What Makes a CV Sparkle?What Makes a CV Sparkle?

Corinne AlexanderCorinne Alexander

Purdue UniversityPurdue University

AAEA Annual MeetingsAAEA Annual Meetings

June 25, 2005June 25, 2005

Writing a CV for an Academic Writing a CV for an Academic PositionPosition

Demonstrate the Demonstrate the potentialpotential to be an to be an Assistant ProfessorAssistant Professor

Expected to:Expected to:• Write journal articles and other Write journal articles and other

publicationspublications• Present researchPresent research• TeachTeach• Write grantsWrite grants

Journal Articles and Other PubsJournal Articles and Other Pubs

Search Committees look at this First!!Search Committees look at this First!!• Published journal articlesPublished journal articles• Published book chapters, conference Published book chapters, conference

proceedingsproceedings• Submitted journal articlesSubmitted journal articles• Papers presented at conferencesPapers presented at conferences

AgEcon SearchAgEcon Search

• Working papersWorking papers

Write papers during grad schoolWrite papers during grad school

Research PresentationsResearch Presentations

Present work in progress in your Present work in progress in your departmentdepartment

Present papers at conferencesPresent papers at conferences• Every presentation is an opportunity to Every presentation is an opportunity to

build your reputationbuild your reputation• Goal: think of you as a colleagueGoal: think of you as a colleague

Presentation skill matters as much as the Presentation skill matters as much as the substance (Practice!!)substance (Practice!!)

Teaching ExperienceTeaching Experience

If possible, teach a course or be a teaching If possible, teach a course or be a teaching assistant during grad schoolassistant during grad school• Include your teaching evaluation scores on Include your teaching evaluation scores on

your CV if they look goodyour CV if they look good• Include your teaching philosophyInclude your teaching philosophy• Teaching awards make a huge impressionTeaching awards make a huge impression

Teach at a Community College, Guest Teach at a Community College, Guest lecture, Grade, Tutorlecture, Grade, Tutor

GrantsGrants Emphasis on grants depends on Emphasis on grants depends on

department, but they always look department, but they always look goodgood• Research grants most importantResearch grants most important• FellowshipsFellowships• Travel grants count tooTravel grants count too

Even though students can’t be the PI, Even though students can’t be the PI, find grant opportunities and help find grant opportunities and help write them write them

Other Skills, ExperienceOther Skills, Experience

CV should focus on academic CV should focus on academic accomplishmentsaccomplishments

Include other relevant experienceInclude other relevant experience• Peace CorpPeace Corp• Work ExperienceWork Experience• LanguagesLanguages

The CV Matters…The Cover Letter The CV Matters…The Cover Letter Matters Too (Maybe More)Matters Too (Maybe More)

Tell them who you are…Tell them who you are…• What are your research goals?What are your research goals?• What is your teaching philosophy?What is your teaching philosophy?

Tell them why this job is right for Tell them why this job is right for you, i.e. will further your career goalsyou, i.e. will further your career goals

Tell them why you are a good fit for Tell them why you are a good fit for the job, i.e. what you can do for the job, i.e. what you can do for them.them.

ReferencesReferences

Shively, G., Woodward, R., and Shively, G., Woodward, R., and Stanley, D. “Strategy and Etiquette Stanley, D. “Strategy and Etiquette for Graduate Students Entering the for Graduate Students Entering the Academic Job Market.” Academic Job Market.” Review of Review of Agricultural Economics Agricultural Economics 21(Autumn-21(Autumn-Winter 1999): 513-526. Winter 1999): 513-526.