Thursday, September 2, 2010

Write A Postdoc Resume

When writing a post-doctoral resume, remember this key fact: in academic circles, more is better. The way an academic institution judges applicants is quite different from other businesses. So your resume should actually resemble the curriculum vitae (CV) that provides exhaustive information about your education, teaching and research listed in reverse chronological order. This is important because the purpose of your resume is to establish your professional credentials in a manner that proves you will be an asset to the institution.


Instructions








1. Collect all relevant information regarding your education and experience with teaching and research. Note project details you worked on and publication credits that emphasize your research interests. Keep all this information handy when you begin to write your resume.


2. Customize your resume to the specific institute where you are applying. For example, if you are applying to research institutions, list details of your publications, presentations at conferences, awards and any current research you are associated with at the beginning of your resume. When applying to smaller institutions, emphasize your teaching experience and your ability to interact with students to motivate them to perform better.


3. Study the job posting to get information regarding applicant qualifications. Visit the institute's website and find out details of the offered educational programs. Identify key areas of research focus and confirm that your research interests are in harmony with those of the institution. If possible, speak to someone you know who works or is a student there to get a feel for their values. Tailor your resume to match those details. For example, if you realize that the institution provides students with internship opportunities, emphasize your networking capabilities with key people in related industries.


4. Arrange all the information on your resume in a reverse chronological order. Start with details of the most recent aspect of your profile and move backwards to your educational qualifications. Provide details of the academic and administrative responsibilities you handled at every stage of your education and career in academics.


5. Include details of your professional affiliations and certifications that are relevant to your career. Emphasize any honors or awards you received for excellence in education, teaching or research. Give details of the department or institution where you received the award. Include information such as fellowships and honors you received during your undergraduate coursework. This is important as the academic world values educators who are role models for students.








6. Provide the names and contact details of your references in order of their importance, such as your chair or advisor first, followed by committee members or other subject authorities who are familiar with your research work.

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