I’m finishing up my senior year and applying to grad school, but I’m also thinking about applying to jobs in case I don’t get into grad school. How do I put together a CV for grad school vs. a CV for a job?
Nabiel, University of Florida, Gainesville, Florida
Hi, Nabiel!
Covering all your bases by applying to jobs as you apply to grad schools is a great idea. As for the CVs themselves, there are a few key differences between a successful grad school CV and a successful CV for employment. For grad school applications, focus on your academic achievements, like your grades and any research projects you've worked on. Highlight skills related to your field of study and include any relevant extracurricular activities. Mention your career goals briefly and include references who can speak about your academic abilities. For job applications, highlight your work experience, including internships or volunteer work, that relates to the job you're applying for. Emphasize skills that are relevant to the job and any achievements from your previous roles. Include a brief summary of your career goals and references who can speak about your work ethic. Pro tip: Keep your graduation year OFF your resume to avoid age-based discrimination. In both cases, however, you should customize your CV to match the specific requirements of the program or job you're applying to. This will help you stand out as a strong candidate.
Resources We Love
Our Strategic Professional Communication Class (a live online class offered for free as part of our Learning Membership) will help you master professional communication, helping you with resume-building, interview skills, and applications.