Academic CV - Template & Writing Tips

When preparing an Academic Resume, there are simple rules and guidelines which every student must keep in mind. Essentially, they are not much different from a resume you normally prepare. The big difference is the absence of some sections like summary and objective statement or aim. Apart from that, the Academic Resume is a standard 1-2 page document that aims at capturing your candidature by highlighting your achievements. Learning how to write an impressive resume requires an understanding of both the content, which you should include, as well as an understanding of which format to follow. Let's have a look at an academic CV template for international students.

Academic CV Template

Here is the format you can follow for MS/PhD courses:

FULL NAME

Complete postal address with city, pin code, state and country

Contact No: _________________; Email: ______________________

ACADEMIC QUALIFICATION

Wondering how to write educational qualification in resume? Look at the section below and understand what all should be included:

What? Where? When? CGPA?

• Postgraduate Degree (Specialization), Name of the University/ Institute, City, Year, (CGPA/ percentage) (if applicable)
• Undergraduate Degree (Specialization), Name of the University/ Institute, City, Year, (CGPA/ percentage) (if applicable)

This is the ideal educational qualification in resume format. Applicants can follow this and then other details can follow in the correct chronological order. 

WORK EXPERIENCE

Designation, Department, Organisation, City (when-when)

• Key role: (in bullet points) Use this space to list down your role and responsibility
• Keep the list brief, and to the point and use action words to begin your sentences, for example, developed, created, handled, led, demonstrated, innovated, initiated etc.
• Highlight any special award you have received in the organization, any special appreciation or any innovative idea you might have implemented. Remember to highlight the result/outcome in the latter case.
• Project Name: Mention the name of the client/ project you have worked on if applicable
• Technologies Employed: If you have worked on any niche technology, mention it here
• Note: List all the organizations you have worked in, in reverse chronology which means the most recent on top, and then before that and so on. For instance, you are presently working for ABC and before that, you were working with XYZ, then first mention ABC and follow the format to list down your experience with XYZ.

INTERNSHIPS/ INDUSTRIAL TRAINING

What? Where? When? Mention your findings and learning in each case

INTERNATIONAL EXPOSURE

Mention in detail, if any

Also mention if participated in any exchange programs and how you were selected.

RESEARCH PROJECTS

An important aspect; mention in detail all projects that have been undertaken. Please use the following format:

Title:

Location: Institution, City

Duration: (when – when)

Team Size:

Brief Description: (Write a short paragraph of 50-80 words here)

Individual Role: (Write in bullet points)

TECHNICAL SKILLS

Mention in detail – where have you used those skills

• Languages: Ex. C language, PHP, CSS
• Database Management System: Ex. My SQL
• Operating Systems: Ex. Microsoft Office 2003, 2007, 2010
• Design Software: Ex. CATIA, AutoCAD

AWARDS AND ACHIEVEMENTS

Mention if any

CERTIFICATIONS

Mention if any

CO-CURRICULAR ACTIVITIES

Mention if any (for example, seminars, workshops, technical presentations or fests, conferences, papers, publications etc.)

• Use this space to mention any papers that you presented/ published, any specific seminars you presented, conferences or workshops attended etc.
• You can create separate sub-sections if the number is too high

EXTRACURRICULAR ACTIVITIES

Mention if any, with proper details of what, where, when, your role etc.

• Highlight any extracurricular participation/ achievements.
• List only inter-college, district, state, national or international-level events
• Debates/ quizzes/ sports/ theatre are all to be clubbed
• Write in reverse chronological order
• Avoid listing out certificates received in school until they were of national/ international level

COMMUNITY SERVICE/ SOCIAL WORK

Mention if any, with proper details

Discuss any volunteer work or social work done

Tips for Writing an Exemplary Academic CV

While the format lists the sections you must include, here are a few basics of a good Academic Resume:

• Font should be consistent
• The resume should not exceed two pages
• The document should be in ‘justified’ alignment
• Mention content under each section in bullet points (not paragraph form)
• Do NOT use personal pronouns (like – I, me, us, we etc.) in the resume
• Do NOT use abbreviations (like etc., i.e.).

 Also Read

• Difference between MS and MBA Resume
• How to Present Professional Experience in Resume
• Things to include in your MS Resume 
• Common Errors to avoid in an Academic Resume

Have more queries? Write to us in the comments section below and we shall get back to you!