CV pretty or creative.
  • For emphasis, use bold and capital letters. Avoid headers/footers, columns, lines, underlines, and borders.
  • Unlike a resume, a CV can be as many pages as you need (but note that applications may require a “brief” or 1-2 page CV).