Writing a CV as an Undergrad.

[Handinhand]

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So yeah, basically I need to put a CV together for an interview I have next week about working in a lab. However, I have no idea what to put on my CV. I haven't graduated yet, I don't have research experience because I'm only an Undergrad, my classes will be listed on my transcript, no awards. What do I put down? I really don't want to just hand in a sheet of paper with my name and the college I go to which she obviously already knows.

Anybody have any good examples of an Undergraduate CV that doesn't have really any accomplishments but is still effective.

Thanks.

 

[bannie22]

CV are for PhD.

 

[Charcoal]

CVs are basically the term PhDs use for resumes. If you have never put together a resume before, I would recommend looking up some templates online. However, first and foremost, try to fit your experiences into the following categories:

1) Experiences (any jobs you have had at all that relate to science or health)

2) Activities (any extracurriculars or volunteering you have that relate to science or health)

3) Skills (computer programs you have mastered, languages you speak)

 

[bannie22]

okay. ill be nice. each resume u create shud be catered to the position u are seeking.

u are seeking a lab position.

put down a section of your lab experiences (this includes coursework)

this is important.


depending on what the lab is looking for, add some independent/leadership roles on ur cv, highlight ur gpa if its good.

concentrate on emphasizing these traits. u'll get it. all the best.

 

[drbenmd]

CVs are not just for PhD's and a CV is definitely not the same thing as a resume. I was required to create a separate CV and resume for my master's program, and the CV had to be appended to my thesis before it could be approved. The Harvard CV (google it) is commonly used as a standard - basically, it includes your relevant academic credentials and little more. Google your professors to see if their CV's are available (many institutions require them to be) and you will see what I mean -- a long and productive career would yield a long (sometimes REALLY long) CV.

If this is your first time preparing a resume, I'd suggest seeking the help of an advisor through whatever career development office exists on your campus. This person should be able to point you toward an appropriate style/format and help you identify the pertinent experiences, skills, etc. to highlight in your resume. There are certain words that you should use or avoid, and strategies that you can follow to highlight your strengths on a resume. It may seem trivial, but format, vocabulary, and professionalism are a big deal - oftentimes, your resume has only seconds to make a positive impact before it is set aside.

 

[Dannyw]

In my resume I have an objective that is catered to the job I'm looking to apply for.

Education: Major, gpa, awards, clubs
work experience: duties and dates
hobbies: short and sweet (ex: medicine, hiking, reading, volunteering)
references: upon request

Your resume should be one page unless you have tons relevant work experience.

 

[KickStart]

You need to go schedule an appointment with your Career Service office. They helped me put together my resume. 👍

 

[ThaliaNox]

CV are for PhD.

Not neccessarily. Many research positions, even in undergrad, require you to submit a CV. Also, in medical school many summer experience programs (Overseas volunteer, internships, research programs, etc) require a CV. I recently redid mine for applications for this summer.

 

[Handinhand]

Thanks for the replies. I know in general what a CV is, which is why I was concerned about what to put in it. It's not a resume, I know she doesn't want to know that I worked at a garden shop in high school and then as a bike mechanic last summer(At least as far as weighing my potential as a student in her lab). I just don't know what I'd put on it. My GPA isn't remarkable, ~3.4, with a strong upward trend the past 3 semesters. I don't have any lab experience outside of Gen Chem, O Chem and Gen Bio lab. I don't have any academic awards because the school I transferred from was not a big research school at all and they didn't really have them. Basically, I'm in the process of building/adding things to put on my CV. I EMT, next semester I'm volunteering at the school's hospital, I'm trying to get into research, and I'm building up my GPA (Which should be more around a 3.5 at the end of the semester). All of this I can tell her in person, but I don't want to give her an almost blank sheet of paper for my CV and make it seem like I didn't take it seriously.

 

[sustentacular]

Thanks for the replies. I know in general what a CV is, which is why I was concerned about what to put in it. It's not a resume, I know she doesn't want to know that I worked at a garden shop in high school and then as a bike mechanic last summer(At least as far as weighing my potential as a student in her lab). I just don't know what I'd put on it. My GPA isn't remarkable, ~3.4, with a strong upward trend the past 3 semesters. I don't have any lab experience outside of Gen Chem, O Chem and Gen Bio lab. I don't have any academic awards because the school I transferred from was not a big research school at all and they didn't really have them. Basically, I'm in the process of building/adding things to put on my CV. I EMT, next semester I'm volunteering at the school's hospital, I'm trying to get into research, and I'm building up my GPA (Which should be more around a 3.5 at the end of the semester). All of this I can tell her in person, but I don't want to give her an almost blank sheet of paper for my CV and make it seem like I didn't take it seriously.

Yes you can tell her all this stuff in person, but she's asking for it in written form so it's OK to reiterate stuff she already knows about you.
For lab experience you could highlight a few of the more complex procedures you dealt with in your chem/orgo/bio labs even if it was part of a classroom setting. For GPA you can list your 3.4 with something like "deans list" Spring 2009, Fall 2008, if it applies. Definitely include your EMT experience and any special duties or supervisory roles you had. And I wouldn't completely discount your seemingly unrelated past employment, you could use those to show that you can multitask, you're responsible, you work well with others etc. All are good skills to have for any job you're appling for.
I wouldn't include stuff that hasn't happened yet though (unless it was something like a grant project slated to start x date etc.).

 

[bannie22]

career center please. go in there with something, they will build it for you.

 

[bannie22]

i guess its different in different places, here at my school a CV is strictly PhD, and the last time i tried to get a CV counsellor to help me with my stuff iwas turned away quite harshly "are you phd?", "im going for med school" "cant do it for u." -.-

 

[sustentacular]

i guess its different in different places, here at my school a CV is strictly PhD, and the last time i tried to get a CV counsellor to help me with my stuff iwas turned away quite harshly "are you phd?", "im going for med school" "cant do it for u." -.-

Your school can't tell you you can't have a CV. Just make one yourself.

 

[bannie22]

nono. i can make one myself. but the cv lady wont help me!!!! 😀

 

[Kickback]

CV = curriculum vitae = course of life

The main difference, is that a resume is edited to 1 page for employers to read over quickly.

CV's, on the other hand, are basically everything that you've done. For a distinguished researcher, they could have a 3+ page CV filled with labs they've worked with, awards won, all the publications they've gotten.

I totally agree with sustentacular here

 

[Handinhand]

Alright, I'll try and find out about my school's Career Service Center and see if they can help me out. The research is in the neurosurgery department so I really hope I get it, because it sounds like some amazingly interesting stuff.

 

[bannie22]

good luck!

 

[Handinhand]

Update: Got the spot. F**K Yeah!