This chapter offers advice on job seeking focused on work the doctoral student should do while still in the doctoral program. This includes periodically assessing long-term career goals, which sometimes change during the program. Given the career goals at any point in the program, a curriculum vitae should be developed that helps both assess progress towards the goals as well as having the CV ready if and when seeking a new job. An example of a CV is included.
TopThe Curriculum Vitae
If you chose the right program, participated as fully as you could, and sought the right experiences, your vitae should be full of achievements and experiences which your potential employer values. Part of the application process will usually to include a curriculum vitae (CV). A CV is basically an incredibly detailed resumé.
Ask for the CVs of your mentors. Ask for the CVs of doctoral candidates who are currently job seeking. Look for the best features of each. As you examine them, look not through the eyes of a doctoral student but try to examine them with the eyes of your future employers. Through your choices and actions, you have already determined the content of your CV. Think about practical questions as you choose the format of your curriculum vitae.
Which CV formats are easiest to read quickly? If there is a large pool of candidates, there will be a large stack of CVs for the hiring committee to examine. The structure and format include issues of spacing, indentations, fonts, and other technical details.
Which CV items will the reader want to see more highly detailed? I change my CV based on the intended audience. When I sent it for my annual review at a large university, I highlighted my publications and presentations as much as my teaching. When I moved to a small college, those items stayed but I added more focus on teaching and service to the college.