Just like when applying for a job in industry, you should tailor your academic CV for every application. Make sure to find out as much as you can about the position and be realistic that you can match most of the requirements. Check the department’s website to see what kind of research they are currently involved in and what techniques you need to be aware of. Use your network of contacts to get information about the department to help tailor your CV.

Your CV will then need to present the evidence that you are a good match and that you can fulfill the job requirements point by point.  

Consider preparing a statement of academic research interest, which can be included as an ‘opener’ to your academic CV.

Your ‘statement of research interests’ can contain a proposal for future academic research and shows how that builds on your current expertise and achievements. It forms the basis for discussions and your presentation if you are invited for an interview.

Academic employers tend to be less prescriptive than industry employers about the length of a CV.    

• Personal details include your name, private email (make sure that it is professional sounding) and phone number. Addresses are no longer necessary.
• If relevant, you might also include your visa status and/or your citizenship.

• Use about 5 to 7 sentences to summarise your expertise in your discipline, years of expertise in these areas, noteworthy research findings, key achievements and publications. Your ‘statement of research interests’ contains a proposal for future academic research and shows how that builds on your current expertise and achievements. It forms the basis for discussions and your presentation if you are invited for an interview.

• Provide an overview of your education starting from your most recent academic degree obtained (reverse chronological order).
• Include the names of the institutions, thesis or dissertation topics and type of degree obtained.
• List your most reputed publications in ranking of type, such as books, book chapters, peer-reviewed journal articles, non-peer-reviewed articles, articles presented as prestigious conferences, forthcoming publications, reports, patents, and so forth.
• Consider making an exhaustive list of all publications in an appendix.

• List your most reputed publications in ranking of type, such as books, book chapters, peer-reviewed journal articles, non-peer-reviewed articles, articles presented as prestigious conferences, forthcoming publications, reports, patents, and so forth.
• Consider making an exhaustive list of all publications in an appendix.

• Your research experiences, findings, the methods you use and your general research interests are critical to present in the first part of your CV.
• Highlight key research findings and accomplishments.

• List your teaching experience, including the institutions, years you taught, the subjects you taught and the level of the courses.

• Include any employment in industry that is recent (within the last 5 to 10 years) and relevant to your academic work.
• Professional experience can explain any gaps in your academic work and demonstrate the diversity in your capabilities.

• Highlight key skills and qualifications relevant to your research and academic work.
• Technical and practical skills, certifications, languages and other potentially transferrable skills are relevant to mention in this section.

• If you belong to any professional group or network related to your areas of expertise, you should mention them in this section.
• Only list affiliations or memberships you have been active with within the last 5 years.
• Keep this section short.

• List the most relevant conferences or seminars where you presented or participated on a panel within the last 5 to 7 years.
• In an appendix, you can add an exhaustive list of conferences and seminars where you participated by giving a speech, presenting a paper or research, or took part in a discussion panel.

• List at least three people who can provide a reference for your research, work and character. Check with them first to make sure the are comfortable recommending you and aware of the opportunities you are seeking.
• Provide their names and complete contact information. They should all be academics and all people you have worked with.

• Appendices enable you to keep the main content of your CV brief while still providing relevant detail.
• Items to list in an appendix can include publications, short research statements or excerpts, conference or seminar participation, or something similar and relevant which you would like to provide more details about.