EXPANDED VERSION -
YOUR CURRICULUM VITAE OR RESUME
Richard W. Franke

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Curriculum Vitae (or) Resumé
Your Name

Objective

[Some people think it helps to put this item at the top of your vita. Some examples:]

  • to obtain an apprenticeship that will help me develop my anthropological skills
  • to find employment suitable to my needs and that allows me to contribute with the skills and knowledge I have so far
  • to obtain full time work in [name of field or company]

Personal Data

Usually you want the following:

  • Date of birth
  • Place of birth
  • Full address
  • Telephone
  • Fax [if relevant]
  • Email

You might also want to put:
  • Social security number [if they hire you they will need it anyway]
  • Marital/family status [you might want to put this, for example, if you are a single parent raising a child - that way the employer will see that you have scheduling needs]

Education

Go from highest backwards, e.g. M. A. Montclair State University, Social Science with Concentration in Anthropology, Degree received 1999, etc.

List your current level at MSU, e.g. Junior at Montclair State University with 98 credits completed, 12 credits currently enrolled.

Other college credits¾ name the place(s), the year(s).

Graduated [name] High School [place] in [year]

Current Position

Where you are working now, exact company name, address, and how long you have been there. How many hours per week.

Your exact job title and a brief description of your duties if the job title does not make that clear.

Name and phone of your immediate supervisor or whichever person could provide you with a reference.

Previous Employment

List all jobs you can remember, from most recent [before current position] backwards to most ancient. Provide as many details as possible using the format for current position above.

Computer Skills

Be specific and list everything you believe you can handle: e.g. Windows 95, Windows 98, Mac or PC or both, Word, Excel, Anthropac, SPSS, etc. If you have extensive skills and experience with any program(s) make an additional note, e.g. "Extensive use of Word and Office software over several years." If you truly enjoy working on the computer, say so.

Statistical and other Special Skills

Note if you have completed statistics, research methods, believe you have knowledge of questionnaires, etc. If you have nothing in this category, leave off the heading. Don’t put a heading with nothing in it.

Foreign Languages

List any languages you know and give an indication of your level of competence, e.g.

  • Spanish¾ native speaker [in which case you should state your level of ability in English, e.g. English¾ excellent speaking, reading, and writing]
  • French¾ fluent speaking, excellent reading and writing
  • German¾ limited speaking, fair reading and writing

References

Available on request.

Usually the above is sufficient because most employers will only want to check your references if they bring you to the final, interview stage. In some cases, however, you might want to list them. For example, if you are bringing your vita to an apprenticeship interview, have the list ready; it will save time and will make you look better.

Rules for references:

  1. You must get permission in advance before listing someone as your reference
  2. Usually, you should have 3 references.
  3. At least 2 of your references should be from MSU; one could be from a previous university or from a non-university sources.
  4. List the referee’s full name, full and exact title, complete address [with zip code], telephone number, fax, and email.
  5. If you give a list with a referee’s name, call or email the referee immediately afterwards, and inform her/him that a prospective employer may be contacting them for a phone or written reference.

Personal Statement

I think it is useful to add a brief statement in which you highlight something about yourself the employer might find useful or interesting. Two to three sentences only. Make sure it is relevant to the position for which you are applying. Make sure it is something you are prepared to discuss in an interview, because the person interviewing you is likely to ask about it.

Examples:

  • I like the challenge of working on an assignment on my own with a minimum of supervision. I desire to continue working to build my skills in this area.
  • I am eager for an opportunity to learn more about museum work and am willing to do menial tasks in order to become more familiar with the ways exhibits are put together and maintained.
  • I consider myself to be cooperative and easy to work with and I enjoy working with other people on group projects where we can each learn from one other.

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