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CV
Design Tips
Scientists have
an advantage over non-scientists in our industry because there is
no set limit to CV length. The most important consideration still
remains clarity since employers like to be able to quickly "pull
out" pertinent points from work history. General rule of thumb is
to keep history concise with less detail provided from early job
history.
Click
here to see a sample CV.
Layout
Add interest
and clarity by judicious use of fonts (such as bold face and italics)
in addition to indents and bullets. Avoid using unconventional fonts,
photos, or graphics.
Education
Is the single most important thing on the CV, so add the graduate
initials to your name, include contact information at home, work
and via Email so that potential employers can reach you when needed.
Place Educational history near the top of the CV so that hiring
managers can see where you were educated. There is often common
history shared with employees at your new potential workplace that
can assist your hiring effort.
Brief
Summary
A quick summary of work history is valuable since it presents your
background and experience quickly and immediately. Details follow
and will support the summary.
Job
Data
Define the specifics of the company that you wok with if it's a
relative newcomer to our field. No one can keep up with the thousands
of small firms that have formed over the last 10 years. Major pharmaceuticals
are usually exempt from this need, although calling out your specific
functions and accomplishments still is important.
Key
accomplishments and Responsibilities
Should
be summarized, especially if they yielded a publication or patent,
produced a savings or profit, or led to your development as a manager
of people or resources.
Other
Valuable Assets
Call out
computer and language skills as pertinent. If you are multi-lingual,
it may add value to you if your new employer has international connections.
Computer skills are considered routine needs for scientists, but
calling out statistical software knowledge, plus specific programs
used in your domain sometimes adds value.
Bibliography
and References
Prepare a second document and provide them or send the information
as needed. Don't expect prospective companies to read them unless
interested and if they express interest in seeing a bibliography,
you have a hot prospect.
Professional
Affiliations
It is always wise to provide membership information to professional
associations - within limits. Two or three associations is usually
adequate. Too many association memberships may make you appear to
be a candidate who goes to a lot of conventions.
Keep your personal
affiliations and interests to yourself. This is a technical CV.
Dates
and Gaps
Verify that there are no holes or gaps in your work history. Employers
are sensitive to gaps and will often reject a candidate with an
apparent gap.
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