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If asked for a 2-page CV and you submit a 3-page CV, your application will be rejected (you’ve made the assessor’s job easier!)  \nYou will always need a short (typically 2 pages) and full-length (can be up to 10-15 pages) CV. Former typically needed for training , postdoc positions, fellowships, grants, funding. Latter typically needed for faculty positions or promotions.  \nMost job applications require a CV and cover letter  \nStart putting these together early and get feedback from your peers, supervisors, and mentors.  \nThe CV  \nA brief and clear anthology of your career from after High School to the present  \nTo be built on, altered, improved, and customized over time  \nHave two at the ready: long-form with all information, short (2-page max) for applications that require it  \nGetting started: search online for examples of what to (and not to) do  \nGetting feedback: write, read, edit, improve, then send to someone you trust to give you honest feedback.  \nWarning: My advice is for academic CVs. See Career Services for non-academic CV best practices.  \nCommon Errors and Issues  \nPublications should appear on page one. These are your highest currency.  \nAvoid opaque acronyms. Does the assessor know what CENTA, NERC, DTP, NCEO, PM stand for? Avoid unclear reference to experience that only you or people from the same institution know Avoid vague statements (Leadership award, outstanding performance, internship) . Leadership or internship in what? What determined your outstanding performance (top 1%/first class (>75%) pass)? Remove fluff. Ask whether this is pertinent to the job. If not, remove. Does potential employer need to know your home address, marital status, competency in different languages?  \nAvoid entries that look like they’re there to boost the length of the CV.  \nHobbies, skills, interests are fine for postdoc CVs, but you will find that these fall away with time. No references at end, unless expressly asked to supply these with the CV.  \nSave Research Experience and Skills entries for the cover letter if asked to provide a short CV.  \nCommon Errors and Issues  \nFormatting  \n• Margins should be at least an inch (make sure it’s printable) .  \n• Avoid large white spaces that result from indented margins  \n• Avoid italics; use sparingly and perhaps for emphasis.  \n• Use simple bullets if you absolutely have to use bullets.  \n• Keep the format of the CV neat, simple and consistent throughout.  \n• Don’t provide headers and no content below these. Gives the impression that the wrong (incomplete) version of the CV was submitted.  \nGeneral Layout, Format and Structure of the CV  \nThese are my suggestions, not gospel.  \nSolicit feedback from other academics too .  \nPersonal Information  \nPurpose: gives your current professional location and a means for the selection committee to contact you  \nThe selection committee doesn’t want or need to know your home address  \nEducation  \nPurpose: a brief history of your tertiary education (High School is irrelevant)  \nSelection committee should know your thesis topic, supervisor(s), type of degree, when started, and what your foundation (Undergraduate Degree) is in.  \nNo need to include the location of the supervisor if not the same as your institute. This can be expanded on in the cover letter.  \nFunding (Fellowships / Scholarships)  \nAvoid unfamiliar terminology (don’t sell yourself short) . Make sure that the selection committee can follow along.  \nPeer-reviewed Publications  \nIf you’ve got a long list of publications, select your best and most relevant  \nThis is your currency. Make sure it starts on page one.","cbCairlCiYQgC8nQ","https://ap.wps.com/l/cbCairlCiYQgC8nQ","pdf",1249379,24,"English","# The Job and Other Application Processes\n## The CV\n## Common Errors and Issues\n## Formatting\n## General Layout, Format and Structure of the CV\n## Personal Information\n## Education\n## Funding (Fellowships / Scholarships)\n## Peer-reviewed Publications","[{\"question\":\"How should applicants decide between a short and a long academic CV?\",\"answer\":\"Keep a long-form CV with all information and a short CV typically capped at 2 pages for applications that require it. Use the longer version for roles such as faculty positions or promotions.\"},{\"question\":\"What are the most common CV mistakes mentioned?\",\"answer\":\"Avoid unclear acronyms and vague statements, remove unnecessary fluff, and do not include irrelevant personal details. Ensure entries do not look like they are only added to inflate length.\"},{\"question\":\"What formatting and structure guidance should be followed?\",\"answer\":\"Use printable margins of at least an inch, avoid excessive whitespace caused by indentation, and keep formatting neat, simple, and consistent. Prefer sparing use of italics and use basic bullets only if necessary, with content under headers organized clearly.\"}]","Marais CV Cover Letter Advice - Academic Application Workshop | PDF",1789283976]