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Resume and Cover Letter

How to Write an Academic CV

6 min read · Updated on November 07, 2024

Everything you need to know about the academic CV.

There's the traditional resume, the European curriculum vitae (CV for short), the federal resume, and the academic CV, which is also commonly referred to as the academic resume. Confused yet?

Not to worry! We recently sat down with TC Paulson, one of TopResume's senior resume writers, to learn about the differences between these all-important job-search tools. TC also walked us through the various elements and requirements of an academic resume and explained how TopResume can help you write a successful academic CV to land the interview .

TopResume: Let's start with the basics. What are the main differences between a resume and a CV?

TC Paulson: Resumes and CVs are more alike than you may think. Both documents contain sections to document your skills, professional work history, education, and certifications. A professional summary instead of an objective statement is usually featured at the beginning to summarize your value proposition to an employer. While there are some differences between these job-application tools — for instance, CVs sometimes have a longer page length and may include details you wouldn't find on a resume — both are crafted to feature your qualifications and experience as they relate to a specific career or job goal.

In the U.S., South America, Australia, and most of Canada, this important personal-branding tool is called a resume. In Europe, Africa, Asia, New Zealand, and some parts of Canada, it is referred to as a curriculum vitae (CV) or European CV.

Regardless of what you call it, both job-application documents should have a clean, easy-to-read layout and be written with a clear job target in mind.

TR: What is an academic CV? How do I know if I need one?

TP: If you are seeking a position in the medical, dental, academic, scientific, or research field anywhere in the world, chances are you need an academic curriculum vitae (CV). An academic CV — also commonly referred to as an academic resume — takes on a slightly different format from the traditional professional resume and CV expected by employers in the U.S., Europe, and other parts of the world.

An academic resume is a credential-driven document that focuses on showcasing your contributions to a particular field of study or practice. As a result, if you decide to work with TopResume , your professional writer will place particular emphasis on your relevant education, licenses and certifications, training, publications, research accomplishments, and presentations throughout your academic CV. Unlike a resume or a curriculum vitae, an academic CV typically does not include a skills summary or qualifications profile since these types of career highlights will be presumed.

As you might imagine, academic resumes are comprehensive documents that do not abide by your typical CV- or resume-page-length rules. For example, if you are a researcher with 20+ years of experience, your academic resume could be up to 15 pages long. A large portion of your academic CV may be dedicated to listing examples of the publications you've written, the presentations you've given, and the patents you've been granted for your inventions.

TR: What items should be included in an academic resume?

TP: An academic CV should include some of the core items you'd find on a standard resume or curriculum vitae: professional work history, education, certifications, licenses, training, languages in which you're fluent or competent, and relevant technical skills you possess. However, there are many pieces of information an employer expects to find in an academic resume that are not included in a standard resume or CV. These critical elements include, but are not limited to: a list of dissertations to accompany your education section; residencies or fellowships you've completed; and research accomplishments, such as presentations you've given or publications you've written or been featured in. You should also highlight patents, grants, and industry-related awards you've received as well as any editorial boards, community service projects, and relevant professional associations of which you've been a member or officer. Finally, your academic CV should detail specific research skills you've honed throughout your career.

TR: What if I don't have information for all of those components for an academic CV?

TP: If you are in academia but you don't perform scientific laboratory research — for example, if you are a history professor — you should still use an academic CV as your primary career tool. By strategically balancing your academic contributions and activities with your subject-area and pedagogical expertise, you can ensure that college and university hiring committees will recognize your full value as an instructor.

If you are in science and research but don't teach at a university, your ability as a hands-on investigative contributor to publications, industry developments, case studies, clinical trials, or other credentials should be highlighted. Conveying your contributions to patents, presentations, and grants will display your worth to organizations that compete for funds in research and development.

In all areas of medicine — be it dermatology, emergency medicine, or surgery — an academic resume should be used to feature your expertise and ability to support best-practice patient care and clinical excellence. Focus on showcasing your clinical experience alongside any scholarly contributions, as well as residencies, medical-specialty expertise, and professional presentations at medical conferences.

If you're unsure how to arrange the information you have to work with to demonstrate your value to a potential employer, let TopResume write your academic CV for you .

TR: Is it really necessary to hire a professional service to write my academic resume?

TP: You can choose to write your academic CV on your own, but a professional writing service can ensure that your document is properly formatted, contains all the essential components, and tells your career story in the best way possible. With TopResume, you will be paired with a professional writer who is familiar with the elements of a successful academic CV for your field. Our proprietary treatments, rigorous industry research, and technical testing of documents will help give you the confidence of knowing you have our collective expertise backing your application. Your academic CV is a vital part of your job search and can be the difference between finding your dream job and continuing on the hunt. Why not leave it to an expert?

TR: Is there anything else I should know before deciding to use a professional writing service?

TC: When your academic CV is being initially reviewed by a recruiter or hiring manager, your hard skills, quantifiable data, and general soft skills will be taken into account. If you want your writer to present you in a way that is not only accurate but also rich, you must be willing to participate in the process.

My best advice: Take the time upfront to provide your academic-CV writer with the necessary material to develop an interview-winning document. If you can provide your TopResume writer with comprehensive information, quantifiable data, and specific achievements, then it will enable them to craft the best possible academic resume that will help you land the job of your dreams.

Don't leave your job search up to chance. Hire TopResume to write your academic CV today !

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9 Academic Resume Examples [& Templates]

Best for senior and mid-level candidates

There’s plenty of room in our elegant resume template to add your professional experience while impressing recruiters with a sleek design.

Resume Builder

Like this template? Customize this resume and make it your own with the help of our Al-powered suggestions, accent colors, and modern fonts.

Academic Resume

Academic Resumes for Students
Academic Resumes for Advisors
Other Academic Resumes

How to Write an Academic Resume

If you’re applying to a Ph.D. program, looking to be a research assistant, or planning to teach at the college level, employers may request that you submit a CV instead. There are some key differences between a CV and a resume you’ll want to know about.

If you’re still looking to generate a cover letter or write a resume , stick with us. We’ve reviewed hundreds of academic resumes and highlighted common mistakes job seekers make. With this information, we’ve created the perfect resume for applicants in various academic fields and practices.

Whether you’re looking for a job as an academic advisor or wanting to advance your research or student career, we’ll show you the best nine academic resume samples that worked in 2024.

or download as PDF

Academic resume example with 4 years of experience

Why this resume works

Be specific and to the point while conveying your best.
Customize your objective by mentioning the target business by name and sprinkling in some relevant keywords from the job description .
Use industry-specific terms in your academic resume and pepper it with solid metrics to demonstrate your impact.
For example, saying you “prepared 3-4 genomic samples per week from DNA for sequencing” shows your industry familiarity while using numbers to offer an easy-to-read glimpse of your duties.

Scholarship Academic Resume

Add any projects that you’ve been a part of or have volunteered for. Since you’re only a graduate, academic institutions know you won’t have much experience to showcase. As long as your resume contains coherent future goals backed by relevant experience, you’ll be good to go!

High School Academic Resume

When writing your high school academic resume , try to be concise without leaving out important information. Using words like ‘successfully’ or ‘skillfully’ will only take up extra space and may be considered filler.
We suggest using the reverse-chronological resume format for an easy-to-read, logical flow.
Reverse-chronological formatting orders your work experience and education from the most recent to the oldest, so employers get to the most relevant stuff first.
Double-check your resume work experience bullet points to ensure they take less than three lines and stick to between 20 to 200 characters per bullet.

College Academic Resume

The most critical sections in your college academic resume are the contact information, work experience, skills, and education.
For example, “Inspected, maintained, and ordered repairs for medical equipment, reducing repair costs by $27K in 2018” proves that you won’t need a lot of training and will add value right away.

Grad School Academic Resume

Your grad school academic resume should highlight your dependability and commitment to excellence.
For example, “Developed action plans for 15 chemistry students based on academic goals and personal needs”
Lastly, polish it off with a hint of subtle color for pop while remaining professional, and don’t be afraid to have just a touch of white space.

Academic Advisor No Experience Resume

If you have any project experience with researching fields of study or guiding students toward their future, add them at all costs! Any amount of experience with improving a student’s learning ability and grades will do wonders too.

Academic Advisor Resume

Quantifying your impact provides a numerical overview of what recruiters can expect from you.
How many students did I advise?
Did I help students obtain scholarship money? If so, how much?
Did I get positive performance reviews?
Don’t exaggerate your results or resume skills , hoping to impress recruiters. It will break their trust and put too much pressure on you if hired.

Academic Coach Resume

This won’t just underscore your commitment to continual learning and adherence to international coaching standards. It also reflects your expertise in dealing with familial and youth-related situations, a skill crucial for academic mentorship. Other certifications you could flaunt in your piece are Instructional Coaching Penn GSE and ALC Academic Life Coaching.

Academic Library Resume

Suppose you once served as a receptionist where you handled social media, managed documents, or used tools like Microsoft Teams to better communicate with internal teams. Transferable skills learned from these experiences can prove useful in your quest for the library role.

Related resume guides

Grad school
Teacher Assistant
College graduate
Executive assistant

Woman confused and overwhelmed as she stares at computer trying to update resume

No matter where you are in your academic career, we can walk you through in four easy steps how to write your own academic resume. As you work through these steps, you’ll find the academic resume samples above will help you stay on track and give you the inspiration you need to make your own.

Use a reverse-chronological format to list experience, volunteer efforts, and personal and academic projects. If you’re between early high school or post-graduate school, we bet you have academic and personal projects, like research, internships, mentoring, volunteering, etc. that you can talk about in reverse-chronological order.

Functional and combo formats are tempting, but a reverse timeline will give recruiters the best insight into your skills and what you offer.

Especially if pursuing higher education, list the school, degree, and year you earned the degree in your academic resume. If you’re still studying, set the date to the anticipated graduation year.

List relevant courses to your degree plan. For example, if you’re a Biology major wanting a research assistant position, Biology of Mammalian Cells and Tissues would be a relevant course. You can also include a high GPA as well as honors, awards, and affiliations.

Briefly explain how the skills you’ve gained from your academic background (UCLA graduate with 3+ years of assisting and supervising biological research) couple well with the role (collaborate with a multi-disciplinarian team in life-science research) you’re seeking at a specific organization.

As you read a company’s job ad, what qualities and traits are important for the role that resonate with you? Let that be your springboard to write a customized career objective.

Share results whether the work you’ve done has been paid work, volunteer work, or even class projects. For example, maybe you volunteered to mentor students at a tutor center.

Rather than say you developed lessons or communicated with parents, discuss outcomes that speak to your abilities. “Worked one on one with students to improve math scores by one letter grade” or “increased student enrollment by 8% with new referral program” speaks volumes about your work!

These kinds of bullet points also make a great launching pad for story-telling in your academic cover letter .

• Dean's Fellowship for Graduate Study (2018-2023) - Outstanding academic achievement and potential in the field of Psychology.
• Led a multi-disciplinary research project on social interaction, integrating neuroimaging, behavioral data, and machine learning.
• Supervised and mentored 4 graduate students, enhancing their skills in psycho-physiological data collection and analysis.
• Secured $200,000 in research funding to explore AI-driven analysis of social networks and interactions.
• Collaborated with a team of neuroscientists and AI specialists to develop an innovative method for real-time monitoring of group dynamics using remote sensing.
• Conducted in-depth research on dyadic social interactions using psychophysiological measures, leading to 3 peer-reviewed publications.
• Developed and validated a new protocol for the collection of naturalistic conversation data, which was adopted by the lab for ongoing research.
• Implemented machine learning techniques to analyze large datasets of social network interactions, improving the efficiency of data processing by 30%.
• Co-authored 2 papers on the influence of cultural differences on social behavior, presented at national conferences.
• Facilitated interdisciplinary collaborations, integrating perspectives from psychology and computer science in research design.

8 Academic Resume Examples & Guide for 2024

Academic roles focus on teaching, research, and contributing to the educational community. When crafting your resume, highlight your teaching experience, research publications, and involvement in academic committees. Consider incorporating skills such as critical thinking, data analysis, and effective communication. Mentioning successful grant applications and innovative teaching methods will help demonstrate your contributions and impact.

All resume examples in this guide

Academic Advisor

High School Academic

College Academic

Grad School Academic

Resume Guide

Academic resume sample.

Academic resume format

Education section

Professional experience

Resume for new academics

Publications on an academic resume

Awards, honors, and grants

Academic skills

Professional profile

Optional sections

The academic job market has become increasingly complex, with tenure-track positions growing at a fraction of the rate of PhD graduates entering the field. As the demand for secure positions outpaces supply , crafting a standout academic resume is more crucial than ever.

This guide will help you highlight your achievements and align your experience with the shifting landscape of academia, ensuring your academic resume—an innovative hybrid between a traditional job-seeking resume and an academic CV —not only showcases your qualifications but also meets the demands of the environment.

More concise and tailored to specific faculty roles, this academic resume guide will be your first step toward securing tenure, whether you’re pursuing a faculty position or a research role.

Key takeaways

Embrace the new format which provides a concise yet comprehensive overview of your qualifications tailored to the specific academic role.
Customize your resume to align with the specific requirements of the institution and the job description.
Place education, employment history, and publications at the forefront.
Opt for a clear, organized layout with professional fonts and appropriate spacing to ensure readability.
Include numbers and metrics, especially for administrative roles, to quantify your impact.
Add sections like professional affiliations, conferences, and references to provide a well-rounded view of your academic contributions.

As you prepare to steer through the postsecondary job market, let’s explore an academic resume template that offers a solid starting point for your journey.

An academic resume, a sub-genre of the academic CV, is a specialized document used to apply for positions within academia. Unlike a standard job resume, it focuses on showcasing your academic experience and achievements through additional sections such as publications, research, teaching experience, and professional affiliations.

Here’s how a traditional academic resume example can look:

Diane A. Caesar

Assistant Professor of Political Science

[email protected] @LinkedIn Chicago, IL

Dedicated scholar and researcher specializing in Black Politics, with a strong focus on race, social movements, and political engagement within African American communities. Committed to fostering an inclusive academic environment and mentoring diverse students. Experienced in employing both qualitative and quantitative methodologies, with a robust publication record that contributes to the understanding of racial dynamics in American politics.

Ph.D. in Political Science University of Chicago Chicago, IL June 2018

Dissertation: Resistance and Resilience: African American Political Mobilization in Urban Spaces

Master of Arts in Political Science University of Chicago Chicago, IL June 2014

Bachelor of Arts in African American Studies Northwestern University Evanston, IL June 2012

Honors Thesis: The Legacy of the Civil Rights Movement in Contemporary Black Political Thought

Postdoctoral Fellow in Black Politics University of California, Berkeley Berkeley, CA August 2018 – Present

Conducted research on Black political participation and voter suppression in the United States.
Taught graduate seminars on race and American politics, mentoring a diverse group of students.
Collaborated on interdisciplinary projects examining the intersection of race, policy, and urban governance.

Instructor, Political Science University of Chicago Chicago, IL September 2016 – June 2018

Developed and taught undergraduate courses on Black Political Thought and the Civil Rights Movement.
Facilitated discussions on contemporary issues in Black politics, encouraging critical analysis and student engagement.
Supervised undergraduate research projects and provided academic advising to political science majors.

Research Assistant, Political Science Department Northwestern University Evanston, IL September 2012 – June 2014

Assisted in research on the political behavior of African American voters, contributing to multiple publications.
Conducted data analysis for a study on the impact of social movements on local politics.
Publications
Caesar, D. A. (2023). Mobilizing for Justice: Black Political Power in the 21st Century . New York: Oxford University Press.
Caesar, D. A. (2021). Voter Suppression and the New Jim Crow: A Study of Black Political Disenfranchisement. American Political Science Review .
Caesar, D. A. (2019). The Politics of Resistance: Black Lives Matter and the Rebirth of Civil Rights Activism. Journal of Race and Ethnic Politics .
Caesar, D. A. (2017). Urban Spaces, Urban Voices: Black Political Mobilization in Chicago. Urban Affairs Review .

Awards and honors

Best Dissertation Award , American Political Science Association | 2019
Ford Foundation Postdoctoral Fellowship | 2018 - 2019
Best Graduate Paper Award , Midwest Political Science Association | 2017
Graduate Research Fellowship , National Science Foundation | 2014 - 2018
English (Native)
French (Intermediate)
R for Statistical Computing
NVivo for Qualitative Research
SPSS, GIS for Political Mapping

Now, let’s explore how to format your academic resume for optimal impact.

How to format an academic resume

The best format for an academic resume is clear, organized, and tailored to the specific requirements of the institution you’re applying to. As a hybrid between an American-style CV and a job-seeking resume, it combines the strengths of both formats in its structure and content.

For early-career academics, emphasizing education and research interests is key, while those with more experience might lead with teaching appointments and publications. The structure of your academic resume should reflect what’s most relevant to the position you’re applying for, ensuring your strongest qualifications are front and center.

Here’s how the sections in an academic resume are commonly ordered:

Contact Information
Personal Profile or Research Objective
Professional Experience
Awards and Honors
(Optional) References

Since your academic resume is a streamlined version of a curriculum vitae, it should highlight your academic milestones while remaining clear and easy to read. Here are some tips.

Design and layout

Maintain margins between 0.5" to 1" to ensure your resume reads easily.
Opt for a traditional template which is a must in academia.
Choose professional fonts like Bitter and Volkhov in size 12 pt, and stick to a black-and-white color scheme to maintain a formal appearance. Reserve italics only for publication titles.
Don't worry about resume length . With Enhancv's resume builder , you can create a multi-page resume, allowing you to rearrange and customize sections to best illustrate your academic achievements.

Contact information

Start your resume header by prominently listing your contact details , including your name, phone number, email (e.g., [email protected]), home address, and, if applicable, your institutional address.
Use a job title that reflects your current academic position or research focus.
Include a link to your LinkedIn profile if your work spans both academic and industry settings, or if you want to demonstrate a broad professional network. Opt for an ORCID link if your focus is primarily on academic research, publications, and contributions within scholarly communities.
Omit a photo to keep the focus on your academic qualifications.

File format

Use a clear and professional filename , such as "Diane Caesar Assistant Professor Resume.pdf".
Save your resume as a PDF to preserve formatting, unless a different format is specified in the job posting.

Given the dense and varied information on an academic resume, prioritize clarity and consistency in formatting, especially with dates and bullet points, to prevent ATS confusion and ensure your qualifications are accurately captured.

You can see how your current resume scores against a real academic ATS using Enhancv’s resume checker .

Is your resume good enough?

Drop your resume here or choose a file . PDF & DOCX only. Max 2MB file size.

The right way to list your education on an academic resume

The education section is a cornerstone of your academic resume and typically comes at the top because it lays the foundation of your scholarly journey.

Here’s what to include:

Degree type and major (and minor , if applicable)
Institution name
Dates of ( expected) graduation
GPA and honors ( cum laude , Dean’s list , President’s list)
Thesis title (for higher degrees like a Ph.D.)
Advisor’s name (optional, typically for Ph.D. and sometimes Master’s)

Details like your thesis title and advisor’s name can be especially beneficial, as they provide potential employers with a deeper insight into your academic credentials and qualifications right from the start.

Here’s a good example of well-presented educational background on a resume:

• Dissertation: 'Interdisciplinary Approaches to Political Theory and Ethics'
• Graduated with distinction
• Senior Thesis: 'The Role of Ethics in Contemporary Political Decision-Making'
• Graduated summa cum laude

This education section describes the candidate’s academic history in a clear, reverse chronological order that’s easy to follow. Focusing on major achievements, such as dissertation titles and honors, ensures that the most important accomplishments stand out.

Next, let’s explore how the same approach is used to present your academic experience.

How to write your academic resume experience

The employment section builds on the foundation of your academic background. It typically includes roles like teaching and postdoctoral positions, research appointments, leadership activities, and administrative duties.

In an academic resume, the Professional Appointments section should include roles that involve research, administrative responsibilities, or leadership positions within academic or related institutions, such as research fellowships or department chair roles. The Teaching Experience section, on the other hand, is specifically for detailing your roles as an educator. It's important to keep these sections distinct.

When crafting each employment entry, add:

Your position (contracted ones only)
Name and location of the institution
Dates of tenure (years only)
A brief description of your responsibilities and achievements

Bullet points are less common on academic resumes but can be beneficial for roles with diverse responsibilities, such as administrative positions or research-intensive jobs, to underline specific achievements or key projects. Use them sparingly to make important details stand out.

When deciding how to word your entries (scholars can struggle with this, too!), it’s important to focus on the position you’re applying for. Unlike non-academic job seekers who prioritize only relevant experience, academic CVs often list every professional appointment, which can lead to overly dense passages.

To avoid this, try resume targeting —incorporate keywords from the job description into your resume. This approach helps make your content more concise and ATS-friendly, ensuring it aligns better with what employers are looking for.

Let’s look at a real-world example of an academic job opening and how an experience section can be tailored to it.

Dean, College of Arts and Sciences

Case Western Reserve University (CWRU) seeks a forward-thinking, highly ethical, and inspirational leader , who shares a deep commitment to higher education, and who is an accomplished scholar to serve as the next dean of the College of Arts and Sciences. The new leader will join CWRU and the college in the midst of rapid advancement and accelerated accomplishment. This leader will courageously advance the college within and outside of the university, fostering interdisciplinary collaboration in research , creative works , and scholarship . They will also empower highly talented students to be nimble, collaborative, and empowered in a rapidly changing world. The dean will build on the already positive and strong financial status of the college , drive research advancements , contribute to record-breaking fundraising , expand and improve facilities , and cultivate a culture of inclusion. In addition, they will elevate the college's profile nationally, attract top talent in the faculty and staff, and secure resources for continuous growth.

Qualifications:

The dean will possess stellar academic credentials , including a high degree of scholarship/research and a record of distinguished, recognized work in their area of expertise. The dean will hold a terminal degree and qualification for tenured appointment at the rank of full professor in a department within the college.

Here’s the candidate’s tailored resume experience:

• Led initiatives to enhance faculty development, including mentorship programs and workshops, resulting in a 25% increase in faculty retention.
• Managed the recruitment and onboarding of over 50 faculty members, contributing to the college's academic growth and diversity.
• Collaborated with department chairs to align faculty activities with strategic goals, improving overall departmental performance.
• Increased department research output by 40% through strategic faculty recruitment and development initiatives.
• Fostered interdisciplinary collaboration, leading to the creation of joint programs with the departments of Sociology and Economics.
• Implemented curriculum reforms that improved student engagement and academic outcomes, resulting in higher retention and graduation rates.
• Mentored over 30 Ph.D. candidates, many of whom have gone on to secure tenure-track positions at leading universities.
• Coordinated national and international conferences, elevating the department's profile and fostering global academic partnerships.

The candidate’s career path is clearly outlined, with key highlights including:

The positions reflect a career progression relevant to a Dean's role, with prestigious institutions like the University of Chicago and Princeton University.
The bullet points emphasize leadership in fundraising, diversity, interdisciplinary collaboration, research output, and mentoring, which align with the job description's focus on advancing the college's mission.
The resume format underscores major achievements in each role. Hiring committees can see how the candidate's experience matches the demands of the position at CWRU.

In academic resumes, the focus is often on significant milestones like peer-reviewed publications, which speak for themselves. However, for more task-driven or administrative roles, it’s beneficial to include numbers and metrics —such as fundraising amounts or percentage increases in research output—to quantify your impact and provide concrete evidence of your successes.

Next, let's explore how to craft an academic resume for those entering the field for the first time.

How do I write a postsecondary teacher resume with no experience

Earning tenure can take up to 7 years, with progression through ranks like assistant professor, associate professor, and professor. Because tenure decisions rely heavily on your research and institutional contributions, it's crucial to clearly reflect these on your resume.

Below are some guidelines you can follow:

Mention any significant research projects and publications, as they showcase your expertise and contributions to your field.
Include any teaching roles or assistantships, as these prove your ability to educate and engage with students.
List relevant academic awards and fellowships to show recognition of your potential and accomplishments.
Add a dedicated section for certifications , particularly if you’re teaching in a field where students need a license or certification. Having these credentials yourself is expected and adds to your credibility.
Don’t overlook relevant coursework that aligns with the job, as it shows your preparedness and knowledge in key areas.

For professionals transitioning into academia , emphasize how your industry expertise can enrich academic programs by underlining relevant experience and transferable skills . Leverage your social presence by showcasing engagement with the academic community through platforms like LinkedIn. This demonstrates your thought leadership and readiness for an academic career.

Next, let’s discuss how to properly list your academic publications on a resume.

Publications are typically listed near your employment history, and in some cases, they might even precede it. This is because being published often requires significant effort and is a major indicator of your expertise and impact in the field.

You can include various types, like peer-reviewed journal articles, book chapters, conference papers, and edited volumes. Just remember to place peer-reviewed and non-refereed publications (articles, essays, opinion pieces) in separate sections.

Here’s what to consider when listing your peer-reviewed publications :

Put them in reverse chronological order so your most recent work stands out.
Stick to a consistent citation style (like APA, MLA, or Chicago) that’s common in your discipline.
Include all the important details: authors, title, journal or book name, volume, pages, and publication year.

[...] forthcoming publications are included in this section. If they are already in the printing stage, with the full citation and page numbers available, they may be listed the same as other published publications, at the very top since their dates are furthest in the future. If they are in press, they can be listed here with “in press” in place of the year.

Karen Kelsky, PhD, author of The Professor Is In

Equally important are your awards and recognitions. Learn how to list them from the following section.

Awards, honors, and grants on an academic resume

These essential elements of your resume demonstrate your ability to attract funding, excel in your field, and contribute meaningfully to academia.

Examples include:

Research grants from institutions like the NIH (National Institutes of Health) or NSF (National Science Foundation).
Fellowships awarded for academic excellence or research potential.
Teaching awards recognizing outstanding contributions to student learning.
Conference awards for best paper or presentation.
Scholarships received for academic merit or specific research projects.

When listing your recognitions, prioritize relevance and list them in reverse chronological order. Include key details like the award name, institution, and date. If you have many awards, consider separating them into categories (e.g., research grants, teaching awards) to keep your resume organized.

Moving on, let’s focus on how you should present your academic skills on your resume.

How to list your academic skills on your resume

Although not very common, you can still include a skills section on an academic resume. This is especially valid in fields that require specific technical or methodological expertise, such as STEM, social sciences, and certain humanities disciplines.

Below is a list of hard skills that can enhance your academic resume.

Key hard skills for your academic resume

Technical skills : For fields like engineering, computer science, or data analysis, list specific software, programming languages, lab techniques, or equipment you’re proficient in.
Research skills : Mention specific methodologies, statistical analysis tools, or research techniques relevant to your field.
Teaching tools : If you have experience with online teaching platforms, learning management systems (LMS), or curriculum development software, these are worth mentioning.
Language proficiency : If relevant to your research or teaching, include any languages you speak fluently or can read and write in an academic context.

Don’t list soft skills on your academic resume, as they are considered subjective and less impactful than demonstrating your expertise through concrete achievements. Instead, focus on quantifiable hard skills that directly relate to the role you're applying for.

Now that we've covered all the essential sections, you might be wondering whether it’s time to include a personal profile. Below’s our take on it.

Should I write a personal profile for my academic resume

Include a personal profile on your academic resume to capture the attention of search committees, who often review resumes before any other application documents.

Similar to a resume summary , a personal profile offers a brief overview of your academic focus, key achievements, and career goals. This section is especially useful for early-career academics or those transitioning into academia, as it quickly spotlights your strengths.

Look at an example tailored to the job description provided earlier:

In contrast, a research objective is more specific, focusing solely on your research interests and how they align with the position you’re applying for. It’s also particularly beneficial for early-career researchers, postdoctoral fellows, or graduate students who are looking to establish themselves in a specific research area.

Here’s a strong example of a research objective you can emulate as a new academic:

A good profile or objective on an academic resume should clearly convey your academic focus and unique qualifications without becoming overly verbose. To keep readers engaged, use keywords from the job description and let your accomplishments reflect your credibility.

Finally, let's explore the optional sections you can include on your academic resume, which may vary depending on the specific requirements of different institutions.

Optional sections for an academic resume

Additional sections on an academic resume allow you to emphasize specific strengths or experiences that align closely with the unique expectations of the institution.

Here’s what you can consider including:

Professional affiliations : List memberships in academic or professional organizations to show your active engagement with the scholarly community.
Conferences and presentations : Detail your involvement in academic conferences and presentations to highlight your role in disseminating research and contributing to your field.
Service and leadership roles : Outline your service on committees or leadership in academic initiatives to illustrate your commitment to the broader academic community.
Public engagement and outreach : This section can show how you’ve extended your academic work beyond the university, engaging with the public or industry to broaden the impact of your research.
References : Often mandatory, a references section can provide immediate access to your academic and professional contacts who can vouch for your qualifications and character.

When listing your references, write each reference's name, current title, institution, and contact information (email and phone number). For example:

Dr. Maya Smith Professor of History University of Chicago Email: [email protected] Phone: (123) 456-7890

Typically, list 3-5 references, starting with those most relevant to the position, such as your Ph.D. advisor or current department chair.
Always obtain permission from each reference before including them on your resume, ensuring they are prepared to speak positively on your behalf.

In conclusion

Crafting an academic resume is about more than listing your credentials. It’s about aligning your aspirations and experiences with the specific needs of the role and the standards of the institution. By carefully tailoring your resume to reflect these expectations, you'll ensure that your qualifications are presented clearly and effectively to search committees.

Academic resume examples

Explore additional academic resume samples and guides and see what works for your level of experience or role.

Just as a Product Manager's role emerged from the software engineering field, the position of a Professor emerged from the sphere of advanced studies and research. As a result, trends in higher education and research methodologies directly influence the professoriate.

When preparing your resume for a professorial position, consider the following tips:

Highlight your experience with various advanced teaching methods like Active Learning, Problem-based Learning, and Inquiry-based Learning. Universities are constantly seeking innovative educators, hence showcasing your ability in these approaches can make your application more appealing.
Do not merely state pedagogical skills, illustrate them. Detail how your unique teaching methodology significantly improved student understanding or led to higher grades. Follow the "skill-action-results" model.
Display your research background. A good professor is often a good researcher. Demonstrate the impact of your research on your field and how your findings have been acknowledged by peers.
Exhibit on your resume that you have mastered course-related technical skills, which will prove your ability to navigate and teach complex subject matters.

Remember, your resume is a testament to your knowledge, experience and innovative teaching methods, and it's these qualities that universities look for in a Professor.

The High School Academic role serves as a link between middle school and tertiary education, playing a pivotal role in students' achievements through its unique educational skills and methodology.

Here are some suggestions on how to customize your High School Academic role application:

Highlight your familiarity with varied teaching techniques such as project-based learning, flipped classroom or blended learning. Mention these experiences in your resume as schools are in search for innovative educators.
Provide more than just a list of educational theories, such as Bloom's Taxonomy or Gardner's multiple intelligences. Show how you used these approaches to improve students' performance, e.g., "boosted student involvement by...", or "enhanced test scores through...”. Use the "skill-action-results" format.
Spotlight your specific subject expertise. Should you specialize in a certain subject as most high school academics do, indicate the positive effect this has had on your students.
Your focus should not only be on scholastic achievements. Demonstrate how you have assisted students in developing crucial skills such as leadership, societal contribution or intra/interpersonal skills, as schools deem these important in molding students.

For those seeking roles after completing their PhD, it is critical to focus on the skills and knowledge acquired during the process. Be it in academia, research or industry, your PhD status is a reflection of your specialized subject matter expertise.

Here are a few tips while applying post your PhD:

Highlight your research, the discipline it falls under, and its impact. Avoid using jargon unless it is necessary.
You've developed outstanding project and time management skills during your PhD, ensure to feature them prominently.
Collaboration, networking, and team management skills should be highlighted if you have worked in labs or collaborated with other researchers or professors.
Don't forget to feature your written and verbal communication skills developed through presenting findings, writing dissertations, and teaching.

Looking to build your own Academic resume?

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