Choosing your structure and content
When you apply for a job, you will most likely submit a résumé along with your job letter. A résumé, sometimes called a curriculum vitae or CV, is a summary of your education, work experience, and accomplishments. Employers use résumés to decide whether to interview you for a job, and proposal reviewers use résumés to decide whether you are qualified to do the proposed work. Therefore, in your résumé, you should highlight those attributes most relevant to your particular audience.
Reviewers often read résumés in less than a minute; therefore, structure your résumé so that your outstanding characteristics are easy to see. Be sure to include specific phrases that match the terms listed in the job ad. Doing so shows the reader that you understand what the position involves and have tailored your application to meet its requirements.
If possible, keep your résumé to one page. If, however, you have several publications or a great deal of relevant work experience, you may have to use two pages. A standard résumé typically includes multiple sections, as illustrated in the example to the right.
