Academic Resume (CV) Template: Format Guide for Students and Researchers
Free academic resume and CV templates for students, graduate researchers, and faculty job seekers. Covers key sections, ordering, and formatting for academic and research positions.
An academic resume (called a CV—curriculum vitae—in most academic contexts) follows very different conventions from a standard industry resume. Where a business resume is 1–2 pages maximum, an academic CV grows over a career and may run 10+ pages for senior faculty. Here's how to structure yours at each career stage.
Academic CV vs. Industry Resume: Key Differences
Length: CV has no page limit—include everything relevant. Industry resume is strictly 1–2 pages. Objective/Summary: CVs typically don't use objective statements; your research interests section serves this function. Work experience: On a CV, "experience" means academic appointments, research positions, and teaching—not the service industry jobs common on undergraduate resumes. Publications: Central to an academic CV; listed in full bibliographic format. Industry resumes rarely include publications. Presentations: Conferences and invited talks are listed in full on CVs; irrelevant on most industry resumes. Skills: On a CV, technical research skills (statistical software, lab techniques, languages for research) are listed; soft skills typical on industry resumes are not appropriate. References: Academic CVs list 3–5 references with contact information; industry resumes say "references available upon request."
Academic CV Section Order by Career Stage
Graduate student / early career: (1) Education (most important—list first); (2) Research interests; (3) Publications (even if only 1–2); (4) Conference presentations; (5) Teaching experience; (6) Research experience / Lab positions; (7) Awards and fellowships; (8) Technical skills; (9) Professional memberships; (10) References. Mid-career researcher / postdoc: (1) Education; (2) Research interests; (3) Academic positions; (4) Publications (may now be the longest section); (5) Grants and funding; (6) Conference presentations; (7) Teaching; (8) Service; (9) References. Senior faculty: (1) Education; (2) Positions held; (3) Research interests; (4) Publications (books, then articles); (5) Grants; (6) Awards; (7) Teaching; (8) Service and leadership; (9) References.
Publications Section Formatting
The publications section is the most scrutinized part of an academic CV—format it carefully. Organize by type: Books, then peer-reviewed journal articles, then book chapters, then conference proceedings, then other publications. Within each category, use reverse chronological order (most recent first). Format each entry in your field's preferred citation style (APA for psychology/education; Chicago for humanities; author-year for many sciences). If under review or in press, list with "Under review at [Journal]" or "In press, [Journal], expected [Year]." Bold or underline your own name in multi-author publications so it's easy to find. Never pad with submissions still in preparation—only include accepted or published work (and work genuinely under review).
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