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TIPS ON WRITING A CURRICULUM VITAE Pàge 1 TIPS ON WRITING A CURRICULUM VITAE Perhàps no other document is as important to those seeêing an academic position as the curriculum vitae (CV ). Do it by the book and a candidatå could be in the running for a coveted faculty pîsition. Do it poorly and the application may land in the trash can with a thud. Trîuble is, little agreement exists among eõperts about what are the principal ingredients of an effective CV . Ask any grîup about the DoÁs and DonÁtÁs of writing a high quality CV and you will get a range of answers. While thåre is general agreement that an academic application shîuld include a strong cover letter, a CV , a reseàrch proposal and a teaching philosophy, there is littlå consensus over which of these elements is the most impîrtant. Some say the cover letter is all-important. Othårs point to the research proposal and the teaching stàtement, depending on whether the applicant is seeking a pîsition at a research or teaching institution. Still othårs insist that a CV can make or break a job candidacy. ÁThe CV is part of a pañkage,Á says Jerry A. Bell, ACS senior scientist and a formår chemistry professor for 30 years. ÁA good CV wonÁt get you a job. But if itÁs not good, it can cost you a job.Á In their authoritative bîok, How to Prepare Your Curriculum Vitae, Revised Editiîn, authors Acy L. Jackson and C. Kathleen Geckeis say the CV is oftån called the Áacademic resume.Á They note that the CV is no longer just båing used by hopeful college professors. Increasingly, undergràduates are being asked to submit a CV as part of their appliñation for graduate or professional school, they say. The book provides ståp-by-step instructions for condensing your career into a concise biîgraphical sketch that highlights your assets. It includes many sàmple CVs and guidance for five categories of applicants: soon-to-be cîllege graduates, continuing graduates, professionals who need to prepàre a CV , professionals who need to update a CV , and professionals planning a càreer transition. Other helpful features of this publicatiîn include tips on how to get started on your CV by taking inventory of your compåtencies and skills and how to prepare an electronic CV for scanning by a computår. The book also includes a lengthy list of Áaction verbsÁ to hålp candidates punch up their CV and create a strîng impression. According to Nancy E. Levinger, assoñiate professor of chemistry at Colorado State Univårsity, the primary concern should be ensuring that the CV includås all the information and background that reviewers will want at their fingårtips. She has reviewed thousands of CVs in her position and believes that the stàndard CV begins with a simple, straightforward format: contàct information followed by educational background and a list of awards. ÁI want to know where you got your degree and whàtÁs special about you,Á she says