Professional Documents and Marketing Yourself

Your professional documents, like your CV, resume, and cover letter, are often the first impression you make on a potential employer. Think of them as your professional marketing tools – they tell a story, highlight your strengths, and show how your skills align with the position. A strong CV or resume doesn’t just list experiences – it emphasizes impact by showcasing results, achievements, and transferable skills. Likewise, a cover letter connects your background to the organization’s needs and demonstrates your enthusiasm for the role. Together, these documents should present a clear, confident picture of who you are as a professional and what you can contribute. Explore the resources and examples below to learn how to tailor these documents and put your best foot forward!

*Note: whether you are drafting a professional document for the first time or need help tailoring it for a specific application, stop by the ASPIRE CV/Resume drop-in clinic every Tuesday from 11:30-12:30 in Light Hall 707!

Cover Letters

Cover letters give you the chance to highlight why you are interested in the role and how your background makes you a strong fit for the organization. Rather than repeating your resume, your cover letter should connect your skills and experiences to the company’s needs to show why you are the right candidate for the position.

ASPIRE Cover Letters slide deck (2023)

Cover letter basics

NIH OITE Guide to Cover Letters

Resumes

A resume provides a concise summary of your skills, experience, and accomplishments tailored to a specific role. Its purpose is to showcase the most relevant information so employers can see how you meet their needs. A strong resume is focused on the experiences and achievements that best align with the position you are applying for. The NIH has compiled a comprehensive guide for putting together your resume: NIH OITE Guide to CVs and Resumes.

You also want to make sure your bullet points are strong – use action verbs to showcase your experiences and add quantifications whenever possible to add credibility to your statements.

For examples of resumes tailored to specific biomedical fields, check out our CV/resume repository box folder (VU ID required).

CVs

A CV provides a comprehensive overview of your academic and professional background. Its purpose is to present your education, research, work experience, and accomplishments in a clear and organized way. Unlike a resume, which describes your experiences, a CV serves as a detailed record of your qualifications, allowing hiring committees to quickly see your expertise and achievements. CVs are generally only used in academic institutions (applying for postdocs or faculty positions). As you are putting together your CV, it is helpful to keep a running “master CV” where you document everything, including each poster session, talk, award, and mentoring role. This way, you’ll have a complete record of your accomplishments to pull from. When it’s time to apply for a specific position, you can then adapt and refine your CV (or resume) to highlight the experiences that are most relevant to the opportunity. Check out this CV rubric to get an idea of the sections and formatting features of a CV.

For examples of CVs tailored to academic fields, check out our CV/resume repository box folder (VU ID required).

LinkedIn is a professional networking platform that highlights your skills, experiences, and career interests. Unlike a CV, which serves as a comprehensive record, or a resume, which is tailored to a specific role, your LinkedIn profile is dynamic and public-facing, and can be updated regularly. A strong profile not only showcases your accomplishments but also builds your professional brand, increases visibility to recruiters, and helps you connect with others in your field. Check out this article to avoid The Biggest Mistakes on PhD’s LinkedIn Profiles. Learn more about how you can effectively Leverage LinkedIn from our ASPIRE slide deck.

Professional Documents FAQ:

How long should my resume be?
- Unless otherwise specified, a resume should generally be 2 pages, but no more than 3; although some companies may be specific and request a 1-page resume.
How long should my CV be?
- A CV does not have a page limit. It can be as long as needed, as long as the information is organized, clearly formatted, and easy to navigate. Focus on clarity and completeness rather than length.
Should I use AI to help me with these documents?
- AI can be helpful for generating ideas, restructuring content, or checking whether your materials match key themes in a job description. However, it should be used as a starting point, not a final product. Always revise and personalize the content to reflect you, your experiences, and the specifics of the job.
Should I tailor my resume/CV/cover letter to every job I apply for?
- Yes! Tailoring your documents is one of the most effective ways to strengthen your application. Highlight the experiences, skills, and accomplishments that are most relevant to the specific role. Even small adjustments, such as reordering bullet points to put the most relevant information first, emphasizing certain skills, or rewording your professional summary, can make a big difference.
Do I need a resume or CV when applying for ___ type of job?
- It depends on the position. Use the following guide below (unless otherwise noted in the job posting)
  - Industry roles (biotech, pharma, consulting, government, non-profit): Resume
  - Academic positions (postdocs, research faculty, tenure-track roles): CV
  - Research adjacent roles (core facilities, research institutes, policy fellowships): check the posting
  - If the job description doesn’t specify, default to a resume – it’s typically the expected format outside of academia.