RESUME GUIDE
PhD STUDENT
What's a
Resume?
3
Resume Dos
and Don'ts
8
Resume or CV?
4
Graduate
Resume
Templates
9
Developing
Content
5
Resume
Checklist
13
TABLE OF CONTENTS
PAGE 2
CV Sections
14
Suggested CV
Categories
16
PhD CV
Template
17
WHAT'S A RESUME?
A resume is your personal marketing material.
Devoting time to drafting your resume will help
shave countless minutes and hours off when
you begin customizing your resume for specific
positions. As you’ll learn, there is great
importance in customizing your resume for the
position that you are applying for.
What sections should I
include in my resume?
It depends. Everyone’s experience is unique,
so your resume will likely look different than
some of your peers. Below are some common
sections that we typically recommend for Rice
students and alumni. However, many of these
may overlap and it is not wise to include all of
these sections. Be sure to come to the CCD to
discuss how you can best market yourself
through your resume.
• Education
• Relevant Coursework
• Relevant Projects
• Relevant Research
• Research Experience
• Professional Experience
• Work Experience
• Internship Experience
• Leadership Experience
• Activities
• Community Involvement
• Skills
• Awards & Honors
• Certifications
PAGE 3
What can the CCD help with?
We are here to assist you as you learn the skills
necessary for crafting a great resume. Please note
that the team is here to help support you in the
creation of your professional resume. This support
includes providing comments, suggestions, and
minor edits. Our support does not include writing
resumes or resume sections. We want to equip
you with the tools and knowledge necessary so
you will always be empowered to craft your
resume for now and in the future.
CVRESUME
Resume or CV
WHAT’S THE DIFFERENCE?
PAGE 4
A CV (which is Latin for course of life)
will focus on what you “know” meaning
the details of the document will highlight
scholarly work, research, teaching, and
academic experiences. The goal of this
document is to list a wide range of
scholarly works or achievements over
time. This means that a CV does not have
a page limit.
A resume should focus on “application of
knowledge/skills” in a concise manner
and less on content like conference
presentations, publications, and scholarly
works. Therefore, a resume is best suited
for non-academic and most non-
research-oriented jobs. Note that
international jobs use the terms “resume”
and “CV” interchangeably so be sure to
be mindful of the document standards by
country.
A standard resume will be 1-2 pages in
length and summarizes items like work
experience, research, internships,
student involvement, etc. Avoid using
online templates to build your resume.
The easiest method is to start with a
blank document in Microsoft Word or
Pages to build your resume.
The difference between a resume and a curriculum vitae (CV) can be a bit confusing at first. Before you
begin writing, first consider the following: Who is my audience? What skills or experiences do I need
to emphasize for the opportunity? What types of career opportunities am I considering? These
factors will dictate the kind of document that you will use in your application.
Follow the outline and steps throughout this
guide to check your progress and make sure
you’re on the right track. If in doubt about
which document you should choose, feel free
to get a second opinion through an advising
appointment with the CCD!
ACTION VERB RESULT, PURPOSE, OR IMPACTCORE CONTENT
Bullet points are the most important information on your resume, as they serve as the vehicle in which
you can display the skills and experiences employers are seeking. Crafting strong bullet points takes
time and effort as you highlight your experiences/skills as they relate to the position. Your bullet
points should be tailored to the job/internship description to put you in the best position to be
selected for an interview. By following the formula below, you will create the complete, fully realized
bullet points that employers expect. You will also want to quantify your bullet points in order for
employers to understand the context of your work.
BULLET POINTS
Developing
Developed programs that increased circulation of weekly newspaper by 6% and tracked progress
Raised $1250 from the freshman class for the Public Service Center
Photographed 350+ participants and their families for the closing ceremony slideshow
Developed an iteratively revised design for a purpose build accelerometer to explore acceleration changes in microgravity
Researched commercial components to determine their suitability for use in the creation of a video conference kiosk
Organized a fall event with $16,000 budget and over 1500 attendees
It is important to diversify your bullet points and align them with the job description. Do not repeat
yourself, even if your experiences are similar. Focus on different experiences, activities, and skills that
can display how you meet the requirements listed. On the next two pages is a list of action verbs,
aligned with transferable skills, which you can draw from when creating your bullet points.
PAGE 5
MANAGEMENT SKILLS
administered
analyzed
assigned
attained
chaired
consolidated
contracted
coordinated
delegated
developed
organized
oversaw
planned
prioritized
produced
recommended
reviewed
scheduled
strengthened
supervised
directed
evaluated
executed
improved
increased
RESEARCH SKILLS
clarified
collected
critiqued
interpreted
interviewed
investigated
diagnosed
evaluated
examined
extracted
identified
inspected
organized
reviewed
summarized
surveyed
systematized
TECHNICAL SKILLS
assembled
built
calculated
computed
remodeled
repaired
solved
upgraded
designed
devised
engineered
fabricated
maintained
operate
overhauled
programmed
TEACHING SKILLS
advised
clarified
coached
communicated
guided
informed
instructed
persuaded
coordinated
demystified
developed
enabled
encouraged
evaluated
explained
facilitated
set goals
stimulated
trained
addressed
arbitrated
arranged
authored
COMMUNICATION SKILLS
collaborated
convinced
corresponded
developed
directed
drafted
edited
enlisted
formulated
influenced
interpreted
lectured
lectured
mediated
moderated
negotiated
persuaded
promoted
publicized
reconciled
recruited
spoke
translated
wrote
addressed
arbitrated
arranged
authored
Action Verbs
PAGE 6
FINANCIAL SKILLS
administered
allocated
analyzed
appraised
audited
balanced
budgeted
calculated
computed
developed
forecasted
managed
marketed
planned
projected
researched
CREATIVE SKILLS
acted
conceptualized
created
customized
integrated
introduced
invented
originated
developed
directed
established
fashioned
founded
illustrated
initiated
instituted
performed
planned
revitalized
shaped
HELPING SKILLS
assessed
assisted
clarified
coached
motivated
referred
rehabilitated
represented
counseled
demonstrated
diagnosed
educated
expedited
facilitated
familiarized
guided
MORE VERBS FOR ACCOMPLISHMENTS
achieved
expanded
restored
spearheaded
improved
pioneered
reduced
resolved
ADMINISTRATIVE SKILLS
approved
arranged
catalogued
classified
organized
prepared
processed
purchased
collected
compiled
executed
generated
implemented
inspected
monitored
operated
recorded
retrieved
screened
specified
systematized
tabulated
validated
Action Verbs
PAGE 7
Resume Dos AND DON'TS
Keep your resume to 1-2 pages!
Use consistent formatting throughout
Dos
Dont's
Use bullet points
Tailor your resume to each position
Update your resume at least once per semester
Use bold, underline, and italics sparingly
Use an easy to read common font
Use at least a 10-12 pt font size for your bullet points.
Use at least a 16pt font size for your name.
Use narrow margins (.5”) in order to fit more content
in and allow it to be easily printed
Send your resume in a PDF format
Include both month and year when writing your dates
Use simple, every day language
Be 100% honest on your resume
Print your resume on quality paper when
distributing in person
Have a PCA or a CCD team member
review your resume!
Use an unprofessional email address
Use different formats (8/16 | Aug 16 | 8.2016)
Describe your experience in paragraph form
Use one resume for all applications
Reveal personal details
(gender, religion, sexual orientation, citizenship)
Use bold, underline, and italics sparingly
Use decorative fonts, colors, or infographics
(Unless you are going into graphic design or a creative file)
Send your resume in a .doc or .docx format, unless
specifically requested
Include the day
Use overly technical language that may confuse
the reader
Lie or embellish your accomplishments
Use a font size below 10pt…no one can read it
Create custom margins below .5”, it will not print well
Repeat yourself
Send out your resume without a critique.
Adapted from The Damn Good Resume Guide. Yana Parker, Berkley, Ten Speed Press, 2012.
PAGE 8
PhD Resume Template
PAGE 9
Sample Resume #1
PAGE 10
Sample Resume #2
PAGE 11
RICE CCD Resume Checklist
PAGE 13
Is your name at the top of the page in an easy-to-read font?
Is your address, phone number, email, and LinkedIn easy to
read and on one line?
Is your resume an appropriate length (1 page preferred)?
Is formatting (e.g., font, bullet sizes, heading styles, bold, and caps)
consistent throughout the resume?
Are the headings and bullets evenly spaced?
Are verb tenses in the present tense for current positions
and past tense for previous positions?
Are there approximately 2-4 statements per position?
If using bullet points, are the bullets an appropriate size, and is there
space between the bullet and text?
Is punctuation consistent?
Is the resume polished and appealing to read, with sections clearly labeled?
Is the resume free of typographical errors and misspellings?
LAYOUT & APPEARANCE
CONTENT
Are the following headings included: Education, Experience, Activities,
Skills (variations may exist like Research Skills or Technical Skills)?
Do entries in Activities and/or Honors demonstrate additional skills or
experiences as opposed to listing numerous extracurricular activities?
Does the Education section state official degree and expected graduation
date? Is GPA (if over 3.0 or required) included and accurate?
In Relevant Courses, do the courses (named, not listed as numbers)
demonstrate a higher level or relevant supplementary knowledge?
Do the bullets in the Experience section begin with action verbs? Are a
variety of action verbs utilized in the section?
Do the statements demonstrate accomplishments rather than routine
tasks/duties?
Are statements written in short and concise phrases that give enough
detail to pique interest without being repetitive/excessive in description?
Does the resume list honors and/or special skills such as languages,
programming skills, etc.?
Do bullets follow the formula: action verb + core content +
results/purpose/impact?
Are results stated in bullet form quantified (Ex. Increased efficiency by 20%)?
Yes No
Yes No
The following list of categories is by no means exhaustive; if you have relevant qualifications
that are not covered by any of these categories, feel free to add more. You should check with
someone in your department to find out what a CV in your field should include or emphasize.
Sections to Include
IN YOUR CV
Personal information (Heading). This section includes your name, address, area code, telephone
number, and e-mail address. Your name should be at the top of the page in bold print. Consider
using a larger font size than the rest of the document. Use formal names; never abbreviate them
on a CV or resume. List your mailing address, along with the best phone number to reach you.
Educational history. In this section, list every post-secondary school you have attended. For each
school, include your major, degree, date of completion (or expected date), the titles of your
theses and dissertations, and your advisor. Also list minors, subfields, and any honors you have
received; however, if you have several prestigious honors and awards, you may want to list them
in a separate section. If your field is in the humanities, you may want to have a separate
Dissertation section in which you give a short summary of your dissertation and the names of
your dissertation readers.
Professional experience. All teaching or research positions you have held should go here. Include
the course name, dates, and a brief description for each course you have taught. If you want to
give a greater emphasis to teaching, research, or any other aspect of your professional
experience, you can split this category into multiple categories, such as Teaching Experience,
Research Experience, or Fieldwork. Do not forget to use action verbs when describing your
responsibilities; they will grab the readerʼs attention more forcefully and make your resume more
memorable.
Academic service. Include the names of all committees you have served on and a description of
each academic service position you have held.
Memberships. List all national, regional, state, or local professional organizations to which you
belong, with dates of membership. Past memberships and student memberships should be listed
if they are relevant.
Publications. Give bibliographic citations (using the format appropriate to your particular
academic discipline) for articles, pamphlets, chapters in books, research reports, etc. that you
have authored or co-authored. For people in fine arts areas, this can include descriptions of
recitals, art exhibits, etc. Materials pending publication, marked as such, go in this section as well.
PAGE 14
References. Your references should go on a separate sheet.
PAGE 15
Papers presented. Give titles of professional presentations (using the format appropriate to your
particular academic discipline), name of conference or event, dates, and location. If appropriate
in your discipline, you can also include a brief description. Also list any professional workshops
you have conducted here.
Papers currently under submission. Do not forget to update your CV when the status of one of
your papers changes.
Grants. For each grant, include the name of the grant, the name of the granting agency, the date
received, and the title or purpose of the research project.
Teaching and research interests. Generally, these will be two separate categories. Again, if you
have a degree in the sciences, you will probably want to emphasize research.
Other sections. If you have relevant skills or qualifications that do not fit into any of these
categories, you can include sections such as Languages, Community Involvement, or Educational
Travel. Before you add anything to your CV, make sure that it is relevant to the position you are
applying for and remember that a CVʼs focus is narrower than that of a resume.
Sections to Include
IN YOUR CV (CONT.)
Research Experience
Research Overview
Administrative Experience
Exhibits/Exhibitions
Arrangements/Scores
Academic Service
Professional Service
University Involvement
Service
Faculty Leadership
Committee Leadership
Departmental Leadership
Professional Association
Leadership and Activities
Scholarly Presentations
Conference Presentations
Convention Addresses
Workshop Presentations
Workshops and Conventions
Programs and Workshops
Conferences Attended
Conference Participation
Conference Leadership
Memberships
Affiliations
Professional Memberships
Memberships in Scholarly
Societies
Professional Organizations
Professional Certification
Certificates
Licensure
Special Training
Endorsements
Teaching Interests
Academic Interests
Research Interests
Educational Interests
Professional Interests
Scholarships
Fellowships
Academic Awards
Special Honors
Distinctions
College Distinctions
Activities and Distinctions
Honors and Distinctions
Honors and Awards
Prizes
College Activities
Foreign Study
Study Abroad
Travel Abroad
Languages
Language Competencies
Dossier
Credentials
Placement File
References
Recommendations
Academic Preparation
Academic Training
Academic Background
Education
Educational Background
Educational Overview
Professional Studies
Degrees
Principal Teachers
Thesis
Masterʼs Project
Comprehensive Areas
Dissertation
Dissertation Title
Professional Competencies
Educational Highlights
Course Highlights
Proficiencies
Areas of Knowledge
Areas of Expertise
Areas of Experience
Areas of Concentration in
Graduate Study
Professional Experience
Professional Overview
Professional Background
Teaching Experience
Teaching Overview
Experience Summary
Experience Highlights
The Curriculum Vitae Handbook. Anthony, Rebecca and Gerald Roe, Rudi Publishing, Iowa City, 1994.
PAGE 16
Suggested CV CATEGORIES
PhD CV Template
12 point font for your contact information for the body of your resume; 0.5-1” margins
PAGE 17
Schedule an appointment to have your CV reviewed at the Center for Career Development - ccd.rice.edu
PhD CV Template (cont.)
PAGE 18
PhD CV Template (cont.)
PAGE 19
EDUCATING them on knowledge of self, career options, and resources
CONNECTING them with opportunities through the global Rice network
EMPOWERING them with the confidence, skills, and tools to achieve
lifelong career fulfillment
Vision:
To empower all Rice students to find and make their place in the world.
Mission:
We believe all Rice students are capable of achieving their professional goals.
Our mission is to support this by:
Center for Career Development
Huff House, Rice University
6100 Main Street, MS 521
Houston, TX 77005
RICE CENTER FOR CAREER DEVELOPMENT
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