Resume and Curriculum Vitae

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Resume vs. Curriculum Vitae (C.V.)

Resumes are shorter, generally one to two pages, while C.V.s can be longer and list experiences more thoroughly, generally up to four pages. Usually an application site will specify which type they would like to receive and one should comply with the guidelines.

If no specifications are listed, the longer version (C.V.) is acceptable to send in the conservation field, especially at the emerging stage of one's career.

Formatting

Effective resumes and CVs have easy-to-read formats with a natural flow and clearly defined sections. Listed below are some tips on effective formatting:

Fonts: There are no set standard fonts, which allows the resume or C.V. to be another chance to show individual design capabilities. However, it is advised to use one font type that is fairly standard and in a size no smaller than size 10. Bold and italics are fine for emphasis, but do not overuse that it distracts from your content.

Dates: Keep dates to the left or right of each section. This can de-clutter your sections, and allow the dates to stand out. Tip: If a date range spans a month or longer, you can list your date range on a monthly increment. Some examples:

• Within the same year: June 3, 2018 – August 10, 2018, can be listed as June – August 2018.
• Between two or more different years: June 3, 2018 – April 9, 2019, can be listed as June 2018 – April 2019.
• If actively participating, end date range with “Present”: June 2018 - Present

Page numbers:It is helpful to include page numbers (especially in the format of "Page __ of __") and last name on each page.

Hard copies: Use a reliable laser printer and neutral-toned paper (i.e., white or cream-colored).

Suggested Sections

Depending on the application, some of these may or may not be applicable. As a conservator moves through their career, certain sections will be developed, such as awards, presentations, workshops, and research projects. The listed sections are geared towards formulating a C.V., which can be cut down to pertinent information that best fits the 1-2 page requirements for a resume.

Suggested sections and ordering include:

State your personal information at top of the first page

• Your full name
• Current Address
• Permanent Address (if differs from current address)
• Phone number
• Email

Education List all scholarly experience, including graduate, undergraduate and community college experiences. Things to include with each education listing:

• Your major/minor and degree type awarded, including month and year of graduation
• Overall GPA
• Any honors awarded in each program
• Dates attended

Experiences List each experience (job, fellowship, internship, volunteer, work study, etc.) in chronological order, beginning with the most recent. Each work experience should clearly list supervisor(s) and length of time in the position, as well as highlight responsibilities and skills acquired. Museum work and other conservation-related experiences can also be included. Keep each experience entry succinct.

Awards

• Grants, travel support awards, excellence, honors, etc.
• List the institution and year awarded

Presentations and Publications

• Presentations: public speaking experience, such as lectures, talks and poster presentations featured in a symposium, conference, guild or group.
• Publications: Can include anything in print used to disseminate information, including books, chapters, articles, posters and blogs.
• Any papers or presentations should follow the JAIC Style Guide, which can be found on the AIC website or at the end of JAIC articles.

Professional Associations

• Professional organized groups, such as AIC, regional conservation associations, conservation and museum associations, organized school groups (ex: Chem Club), etc.
• Include date range of association with group

Conferences and Workshops (attended)

Additional skills (computer, photography, artistic, etc.)

References

• Ask supervisors if they are comfortable being included as a reference.
• Include their name, position and contact information (i.e., phone number and email).

Evolution or a Resume and C.V.

Resumes and C.V.s are living documents that should evolve with an emerging conservator as they transition from pre-program to graduate student, to post-graduate, and emphasizes growth and highlighting new accomplishments. It is a good idea to make updates continuously as your experience evolves.

Pre-Program: If you are pre-program level, show your resume and/or CV to a supervisor or other conservator for help with formatting, choosing pertinent content, and determining how much to include. It is also advisable to showcase your interest and engagement in the conservation field (beyond your relevant work experience) by listing your associations (i.e., AIC), as well as a list of pertinent conservation-related lectures, workshops and conferences attended.

Graduate Students: Most likely graduate-level conservators have formatting and content determined (although it is always prudent to look for continuity and easy comprehension), but will need to tailor experiences to be pertinent to the internships and jobs they seek. Some pre-program information and other types of job experiences unrelated to their career goals may be excluded if no longer relevant. Projects, including involved treatments, thesis/technical studies and avenues of research conducted in graduate school should be briefly discussed. Including this information under your "graduate school experience" will help prospective internship placements understand your skill set and areas of interests developed during your graduate studies.

Post-Graduates: Post-graduate resumes/C.V.s should continue to be tailored for specific fellowships and jobs. It is good to update resumes and C.V.s simultaneously to be prepared for different application requirements (i.e. turn a four page C.V. into a two page resume). A resume/C.V. will also need to be altered depending on the type of job. For example, applying for government jobs will require a different resume than one for potential private clients. Similar to resume/C.V. tips for Graduate Students, some conservation/job experiences may be excluded to highlight qualifying experience desired for the career opportunity. Overall, tailor your resume or C.V. to best represent the specific job requirements listed in the job posting.

Helpful source: Career Services at Princeton University