cv sample for phd scholarship

How to Write Academic CV for Scholarship (10 Examples)

When applying for a scholarship, your CV (Curriculum Vitae or Resume) often works as the first evaluation filter in which you seeks to comply with the basic requirements of the call, that your experience is aligned with the program to which you want to apply and that you are a candidate with academic, professional and personal potential.

Academic CV for scholarship should be short and specific. It is recommended to use Times New Roman font and bullets, bold and capital letters to show relevant information to the reader. The information must be in chronological order. Don’t fall a prey to clichés rather portray something unique about yourself.

The role of academic CV is to capture the attention of the scholarship provider so that it continues with the Motivation Letter, which aims to finish convincing him that your candidacy is the most indicated above all others. An ill-planned academic CV may rope in scholarship denial.

This makes the CV one of the most important documents in the evaluation process. We want to tell you some tips based on our experience of winning scholarships and successfully advising other people in their application processes.

Reflect and Brainstorm your Academic CV

Before starting to write your resume, you must make an assessment of yourself and determine the elements of your professional, academic and personal experience which you will place on paper.

Initially you should gather as much information as possible to have a broader view of what you have to offer, and then you should choose which ones to show and how to do it. Remember that the scholarship provider has the final word, so research about him and the profile he seeks . Based on this, select and highlight the most relevant skills and experiences in your Curriculum Vitae (CV).

You can start the research by reading the description of the scholarship and its requirements very well. You can also check the profiles of other fellows studying on that scholarship. Many times the scholarship providers publish articles or institutional videos in which other scholars share their experience and that is your opportunity to analyze their profile.

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When you do your research identify key words and write them down in a list, so you know how to address your CV (resume). For example, you will know if you should focus more on the academic, professional or personal skills and experiences. It can also help you for example, to know if you should show more as a researcher, leader, creative or socially aware.

How to Organize Academic CV for Scholarship?

All CVs must have three parts: contact information, education and professional experience. However, I recommend that you add other sections that make it easier for the reader to identify relevant characteristics such as: Certificates and acknowledgments, Volunteering and other experiences, Software Skills and Languages.

At the top of the page or in the header you must show your full name and your contact information such as address, phone and email. Avoid placing words such as “CV”, “Curriculum Vitae” or “Resume” which do not make it look professional.

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Normally it goes first because it is what will allow you to show that you meet the basic entry requirements. For example, if you are applying to a PhD , you have already completed a Master’s degree; or if you apply to a master’s degree, you have already completed your undergraduate degree.

Write only the title obtained, the institution, the year of graduation, along with the city and country where you studied. Add special recognition or your qualifications, if they were outstanding.

Work Experience:

Do not limit yourself to describing the tasks that you carried out, but include your achievements and measurable results. With this you are demonstrating to the reader that you leave a trace where you work and that you are aware of the impact of your work. Also write it as the first person, but avoids the use of “I”. Remember that it is about what you have done and, therefore, you are the main character of what you present.

For example, instead of writing “sales and event organization” you better write “I increased sales by 20% over the same period last year and organized events with budgets of more than 500,000 USD.” Always clearly refer to true facts.

Show the languages ​​you speak with the respective level: native, basic, intermediate or advanced. Avoid getting entangled with numerical scales that make it difficult for the reader to understand.

Personal Skills:

As you mention your technical skills, also mention your personal skills. This section is vital so that the reader can quickly recognize that you have the profile that interests him. In addition, with this you can also demonstrate self-knowledge and balance.

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Other Key Sections:

If you have written publications or have been awarded prizes or certificates that complement your formal academic training, you can organize them in a section to highlight your achievements. Also provide links (DOI numbers) to your publications if available. Similarly, if you have experience in extracurricular activities or volunteering , I recommend that you organize them in another section to quickly demonstrate your pro-activity and social awareness.

Do I have to include Professional Profile in Academic CV for Scholarship?

The professional profile is a section with which some people decide to start their CV in the form of presentation. However, it can become a repetition of what you will surely write in your motivation letter . For this reason and also because CV is about being as concise as possible, I would avoid to include it in the CV . But if you want to use it, do not write more than one paragraph or five lines of text.

Do I have to include my picture in Academic CV for Scholarship?

Regarding the photo, it depends a lot on the call, the institution and the country to which you are applying. But in general terms, I recommend you to place a professional photo in your CV which will help the reader to have an idea of ​​who is speaking. The photo should be one in which you appear with a friendly and happy gesture. Avoid forced smiles and serious gestures.

Also Check How to Write a Winning Statement of Purpose for Scholarship

How to write a winning CV for Scholarships?

An ill-planned academic CV may rope in scholarship denial. We have elucidated 8 ways of making your academic CV (resume) sound very effective and powerful.

• Short and specific: Depending on the number of applications, the reader of your CV can spend only 30 seconds to read it. That is why you should try to place all the content in maximum 2 pages.
• Simple format, but NOT flat. Use bullets, bold and capital letters to show relevant information to the reader. It is also recommended that you use more than one column and that you separate the sections clearly to facilitate reading. Avoid unconventional designs and the mix of colors, unless you are applying to an arts program.
• Be specific with the information you submit. Indicates institutions, titles and dates. The information must be in chronological order from the most recent to the oldest.
• Use the correct time. The activities that you are not already doing must be in the past and those that you are still doing in the present. It seems silly but it happens.
• Check the spelling. Whether you write in English, your spelling says a lot about how you communicate and the level of language proficiency. Since self-correcting is not always successful, ask your friends and professors to review each word and phrase.
• Don’t fall a prey to clichés: For example you should not write the sentences like, “If given a chance, I will prove my mettle” or “I am passionate about”. Rather portray something unique about yourself.
• Do not display fancy emails on your Resume: Many of us these days have an email id by the time we were at the age of 12-13. Those days of life were really funny we tried emails with such peppy, funky ids. Many of us retain those funny sounding emails like [email protected], [email protected] etc. These sound utterly unprofessional. Create an email id that simply states your name. Use that in your resume.
• Let your resume look consistent: Use a common font for all the points mentioned in your resume. Times New Roman size 12 looks decent. Go for this. You may have a slightly bigger font (Say Times New Roman 14) for the subtitles.

Academic CV Samples:

ScholarshipRoar.com has compiled a list of CV samples for scholarship from world top university websites. These includes sample sample CV for master scholarship and sample CV for PhD scholarship. These can also be modified for sample CV for undergraduate scholarship with slight tweaking. We hope this list will help you in writing effective and winning academic CV for scholarship.

• Michigan State University Academic CV Guide and Samples
• Harvard University CV and Cover Letters
• University of Toronto Academic CV Tips and Samples
• The University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign CV Guide and Samples
• Cornell University Resumes and CVs
• Oxford Academic CV Examples
• PennState College of Earth and Mineral Sciences Academic CV Samples
• Griffith University Australia Academic CV Template
• University of Birmingham CVs for Postgraduate Study

Good News! ScholarshipRoar.com is sharing with you the best academic CV example. I hope this will help you greatly in preparing your scholarship application.

Now its your turn!

We are sure these tips and resources will certainly help you chisel a perfect academic CV for scholarship. Remember that a CV is invaluable and will make or break your chances of winning a scholarship. Spend sometime pondering over the points discussed in the article and come up with a brilliant CV.

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Wishing you Success!!

You must check these great scholarships:

• Chinese Government Scholarship | A Complete Guide and Step by Step Application Procedure
• 44000$ Yale University Scholarships USA
• Humber International Entrance Scholarships Canada 
• Fulbright Foreign Student Program USA
• DAAD Scholarships for Masters and PhD Germany

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Guide to Writing a PhD CV

Written by Chris Banyard

Writing a CV for your PhD application is an important part of the process. A CV for a PhD application needs to be an academic CV . These differ from traditional CVs in several key ways. They provide a great opportunity for you to display your education background and any relevant research experience in a short and concise way.

This page explains how to write a CV for a PhD application , as well as including several PhD CV examples to give you an idea of how to format your own resume. We’ve also given some handy tips for making a good impression with your PhD CV.

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What is an academic CV?

An academic CV is similar to a standard CV, so the same general guidelines apply.

Keep it professional, up-to-date, relevant, clear and concise. All information should be presented in reverse-chronological order (most recent first).

Any CV should always be tailored to the specific application. And so for a PhD you should ldirectly reference the project specification if possible. The most important and most relevant aspects of you PhD CV should be at the top.

However, there are some key differences between the two documents. An academic CV for a PhD application focuses on academic experience and accomplishments . Anything not relevant to this shouldn’t be included.

How long should an academic CV be?

There can be more pages in an academic CV template compared to a general CV. This is due to the additional sections and information that may be required for academia. For late career researchers, CVs can cover lots of pages. But, for an early career researcher such as a PhD student, an academic CV should last no more than four pages . However, you should still make an effort to keep the CV relevant and concise – in most cases two pages should still be enough.

PhD cover letters

An academic CV is often accompanied by a PhD cover letter. This will give you the chance to expand on the experience you've laid our in your CV and fill in any gaps.

Read more about PhD cover letters .

PhD CV format

An academic CV has several additional sections compared to a standard CV .

1. Personal profile and research interests

2. publications, 3. research experience, 4. teaching experience, 5. funding and awards, 6. professional society membership.

This section is often found at the top of an academic CV. It is usually a short summary of your research experience and your specific interests. This should directly address the job or project application. This could be in the form of bullet points, short sentences, or a short paragraph.

As with all aspects of a PhD CV, it is better to show, not tell . Give evidence of skills, interest and enthusiasm where possible rather than just stating it outright.

If you are deeper into your academic career, and have lots of publications and research experience, you may not need to have a research interests section – it should be fairly clear from your research experience.

• I have spent four years of study in the field of 18th Century History following my research interest
• I’ve developed a particular interest in the French Revolution, on which I have published several popular history articles
• I would love to advance my understanding of the period further, through PhD study with an expert at a remarkable institution

I’m enthusiastic about Science and I really like learning. My research interest is Physics. I’ve got undergraduate and Masters degrees in Physics, so I want to do a PhD next.

This should include any journal articles, books (or chapters), reports and patents. Again, these should be in reverse chronological order. Ensure the referencing style is consistent and embolden your name where there are several authors.

You can include works in progress if necessary – just ensure this is clearly labelled.

If this is a long list, it may be better suited as an appendix .

This includes invited research projects , talks , conference attendance / participation, and other presentations .

It could be arranged by project (in reverse chronological order) or by experience (i.e. laboratory experience, presentations etc., in order of relevance). You can include your current research – this could be worthy of greater detail.

It may be useful to focus on the expert and technical skills involved in this experience, especially if they are relevant to the application.

Include the names of supervisors for each research project / experience, plus a brief summary of each (highlighting relevant or impressive aspects).

Research experience is arguably the most important part of an academic CV. It’s what many employers / project supervisors will look for and could be a deciding factor in the application process.

2017-present: Investigation into Viral Capsid Protein Self-Assembly

Masters degree research project, supervised by Prof J. Bloggs. Developed in-depth knowledge of literature searching, basic molecular biology techniques, and in vitro protein analysis. Presented research at several academic conferences through posters and oral presentations.

2016: Redox Sensors of Bacillus subtilis

Undergraduate research project under the supervision of Dr S. Smyth. Gained experience of protein crystallisation and bioinformatic analysis. My research report for this project was awarded a First Class mark.

Laboratory research. I have research experience in Molecular Biology laboratories at the Universities of Aberdeen and Dundee, developing relevant skills such as PCR, genetic cloning, protein purification, and protein crystallisation.

Presenting. I have presented research using a variety of techniques, including talks, posters, and workshops. These have been presented to academic experts at national conferences.

Academic writing. I have written many pieces of assessed research writing. These include literature reviews, research reports, and meta-analyses. All marks shown in Education section.

Teaching is an increasingly important part of academia, and teaching skills or experience are useful to have on an academic CV (provided they are relevant to the application).

Show any teaching, training, demonstrating, mentoring and supervision experience. Include the level of the students (i.e. undergraduate, postgraduate), and any additional work you did to accompany this such as marking, planning or organisation.

Here you can list any grants, awards, bursaries, scholarships, and fellowships you may have.

This may be for things such as:

• research projects
• conferences
• presentations
• academic posters
• anything else appropriate

Funding and awards are competitive and demonstrating an ability to succeed with them is an important skill in academia.

Again, list these in reverse chronological order, and include the award or funding monetary amount if it’s the convention in the particular research field.

Being a member of a professional society (for example the Biochemical Society) is a good way to show enthusiasm and commitment for a research area. Always include the dates of your membership.

What if I don’t have publications / experience?

As a PhD applicant, it is unlikely that you will already have lots of publications, research experience or academic funding / awards.

If you do, this will go a long way to building a successful application.

However, as an undergraduate or new postgraduate student you will not be expected to have lots of this.

It is important to include any experience you have (for example, a research project at Masters level) and show an enthusiasm for research.

It could be worth changing your PhD CV to a more skills-based format. In this way, you can put more focus on transferable skills that are useful in academia, and less focus on research experience.

If your CV still seems bare, it may be beneficial for your academic CV if you can find ways to get research experience or develop research skills.

Academic CV flexibility

There is some flexibility in writing a CV – you can change the sections included to better suit you or better suit the application.

General CV sections

Some of the same sections as a general CV should be included in an academic CV. However, these may need to be adjusted to be appropriate for a position in academia.

This should be your name, fairly large and clear, at the top of the page. It is not necessary to write “CV” or “Curriculum Vitae” – this should be obvious to the reader.

Include your contact information below this, such as your address, phone number and email.

For an academic CV, this is an important section and usually is found near the top of the CV. List by degree, plus titles, with the most advanced first (i.e. PhD, Masters, Bachelors etc.). It is acceptable to include your current degree, clearly noted.

This section is vital to show the hard skills necessary to be eligible for the position. For example, if a PhD project description states that applicants require a Masters degree, then your relevant Masters degree should be prominent here.

If useful to the application, you can include individual courses on a degree with their marks. But, give course titles and do not include course codes – these are usually just for internal administration purposes.

Results pending

A student applicant may not have received exam / dissertation results at the time of applying. This is acceptable – just include any results or marks you have already.

Other skills

Research and teaching skills may already be included in specific sections, but this section may serve for any other relevant skills .

This can include things like administrative experience, professional development, additional training, and languages (with proficiency noted).

• Administration experience: treasurer for University English Literature Society, management of local business’ social media accounts
• Technology skills: Diploma of Graphic Design & Desktop Publishing (awarded by International Career Institute)
• Languages: French (fluent), German (conversational)

I like reading books. I have experience of working in a local shop. Good with animals. Can do 46 keepie-uppies in a row. . .

Discussion of CV content at the interview

If you are shortlisted for a PhD interview , you may be asked to discuss the contents of your CV. Therefore, you can keep the CV concise and clear, and expand later at the interview if it is relevant.

For an academic CV, you will have referees , not references. This section will be at the bottom of your CV.

Check the application information regarding the number and nature of referees to include. There are usually two or three referees, at least two of which are academic. Non-academic referees may be included if specified or required, particularly if you’ve taken some time out of education before applying for the programme in question.

Keep the referencing style consistent.

Check that your referees are aware of their inclusion on your CV and have given you permission.

Should I include a photo of myself?

In the UK, USA and Canada, a photo should not be included. In some professions, this will cause the CV to immediately be discarded due to anti-discrimination laws.

However, in some countries, for example in continental Europe, photos are often included at the top of a CV. Always check the conventions of the country you are applying to.

Layout and formatting

Most of the same rules apply for a general CV as for an academic CV. However, it may be useful to check the common PhD resume format conventions for a specific academic field – these can sometimes vary.

Organisation

For all CVs, the most important parts for the application are placed at the top. Generally speaking, you should follow this PhD CV template when ordering the sections of your resume:

• 1. Name and contact information
• 2. Education
• 3. Publications
• 4. Research experience
• 5. Teaching experience
• 6. Funding and awards
• 7. Professional society membership
• 8. Referees

The exact order of these can be adjusted to better suit the application and the applicant.

There is some flexibility in the PhD resume formats. You may choose a style that you like, but it should follow the following rules.

The format of the CV should always be clear, with a readable, normal-sized font and line-spacing where possible. Make sure the format is consistent throughout.

Headings and subheadings can be larger and / or emboldened. There should be clear spaces or definitions between each section.

UK and Canada CV vs. USA CV

There can be differences in the layout and formatting of CVs in different countries. UK / Canadian CVs tend to be shorter and more condensed than their American counterparts. Always check the conventions of the country you are applying to.

Tips for writing an academic CV

As you write your academic CV for a PhD application, there are plenty of things you should bear in mind to make sure that you give a strong impression to those reading it. These are our tips for producing a great academic CV:

• Make sure that your CV is clear, reads well and is scannable . This means ensuring that the most important – and impressive – information is obvious at a glance. Don’t make the admissions officer work hard to discover what a brilliant candidate you are.
• Don’t allow sections to be split across two pages – this can harm the readability of your academic CV.
• Avoid jargon and unexplained abbreviations .
• Ask a second, third or even fourth pair of eyes to comb your CV for potential typos and grammatical errors.
• Bear in mind that you don’t need to repeat information already included in your cover letter , research proposal and personal statement as part of your PhD application.
• Try not to use too many font sizes or styles , which can make your CV look jumbled and inconsistent. At the same time, bold and italics can be useful with clarity – just don’t overdo it.
• Check that the CV is specific to the job or project description , and that there is no irrelevant information carried over from another PhD application.
• Ensure that the appropriate sections are in reverse chronological order .
• Use the PDF file format to prevent potential formatting issues.

Finally, always get additional advice and opinions. Not all advice is good, but you should always get help to find any mistakes or opportunities for improvement. Advice from someone who is experienced in the research field – perhaps a PhD graduate themselves – who can offer discipline-specific help on the academic CV will be particularly useful.

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CV for PhD Application: How to Write One Like a True Scholar (+CV Example)

• Klara Cervenanska , 
• Updated March 13, 2024 11 min read

A PhD is the highest level of academic qualification you can achieve. To secure your position, however, you first need an impressive CV for your PhD application.

Earning a PhD degree requires you to produce extensive research in a narrowly defined subject within a certain discipline and to make a considerable original contribution to your field.

Hence why PhD programs are always very selective. The admission rates hover around 10% and only about half of the admitted candidates actually finish the degree, according to a recent psychology research .

As a result, less than 1% of the population attains a PhD.

So, how do you become a part of the 1%?

The process of attaining a PhD starts with a strong application which includes an impressive academic CV .

A CV for PhD application needs to be carefully crafted, well formatted, and contain specific sections.

We'll show you how to craft a stellar PhD application CV, and a sample academic CV from a real person admitted to a PhD program in France.

Table of Contents

Click on a section to skip

What is an academic CV?

What to include in an academic cv for phd application.

• How to write an academic CV for a PhD application?

Tips on how to write a CV for PhD application

How to tailor your cv for different phd programs, phd cv example.

First, there are two types of career documents job seekers widely use. A resume and a Curriculum Vitae (CV).

These two documents are similar but not identical.

So, let's have a look at the key differences between a CV vs a resume :

• A resume is used when applying for a position in industry, non-profits, or the public sector. It should focus on skills and past experience while being tailored to a specific job position. The length of the document shouldn't be more than 1 or 2 pages.
• A curriculum vitae (CV) is used when applying for positions in academia, science, or medicine. It focuses on education, research background and scholarly accomplishments. Finally, its length depends on the number of references, publications, etc.

There are even more types of CVs. A general CV, an industry (professional) CV, or an academic (research) CV — which is exactly the one you'll need.

In a nutshell, an academic CV is a career document that provides extensive information about your educational and research background. Scholars and researchers use this document when applying for jobs in academia — such as a PhD application.

Lastly, an academic resume is a term you can often come across, too. To avoid any confusion, it's the same as an academic CV. A more appropriate term is, however, the latter.

Rules are important in academia. That's why all academic CVs usually follow pretty strict structures regarding their content and formatting.

First, let's have a look at the resume sections you should include in a CV for PhD application:

• Contact information. Include your full name, email, phone number, and location.
• (Research) objective. A concise, brief paragraph outlining your research plans and strategies.
• Education. It should form the bulk of your CV and detail you educational background.
• (Research) experience. Your research experience can often set you apart from other candidates.
• Publications. Include anything from journal articles, published reports, to your research dissertation.
• Awards. Mention all awards and accomplishments you’ve received in reverse chronological order.
• Skills. These should be relevant to the PhD project or show that you have what it takes to succeed as a researcher.
• References. Finally, try to include at least two references, such as your dissertation supervisor and one other member of staff.

Let's have a closer look at each of the 8 CV sections in the next chapter.

How to write an academic CV for a PhD application ?

Applying for a PhD will be a lot less stressful if you follow this quick guide on how to write a CV for a PhD application:

You should always start your CV or your resume by providing your contact details to form the CV header . Include your full name, your professional email address, and your mobile number. Additionally, you can include your location. However, we don't advise including your full home address for privacy reasons. Entering the country and city you reside in is usually enough. Since a CV is a bit different than a resume, we don't recommend including links to your social media .

Research objective is basically a brief paragraph at the beginning of your CV outlining your research plans, interests, and strategies. It paints a picture of you as a person and will guarantee that the admissions committee will be interested in reading and learning more about your professional background. Your research plans and strategies should align with the PhD project you're applying for. Hence, read the project description carefully and make sure to tailor your objective accordingly. Ideally, without making stuff up.

The education section should form the bulk of an academic CV. No one expects a potential PhD candidate to have 10 years of experience in the field. But what's expected is an appropriate educational background. A common practice is to list your education in a reverse chronological order. This means listing your Master's degree first and then a Bachelor's degree. For each degree, provide the full name of the degree, the type, its duration, the relevant courses and modules, the corresponding (or expected) marks, GPA , and any relevant projects or presentations. Also, include the name and the description of your final year dissertation project.

In this section, introduce all of the research projects you worked on, whether they were a part of your undergraduate degree, your master's degree, or you have undertaken this project elsewhere. You can include any voluntary , part-time , or full-time work experience you deem relevant for the PhD project of your choice. For instance, skip the part-time bartending job and rather include a teaching experience or a voluntary project you undertook.

Of course, it's okay if you don't have any publications yet. If that's the case, simply skip this section. However, if you do have any work published at this stage, list it in this section. The publications can include anything from journal articles, published reports, contributions to peer-reviewed journals, or an adaptation of your dissertation project. Make sure to check the citation style your institution or field prefers and use it consistently in your publications section. The most common ones are APA, MLA, and Chicago.

In this CV section, list relevant honors, achievements, or awards you earned for going beyond average — again in reversed chronological order. It includes scholarships, university fellowships, competitions, work-related awards, or academic awards . For instance, you can mention a very high GPA, subject-specific awards, or any grants you received. However, keep in mind that mentioning how much money was involved is only common in scientific fields.

The skills you mention in your academic CV should be relevant to the PhD project you're applying for or show that you have what it takes to succeed as a researcher. Between the two types of skills , hard and soft, hard skills are more appropriate to include in your CV for PhD application. Examples of hard skills include Python, data analysis, polymer synthesis, C++, Chem Draw, Ahrefs , languages, or other computer skills . However, completing a PhD degree usually also involves demonstrating your teaching abilities. For this reason, listing soft skills such as a good oral communication and presenting is also a good idea.

While a references section in a regular resume is pretty much redundant, in a CV for PhD application it's a must-have . Why? Well, having a person attest to your skills and achievements is a great way to leverage your professional experience. The person you ask should be articulate and in a reputable position. Your best bet is to ask your dissertation supervisor, a professor you had a good relationship with, or one who taught the subject most relevant for the desired PhD program. Finally, don't forget that your references have to agree with having their contact information shared, first. Read our quick guide on how do you ask someone to be your reference .

Apart from making sure the content of your CV is spot on, you should also follow some well-established formatting tips.

A clear layout and composition ensure your CV is professional and easy to read.

Here are a few tips to help you achieve that:

• Keep the formatting consistent. If you choose a certain font type and size, stick to it. The same goes for margins, spacing, and capitalization.
• Less is often more. It might be tempting to use bolding, italics, or underlining in order to make the document "easy" to read. However, an excessive use of these features actually has the exact opposite effect.
• Avoid long paragraphs. A CV is all about providing objective facts regarding your professional background. Hence, no need to provide generic statements or go into too much detail. And if you happen to write more text, you can always divide it using bullet points.
• Use professional language. It goes without saying, but don't use slang. Similarly, use professional jargon and abbreviations within reasonable limits.
• Don't limit yourself to one or two pages. The length of your academic CV depends on the number of publications, awards, references, and experiences. Unlike a resume, a CV is a complete summary of your academic and professional background.
• Convert your CV to PDF. Doing this considerably reduces the risk of compatibility and formatting issues. A PDF file keeps your formatting intact across various devices.

Too much to keep in mind? Kickresume's CV & resume builder can save you the headache and provides useful templates with appropriate formatting designed by career professionals.

When applying for different PhD programs, it's crucial to tailor your academic CV to suit each specific program. 

This doesn't just improve your chances of catching the eye of admissions committees ; it demonstrates your genuine interest and alignment with their goals. 

To effectively tailor your CV for different PhD programs, follow these three tips:

#1 Understand program requirements and values

How do you do that? Start with in-depth research about the PhD program:

• Visit the program's website
• Look at the curriculum
• Attend open days
• If possible, reach out to alumni 

Once you have a clear picture of the program's values and requirements, you can begin to customize your CV. 

For example: If a program emphasizes community outreach, you might highlight your involvement in science education for underprivileged youths or your participation in community-based research projects. 

This demonstrates not only your alignment with their values but also your active contribution to areas they care about.

#2 Emphasize transferable skills for PhD programs

This applies to people switching fields or applying to a program that isn't a direct continuation of your undergraduate degree. 

Let's say you're moving from a background in chemistry to a PhD in molecular biology. 

It's crucial to highlight how your analytical skills, understanding of chemical processes, and any lab work or research experience directly apply to molecular biology. 

For instance: Discuss your experience with techniques that are common in both fields, like chromatography or spectrometry, and how they've prepared you for the research you aim to conduct in molecular biology. 

Tailoring your CV in this manner demonstrates your ability to bridge different disciplines and apply your skills in new contexts.

#3 Adapt your CV for international PhD programs

Adapting your CV for international programs involves more than just translating it into another language. 

Start by researching the academic culture and CV formats preferred in the country you're applying to. This might include:

• the preferred length
• whether to include personal information such as a photo
• emphasis on certain types of experience or qualifications

For instance: in some countries, a detailed list of courses and grades might be important, while in others, a focus on research experience and publications is key. 

Websites of the target universities, country-specific academic career resources, advice from current international students, or even online forums like Reddit are invaluable for this purpose.

Finally, to help you tie everything we talked about together, we thought one picture is worth a thousand words.

Here's a CV sample from a person who managed to get accepted into a PhD program at the university of Lyon in France.

There are several things Herrera included to ensure her CV was successful:

• A complete professional and academic background. We can see that this section forms the bulk of the resume. As it should.
• Plenty of hard skills. Herrera included 7 hard technical skills and multiple languages. All of these skills are very valuable in academia.
• A succinct description of all projects. She includes the full name of the projects, their duration, and theme.
• References, publications, and certifications. All of these sections are included in the full version of this resume and can be found by clicking the button below the sample CV.

Lyon University PhD Student Resume Sample

This resume sample was contributed by a real person who got hired with Kickresume’s help.

Klara graduated from the University of St Andrews in Scotland. After having written resumes for many of her fellow students, she began writing full-time for Kickresume. Klara is our go-to person for all things related to student or 'no experience resumes'. At the same time, she has written some of the most popular resume advice articles on this blog. Her pieces were featured in multiple CNBC articles. When she's not writing, you'll probably find her chasing dogs or people-watching while sipping on a cup of coffee.

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Every month, we’ll send you resume advice, job search tips, career hacks and more in pithy, bite-sized chunks. Sounds good?

• How to write an Academic CV for a PhD Application
• Applying to a PhD
• The purpose of an academic CV for a PhD application is to provide a summary of your educational background and demonstrate the research skills and relevant experience you have that make you capable of undertaking a PhD.
• It should be divided into nine sections : (1) contact information, (2) research interests, (3) education, (4) research and work experience, (5) teaching experience, (6) relevant skills and experience, (7) publications and conferences, (8) professional memberships, (9) referees.
• It should ideally be up to two pages for a new research student, but can extend up to four pages if required.
• The smaller details matter more than you think – write concisely, use consistent formatting, avoid jargons and general statements, check spelling and grammar, and have at least one academic to proofread it for you, ideally in the same area you are applying to.

Introduction

So you are nearing the end of your current degree or making a return to education, and you’ve decided to make your next step a PhD. While the road ahead will be filled with much excitement, you’ll need to secure your position first. This will all begin with a strong PhD application and an equally impressive academic CV and personal statement or cover letter.

Together with your personal statement or cover letter, your CV will show who you are as an individual and what you have to offer. It needs to be concise, correctly formatted and well written to convince your preferred university and supervisor that you are the right student for the project.

This step-by-step guide will get you on your way to creating an outstanding academic CV for your next PhD application. We’ll discuss the sections your CV should be structured into, what each of these sections should include, and how it should be written. We’ll also give you valuable tips that are sure to get your readers’ attention.

What Is an Academic CV?

When applying for a PhD position, it’s common for the university to request a curriculum vitae (CV) from you to accompany your application.

An academic CV may appear similar to a standard CV used for job applications, but they are two relatively unique documents.

Where a standard CV focuses mostly on what your previous responsibilities have been and what you have accomplished to date, an academic CV concentrates on your academic background, achievements and experiences . Your academic CV will be used by a PhD supervisor to determine whether you can meet the challenges associated with undertaking a demanding PhD research project, as not everyone can.

How to Write an Academic CV for A PhD Application

A good academic CV should be broken into nine section headings:

• Contact Information
• Research Interests / Personal Profile
• Research and Work Experience
• Teaching Experience
• Relevant Skills and Experience
• Publications and Conferences
• Professional Memberships
• Referees / References

Below, we discuss what each of these sections should contain and how they should be written.

1. Contact Information

Start your CV by providing your contact details. All of the following should be included:

• Full name  – Your name should be your document title, formatted in bold and centralised text.
• Email address and contact number
• Location  – Your town/city and country, e.g. ‘Birmingham, UK’, will be sufficient; it’s not necessary to provide your full home address.
• Profiles  – Include a link to any professional profiles you may have, such as LinkedIn or ResearchGate.

NOTE:  Some individuals include a profile photo but be careful before doing so. While this would be expected in some countries such as those in Asia, the Middle East and Africa, this would not be the case in other countries such as the UK and US. This is because it can lead to complications with labour and anti-discrimination laws and potentially cost you your application. We therefore strongly advise you to look into the norms and regulations of the host country before deciding to do so.

2. Research Interests / Personal Profile

For an academic CV written for a PhD position, your ‘research interests’ section will double as you ‘personal profile’. As a brief introduction to yourself, this will be an important section as it sets the first impression of you for the reader.

Use bullet points or a brief paragraph to summarise who you are, your relevant qualifications, your research interests and your relevant skills and experience. When writing this section, your focus should be on two aspects: demonstrating your  ability to conduct a PhD  and your  enthusiasm for the project .

To create an impactful research interests’ section, adhere to the following:

• Tailor to each research project you apply for:  One of the easiest ways to do this is to read the project description attached to the PhD advert, identify two to three of the most prominent keywords, and incorporate them into your writeup.
• Keep it short:  This section is only an introduction, so keep it concise and punchy over long and detailed; 50 – 60 words is a good target.
• Make every word count:  As 50 – 60 words isn’t much, be as specific as you can. Avoid clichés such as “I am committed to research and have a high attention to detail” at all costs; not only are they generic and overused, they also don’t provide the reader with any useful insights into you.

3. Education

A PhD CV is all about academic achievements and qualifications, so your education section should be given high importance and form the bulk of your CV, especially as it will be used to determine if have the core skills required for the position.

Working in reverse chronological order, provide a breakdown of your current academic qualifications. For most of you, this will be an undergraduate Bachelor’s degree and a postgraduate Master’s degree.

When listing your qualifications, provide the full name of the degree, the degree type, and the duration in terms of its start and end year. You do not need to limit this to your past qualifications; if you’re currently studying or taking an external course, include them as well, but state that they are ongoing and provide an expected grade if you have one.

If your degree is relevant to the PhD project you are applying to, include a list of the modules you completed and your corresponding marks; the same applies to your final year dissertation project.

Note:  If you list your relevant modules, streamline their names by removing any course codes. For example, “FN01 Fluid Dynamics” should become “Fluid Dynamics”. Course codes are only used for internal purposes, and each university will have its own system, so remove them to avoid any possible confusion.

Feel free to also list your GCSEs, A-Levels or other relevant academic qualifications if applicable to the field you are applying to, however, this isn’t necessary, and most supervisors will not ask for them. The exception to this is if your university degree is not directly related to the project you are applying for, but your previous qualifications are. In these cases, include them to help demonstrate the suitability of your academic background.

Finally, list any honours, awards and prizes that you have won or any other notable academic achievements that will help to strengthen your application.

4. Research and Work Experience

Your research and relevant work experience is just as, if not more, important than your educational background. This is because most applicants applying for the position will have similar qualifications, so your research experience can often be the deciding factor when all other things are considered equal.

Your research experience may include both paid and voluntary, full-time and part-time work, as well as university project work. However, in all cases, the experience you mention should be relevant to the project you are applying for or have helped you develop skills that make you a more capable researcher. For example, it’s not necessary to mention your time in retail, but any previous time as a laboratory or teaching assistant or teaching support absolutely will be.

If you any discuss research that you have done as part of your studies, present them as individual project listed in reverse chronological order, as before. You can also include research projects you are currently working on, regardless of how developed they are.

When discussing any projects, include the following:

• What the project was about,
• What research methods you used,
• The skills you gained,
• Any notable achievements or outcomes.

5. Teaching Experience

Since one of the main career paths after a PhD is an academic career, teaching experience can significantly strengthen your academic CV. However, it is generally accepted that not all applicants will have teaching experience, but if you do, include it here.

When discussing your teaching experience, state what level it was at, e.g. undergraduate or postgraduate, and what it involved, i.e. marking, teaching, supervising or organising.

6. Relevant Skills and Experience

This section should describe all other skills and experiences that will help strengthen your application.

They should be specific to the PhD project or demonstrate your potential to become a competent researcher. This includes:

• Technical skills and experience, e.g. the use of computer software packages or research equipment common to the project you’re applying for.
• Non-project specific courses you’ve sat, e.g. an academic writing and communication course.
• Languages you know with their proficiencies noted.

7. Publications and Conferences

Most students won’t have academic publications, but if you do, list them here. Formal publications can include anything from journal articles, which is most likely to an adaptation of your final year dissertation project if you do have one, and published reports. If you have these, list them in reverse chronological order using the reference system adopted by the university you are applying to, as this is what the PhD supervisor will most likely be used to.

If you aren’t a published author or co-author, you can still include other text publications that you may have been involved in, such as online articles, magazines, newsletters and blogs. The topics of these publications should relate to your field or academia in general and be written in a formal tone that showcases your critical thinking and writing skills.

If you’ve ever given a conference presentation, include it here with details of the name, date and location of the conference, the title of your presentation and a summary of what it was about.

Even if you haven’t presented in conferences, you should still list any you have attended, including any seminars or talks. This is a useful way to illustrate your interest in the subject and your commitment to gaining new knowledge within your field.

TIP:  If you haven’t attended many conferences or seminars, consider attending several upcoming ones relevant to the research area you’re interested in. Not only is this a great way to learn more about the field in terms of its latest developments and gaps, but it can also be an effective way to make your academic CV more relevant if it’s currently light on research experience.

8. Professional Memberships

Being affiliated with an academic group, society or professional body demonstrates your enthusiasm for your field and for connecting with other like-minded individuals within the community.

When listing these, include the name of the group, the associated membership dates and the position you have held within it.

9. Referees / References

Your references will form the last section of your academic CV.

Your PhD application should specify the number of referees you should include, but if it does not, try to include at least two, but ideally three.

Two of the referees should be academic, with most students choosing their personal tutor and their final year’s dissertation project supervisor. It can be other staff members, but the essential requirement is that it is someone who knows you well enough to be able to substantiate your abilities and character.

If you don’t have two academic referees, you can use a professional referee as long as they are still relevant to the project you are applying for. This will most likely be the case for those who have worked in industry for some time before deciding to return to education.

When creating your reference list, list your referees in order of relevance and how well they know you, not in alphabetical order. This is so if only the first referee is called upon, it will be the individual who can provide you the most useful reference. The following information should be provided:

• Professional title,
• Name of current university,
• Phone number and email address.

It’s imperative that you first seek permission from the individuals before listing them as a referee. It would also be beneficial to send them a copy of your CV, cover letter and application form so they can familiarise themselves with the broader details in case they are called upon.

Tips for Creating a Standout Academic CV

No matter how impressive your academic achievements are or how much experience you have accumulated in your field, the PhD supervisor may never find out if your CV is too difficult to read. With this in mind, here are a few tips for achieving a high degree of clarity:

Formatting for Clarity

• Highlight key information through the use of bolding, italics and underlining, but be careful not to overdo it so that it loses its purpose.
• Keep your formatting consistent throughout, such as indentations, font type and font size, vertical spacing and margins.
• Insert page numbers on each page.
• Avoid jargon and abbreviations to maximise clarity.
• Avoid splitting sections across two pages.

Keep It Concise

• Try to limit your CV to two pages and not more than four. If you need to go over two pages, make sure the most important information is on the first two pages.
• Avoid dense paragraphs, overly long sentences and generic statements. The aim is to pass on essential information in a way that doesn’t require the reader to have to extract it themselves. This leads to the next tip,
• Use bullet points whenever possible, they’re easier to digest than paragraphs.

NOTE:  Remember that you will also submit a cover letter or personal statement alongside your CV, so don’t feel the need to cover everything to a high level of detail here as you will have the opportunity to do so elsewhere.

Check and Revise

• As a rule of thumb, the academic CV you submit as part of your PhD application should be the third or fourth version you produce. Try to keep a day or two between each version so that you always approach it with a fresh perspective.
• Proofread for any spelling and grammar mistakes. Although this will seem like we’re stating the obvious, a small mistake can be enough to jeopardise your chances considering that there will be many other high-profile candidates for the supervisor to choose from.
• Have your document checked, first by an academic such as your tutor, and second by a professional proofreader or by an advisor from your university’s careers team. The former will check for technical issues, the latter for common curriculum vitae formatting, spelling and grammar mistakes.

Save in PDF Format

If the submission method allows for it, convert your CV to PDF format. This significantly reduces the likelihood of compatibility and reformatting issues when opened by the supervisor.

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How to Write a CV for a PhD Application (with free template!)

When you’re faced with writing an academic CV for a PhD application it can be hard to know where to start.

After all, along with your personal statement an academic CV is the heart of your PhD application: essentially acting as a “highlights reel” of your greatest achievements. You need it to be well formatted and engaging, yet concise enough that all of your most relevant experience is unmissable at a glance.

Quite a challenge!

In this post we’ll break down what to include. From the essentials to the nice-to-haves. All quotes are from the CVs I personally used when applying for PhDs.

If you’re just getting started be sure to download my Academic CV Template.

In addition, if you’d like to get some inspiration from active researchers’ CVs, you may wish to check out the repository of example academic CVs I have put together here:

Academic CV Examples From Active Researchers

What should i include on an academic cv for a phd application, contact info.

Name, email address and phone number. Personally I don’t see a need to include your address and certainly not a photo.

Education / Qualifications

List all major grades from aged 16 upwards: GCSE, A-Levels and university degrees.

• Undergraduate (and masters degrees) should include the subject, university and grade. I’ve tended to include the title of any significant research projects and the titles of the most relevant modules.
• For A-Levels you should name each of the subjects you took with the grade. Personally to keep the page more clean I’ve not included the schools I went to: though it may be worth drawing attention if you did well despite attending a particularly poorly performing school.
• GCSEs can just be summarised to the grades. Subjects needn’t be named.

My aim is to apply my skills to improve lives. I have a proven track record of overseeing successful development of innovative medical devices and now desire the opportunity to expand my skills beyond mechanical engineering into biomaterials research.

Sometimes it can be useful to include a few lines about your motivation and aims for your career. Despite currently having a short profile on my own CV I’m not 100% convinced by them: they can sound cliché especially if you’re fresh out of undergraduate . Profiles are most common in industry and it is up to you whether you think you have content worth sharing: do not waffle, and avoid excessive use of the typical buzzwords: hardworking, motivated etc!

University Research Projects

Third year project “3-D printing of multi-scale porous bioscaffolds for ligament attachment” Manufactured novel magnesium calcium phosphate scaffolds to investigate 3-D printing parameters for optimum implant integration Analysed parts under SEM to verify multi-scale porosity and XRD for detecting phase changes and composition Conducted a statistical analysis of variance study in sample porosity using optical microscopy and deduced the optimum printing parameters to maximise porosity Wrote a technical report and presented results during an oral presentation and viva

More than likely the research projects you’ve undertaken during the latter years of your degree will be your most substantial research experience. State the title of the project followed by a few bullet points covering:

• Useful skills and experience you gained such as: experimental & analytical techniques; software; instrumentation; report-writing; presenting
• Any substantial outcomes: prizes; publications & patents

Feel free to also state whether these projects were undertaken as a group or individually but remember to avoid clutter: you can go into more detail for your personal statement.

[Work] Experience

Jan – May 2013 Research Assistant, Department of Haematology, University of Cambridge Developed prototype HIV diagnostic devices for commercialisation within a multi-disciplinary team: Debugged, calibrated and optimised several novel medical devices Produced standard operating procedure and calibration documentation Experienced an audit and developed an appreciation of ISO 13485 and FDA requirements Inspected and tested parts for quality control processing

Whether you include this section will depend on what experience you have outside of the typical university projects. Here you can describe any additional work experience you have had such as: summer internships; research job roles; years in industry plus any potential outreach you’ve taken part in or voluntary work.

The level of detail you go in to will depend on how relevant the work was and how long ago: working in a shop at weekends when you were 17 probably isn’t particularly relevant. Unless you have had a significant amount of relevant (or impressive) work experience I’d keeping this section below University Research Projects .

A keen photographer, my photographs have appeared in the international press and have raised over £5000 for Macmillan Cancer Support. University of Warwick Photographic Society Executive Committee (2010-2012) Positions held: President, Treasurer, First Aider and Equal Opportunities Officer Duties included overseeing the 270 member-strong society’s running and progression – leading to a doubling of active membership over two years, chairing meetings and international trips, implementing new payment methods and securing funding.

Unless extremely relevant or impressive, I tend to not put too much emphasis on extra-curricular activities: no admissions tutor really needs to know that you enjoy cooking or cycling unless to a very high level. Having said that, do be sure to include anything which can show useful transferable skills such as team-work and responsibility.

I like to include any roles of responsibility such as society committee positions with any useful outcomes.

Nice-To-Haves

There are number of other sections which are common among academics further up the ladder. Unless you have more than a couple of pieces of content per category I suggest adding them where relevant elsewhere: for example an undergraduate award could feature under Education . If you have enough relevant content to warrant adding a new section, they can look very impressive.

Publications

It is often said that publications are the currency of academia. If you have managed to get involved with any publications then display them here in your favourite citation style.

If you’ve been involved in a significant amount of scientific outreach: STEMNET; teaching; mentoring; schools events; unpaid tutoring; public events etc.

Other sections sometimes included, and which are pretty self explanatory:

• Awards & Prizes
• Professional Memberships
• Grants/Scholarships

Tips for Writing a CV for a PhD Application

Translate your skills.

Beyond any subject-specific skills that you know will be useful, translate how your previous experience can transfer to your PhD.  Think about things such as:

• Independence
• Problem-solving

Ask yourself: how did your work standout? Use specifics to quantify performance rather than sticking to buzzwords. For example imagine if you’re writing as your role as president of a society:

“Leadership and teamwork experience”

“Overseeing the 270 member-strong society’s running and progression: leading to a doubling of active membership over two years”

Now you don’t need to go to that level of detail for everything, but if you’ve put in the work, make sure you do yourself justice.

Keep Things Concise

Make sure things are understandable but avoid long-winded sentences and especially paragraphs creating big blocks of dense text. Not only are big paragraphs off-putting to read, they make it really difficult for the reader to tease out the crucial information.

Bullet points are faster and easier to read, plus easier on the eye: all things you want to be encouraging! If you can’t succinctly describe a role in a few one line bullet points you’re probably adding too much information.

Don’t forget you can go in to more detail in your personal statement. Don’t waffle on your CV for a PhD application.

Well-Formatted

• Leaving lots of white space around your text keep it easier to read and therefore more likely that someone will continue to read it.
• In Word, zoom out so that you can see the pages of your document at once. If possible format sections so that nothing, and especially sentences, trails between pages: it makes the document look clean and professional. You can accurately play with line spacing by adding blank lines and setting the font size to something small: in my template I use size 3.
• Lead the eye . Make key information bold for it to stand out: though keep it consistent and don’t go too crazy!
• Try and keep your most important information to two pages . Anything beyond that should be supplementary.

If you’d like some guidance with formatting be sure to click  HERE for my downloadable Academic CV Template .

Spelling & Grammar

Nothing can more quickly make you appear incompetent than spelling mistakes, especially near to the top of your CV or in section headings. Once you’ve double checked your spelling take a break and come back to the document with fresh eyes: it’s amazing what you’ll spot. After that, ask a friend to have a read through too.

Save as PDF (if allowed)

Now that you’ve formatted your CV nicely, I suggest saving it as a PDF if the online submission allows. With PDFs the formatting is locked in place and you needn’t worry about the formatting screwing up because of differing versions of Word.

Take Inspiration

Often senior academics will include links to download their CVs from their personal webpages and I keep a folder of them for some inspiration. You can check out my online respository below!

If you’d like personalised help with your PhD application I am now starting to offer a small number of one-to-one sessions. Please contact me to find out more or click here to book a call.

I hope this post has helped with writing your own CV for a PhD application. If you have any tips or advice to share then I’d love to hear them in the comments! You can also subscribe for more content here:

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4 Comments on “How to Write a CV for a PhD Application (with free template!)”

Hey Jeff, great article!!

Any chance you can do one on personal statements?

Thanks, Yusuf

Hi Yusuf. I’m glad you’ve found it useful! Good idea about one for personal statements, I can see that being helpful so I’ll add it to my schedule and hope to get it out in not too long! Best wishes, Jeff.

hi, I cant seem to access the downloadable template! please could you post another link?

Hi Georgia, sorry that you’re having issues accessing the template. I’m tried it on two computers and it seems to work okay for me. Here is the same link again which works for me . Does that work? In case not I can email it to you. Let me know. Best wishes, Jeff

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CV examples

Neah Kapoor, an aspiring PhD candidate, has opted for a simple Otago template. She seeks to drive her career in sustainable development and environmental planning. With a passion for creating positive change and academic excellence, she makes an invaluable asset for shaping a sustainable world.

"Passionate and driven final-year masters student with a solid academic foundation, eager to embark on a PhD journey in sustainable development. Equipped with exceptional research skills and determined to advance knowledge in this field."

Table of contents

How to Write a CV for a PhD Application (Examples, Tips, and Writing Guide)

Embarking on the path to advanced research and academic excellence through a PhD is an exciting journey, demanding not just passion and dedication but also a well-crafted CV that highlights your potential as an aspiring scholar. In the highly competitive landscape of higher education, your CV is vital in determining whether you will stand out as an exceptional candidate.

Whether you are a student , a graduate, or a seasoned professional seeking to elevate your academic pursuits, this article is for you. It details the essential elements of composing a CV that captures your academic journey, research experience, and future career aspirations. From understanding the unique expectations of a PhD application to incorporating relevant experiences and honing an impactful writing style, we delve into the steps to create a good CV .

The CV writing process: Where to start?

A CV tailored explicitly for a PhD application demands a strategic approach highlighting your education, academic accomplishments, and research experience that sets you apart. This document serves as your initial introduction to prospective educational institutions and faculty members, making it imperative to leave a lasting impression that sparks curiosity and interest. Here are two essential pointers to consider:

A fundamental starting point is the creation of a comprehensive master CV, serving as the foundation to build upon as your academic journey progresses. Update it regularly, capturing personal details, educational achievements, work experience, skills, and notable accomplishments.

After that, tailor each iteration by emphasising relevant experiences and qualifications, moulding the personal profile to reflect your academic trajectory and strategically showcasing pertinent skills that set you apart in the fiercely competitive job market.

Tips on how to write a PhD CV

Gain insight into the industry and the specific requirements of your desired PhD programme.

Organise your CV thoughtfully into sections, such as personal details, personal profile, work experience, education, and skills.

Showcase concrete achievements or projects that align with your career goals. Emphasise quantifiable results to demonstrate the impact of your scholarly endeavours.

Integrate relevant keywords to optimise your CV for applicant tracking systems (ATS). This can increase your chances of passing the initial screening process.

Customise each CV to suit the specific application, showcasing how your unique set of skills and experiences perfectly align with the requirements of the programme.

Error-free and engaging writing is paramount. Thoroughly proofread your CV to ensure clarity, coherence, and an overall captivating presentation that will captivate the attention of hiring managers.

Looking to create a CV for a PhD application?

Phd cv example.

Download this PhD CV sample in PDF.

Neah Kapoor, an aspiring and dedicated PhD candidate, has opted for the Otago template to craft her impressive CV. Her passion lies in forging a career in policy analysis, with a special focus on sustainable development and environmental planning. Neah's exceptional academic background and remarkable achievements have been meticulously showcased, underscoring her potential as a valuable contributor to shaping a more sustainable world.

What to include in a PhD CV? 

A CV must be comprehensive and well-organised, showcasing your academic qualifications, research experience, and potential as a promising academic researcher or PhD student. See our tips on what to include below (if applicable):

List your degrees chronologically, starting with the most recent. Include the name of the institution, degree obtained, major/specialisation, and graduation date.

Detail your research experience, including internships, projects, or positions held in academic or research settings.

If you have teaching or short-term experience, include the details of the courses you taught, the institution, and the duration of your involvement.

List any academic papers, articles, book chapters, or other scholarly publications you have authored or co-authored. Include the full citation for each publication.

Mention any academic conferences where you presented your findings. Provide details such as the conference name, date, and location.

List the specific research methodologies, techniques, and tools you are proficient in.

Highlight academic achievements, such as winning competitions, scholarships, grants, or fellowships.

If relevant, include extracurricular activities such as hobbies and interests , demonstrating leadership, teamwork, or community engagement.

This is usually on request, but if required, provide the names and contact information of academic or professional references who can vouch for you.

What is a professional summary for a PhD CV?

A professional summary, also known as a personal profile , is a concise and impactful statement that provides a snapshot of your academic background, research expertise, and career aspirations. It serves as an introduction to your CV, capturing the attention of potential employers or educational institutions and enticing them to delve further into your qualifications. Tips on writing a professional summary:

Keep it brief, ideally limited to 4-6 lines. 

Mention that you are a PhD candidate or specify the degree you are currently pursuing.

Showcase your enthusiasm for your research area and the academic field in general.

PhD student CV personal profile example

Passionate and driven student in marine biology, dedicated to unravelling the mysteries within this captivating field. Solid foundation in marine biology and an insatiable curiosity for groundbreaking research and innovative discoveries. Aspire to leave a lasting impact on the academic landscape, driving advancements that positively influence society and transform our understanding of marine ecosystems.

Academic CV for PhD application personal profile example

Passionate PhD candidate in forestry with an insatiable curiosity for knowledge and intellectual exploration. Equipped with a strong academic background and dedication to cutting-edge research, committed to making meaningful contributions to forestry. Eager to collaborate with esteemed mentors, embracing interdisciplinary challenges to empower future generations of forestry thinkers.

Refer to our academic CV example for more tips.

What skills should be included in a CV for PhD?

Highlighting skills that demonstrate your potential as a successful researcher and scholar is essential. See our examples below:

Hard skills:

Research Methodologies

Data Analysis

Academic Writing

Literature Review

Computer Programming.

Soft skills:

Critical Thinking

Communication

Time Management

Adaptability

Problem-Solving.

Transferable skills:

Organisational Skills

Teaching and Mentoring

Public Speaking

Project Management

Analytical Skills.

To leave a lasting impact on recruiters, it's essential to distinguish between various types of skills on a CV.

How to write work experience on a CV for PhD application

When writing work experience on a CV, it's essential to present your research-related experiences and accomplishments clearly and concisely. See our tips below:

Start with a clear CV section heading, such as "Work Experience" or "Research Experience."

Include the company/institution name and location. 

Specify your job title or position, such as "Research Intern," "Research Assistant," "Laboratory Technician," etc.

Include the period you worked in that position, using years. 

Provide a brief overview of your tasks and responsibilities during your work experience. Focus on research-related activities, laboratory work, data analysis, academic projects, or other relevant tasks.

Highlight specific accomplishments or achievements during your work experience.

If applicable, mention any publications, presentations, or academic papers from your work experience. Include the names of supervisors or researchers you worked with and any notable collaborations.

Research Intern, OceanLife Research Institute, Queensland, AU | 2022

Collaborated with a team of marine biologists in conducting field surveys to assess the biodiversity and health of coral reefs. Assisted in collecting and analysing water samples to study the impact of environmental factors on coral bleaching. Maintained and calibrated oceanographic instruments, ensuring accurate and reliable data collection during research expeditions. Attended workshops and seminars by renowned marine scientists, enhancing knowledge of current advancements in marine biology and ecological research

Conducted a comprehensive literature review on marine conservation practices, contributing to the development of a research proposal for a sustainable fishing initiative.

Contributed to drafting a research paper that investigated the symbiotic relationship between marine microorganisms and coral reefs, which was subsequently submitted for publication in a peer-reviewed scientific journal.

If you have no work experience , refer to our skills-based CV example.

Education CV section for a PhD student or applicant

The education section of a CV for a student or applicant showcases your academic qualifications and sets the foundation for your scholarly pursuits. When including your degree in this section, make sure to provide the following details:

Clearly state your degree, including the exact title or specialisation. 

Specify the field of study or research area in which you pursued. 

Mention the name of the university or institution where you earned your degree. 

Include the year of your graduation or expected date of graduation.

Doctor of Philosophy in Educational Psychology Manchester University of Manchester, UK | 2022

If you have additional forms of qualifications, consider adding courses and certificates in a new section.

Key takeaways

Now that you have more insight into what makes a good CV, we encourage you to follow your passion for knowledge and academic excellence when embarking on a PhD journey. Consider these essential tips to enhance your CV for a successful application:

Showcase academic achievements and honours.

Emphasise research skills and methodologies.

Clearly state research interests and goals.

Tailor the CV for each application to align with specific program requirements. 

Next steps?

By adhering to a writing process, conducting research, and leveraging relevant skills, you can increase your chances of securing a placement. If you are not a strong writer, consider our CV Writing Services or browse our CV examples , CV templates , or cover letter templates for further insight.

How do you write a PhD academic CV?

As an academic, highlight your research experiences, academic achievements, skills, and relevant publications by tailoring it to the specific programme requirements.

What should a CV for a PhD look like?

A good CV should follow a clear structure and clean format. The chosen template should only include relevant sections such as personal details, education, experience, skills, awards, or publications.

What is the CV of a PhD student?

As a student, you have little experience so consider utilising a skills-based format while focusing on academic background, research experiences, publications, conference presentations, and any relevant achievements or projects.

How long should a PhD CV be?

A CV for a graduate, student, or someone with little experience typically is one page. However, with academic CVs, they tend to be between two and three pages while still focusing on relevant information and avoiding unnecessary details.

Do you need a CV for PhD?

A CV is typically required when applying for a PhD programme, as it highlights your academic achievements and research experiences. Depending on the programme and, possibly, country, make sure to check the requirements and tailor your application accordingly.

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• • 2+ years of experience in how the AI development lifecycle impacts systems, distributed computing, and cloud-native paradigm
• • Main research focused on how blockchain security could be enhanced by 65% within decentralized infrastructure
• • Other research projects (36+), looking at how future trends could impact network security in AI automated systems
• • Had 16+ publications in the Journal of Computer Science and secured +$16M in grant funding over the last two years
• • Assisted 13+ senior researchers and computer science professors in completing various applications by debugging codes
• • Participated in various other aspects of the software development process, including assessing briefs, writing code, and testing systems to ensure 100% accuracy
• • Built 10 full-stack web applications with Java and Ruby
• • Was tasked to help 5 researchers with the development of for-academia software with a focus on security
• • Analyzed the code specifications and transformations to comply with 100% of all security, accuracy, and client-briefed protocols and parameters
• • Met all mandatory schedule dates within the development process - receiving 98% approval in customer satisfaction

9 PhD Resume Examples & Guide for 2024

Your PhD resume must highlight your extensive research and expertise in your field of study. Tailor it to showcase how your unique skills are transferable to the job you're applying for. Demonstrate your proficiency in critical thinking and problem-solving through concrete examples of your work. Articulate your ability to communicate complex ideas effectively, as this is key to standing out.

All resume examples in this guide

Traditional

Lecturer in Molecular Engineering and Bioengineering Researcher: Biomedical Engineering, Ph.D. resume example

Electronic Product Design and Engineering Lab Technician, Ph.D. Mechanical Engineering resume example

APTA Certified Physical Therapist, Doctor of Philosophy in Rehabilitation Science resume example

Data Scientist: Niched In Statistics, Appplied Mathematics, and Machine Learning resume example

Resume Guide

Guide Overview

Additional Resumes

Extra Reads

Writing Your Ph.D. Resume

Resume Header Tips

Ph.D. Resume Summary

Resume Experience Section

Systematizing Your Experience

How to Include Your Degree

Ph.D. in Progress on Resume

Skill Set for Ph.D. Resumes

Certifications on Resume

Additional Sections

Key Takeaways

George C. Jones's 8-year-Odyssey to his doctoral degree in engineering is finally complete. All he has to do now is complete his Ph.D. resume.

Little does George know that within the next three years, he'd apply to 500+ roles and still not be any closer to working in the renewable energy sector.

A little birdie told us why.

Everywhere George applied, he was labeled as an "egghead": book-smart with no real-world experience.

At least that's the story his resume told.

Unfortunately, George's sad "tale" depicts many graduates’ job searches.

By 2030/31, the US is expected to have 221,000 Ph.D. graduates . While this may be fantastic news for the academic community, the job pool is limited.

Swimming into the big blue sea - a.k.a. the "real world" - would require Ph.D. graduates to adapt their resumes to the business or industry requirements.

And listing vague bullets pinpointing your experience just won't do.

Enhancv knows how to translate your skills, knowledge, and achievements to ensure your resume stands out in the vast talent pool.

Because a well-written Ph.D. resume , showing skills, passion, and knowledge, is your ticket to the moon and beyond.

Our exclusive, Ph.D. resume guide will answer some of the following questions for you:

• What are some of the biggest, unintentional mistakes Ph.D. graduates tend to make when writing their resumes?
• Perfecting the top one-third of your resume: how to get recruiters' attention every time?
• 102 of the most popular Ph.D. skills you need to add to your resume right now!
• Lacking much professional experience: how to align your academic background with job expectations?
• Get inspired with more ideas about formatting, writing your resume summary, and including your academic body of work in a way that works.

4 additional Ph.D. resume samples and why they work

Ph.d. bioengineering graduate.

This Ph.D. Bioengineering Graduate has certainly focused her effort on getting that tenure-track position.

Here’s why her resume works.

Within the top one-third of Dr. Taylor’s resume (the headlines, summary, and skills section), you’ll find many relevant keywords for the job advert.

She has also used the summary to qualify and quantify her results to help recruiters better understand her strengths.

The experience section is split into two parts: the first one notes all relevant teaching experience; the second section showcases depth and knowledge of research.

Dr. Taylor has included industry experience and strengths to further define her skill set and show results.

This approach would also be very helpful for any Applicant Tracking System (ATS) reviewing the resume, as it cross-aligns the candidate’s talents with the job requirements.

Ph.D. mechanical engineering

If you’re wondering how to translate your academics into real-life experience, check this example out.

Dr. Aubry’s resume headline highlights his area of expertise and his Ph.D. degree, while his summary qualifies his key academic achievements, contributions, and success.

Dr. Aubry’s skills section focuses more on the technology he is apt at within the specified job requirements.

His roles as a lab technician, contributor, and research assistant also hint to recruiters that he’s results-oriented and can show how his work affected the industry.

Finally, his strengths section cross-aligns soft skills that are important for the role, including mechanical engineering knowledge, cross-disciplinary teamwork, and technical writing.

Apta certified physical therapist

In some industries, a specific certification can be a real game changer to meeting ATS standards.

Dr. Brubaker knows this and that’s why she has used her resume to highlight her American Physical Therapy Association (APTA) certification within various sections (headline, summary, and certification).

Another reason why Dr. Brubaker’s resume works is that it pinpoints her niche of expertise with tangible results.

Her education section not only lists all of her degrees, but she has turned recruiters’ attention to the grant funding her Ph.D. thesis secured (an outcome of the project).

Did you notice how she curated the experience section? Dr. Brubaker started with her more job-oriented responsibilities, followed by a leadership role.

if you’ve participated in any extracurricular activities during your studies, they could indicate various soft skills on your resume, including leadership, initiative, organization, etc.

data scientist, ongoing Ph.D. in statistics

Are you a current Ph.D. student, wondering how to include your ongoing degree on your resume?

Charles Flack’s resume includes some of the best how-to practices.

Charles uses the resume headline and summary’s first section to specify his research niche, which is followed by his ongoing Ph.D. Status.

N.B. Remember that the recruitment process is one of building trust with honesty. If you note in your resume that you’re a Ph.D. graduate (without this being the reality), recruiters will find out.

Continuing with Charles’s resume summary. It goes on to include an array of expertise and soft skills (e.g. leadership, adaptiveness, perfectionism) all within achieved results in academia.

His experience section includes roles in leadership, technical writing, and private tutoring, denoting individual skills and contributions.

The strengths Charles has included are more specific and tie in with data science roles. Those include quantitative problem-solving, deep learning, and iterative process.

21 Ph.D. related resume examples to help you get inspired

• Entry-Level
• Grant Writer
• Lab Technician
• Research Associate
• Research Assistant
• Lab Assistant
• Lab Manager
• Finance Intern
• Data Science Intern
• Entry Level Engineering
• Entry-Level Mechanical Engineer
• Software Engineer Intern
• Nursing Student
• Data Analyst Entry Level

Quick steps to success in writing your Ph.D. resume to get recruiters’ attention

Let's start with a big no-no: your academic CV, the one you used to secure that tenure position, is a No-go. Put simply - it lacks personality .

HRs and the Applicant Tracking System (ATS) need more context to your experience.

Unfortunately, here comes one of the biggest disadvantages you may face, leaving academia. Often, Ph.D. graduates get rejected as they lack practical work experience .

Don't get discouraged. Instead, find a resume format that works for you.

For Ph.D. graduates that have less work experience, we recommend a functional-skill-based format . It will help you highlight your unique skill set and academic excellence.

Also, it'll align your niche area of expertise with the role expectations.

Now that we've settled the formatting debate, let's look at a couple of more quick pointers for your Ph.D. resume.

1. The top one-third of your resume - the resume header and summary - is crucial to getting a high score on the ATS.

That's why you should try to include as many of the advert's relevant requirements within this section.

2. Expand your qualifications and skills within the experience section.

Don't just list plain bullets, but focus on the outcomes of your studies, research, or publications.

How to write your experience bullets:

3. Speaking of impact, detail your accomplishments within your academic work.

Focus on the picture and your research's influence on the scientific field, business/ industry, or communities.

Bonus: Remember to always list all work and academic experience that is relevant to the job you’re applying for.

Your Ph.D. experience can open many doors for you, giving you a front-row seat on the cutting edge of new technologies.

But let's not get ahead of ourselves, here are a couple more bits and pieces to keep in mind when writing your Ph.D. resume.

What recruiters are looking out for in your Ph.D. resume:

• What methodology or technology have you used to prove your research?
• If you've ever led teams, were you able to manage them successfully?
• Would your niche area of expertise contribute to the organizational goals?
• Can you bring to the table more than just theoretical knowledge?
• How fast can you adapt to a non-academic environment and deliver tangible results?

Ph.D. resume's five most important sections:

• Resume header with keywords from the job description
• Resume summary cross-aligning requirements with experience
• Resume experience to expand on the summary
• Education section, listing all diplomas
• Professional achievements in research and publications

Your Ph.D. resume should balance your knowledge with how fast it can be applied in a real-world environment.

That's why you need to be precise about the resume sections you chose to prove your merit.

Mythbusters: Your PhD resume header under the Enhancv microscope

After endless hours of searching different platforms, you've finally found that cancer research position that perfectly matches your profile.

Avoiding all emotional attachment and excitement, you finally decide on the following header:

2 PhD resume header examples

Let’s look at the bright side of things. If the organization would like to get in touch with Dr. Garnett, they'd easily find his contact details .

But on the other hand, he is making one huge mistake: Dr. Garnett isn't taking advantage of the power of the top section of his resume. More specifically - his headline .

This crucial section could provide Ph.D. graduates with an opportunity to include all relevant keywords that could match their profile. And at the same time, tease their professional story.

This may be obvious, but this example works as it shows that Dr. Garnett is not only a Ph.D. graduate, but his specific area of research and interest, which should supposedly match with the role he’s applying for.

A rule of thumb for headers is to never be vague about your research and expertise.

You could list your Ph.D. degree within your resume title so that it’s the first thing recruiters (and the ATS) see.

In the case of Dr. Garnett, his resume title could read “Dr. David Garnett, Ph.D.”.

Our suggestion is to be wary about the organization you’re applying for because if the culture is more informal, this may come off as “pretentious”.

Ph.D. resume summaries: HRs’ favorite instrument for advanced career storytelling

The Ph.D. resume summary is a really useful section for good first impressions and explaining your experience.

The summary can be used to highlight your skills, strengths, and achievements. While telling the story of your professional growth.

We know how important real-world examples are for you.

So, without further ado, here's how Dr. Lucina Collard rewrote her resume summary. And in the end, got the attention of a prestigious software development company.

2 PhD resume summary examples

Dr. Collard may have spent too much time in the lab, as her Ph.D. resume summary just lists what courses she took and her thesis statement.

No results, no outcomes.

In the end, she did decide to include some soft skills and passions, but without actually pointing out the “why” behind her work. This doesn’t make sense at all.

Here’s what her modified resume summary looked like in the end:

This summary works for one simple reason: it qualifies the achievements.

Dr. Collard has noted that within the past 6 years, she has been specializing in the job advert keywords “robotics” and “mechatronics”. The award is also a nice touch to paint the big picture of her experience.

Dr. Collard is apt at achieving results within a dynamic environment. That includes various professionals from different backgrounds.

When talking about her thesis, she goes on to show her familiarity with the process.

Editing Dr. Collard’s summary may seem just like one small step for her, but it’s actually a giant leap to securing an interview.

Making your Ph.D. resume experience section stand out for all the right reasons

When listing their experience section, most Ph.D. graduates are probably making the same mistakes.

The first one: leaving out your academic practice, thinking that recruiters only want to see work experience.

That's not true at all.

Your education would not only prove your technical capabilities, but also your soft skills. But, more on that in the following paragraphs.

The second error: those tricky job titles.

You'd find 1000+ resumes, listing each experience using the given academic titles; e.g. Professor, Lecturer, Post Doctorate Student, Graduate Student, etc.

Robotic vs personalized approach: 1:0.

The ATS, reviewing your resume, is set to recognize keywords that are vital for the job. The faster those appear at the top of your experience, the better.

Instead of listing that you used to be a "Lecturer at XYZ University", go with "Data Science and Machine Learning Lecturer at XYZ University".

Third slip-up: those tricky experience bullets.

Some Ph.D. graduates just list all their courses, research, and publications.

This isn't the way to go.

You should rather align your knowledge with the job description to prove tangible results.

A couple of questions to help:

• What did this course help me learn and achieve that could be applicable to the job I'm applying for?
• How did leading lectures help me to cooperate better within the learning environment?
• What grants did my publications secure for the educational institute?
• What effects did my research have on the big-picture subjects within the field?
• The more you can get into the actuality (and practicality) of your education, the higher your chances are to get your first interview booked.

Let’s look at an example of how your experience can be showcased within your resume as crucial for the job.

Phd resume experience examples.

• • Got PhD in Philosophy
• • Took Philosophy of Mind, Brain, and Behavior Course
• • Took Ethics Course
• • Wrote Diploma on ‘To Be Or Not To Be: The Ethics of The Human Existence In The 21st Century’

This experience section is pretty negligent and robotic. Did you just get a diploma during those three-plus years?

You may be exiting from a leading higher education institution, but putting in the extra effort to your resume shows that you are diligent.

And that you’re actually invested in getting that particular job.

• • Contributed 60+ publications to the university scientific journal, niching within human rights, ethics, and the big why of human existence
• • Peer-reviewed publications for 12+ philosophy colleagues and professionals with a focus on consistency and validity of the thesis
• • Collaborated with 10+ professionals from arts, science, and biotech fields to question and understand the ethics behind their projects
• • Apart from the scientific paper for my final thesis, entitled 'To Be Or Not To Be: The Ethics of The Human Existence In The 21st Century’, published a short video on the university website to help inspire young professionals of philosophy to always stay alert

There’s no ground for comparison between the two examples. But let’s look at some of the basics.

The first experience bullet hints that the professional can write technical papers for their niche.

Next, the candidate showcases an eye for detail, collaboration, and teamwork.

Finally, they have found a way to get their thesis submitted on time and also make it more understandable.

On a side note - did you notice how a better job title could be a complete game-changer?

One bonus tip on better systematizing your Ph.D. experience

General practice is that you'd create one single resume experience section.

But what if while writing your Ph.D. resume, you realize that in the past six years, all your experience is for the same institution?

Here's an idea to spice up your experience section. You can create a couple of experience sections, based on functionality.

Thus highlighting job advert keywords and, at the same time, including more details.

So you could have some of the following headers, under which you could classify your work:

• Research Experience
• Technical Experience
• Analytical Experience
• Leadership Experience
• Mentorship Experience
• Teamwork Experience
• Higher Education Experience

Feel free to align your transferable skills, which would be beneficial for the job you're applying for.

How should you include your degrees within your Ph.D. resume education section?

Here's the advice you've probably been waiting for; introducing…

… "How to write about your degree without sounding like a snob?"

And there are two possible scenarios at play.

The first is that you're applying for a job related to your area of study.

You should list your Ph.D. degree in detail, including research topics, method expertise, and publications.

As you're writing for non-specialized audiences, don't go overboard with the complex terms. Instead, weave keywords from the job requirements within your education section.

In the second case scenario, you're applying for a job that has nothing to do with your degree.

Keep your education section plain and simple with your degree, university/college, dates, and location.

Either way, remember to always list all of your degrees in chronological order, starting with the latest.

This isn't just some made-up rule or HR caprice. Your resume education helps recruiters determine if:

• Your basic training and knowledge would fit the job
• You stayed focused on your coursework and graduated on time
• You would be a good fit for the team. Some companies tend to hire graduates from the same university

Ph.D. in progress: Should you include your potential degree on your resume?

Being transparent on your Ph.D. resume is what builds that fantastic initial relationship with the company you're applying for.

Thus, you have to be very clear and precise, especially in your education section.

If you're still pursuing your Ph.D. degree, shift the focus from the future to what you've achieved so far.

Your education section could answer any of the following questions:

• How applicable your degree is to the job opening?
• Which of the courses you've completed would help the company grow?
• Is your education a stepping stone within your professional experience?
• What is your expected graduation date?

Being on the course to completing your Ph.D. is definitely commendable, but sometimes life happens. And you may be forced to drop out of your Ph.D. education.

Should you then list the degree you didn't complete?

The answer is 100% yes, as your Ph.D.:

• fills gaps within your professional experience
• is valuable experience
• has helped you gain new knowledge

Making it clear to recruiters that your degree is "Incomplete" or that you "Didn't Graduate" is very important.

List your degree, dates, university/college, and status.

If you get to the interview stage, recruiters will ask you why you dropped out. Be prepared to talk about why it wasn't the best option for your career at the time, or hint at the circumstances.

Even if it's hard to believe, HR managers are people - just like you and me - and they are able to show understanding and compassion.

Ph.D. resume: Is there a dream skill set your potential employers would like to see?

Recruiters review your resume to see how your experience aligns with the role, with a big focus on transferrable skills.

Or in other words, what else can you bring to the table to help the business or institution grow?

And transferable skills can be both hard (or technical ) and soft skills .

Your hard skills include the technology you used to complete your studies.

Consider the opportunities you've has to:

• test and measure antennas parameters in an Anechoic chamber
• audit in a lab environment renewable energy sources' efficiency
• develop software, using Python, to patch cybersecurity risks

The list can go and on and on. Your Ph.D. has probably provided you with a pretty solid technical background.

When writing your resume’s separate technical skills section, ever wonder which technology should go first?

Rule of thumb: align the technology within the job description with your expertise.

The more proficient you are at a certain skill, the sooner you should list it.

Wondering what some of the most popular Ph.D. resume hard and technical skills are?

Check out our list, based on some of the most popular industries.

PhD resume technical skills for various roles:

15 hard skills for opportunities in business consulting:

• Knowledge of different business-crucial frameworks, including Benchmarking, Balanced Scorecard, Porter’s Five Forces, The GE-McKinsey Nine-Box Matrix, The BCG Growth-Share Matrix, Core Competencies
• Data Management and Analysis
• Advanced Data Modelling
• Strategy, Planning and Implementation
• Assessing and Managing Risk Using Frameworks
• Statistics and Understanding Correlations
• CRMs: Salesforce, Zendesk, Bitrix24, etc.
• Lead Generation Software: Zendesk Sell, Pipedrive, HubSpot, etc.
• Project Management Software: Jira, Hive, Asana, etc.
• Employer and Customer Satisfaction Surveys
• Proposal Writing
• Scheduling Software: Calendly, Google Calendar, Doodle, etc.
• Revenue Optimization and Sales

15 technical skills for biology, biotech, biochemistry, and medical research:

• Design, conduct, and analyze scientific research
• Tissue Culture
• PCR (Polymerase Chain Reaction)
• Gel Electrophoresis
• Western Blot
• Molecular (Gene) Cloning and various techniques
• Flow Cytometry
• Mass Spectrometry
• Confocal Microscopy
• Cell-Based Assays
• Radioimmunoassays
• Data Analysis in biotechnology, bioinformatics, and medical research
• Laboratory and Equipment

15 engineering technical skills to add to your PhD resume:

• Manufacturing: Forging, Welding, Assembling, etc.
• Quality Control
• Industrial /System Design and Analysis
• Conceptual, Logical, or Physical Data Modeling
• AI and/ or Machine Learning
• Design Tools: AutoCAD, SolidWork, 3dsMax, etc.
• Programming Languages: C++, Python, Java, etc.
• Equipment Diagnosis
• Project Management: Trello, Zoho, Microsoft Project, etc.
• Data Analysis Software: Microsoft Power BI, Tableau, Qlik Sense, etc.
• CNC Programming
• Advanced Physics
• Structural Analysis
• Nanotechnology

15 recommended computer science technologies:

• Programming languages: C++, PHP, Swift, etc.
• Software engineering and development: Atom, GitHub, Chrome DevTools. etc.
• Cloud Platforms
• Data migration and deployment
• Application Programming Interfaces (APIs)
• Integrated Environments Management
• Network Maintenance
• Cybersecurity
• Machine learning AI
• Business Intelligence and Statistical Analysis Tools
• SQL Consoles
• SAS Development and Forecasting
• Data Modelling Tools: ER/Studio, Archi, Ludichart, etc.
• Automation Tools

15 academic and research technical skills:

• Technical Literacy
• Presentation and visual: Tableau, Prezi, PPT, etc.
• Learning platforms: Moodle, Classroom, Teams, etc.
• Surveys: Google Forms, MailChimp, Kahoot, etc.
• Data-Processing Software: SPSS, RStudio, NVivo, etc.
• Academic Networks: Google Scholar, Academia.edu., ResearchGate, etc.
• Academic Research and Technical Writing
• Email Writing
• Data and Information Analysis
• Copyright and License
• Videoconferencing: Zoom, Teams, Google Meet, etc.
• Applications for Securing Grants and Funding
• Peer Reviews and Co-Writing Interdisciplinary Technical Papers

Moving on to your PhD resume soft skills

There's still no precise formula for how soft skills are gained and applied in the workplace.

How many times have you seen an advert that requires "a can-do attitude and teamwork"?

Yet soft skills are on all recruiters' must-have checklists.

In the case of Ph.D. applicants, these transferable skills are built thanks to all the healthy habits you've maintained through your education, including your:

• collaboration
• ability to meet deadlines

Soft skills hint to recruiters more about your character and style of work.

Here are some ideas as to which ones you can include within your resume:

37 PhD soft skills to spice up your resume:

• Critical / Logical Thinking
• Problem-Solving
• Time Management
• Brainstorming
• Creativity and Innovation
• Meeting Deadlines
• Working Under Pressure
• Negotiation
• Project Management
• Organization
• Prioritization
• Flexibility
• Independent Work
• Ethical Decision-Making
• Leadership or Mentorship
• Collaboration
• Teaching or Lecturing
• Conduct Meetings
• Supervision
• Feedback and Evaluation
• Motivating Others
• Communicating Ideas
• Presentation
• Constructive Debating
• Leading or Participating in Group Discussions
• Public Speaking
• Accelerated Learning
• Attention to Detail
• Writing Proficiency
• Quantitative Literacy
• Listening and Reflection

When describing your leadership or mentorship soft skills, here are a couple of questions you could answer within your resume to qualify your achievements:

• What actions did you take to maintain a constant and successful team dynamic?

Mix in extracurricular certificates

Back in the day, you earned a couple of extracurricular certificates and wondering if you should include those on your Ph.D. resume.

Again, it's a matter of analyzing how necessary your certification is for the job.

E.g. if AICPA's CPA certificate is listed as obligatory within the job description - and you have earned yours - you know what to do.

Certificates show that you're willing to put in the extra effort to stay relevant. Proving that you're committed, flexible, and a life-long learner.

So, think about the relevancy the certificate would have within your field.

Then, consider including some of these popular certificates:

Top 50 PhD certificates from various institutions for your resume:

• Association of Clinical Research Professionals (ACRP) - Certified Professional
• ACRP - Clinical Research Associate Certification
• ACRP - Clinical Research Coordinator Certification
• American Health Information Management Association - Coding Specialist Physician-Based Certification
• Nationally Registered Certified Patient Care Technician
• National Healthcare Association (NHA) - EKG Technician Certification
• NHA - Phlebotomy Technician Certification
• NHA - Clinical Medical Assistant Certification
• American Association of Medical Assistants - Medical Assistant Certification
• Red Cross - Nursing Assistant Certification
• Behavior Analyst Certification Board, Inc. - Registered Behavior Technician
• American Association of Professional Coders - Certified Professional Coder
• Pharmacy Technician Certification Board - Certified Pharmacy Technician
• Society for Clinical Data Management - Clinical Data Manager
• American Medical Writers Association - Medical Writer Certified
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• Google Project Management Professional
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PhD resume: let’s get creative with a few more resume sections

When completing your Ph.D. resume, you should always find ways to stand out from the crowd.

That’s why we’ve compiled for you some of the most popular sections which you could add to your resume.

Before doing so, always question each section's relevance to the job you're applying for.

• Publications or Projects - focus on topic, methodology, and impact; include your grant ID code, if your research won any funding
• Academic Awards - once more, consider if those would shine a better light on your expertise
• Conference Presentations - this would showcase your public speaking abilities
• Language Skills - be honest when listing your language proficiency

One final word of warning - your Ph.D. resume offers limited space to showcase your expertise, so try to make the most out of it.

key takeaways

• The extra effort to align your Ph.D. skills with the job you're applying for always gets recruiters' attention.
• Include as many relevant keywords within the header and summary of your Ph.D. resume.
• Have separate sections, detailing how your academic background has helped you attain experience, skills, and certifications.
• List chronologically all degrees you've earned through your education, with an adaptable approach to details.
• Remember that the recruiters or the ATS assessing your resume may not be that scientifically literate. Substitute complex terminology with impact and results.

Looking to build your own PhD resume?

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Academic CV Example for a PhD Graduate

Please see below an example of an academic CV for a PhD graduate. If you would like more information, please take a look at our Academic CV guidelines and download the Academic CV template here .

JANE DURDEN

14 Kitts Way, Little Heath, Birmingham B55 7QZ

Tel: 01217 430987 Email: [email protected]

A postgraduate researcher with experience of teaching and supervising PhD students. Aspires to work as a post-doctoral researcher on the “Marriage in Victorian England” project in the School of Humanities.

Demonstrates strong organisational skills and the ability to meet set deadlines. Displays a positive outlook to all challenges and able to work independently.

_____________________________________________________________________________

West Birmingham University, School of Humanities                                                   2016 – 2019

PhD in History (Funded by AHRC)

Thesis Title: Marriage Breakdown in the late 19 th Century and its Effect on Women

Supervisor: Professor J M Smithson

Brief Synopsis:          xxx

Somerset College, Cambridge                                                                                         2015 – 2016

MPhil in Victorian Social History (Funded by AHRC)

Dissertation Title: Middle Class Marriage in the Late Victorian Period

First Class (Distinction) 75%

Blackwell University                                                                                                        2013 – 2015

BA History & English – First Class Honours

Cambridge Science School

Four ‘A’ levels English (A), History (A), French (A), and Psychology (A)                     2006 – 2013

RESEARCH INTERESTS

My main interest remains in the field of women in marriage in late 19th century England but also how their changing roles developed into the 20th century.  My future research is to build on the foundations of my PhD and to investigate and compare the roles of English women with their counterparts across Europe, particularly in France and Spain.

TEACHING EXPERIENCE

• Second year History module “Feminism in 20 th Century Britain”
• One seminar per week with 10 students for ten weeks
• Planned, wrote and led seminars
• Marked coursework and organised field trip to conference on “The Woman Question” at Wolverhampton West University in May 2009

ADMINISTRATION

• Assisted in examining, talking to students and parents at Open Days and invigilating examinations
• Responsibility for leading a team of students in planning and organising a university conference
• Experienced in report writing and writing up research work

POSITIONS OF RESPONSIBILITY

• Participated in academic and policy dissemination activities and workshops
• Supported students’ research activities
• Undertook administrative tasks relating to student induction programme
• Assisted in coordinating day-to-day running of residential Vitae programme

CONFERENCES ATTENDED

2009                The Woman Question –Wolverhampton West University

2009                The Challenge of Big Data – The British Library

2008                20 th Century Opportunities for and Expectations of Women in Work

FUNDING AND AWARDS – AHRC  

Professor J M Smithson                                      John Engelhard, Tutor  

West Birmingham University                            West Birmingham University

School of Humanities                                          School of Humanities

The Ringway                                                          The Ringway

Birmingham                                                          Birmingham

B9 7QZ                                                                    B9 7QZ

Email: [email protected]                     Email: [email protected]

Tel: 0121 5722099                                                Tel: 0121 5722097

Professor Philippa Miles

Somerset College

Email: [email protected]

Tel: 01223 337324

For CV top tips:

• How To Write A Good CV
• Preparing to Change Jobs? Make sure your CV is ready too!
• ATS systems and your CV: 5 things you need to know
• The Key To The Perfect CV

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Henrietta Nagy

Henrietta Nagy is a seasoned portfolio worker with over 10 years’ experience in the UK education sector. Henrietta writes educational content, designs academic courses, delivers university lectures, mentors entrepreneurs, and provides career development coaching. One of Henrietta's recent organisational clients is the Oxford University where she has facilitated over 100 hours of learning events. With 9 years of higher education studies internationally (including an MBA), she has worked with CEOs, academics, scholars, managers, women entrepreneurs, academic administrators and other consultants.

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15th April 2020 at 1:02 pm

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Click here to directly go to the complete scholarship resume sample.

• How to write a scholarship resume?

Are you getting frustrated to write a perfect resume for a scholarship application?

We don’t recommend that making the best resume is the only way to bag the best scholarships.

Well, you could write a book, build a company, win a prize. But, writing a winning resume for scholarships is undoubtedly the easiest way to describe why you are a good candidate for a scholarship.

And your recruiters only want to know whether you are as skilled and whether you know it.

In this blog, we will walk you through:

• Why do you need a scholarship resume?
• How to write the education section of a student resume for scholarships?
• How to write the work experience in aresume for scholarships?
• Additional tips for scholarship resume 2023?

Why Do You Need a Scholarship Resume?

A resume for scholarships is very different from what we often consider it to be. A student resume for scholarships is not the same resume that you use for a corporate job.

Not only should it be relevant and elaborate, but it also must be tailored according to the scholarship description.

Your scholarship resume plays the first role in getting the targeted scholarship.

Your scholarship resume can serve as a reference for you to fill out your college applications and your scholarship entrance forms.

With your scholarship resume in hand, you can be assured that you will not leave out any vital information that could help you get your target scholarship or gain admittance to the college of your choice.

Also read: How to write a brilliant college student resume?

How to Write a Scholarship Resume?

Let's look at the following college scholarship resume examples as we guide you through writing the most important sections that are relevant to the scholarship you are targeting.

Before writing the perfect scholarship resume template, the first important step is research.

The send step is listing all your academic achievements and other notable information in a Master Resume.

Your master resume could comprise of information ranging from the assignment you nailed, to the volleyball match you championed.

Once you have your Master Resume, start filtering out the irrelevant information. The actual relevance can be assessed from the targeted scholarship.

Not all of your previous accomplishments will have a bearing on your educational future. Consider contests won, higher grades achieved, jobs held, and community activities participated in.

Concentrate on those accomplishments that demonstrate your potential as a student and showcase your characteristic strengths.

After you have sifted through your past and found the achievements best representing you, it is time to make your final scholarship resume.

Also read: How to write a resume with no experience?

Starting a Scholarship Resume

From the given scholarship resume template, you can start your resume by dividing it into 4 sections with the following main headings:

• Academic Experience
• Extracurricular Activities
• Work Experience

Awards and Honors

Almost all the necessary information to put on a scholarship resume falls into these four categories.

To fit your scholarship resume best, you may rephrase the headings according to the experiences they highlight. Also, leave enough spaces between sections to maintain a visually pleasing resume.

Scholarship Resume Contact Details

The name and contact should be the first thing a recruiter sees. For the same reason, this must be on top of the resume. This is called the header section. This includes:

To add a professional touch to your scholarship resume, make sure:

• The Nname is the largest text (>16 points)
• Phone number is reachable at all times
• Email address has your name in it and is professional (no [email protected] please)
• Location includes the city, state & country as required (skip your street address)

Scholarship Resume Title

The scholarship resume title must include the target domain and your current professional expertise.

The title is the next targeted step on your resume header . It demonstrates the level of your expertise.

It could be anything from an " Economics Scholar " to a " Financial Analyst " or a " Software Developer " to a " Finance Graduate .”

You may also include your licenses or certifications on the student resume for the scholarships, such as " FAA Licensed Commercial Pilot .”

Make sure that it is the first thing right after your name.

Scholarship Resume Objective & Skills

The scholarship resume objective should showcase how you exemplify the values underlining the scholarship and how your accomplishments are along the lines of previous scholars.

The objective is a short summary of your skills and expertise to rationalize your claim for getting that scholarship.

Your scholarship resume objective could be a tad bigger than a normal job resume. This is because the objective also acts as a snapshot of your statement of purpose.

It's okay if your purpose cannot be limited to just 2 - 3 lines. However, do not take the liberty to keep writing your scholarship resume objective till one or two pages.

It should still be short , relevant , and convincing .

We have exemplified a few scholarships resume objectives and corresponding skills to put on a scholarship resume.

Skills for Scholarship Resume

Your scholarship resume objective is commonly followed by the skills for scholarship resume section to add a professional touch.

Every academic institution is eager to accept candidates who, apart from having flawless grades, display qualities like Curiosity, Self-motivation, Leadership & Enthusiasm.

These are a few solid skills to put on a scholarship resume. However, instead of merely mentioning that you possess these skills, showcase just how exactly you personify these skills. Mention where all you demonstrated your leadership and community-centric approach.

Let's look at one of the scholarship resume objectives from one of the college scholarship resume examples:

Development Research Analyst & Consultant

Meticulous & detail-oriented Development Research Analyst armed with an extraordinary acumen for research encompassing both primary and secondary methodologies. Possesses a track record of consistently securing a top rank throughout the academic career. Adept at leading teams and coordinating with relevant stakeholders to analyze key parameters for consolidating information into actionable reports and presentations. Proficient in investigating significant social issues with keen insight and a unique perspective, and conducting socio-economic impact assessment (SIA) for development and research projects.

TECHNICAL PROFICIENCY

Also read: How to write a compelling analyst resume in 2023?

Mechatronics Engineer

Result-oriented Mechatronics Engineer highly skilled in conducting research development predominantly in the Automotive Research domain. Possesses a rich experience of ~3 years in chassis & vehicle integration, research fund management & cost & business reporting. Additionally, I have undertaken a wide variety of technical projects in other domains to hone my research ability further and demonstrated the ability to lead a technical team effectively by providing direction, leadership, and motivation and hence ensuring that the team members perform to the best of their skills and deliver consistently.

KEY SKILLS :

SOFTWARE SKILLS :

Also read: What are the guidelines you must follow to draft a great engineering resume?

Law Graduate

Proactive Law Graduate with a strong work ethic and experience in handling major internship projects for a wide variety of client organizations. Offers strong communication, leadership, and organizational skills and an ability to work effectively with internal and external multidisciplinary teams. Highly skilled at interacting with clients and identifying their needs to create strategies that help them achieve their goals effectively. Adept in conducting legal research, drafting & vetting legal documents & meeting time-sensitive case objectives. Possesses hands-on experience of working on a wide variety of projects ranging from legal research, review & analysis to Due Diligence covering multiple domains such as finance, fair agreement terms, etc. Keen to apply the acquired gamut of skills to a challenging role in the management consulting domain

AREAS OF EXPERTISE :

Clinical Psychology Professional

Result-oriented Clinical Psychology graduate skilled at Patient Observation, Case History Examination, Patient Counseling, taking notes, etc. Have successfully pursued B.A. (Hons.) in Psychology from the University of New York & currently pursuing M.A. in Clinical Psychology. Have amassed vast experience in the domain of Clinical Psychology by working & interning in multiple organizations & assisting experienced Clinical Psychologists in OPD as well as IPD cases. Gained hands-on experience of examining detailed case histories of patients (including children) suffering from various conditions, including alcohol abuse, bipolar affective disorder, depression, anxiety, ADHD, etc. Proven leader who has demonstrated excellence in all domains, including professional engagements, academics, leadership roles, and extra-curricular activities. Deeply interested in the field of Clinical Psychology looking for challenging opportunities in this space.

The scholarship resume objective is followed by:

Scholarship Resume: Education Section

List your Educational Qualification at the top of your scholarship resume.

Most scholarships ask for a certain GPA. For the same, you may include your weighted or unweighted GPA.

Add your advanced placement or honors classes along with any majors or minors. Include your expected date of degree completion.

Use action words to convey your qualifications and experience.

• Your minors
• Graduation date
• Name of institution

The information mentioned above is a must-have for a scholarship resume. But to make your resume stand out from other resumes, write the following information.

• Extracurricular activities
• Favorite field of study
• Key academic achievements

Include only your high school educational information when applying for an undergraduate scholarship.

When applying for a graduate scholarship, you can skip writing about your high school unless you've got some outstanding accomplishments or it is a very prestigious school.

When applying for a postgraduate or a Ph.D. scholarship, mention both your bachelor’s and master’s degrees in your scholarship resumes.

Academic & Extracurricular Achievements

Follow your academic experience with academic or extracurricular activities

This section should also be targeted, and the activities should specifically be for the domain you are targeting.

For example, if the scholarship emphasizes computer programming, do not list your volunteer hours for community service. Instead, fill it up with a dated list of all the programming competitions you have won and your created applications.

The following template from a resume for scholarship sample should help you write the main pointers under the Achievements section.

• Award/Recognition | Institutional Affiliation | Location | Dates

The following snippet from a resume for scholarship application sample should help you understand how to write your academic and non-academic awards.

In the above example, we've highlighted a few places in yellow where there's scope to add performance figures. Follow a similar approach to identify more such places in your scholarship resume for high school students where you can include numbers.

Maintain the following thumb rules while writing your awards on your scholarship resume:

• Each activity begins on a new line with a bullet
• Highlight with bold your responsibilities and achievements
• Focus on duties related to the scholarship requirements
• Try to provide figures wherever you can

Within this section, you should include other scholarships that you have already won. But how to list scholarships on your resume?

Including a previous scholarship is easy within the "Academic & Co-curricular Achievements" section. Let's look at the following example.

Also read: How to make the most of your education on resume?

Work Experience & Internships

Your work experience is included in the third section. Even if you just had a summer job at the local supermarket, you should mention it.

Scholarship directors do not expect every applicant to do amazing internships abroad, but they do expect you to have spent your time doing something productive.

Work experience shows how you managed both your studies and your job.

If your work experience is directly relevant to the scholarship you are pursuing, you may reorder your sections too to showcase your expertise in the domain. Let's consider the following snippet from a scholarship resume template.

The technical expertise section is significant for the resume of a Mechatronics Engineer as it showcases that in addition to only educational qualification, the candidate has the right experience in the domain.

This increases your chances for a scholarship.

For a scholarship resume for high school students, the work experiences section or the internship section should ideally be placed below the "Educational Qualification" or "Academic Achievements" section.

However, here a few exceptions:

For the scholarship resumes of a "Law Graduate,” it is essential for the candidate to represent his or her practical expertise in the field rather than theoretical knowledge .

Prioritizing the "Internships" section over the work experiences section does the same.

The same priority is maintained if you are writing a resume for scholarship application for a medical school.

Let's look at the following high school scholarship resume template in the medical domain.

Also read : How to list your internship experiences and highlight your contributions?

List your awards and honors in the last section.

Include academic honors or honorary memberships.

To list your awards and honors on your scholarship resume, you may use the following academic award template:

Let us follow with a few examples:

• 1st prize | Inter-house economics quiz competition, LSDD | California, US | Jan '14
• 2nd position | Laissez Faire: "Psyconomic" analysis | California, US | Sep '11

Also read: How to write a resume for computer science students?

Finalizing Your Scholarship Resume

Once you have included all the necessary skills and relevant details, your scholarship resume should be passed through a final step of quality check.

Format Your Resume

Once you have created a general list of your personal and academic accomplishments, it is time to get them organized.

First, list your achievements in descending order, from current to earliest.

Always begin your scholarship resume with your most current accomplishments as they are typically the most relevant to your college applications and scholarship entrance forms.

Organize Your Resume

You may organize your resume in different ways. But once you've chosen the reverse chronological order, you must format it in the following way:

• Resume header - Name, address, phone number, and email address
• Scholarship Resume Objective : 2 - 3 to summarize your achievements and skills
• Education - List your high school and college courses along with GPA >3.0
• Work Experience/Internships - List jobs in a reverse chronological format including part-time & full-time employment
• Honors and Awards - List all honors, awards, and accolades you have received
• Courses Attended - Record seminars, conferences, or training courses attended (e.g., Red Cross Training)
• Training & Certifications
• Memberships : List your affiliations, memberships, and associations you belong to including leadership roles pursued in the same. Include school-sponsored clubs and/or honor societies.
• Community Involvement: List volunteer work or community activities
• Hobbies and Interests : List enrichment programs, travel programs, hobbies, and interests that compliment your educational qualification or target profile.
• Athletic Achievements & Performing Arts
• Languages : List your language skills along with the proficiency level of each.

An ideal resume contains distinct sections, so it is easier for you to highlight all the essential points.

Proofreading your scholarship resume

Write your scholarship resume. Let it sit for a day. Then proofread it.

Remove fluff and out-of-context points. Ensure that you follow the right guidelines before submitting your resume.

You should ask a domain-specific professional or career counselor to proofread your scholarship resume for typos or grammatical errors.

Write your resume using standard fonts like Calibri or Open Sans .

Using different fonts often makes your resume appear unprofessional, while many stylish fonts do not comply with all systems.

Ensure that all your accomplishments are true and avoid the temptation to exaggerate or make them up.

Limit your resume to 1 page unless suggested otherwise.

Also read: What are the dos and don'ts of a great resume?

Scholarship Resume 2023 Tips

A neat and detail-oriented resume could increase your chances for a scholarship.

Scholarship resumes benefit most by outlining personal accomplishments . It is the most important document to refer to while completing the necessary forms or essays during the scholarship process.

The resume should first introduce you to a scholarship committee by highlighting your background relevant to the target job description.

The content of scholarship resumes should be specialized.

Considering that the readers in the committee want evidence for a high level of aptitude and performance, your resume should convince them that you are the most capable candidate.

So how does a scholarship resume offer the aura of expertise? Through details .

Your scholarship resume should be high detail-oriented by applying acronyms (and expanding them) used within the field like IPM, TRIP, ASTM, ARM, NCGE, etc., correctly writing the practical outcomes . The use of active verbs within the scholarship resumes should be highly targeted. Use words or phrases like:

• Co-authored
• Played a key role in
• Coordinated
• Investigated
• Liaised with

These imply important roles involving authorship , collaboration , learning , leadership , and management .

The goal of the scholarship resume is to demonstrate advanced skills and a high level of achievement complemented by the most relevant evidence.

Your lack of experience should be covered in the scholarship resume using the following tips:

Highlight the most positive and relevant factors about you.

• Keep your scholarship resume relevant and targeted
• Limit your scholarship resume to 1 page
• Ensure readability by using a neat font
• Use a font size between 10 - 12 pts. for the body
• Keep your headings larger (14 - 16 pts.)
• Make your margins at least 1 inch
• Be specific and accurate without being too lengthy
• Always be truthful without exaggeration
• Your resume should be free of spelling or grammatical errors
• Avoid passive or weak phrases
• Begin sentences with action words
• Omit all personal pronouns like "I" and "we."
• Be consistent with tenses, dates, punctuation, and spacing
• Use bullets for your contribution and achievements points
• Remove irrelevant personal information like religious affiliation, sexual orientation, gender, marital status, and age
• Review and proofread your resume professionally

Resumes for college scholarships must include information around:

• Minors (if relevant)
• Institution Name

Also read: What are the top 3 resume formats in 2023?

Resume Template for Scholarships

Check out the given example of resume for scholarships created using our Online Resume Builder :

• Rendered assistance in conducting multiple Emotional Quotient and Intelligence Quotient tests
• Counselled ~20 children under the tutelage of Dr. Izak
• Conceptualized and executed digital marketing initiatives under Ms. Beyonce Ronaldo
• Conducted SWOT analysis for multiple projects on public transport
• Tutoring ~40 students of 4th grade in maths to prepare them for final examinations
• Choreographed a dance sequence for their Annual Function
• Delivered menstrual awareness dialogues to ~500 women as part of spreading awareness while distributing clean and reusable sanitary napkins
• Organized the 'Showcase' event & managed the event by coordinating with multiple schools while delivering presentations in accordance with school policies
• Scholar Badge Holder | The National School | Jan '11 - Jan '18
• Qualified for Regional Round | International Financial Olympiad | Jun '17 - Jun '18
• State Rank 35 | International Olympiad of English Language | Jun '15 – Jun '16
• Scored 72/80 | International German Exam - Fit in Deutsch 2 | Jul '16
• Scored 55/60 | International German Exam | Fit in Deutsch 1 | Jan '14
• Advanced Math Applications | Kumon Mathematics Programme | Jun '15

Also read: What are the essential soft skills that you need to advance in your career?

Key Takeaways

Make it a habit to update your resume for scholarships.

Preparing your scholarship resume is as easy as making a list. It only requires a little time and self-examination to produce a scholarship resume by including your personal academic accomplishments.

Once you have finished compiling your master resume, remove all irrelevant information from it.

• Then include the most updated contact information .
• Write a targeted scholarship resume profile on the header.
• Include relevant section headers and prioritize the "Education" section.
• Prioritize Work Experiences/Internships in case your scholarship asks for it.
• "Academic Achievements" should be highlighted in your scholarship resume.
• Inspect scholarship resume samples to understand how to tailor your resume.
• Include more information around projects and extra-curricular.

Although your resume for scholarships should be ready to fit any scholarship or college admission applications, you must constantly tweak the necessary information to tailor it according to the description in the scholarship.

Go to Hiration career platform which has 24/7 chat support and get professional assistance with all your job & career-related queries. You can also write to us at [email protected] .

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A quick guide to a CV for a PhD application

How is a phd cv different from other cvs.

Whilst it may include a lot of the same information, a CV for a PhD can be slightly different from a CV for a graduate job. Here are some key things to consider when writing a CV for a PhD application:

• Emphasise your academic excellence.
• Highlight your enthusiasm for your research topic through previous research experience, attendance at conferences etc.
• Showcase research skills gained through Masters and Undergraduate dissertations or projects, lab work or specific technical skills where relevant.
• Draw attention to modules and other courses you have taken that are especially relevant to the PhD topic.
• If you will be undertaking duties such as teaching alongside the PhD, include relevant experience of working with students.
• Your PhD CV may be slightly longer.

How is a PhD CV similar to a CV for a graduate job?

• You should still ensure the layout is clear, concise, and professional.
• It is still important to tailor your CV for the opportunity by providing evidence of relevant skills and experience.
• You should still aim to keep language positive and achievement focussed. Don’t undersell yourself.

What should I include in my CV?

Personal details.

Include your full name and contact details at the top of your CV.

Research interests

You can include a short summary of your research interests as an introduction to your CV. Make sure this is relevant to the PhD you are applying for to show your motivation towards that field.

Include the title, dates, institution and grades for your previous degrees. You may also include titles of relevant modules and research projects/dissertations.

Research experience

Summarise your Undergraduate and Masters research projects and any other research projects you have undertaken, either as part of your studies or elsewhere.

Additional experience/Positions of responsibility 

This section is an opportunity to showcase any additional experience and skills you have which are relevant to the PhD. If you will be taking some teaching duties as part of the PhD, you should include any experience you have that is relevant. Choose a title for this section that best fits your experience. Highlight transferable skills which will be useful for the PhD and give examples of how you have developed them. Also, highlight membership of any relevant societies or professional bodies.

Publications

If you have had any work published at this stage, make sure you include it. You will not be expected to have published work at this stage, so exclude this section if you haven’t.

Conferences

You can include attendance at relevant conferences, particularly if you have presented. If this does not apply to you, exclude this section.

Provide a brief summary of your relevant extra-curricular interests. Use this section if your hobbies demonstrate an interest in your subject and/or research, or if your hobbies help you to demonstrate skills you will need to undertake a PhD (e.g. creativity, self-motivation) that you can’t show through your education or work experience.

References 

You will normally need at least two academic referees. Ensure you ask their permission before you include their contact details.

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Scholarship resume example

You’re ready to take the next step in your educational career, and your application has been accepted. The final step is landing that scholarship!

The problem?

Scholarships can be very competitive, and you need to impress the committee if you want to be considered. This means submitting an impressive and stand-out resume.

For inspiration and tips on how to write the best possible resume, check out our guide below, complete with a scholarship resume example.

Resume templates 

Scholarship Resume Example

From the Scholarship resume example  above, you can see the type of content your resume will need to include, and the general layout you will need to stick to.

The rest of this guide will show you how to apply this format to your own unique situation, and create a resume that will attract the best employers in your field.

Scholarship resume layout and format

The format and layout of your resume can make or break its success.

Sure, it’s great to pack your resume with lots of impressive skills and knowledge, but if the page is not structured clearly, hiring managers will struggle to find the important stuff!

Above all, your resume should be easy-to-read and professional looking.

Follow these formatting tips to get noticed.

Tips for resume formatting

• Length: Recruiters often see hundreds of resumes per day – so keep yours under 2 pages in length, if you want to ensure it gets read in full.
• Font and text : Simplicity and a pleasant reading experience are crucial if you want to highlight your most valuable skills to recruiters. Use a clear font (avoid fancy ones) and break up the text in your resume with bullet points to ensure information can be easily consumed.
• Design & structure: Hiring managers should be able to skim through your resume easily and pinpoint the information they want quickly. To help them do this, organize the page into clear sections with bold headings and dividing borders. The design should be clutter-free and professional-looking, with a calm color scheme.
• Photos and images: You don’t have to add a photo to your resume in the States, but some regions and industries like to see them.

Quick tip: Formatting a resume to look professional can be difficult and time-consuming. If you want to create an attractive resume quickly, try our quick-and-easy Resume Builder and use one of their eye-catching resume templates.

Resume layout

Add the following sections when you write your resume .

• Name and contact details – Add to the very top of your resume to introduce yourself and make it super-easy for recruiters to get in touch.
• Resume summary – Reel hiring managers in with an “elevator pitch” style paragraph which sums up your suitability for the job.
• Skills section – A short and sharp list of your most important skills, that can be quickly skim-read.
• Work experience – List your previous jobs (from newest to oldest) detailing the skills learnt and applied in each.
• Education – List your qualifications and professional training.
• Additional info – If it helps your application, you can add an extra section for things like hobbies and interests.

Now, here’s what to include in each of these sections in your resume.

Resume Contact Details

Add your name and contact details to the very top of your resume, making it easy for recruiters to get in touch

• Name and profession title
• Cell phone number – or another number you can answer quickly
• Location – Add your local area such as San Diego or New York – not your full address as that will take up too much space.
• Email address – Use your name or close variation – no nicknames from high school.

You can add a link to your LinkedIn profile if you have one – you do not need to include personal details like date of birth or marital status.

Scholarship Resume Summary

Now it’s time to get into the real content of your resume, starting with the summary.

Your resume summary is a short paragraph at the top of the document, and its jobs is to catch the eye of hiring managers by summarizing all your skills and knowledge that are most important to the roles you are applying for.

Top tips for creating an effective resume summary:

• Keep it brief: Your summary is intended to be a high-level introduction to hook readers’ attention, so keep it brief (4-7 lines) – save the details for later in your resume.
• Tailor it: Optimize your summary to match the requirements of your target jobs, by mirroring the key words from the job description as closely as possible.
• Avoid cliches: You may be a “ team player who always give 110%” but generic phrases don’t tell employers much about you in reality – stick to factual information.

Example resume summary for Scholarship

Student of Psychology at Alabama State University, awarded Dean’s List for 3 consecutive years, with 2 study abroad experiences and a semester-long research internship. Significant volunteer experience at the Children’s Hospital Family Support Center and Youth Mentor Program. Seeking funds to continue graduate education at Alabama State University, to continue research into psychological disorders in children.

What to include in your Scholarship resume summary?

• Summary of your experience: What type of organizations have you worked at? What types of roles have you done and what have you contributed to previous employers?
• Relevant skills: Highlight your skills which are most relevant to the Scholarship, to ensure that recruiters see your most in-demand skills as soon as they open your resume.
• Important qualifications: Mention any qualifications that are important to your profession in the summary briefly, to show you are qualified for the Scholarship.

Quick tip: Choose from hundreds of pre-written summaries across all industries, and add one to your resume with one click in our quick-and-easy Resume Builder . All written by our recruitment experts and easily tailored to suit your unique skillset.

Core skills section

Sitting just underneath your resume summary, your core skills section gives recruiters 4-10 of your most in-demand skills in just a glance.

As Scholarships may get hundreds of applications, this is a great way to stand out and quickly grab hiring managers’ attention.

It should be made up of 2-3 columns of bullet points and highlight attributes that are hyper-relevant to the jobs you are aiming for.

Best skills for your Scholarship resume

• Awards and honors – Showcase these here, such as making the Dean’s List or honor role, being President or VP or a society or student board, or winning an event or tournament.
• Volunteer experience – Include your voluntary/charitable experience, as it’s important to show the reader your extracurricular activities.
• Internships – Highlight previous internships and how they relate to your field of study.
• Certifications – If you’ve gained certifications in specific skills that are pertinent to your field of study, include those here.
• Publications in a student journal – Highlight any publications you hold that are related to your field of study, with a link if possible.

Quick tip: Our quick-and-easy Resume Builder contains thousands of in-demand skills for every profession that can be added to your resume in seconds – saving you time and greatly improving your chances of landing job interviews.

Resume work experience section

Once you’ve got recruiters interested with your impactful summary, your work experience is where the real detail will lie.

Lay out your previous jobs from current to oldest, detailing what you contributed and achieved in each one.

If you’re highly experienced you can cut this section down to your most recent few years of work, but if you are junior you can bulk this up with voluntary work and college placements.

Structuring your job descriptions

Without a good structure, your job description can look messy and overwhelming to anyone reading them.

Make it easy for recruiters to read your work experience by structuring your roles like this.

Job outline

Kick off each role with a high-level overview to summarize the focus of the job, what the organization/department does, and how you fit into the bigger picture.

Key responsibilities

Then delve into the detail of your job by listing out easy-to-read bullet points which show how you apply your skills in the workplace.

Tailor these bullet points to focus on the skills and knowledge that are required in the jobs you are applying for.

Key achievements

Finish each role by highlighting some impressive achievements you made whilst in the role.

Anything that benefited the employer can be included from making financial savings, to winning new customers.

Quantify your achievements with facts and figures if you can, e.g. “reduced call wait time by 10%”

Example job for Scholarship resume

Worked for a US leading research institute during a semester-long research internship. Supported Dr Joe Bloggs to continue his established mental health research study assessing the effects of a variety of clinical interventions on mental health conditions.

Key Responsibilities

• Used appropriate researching tools and techniques to search for, identify, and qualify prospective research subjects
• Recruited study participants, maintained accurate records of data, and safeguarded the confidentiality of subjects
• Conducted quantitative and qualitative research including designing study materials and conducting 1-on-1 and group interviews
• Completed detailed data analysis and reported on the findings

Quick tip: Create impressive job descriptions easily in our quick-and-easy Resume Builder by adding pre-written job phrases for every industry and career stage.

Education resume section

Towards the bottom of your resume, add your education section.

Here you should list your professional qualifications and academic record, such as high school diplomas or college degrees.

If you have lots of work experience, you can keep this section brief (because recruiters will be more interested in your career. If you have little/no experience then you should bulk this section up with plenty of detail.

Additional info for your resume

If you have anything else to add which is relevant to the jobs you are applying for, the additional info section is the place to add it.

Perhaps you have a hobby which involves relevant skills, or maybe you have some awards or publications worth mentioning.

Writing your Scholarship resume

Writing a Scholarship application resume can be challenging but following the steps above will ensure that you land plenty of interviews.

If you want to speed up the process and use an attractive professional template, try out our quick-and-easy Resume Builder .

Good luck with your job search!

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