Career Talk

The CV Doctor

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By Mary Morris Heiberger and Julie Miller Vick

How good is your C.V.?

Putting together an effective curriculum vitae is one of the most crucial tasks in your job hunt. But if you're like most academics, it could probably use a little polishing.

Take a look at the five C.V.'s below, submitted to us for public critique in our column by scholars in disciplines ranging from art to biology. We selected C.V.'s that were already strong but that could benefit from some revisions.

Many of our suggestions were designed to emphasize a candidate's key qualifications. Search committees are often overwhelmed with materials, and you want a C.V. that looks impressive when someone glances at it for a few seconds.

One of the biggest mistakes candidates make is omitting information that would be relevant or interesting to a hiring committee. It would be helpful to go over your C.V. with a senior colleague who knows you and your work.

Keep in mind that even the best C.V. might be revised to highlight one's qualifications for a specific position. For more information, consult The Academic Search Handbook and the materials put out by your disciplinary association.

• Social sciences

• Education or other professional school

• Humanities

• Fine or creative arts

• Sciences