When you are applying to graduate school, looking for internships, or preparing for a research position you might be asked for a CV. For a student that might be just starting out in STEM, there might be some things you have forgotten to add that help “beef up” your CV.
1. Volunteer Work
Adding volunteer work to your CV is a great way to show skills that isn’t shown in your employment or education sections. This is a good place to explain the skills you gained in a similar way to the employment section. For each position you volunteered with, include the organization, dates you were a volunteer, and a brief overview of the skills and responsibilities you had.
2. Relevant Coursework
For students looking for internships, adding relevant coursework can help show your knowledge in the area. This is especially helpful if you are applying for a first job or internship.
3. Descriptions of Positions Held
For each employment position (or volunteer position) include a concise overview of your responsibilities and the skills you gained or utilized during the position. This is a great place to use some of the keywords from the job/internship description to tailor your CV to the position you are applying for.
4. Societies and Organizations
If you are a member or a professional organization, association or honor society, it can be helpful to add a section showing these on your CV.
5. Professional Contact Information
Your CV will have your name and contact information. Make sure that your email is a professional email and you include relevant contact details. You want to make sure that after they read your CV and cover letter they can easily contact you at your professional email.
