The Curriculum Vitae (C.V.)

The format of the CV has some latitude. For example, you might wish, for the sake of space or appearance, to use double columns for certain information (name, address, etc.). A good general rule is that you should never make any choices that might come across as either eccentric or aggrandizing: thus no photos, no unusual fonts or colours, and no unusual paper or borders. Be professional.

Sample C.V.
Applicant’s Name
Contact address
City, Province, Postal code
Area code, contact phone number
[Alternate contact address and/or phone, if desired]
E-mail address

Citizenship or residency [generally only used to show eligibility for Canadian positions]

Degrees Awarded [Order: Ph.D., M.A., B.A.]

[Date              Degree                  Institution Awarding Degree]

2004-   :           Ph.D.   University of Toronto. Defense anticipated: May 2009.

2003-2004       M.A.    Cambridge University.

1999-2003:      B.A.    The University of the Virgin Islands (West Bank Campus)

Thesis [= U.S.: “Dissertation”]

[Title]

If your thesis is complete, unless the title is unusually self-explanatory, set, below your thesis title, 1-3 sentences that clearly and succinctly summarize the thesis. Or attach a thesis abstract (of up to 250 words) at the end of the CV and mention here that you have done so.

[Supervisor and the other members of your thesis committee:  List by name.]

Grants and Awards

[Date   Title of Award]

Teaching Interests

Research Interests

[These may be grouped together. If separated, the “Teaching Interests” category is intended to suggest that you’re interested in teaching in some areas beyond your research. Don’t pad here: you will be asked about these interests.]

Teaching experience

[Date   Course            Your title         The nature of your duties.      Supervisor, if not an

independent instructor]

[Being detailed in this part of your CV, i.e., giving year-by-year synopses is usually necessary in the first 3-5 years of your teaching experience. After that you will simplify this part of your CV by summarizing.]

Academic Publications [If you have several kinds of publications (which might include books written, books edited, refereed essays, essays in scholarly volumes, non-refereed essays, and academic book reviews), create subheadings to distinguish these. For manuscripts accepted for publication, but not yet in print, say where it will appear and add “forthcoming” after the entry: give expected date of publication, if known. Provide word length. Always use MLA format. Show any co-authors. Work in submission can be included here, but usually in a separate category (“In Submission”); show word count, date of submission, and the journal to which it has been submitted. Creative writing may also be included as a separate category (especially if it has received distinguished publication); however, it is often best omitted—especially for Canadian universities.]

Work in Progress [It is usually a good idea to include this category, but it is almost never a good idea to list more than one work in progress. Be prepared to talk about this project—possibly in detail—if you get to an interview.]

[“Title,” type of project (book, article, translation, dissertation revision, etc.), anticipated completion date if possible.]

Conference Presentations [This category may be titled in other ways to allow you to include other relevant oral presentations; for example, “Conference Presentations and Guest Lectures” or “Conference Activity” (which would allow you to include chairing panels). But don’t pad. Remember, a high ratio of conference activity to publications is not to your benefit.]

[“Title.” Name of Conference. Location. Month, day, year of conference.]

Other Academic Experience [include administrative, editorial, or other non- teaching experience]

[Dates worked             Title, Job or Activity

Description of your contributions.]

Other Experience [Briefly list experience that might seem relevant to your professional status; omit any that is not. Non-academic editing, arts organizations, etc., would be appropriate; as well, experience that might not seem relevant to you might be worth including if it indicates, for example, an administrative side to your profile—the ability to manage a budget, etc.]

Address of dossier service and names of referees [Give a list of your referees that is the same as the authors of your dossier letters.]

[Name, Title
Full Institutional Affiliation

Contact information]

Adapted from many sources, including the Department of English Placement Office