Length

An academic CV is usually a bit longer than general resumes.  4-pages is a good aim.  It needs to be concise and clear, and highlight your main achievements.  If you have an extensive publication list, consider adding this as an appendix.  If you are really going to struggle to condense your extensive achievements, a simple contents page can be used.  However, we would recommend trying to keep to the 4-page aim as not many employers is going to want to sieve through more than this.

Formatting

• Use standard fonts (Arial or Calibri); size 11 or 12; with normal margins

• Keep headings consistent; use bullet points (often much clearer); use bold and italics but do not underline routinely as this is often reserved for electronic links

Spelling and Grammar

Make sure to check your spellcheck dictionary is the correct version of English for you (some default to U.S.).  Spell check and re-read a few times to check.

This is  entirely optional, but sometimes it does look profressional.  Keep any cover page simple, with personal and contact details (and credentials if you wish) only.  As mentioned above, if you require a contents page, this should be a single page only. 

A 5-8 sentence summary of your expertise/experience, noteworthy findings and achievements, with a single sentence to outline you future ambitions and goals acts as a good introduction to your CV.  Avoid going into loads of details about what paper you love most or how you aim to transform the world of orthopaedics.  

A good starting point is to decide on how to divide your CV.  There are a few you sections you must include:

• Personal Details

  • These can be put on a 'Front Page' if you wish, and would usually include your credentials, GMC number, telephone and email address.

• Education/Qualifications

  • From most recent degree (reverse chronological order)

  • Include names of institutions, type of degree, and thesis/dissertation topic

• (Appointments/Jobs)

  • Note for an academic CV, this may not relevant.  However, if you are applying for a post where you have clinical duties as well, it may be worth adding a summary of your training to date, your experience and capabilities.

• Publications

  • List your most reputed publications in ranking of type e.g. books and chapters, journal articles, conference abstracts, reports

  • Consider an appendix for a complete list

• Presentations

  • List most notable oral presentations of your work, year and where presented

• Achievements/Awards

  • Indicate any prizes/awards/recognitions; the year and organisation 

• Research Experience/ Funding

  • Highlight key areas of research experience, projects, methods

  • Emphasise key findings and accomplishments

  • It is also good to highlight what funding you secured - include names of grants, scholarships and funds

• Teaching Experience

  • List key teaching positions and experience, include the duration, institution/course, and level taught

  • Again, if there is a wealth of experience, consider an appendix and only highlight most prestigious positions in the body

• Management/Leadership and Administrative Experience

  • Any experience on a faculty, committee or editorial board should be noted

  • This can include organisation of events or any public engagement at your institution

• Courses/Events

  • You may wish to include relevant conferences or seminars you have actively participated in

  • As above, an extensive appendix can be added but be careful not to go overboard 

• Other skills, qualifications, affiliations, memberships

  • Highlight any other key skills and qualifications relevant to your research, particularly any transferrable skills

  • If you want to include affiliations and memberships, keep this relevant and short

Note about other sections e.g.

• Audit/Quality Improvement

• Logbook

• Extracurricular

These aren't often pertinent for academic posts/applications BUT may be used, particularly if there is a clinical training component to the application.  Don't routinely include these unless there is a strong focus or request for this.