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Chapter 15

When You Really

Are a Brain Surgeon:

Curriculum Vitae

In This Chapter

➤ How a curriculum vitae differs from a resume
➤ Who needs a curriculum vitae

➤ How to write an interesting and dynamic curriculum vitae
➤ Why more is more on a curriculum vitae
➤ How to create your own curriculum vitae

Curriculum vitae have been called the brainy resumes because they’re used by scholars,
scientists, and, yes, brain surgeons. But you don’t have to have a degree in brain surgery
to write one. In fact, now that you understand the principles behind good resume writing,
you’re almost ready to write your curriculum vitae.
A quick run through this chapter will teach you a few tricks of the curriculum vitae trade
and will get you on track. Pretty soon you’ll have a curriculum vitae you can present with
pride.

Curriculum Vitae vs. Resume

When seeking a faculty, research, or leadership position at an academic or scientific organi-
zation, you need a special resume called a curriculum vitae (vita or CV for short). If you think
a curriculum vitae sounds like a formal document, you can relax; there’s no need to put on
your evening gown or tuxedo to write your CV! Writing one will be a casual event for you
because you’ve already learned the principles behind an effective resume. (Remember the
Resume Commandments from Chapter 3, “Winning Resume Wisdom,” and the Top Ten
Checklist from Chapter 11, “Step Six: The Big Production”?)
To create a CV, there are three exceptions to the resume guidelines you read about in Parts 1,
“Plan to Succeed,” and 2, “Six Steps to a Perfect Resume”: