The Curriculum Vitae:
Design Basics for Students
Sherry Luedtke, PharmD
Associate Dean, Professional Affairs
TTUHSC School of Pharmacy
What’s a CV?
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Curricula vitae
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Latin “course of life”
Used in lieu of a resume for international,
professional, or academic positions
Used for application purposes as well as means
for introducing invited speakers
How is a CV different than a
Resume?
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Longer (2+ pages)
Content
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Summary of academic,
teaching, research,
publications, honors, and
service
Purpose
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Career biography
Contents of a Standard CV
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Contact information
Professional objective
Professional licenses and
certifications
Education
Work experience
Clinical rotation
experiences
Presentations
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Publications
Research experience
Scholarly activities
Awards and honors
Grants
Professional
memberships
Community service
activities
References
Contents of Standard CV
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Complete contact information
Use permanent mailing address
 Consider including campus address, but indicate
which is permanent mailing address
 Include your email address
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Professional objective
The more specific the better
 Taylor to each position you target
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Residency versus clinical position
Contents of Standard CV
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Professional licenses/certifications
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Education
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Include licensure/certification numbers
Degree completion dates
Major
Institution attended
Work experience
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Title of position, dates of employment
Name of institution, location
Description of experience, responsibilities, and achievements
Contents of Standard CV
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Clinical rotation experiences
As student list clerkship experiences similar to work
experiences
 List rotation site, preceptor, short description of
activities
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Presentations
List titles, audience, dates
 Include academic presentations to highlight
communication skills
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Contents of Standard CVs
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Publications/Posters
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Research experiences
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List all publications in AMA style
Include newsletters, case reports, original research
List any research experiences (lab technician, data collection
experience)
Describe research skills developed
Scholarly activities
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List involvement in special projects and activities
Examples: DUE projects, data collection role in study,
experiences in projects on rotations
Contents of Standard CV
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Awards and honors
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Grants
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List specific awards, scholarships, recognitions
List grant (submitted and funded), funding source,
amount, dates
Professional memberships
List membership in organizations
 Leadership positions held and committee
involvement (dates)
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Contents of Standard CVs
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Community service activities
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List/describe volunteer and community service
activities
Activities with student organizations
 CAP projects
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References
Generally provided separately
 Ask before listing someone as reference
 Available upon request
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Different Versions of CVs
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Similar to a resume, different versions may be
necessary for different positions
Professional objective taylored to the position
Prioritize key experiences important for the
position to be presented early within CV
Stylistic Considerations
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Order of contents of CV should reflect individuals
strengths and take into consideration experiences
necessary for the position
Use action words when describing experiences
Reverse chronological order
Standard 8 ½ X 11 inch bond paper
Single side printing, preferably laser
Conservative, 12-14 size font throughout
Avoid excessive lines, graphics, shading, etc
Important “Cs” of CVs
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Clear
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Concise
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Includes everything you need to show qualifications
Consistent
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Include relevant and necessary information
Complete
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Well-organized, content flows well
Use consistent design, fonts, layout
Current
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Keep up to date, update at least annually
Important “Don’ts” for CVs
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Spelling or grammatical errors
Proof, proof, proof . . . . then proof again!!
 Have numerous people review
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Difficult to read fonts/small font size
Minimal 12 pt font, laser printer
 Standard fonts preferred
 Think conservative
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Cheap paper
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White, cream, gray bond paper
Important “Don’ts” for CVs
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Folding, stapling
Send in large envelope to companies
 Consider inserting header (upper right corner) with
name
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“Mass” mailing “to whom it may concern”
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Target specific individual within a company
Weak objective/philosophy
Lack cover letter
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First thing that is seen; need strong letter
Cover Letters
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Often more important than CV when mailing
information for a position
Need to make your letter unique to stand out
from the rest
Creative/unique letters
Show that you have researched the position and/or
institution/company
 Refer to connections that you might have
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Faculty members, residents
Cover Letters
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Cover letters should be addressed to a specific
individual
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Verify correct name spelling, title
First paragraph
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State interest in the position
Include several sentences which indicate interest in position
and qualifications
“After spending a great deal of time working as an intern in a
Children’s Hospital, I was interested to learn about the
position for a clinical pharmacist at Children Are Us
Hospital.”
Cover Letters
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Second/third paragraph
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Refer to CV enclosed and highlight experiences that prepare
you for the position
Personalize the qualities listed on CV pertinent to the
position
“The most enjoyable experiences I have had during my
clerkships occurred during my Pediatrics rotation. Seeing the
smile and sense of accomplishment on the face of the 5 year
old newly diagnosed diabetic whom I taught insulin injection
technique . . .”
Closing statement
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List contact information if any questions, enthusiasm for
position, offer to provide any additional information
Follow-up/Thank You Letters
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Decisions for second interviews/hiring may be
influenced by your follow-up after an interview
Just as important for positions no longer
interested in pursuing
Thank for time
 “I appreciate the time you spent with me discussing
the position, however the position does not meet my
career goals at this time. . .”
 Remember: PHARMACY IS A SMALL WORLD!!!!
AVOID BURNING BRIDGES
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Follow-Up/Thank You Letters
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Address letter to specific individual(s)
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Avoid generic letters
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Verify correct name spelling, title, etc
Make unique by referring to
discussions/experiences during interview
Timeliness
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Within 1 week of interview
Follow-Up/Thank You Letters
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First paragraph
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Indicate reason for letter/appreciation for interviewers time
“Thank you for taking the time to meet with me to discuss
the clinical pharmacist position at . . .”
Second paragraph
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Express continued interest in the position, your individual
contribution or “fit” with the position, understanding of
positions requirements
“After our visit, I believe the flexibility and emphasis on
clinical practice of the position would fit well with my goals .
.”
Follow-Up/Thank You Letters
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Third paragraph (optional)
Clarify misunderstandings during interview,
questions about your qualifications
 “Although I know that your are looking for someone
who has more experience, I feel that my . . .”
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Closing statement
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Re-emphasize continued interest and enthusiasm for
the position, contact information
Skills Employers Want
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Communication skills
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Teamwork/interpersonal skills
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Highlight in presentations/publications
Highlight group activities in coursework
Computer skills
Flexibility/adaptability
Self-confidence
Motivation/initiative
Work ethic
On-line Resource Materials for CVs
and Cover Letters
Numerous on-line resources providing examples
and templates for CVs and letters:
 http://www.jobweb.com/resources/library
 http://www.free-resumetips.com/resumetips/curriclm.html
 http://www.jobsearch.about.com/library/weekl
y/aa051902a.htm
On-line Resource Materials for CVs
and Cover Letters (cont’d)
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http://www.unf.edu/dept/cdc/publications/cur
riculm/welcome/.htm
http://search.about.com/fullsearch.htm?terms=
curriculum%20vitaes
http://www.cvtips.com/
http://jobstar.org/tools/resume/index.cfm
http://www.unf.edu/dept/cdc/publications/cur
riculum/welcome.htm#When%20is
ASHP On-Line Resources
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Professional Development Book
http://www.ashp.org/students/pdb2001.pdf
 Preparations for Midyear interviews, residencies
application process
 Example CVs, cover letters, etc (pgs 14-15; 32-40
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Career Development Kit
http://www.ashp.org/students/cds4web.pdf
 Information on job search, CV writing, interviewing
skills, contract negotiation
 CV writing tips (pg23-36)
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