Crafting a CV that effectively showcases a diverse range of research, teaching experiences, and publications can be daunting for any academic professional. By following our comprehensive guide, you'll receive tailored advice to present your scholarly achievements with clarity and impact, ensuring your CV stands out in competitive academic job markets.
- Applying best practices from real-world examples to ensure your profile always meets recruiters' expectations;
- What to include in your work experience section, apart from your past roles and responsibilities?
- Why are both hard and soft skills important for your application?
- How do you need to format your CV to pass the Applicant Tracker Software (ATS) assessment?
If you're writing your CV for a niche professor role, make sure to get some inspiration from professionals:
How to ensure your profile stands out with your professor CV format
It's sort of a Catch 22. You want your professor CV to stand out amongst a pile of candidate profiles, yet you don't want it to be too over the top that it's unreadable. Where is the perfect balance between your CV format simple, while using it to shift the focus to what matters most. That is - your expertise. When creating your professor CV:- list your experience in the reverse chronological order - starting with your latest roles;
- include a header with your professional contact information and - optionally - your photograph;
- organise vital and relevant CV sections - e.g. your experience, skills, summary/ objective, education - closer to the top;
- use no more than two pages to illustrate your professional expertise;
- format your information using plenty of white space and standard (2.54 cm) margins, with colours to accent key information.
Once you've completed your information, export your professor CV in PDF, as this format is more likely to stay intact when read by the Applicant Tracker System or the ATS. A few words of advice about the ATS - or the software used to assess your profile:
- Generic fonts, e.g. Arial and Times New Roman, are ATS-compliant, yet many candidates stick with these safe choices. Ensure your CV stands out by using a more modern, and simple, fonts like Lato, Exo 2, Volkhov;
- All serif and sans-serif fonts are ATS-friendly. Avoid the likes of fancy decorative or script typography, as this may render your information to be illegible;
- Both single- and double-column formatted CVs could be assessed by the ATS;
- Integrating simple infographics, icons, and charts across your CV won't hurt your chances during the ATS assessment.
PRO TIP
Incorporate a touch of colour in headers or section breaks, but keep it professional and ensure it doesn’t detract from readability, especially in more conservative industries.
The top sections on a professor CV
- Academic qualifications are listed to show educational background and expertise.
- Research experience is detailed to highlight scholarly contributions and focus areas.
- Publications and presentations are included to demonstrate scholarly impact and engagement.
- Teaching experience is outlined to showcase instructional roles and pedagogical skills.
- Professional affiliations are mentioned to indicate involvement and recognition in academic communities.
What recruiters value on your CV:
- Highlight your academic qualifications and research contributions, focusing on your doctoral degree, post-doctoral research, and any significant publications or projects that underline your expertise in the field.
- Detail your teaching experience, including courses taught, innovative teaching methods employed, and any educational leadership roles such as curriculum development or departmental service.
- Describe your research agenda, outlining current interests, future directions, grants obtained, and impact within the academic community, as well as any interdisciplinary collaborations or industry partnerships.
- Include evidence of mentorship and supervision, noting the number of undergraduate, masters, and doctoral students you have advised, and any notable student achievements under your guidance.
- List professional service and outreach activities, mentioning roles in academic societies, conference organisation, journal editorships, peer-review contributions, and community engagement relevant to academia.
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What information should you include in your professor CV header?
The CV header is potentially the section that recruiters would refer to the most, as it should include your:
- Contact details - your professional (non-work) email address and phone number;
- Professional photograph - if you're applying hinting at the value you bring as a professional.
Many professionals often struggle with writing their professor CV headline. That's why in the next section of this guide, we've curated examples of how you can optimise this space to pass any form of assessment.
Examples of good CV headlines for professor:
- Associate Professor of Computational Biology | Genomics Expert | PhD | 12 Years' Experience
- Senior Lecturer in Environmental Law | Policy Advisor | LL.M | Chartered | 20+ Years' Practice
- Assistant Professor of Theoretical Physics | Quantum Mechanics Specialist | Author | 8 Years' Teaching
- Professor of Medieval Literature | Fellowship Recipient | PhD | Distinguished Lecturer | 25 Years' Academic Tenure
- Reader in Artificial Intelligence | Machine Learning Pioneer | PhD | Data Ethics Advocate | 15 Years' Research
- Chair of Marketing | Brand Strategy Guru | PhD | Industry Consultant | 18 Years' Leadership
Catching recruiters' attention with your professor CV summary or objective
Located closer to the top of your CV, both the summary and objective are no more than five sentences long and serve as an introduction to your experience. What is more, you could use either to entice recruiters to read on. Select the:
- Summary, if you happen to have plenty of relevant experience. Feature your most impressive accomplishments and up to three skills that are relevant to the job you're applying for;
- Objective, if you're just starting your career off. Provide your career goals and answer how you see the role you are applying for will match your professional growth.
Judging which one you need to add to your professor CV may at times seem difficult. That’s why you need to check out how professionals, with similar to your experience, have written their summary or objective, in the examples below:
CV summaries for a professor job:
- Seasoned Professor of Biology with over 18 years of experience in academia, specialising in molecular genetics and contributing to notable publications in peer-reviewed journals. Adept at securing research grants, having won the prestigious Arnold Huddleston Award for innovative research in epigenetics, fostering a stimulating learning environment for students.
- With a PhD in theoretical physics and a track record spanning 15 years, I have pioneered quantum computation research, resulting in 30+ published articles and the receipt of the International Quantum Technology Award. I possess comprehensive expertise in statistical mechanics and a proven ability to mentor doctoral candidates to successful completion.
- Accomplished software engineer aiming to transition into academia as a Computer Science Professor after 20 years in the tech industry, possessing deep knowledge of artificial intelligence, machine learning, and system architecture. Awarded ‘Tech Innovator of the Year’, bringing a wealth of practical experience and industry connections to enrich academic pursuits.
- An experienced lawyer with 22 years at the bar, I am transitioning into legal education with an emphasis on intellectual property and commercial law. Having argued high-profile cases before the Supreme Court, my background brings a real-world perspective to academic discourse and legal theory instruction.
- Recent PhD graduate in Environmental Science eager to contribute to tertiary education, bringing fresh insights from cutting-edge climate change research and a commitment to nurturing the next generation of environmental scientists. Ready to implement innovative teaching methods and contribute fresh perspectives to the curriculum.
- As a fresh entrant to the field of academic lecturing in Psychology, I am equipped with a comprehensive understanding of cognitive behavioural therapy from my recent doctorate study, underscored by a passion for mental health advocacy. Intent on fostering academic excellence and contributing to departmental research outputs.
More detailed look into your work history: best advice on writing your professor CV experience section
The CV experience is a space not just to merely list your past roles and responsibilities. It is the CV real estate within which you could detail your greatest accomplishments and skills, while matching the job requirements. Here's what to have in your experience section:
- Prove you have what the job wants with your unique skill set and past successes;
- Start each bullet with a strong, action verb, and continue with the outcome of your responsibility;
- Use any awards, nominations, and recognitions you've received as solid proof of your skill set and expertise;
- align your experience with the role responsibilities and duties.
For more help on how to write your CV experience section, check out the next section of our guide:
Best practices for your CV's work experience section
- Detail your academic positions by highlighting your teaching responsibilities and the courses you have developed or significantly improved, ensuring to mention any innovative teaching methods implemented.
- Include your research experience with a focus on grants secured, research projects led, and collaborations with other institutions or departments.
- Document your publication record comprehensively, separating peer-reviewed articles, book chapters, and books, with emphasis on any influential or highly cited works.
- Exhibit any supervisory experience, such as mentoring graduate students or postdoctoral researchers, including successful completions and notable achievements of your mentees.
- Outline any administrative roles taken within your department or wider academic community, like committee memberships or leadership positions, specifying your contributions and initiatives.
- Showcase conference participation, including presentations, panels chaired, and keynote speeches, reflecting your engagement with the academic community.
- Mention professional memberships and roles within academic societies, suggesting your active role and commitment to your field of expertise.
- Include educational outreach and public engagement efforts, such as organising public lectures or participating in science communication events, to demonstrate the broader impact of your work.
- Provide evidence of continuous professional development, whether through acquiring new teaching qualifications or participating in advanced research methodologies courses, endorsing your commitment to lifelong learning and excellence in academia.
- Developed and led a module on quantum mechanics that resulted in a 20% improvement in student understanding as measured by exam performance.
- Supervised 5 PhD students, with 2 successfully defending their dissertations and securing academic positions at prestigious institutions.
- Authored and co-authored 15 peer-reviewed journal articles in the field of theoretical physics, enhancing the research profile of the university.
- Spearheaded a collaborative research project with industry partners that attracted £500,000 in funding and resulted in three patents.
- Streamlined the postgraduate curriculum for the computer science department, contributing to a 30% rise in graduate employability rates.
- Actively engaged in academic committee roles, influencing university policy and advocating for the integration of cutting-edge AI coursework.
- Pioneered interdisciplinary seminars that bridged the gap between engineering and business management, drawing in external sponsorship and industry speakers.
- Led an international team on a research project that mapped the genetics of disease resistance in crops, potentially impacting future food security.
- Negotiated a partnership with software companies to provide students with access to cutting-edge design tools, enhancing their practical skills and employability.
- Revolutionised the approach to teaching pharmacology through the implementation of virtual reality simulations, achieving a higher student engagement rate.
- Initiated and maintained a research consortium with four European universities, sharing best practices and resources, thereby amplifying research output.
- Raised student satisfaction scores within the department by 25% through curricular improvements and the introduction of a mentorship scheme.
- Orchestrated an annual lecture series that brought together key industry leaders in finance, contributing to a deeper practical understanding for students.
- Directed a research study on behavioral finance that received notable mention in a major financial publication, disseminating knowledge to a broader audience.
- Enhanced research funding by 35% through persistent efforts and successful grant applications, facilitating the expansion of the department’s research capabilities.
- Championed the adoption of a cross-disciplinary curriculum in environmental sciences, leading to the development of a successful dual-degree program.
- Formulated and executed a strategic plan to increase departmental research funding by 50%, securing support for several large-scale environmental projects.
- Cultivated partnerships with non-governmental organisations for field studies, significantly enhancing student exposure to real-world conservation challenges.
- Piloted an industrial collaboration project that led to the design of a novel algorithm for large-scale data analysis, improving data processing efficiency by 40%.
- Organised a prominent international seminar series on machine learning, establishing the university as a leader in the subject area.
- Mentored a team of postdoctoral researchers whose work has been recognised by significant awards within the field of data science.
- Led a successful bid to host a major international conference on architectural theory, elevating the global standing of the architecture department.
- Initiated a heritage conservation project that served as a living lab for students while preserving significant local architectural history.
- Engaged in extensive curriculum development to include sustainable design principles, ensuring that graduates are equipped with knowledge relevant to modern industry demands.
Lacking professional expertise: how to write your CV to highlight your best talents
Don't count on your lucky stars when you're applying for a role, where you happen to have less (or almost none) professional experience. Recruiters sometimes do hire inexperienced candidates if they're able to present their unique value from the get-go. So, instead of opting for the traditional, CV experience section:
- List any applicable expertise you happen to have - no matter if it's a part-time job, internship, or volunteer work. This would hint to recruiters that your profile is relevant;
- Focus your CV on your transferrable skills or talents you've obtained thanks to your whole life and work experience. In effect, you'll be spotlighting your value as a candidate;
- Separate more space for your applicable academic background and certificates to show you have the technical know-how;
- Ensure that within your objective, you've defined why you'll like the job and how you'll be the perfect match for it. Always ensure you've tailored your CV to individual applications.
Looking for more good examples for your first job? We'll show you how other candidates, with less professional experience, have created their job-winning CVs.
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PRO TIP
If applicable, briefly mention a situation where things didn’t go as planned and what you learned from it, demonstrating your ability to learn and adapt.
Mix and match hard and soft skills across your professor CV
Your skill set play an equally valid role as your experience to your application. That is because recruiters are looking for both:
- hard skills or your aptitude in applying particular technologies
- soft skills or your ability to work in a team using your personal skills, e.g. leadership, time management, etc.
Are you wondering how you should include both hard and soft skills across your professor CV? Use the:
- skills section to list between ten and twelve technologies that are part of the job requirement (and that you're capable to use);
- strengths and achievements section to detail how you've used particular hard and soft skills that led to great results for you at work;
- summary or objective to spotlight up to three skills that are crucial for the role and how they've helped you optimise your work processes.
One final note - when writing about the skills you have, make sure to match them exactly as they are written in the job ad. Take this precautionary measure to ensure your CV passes the Applicant Tracker System (ATS) assessment.
Top skills for your professor CV:
Deep knowledge in the field of study
Research methodology
Curriculum development
Academic writing
Grant writing
Data analysis
Peer-reviewed publishing
Public speaking and lectures
Educational technology
Supervision and mentoring
Communication
Critical thinking
Interpersonal skills
Leadership
Organisation
Time management
Conflict resolution
Adaptability
Multicultural competence
Continuous learning
PRO TIP
Focus on describing skills in the context of the outcomes they’ve helped you achieve, linking them directly to tangible results or successes in your career.
Listing your university education and certificates on your professor CV
The best proof of your technical capabilities would be your education and certifications sections. Your education should list all of your relevant university degrees, followed up by their start and completion dates. Make sure to also include the name of the university/-ies you graduated from. If you happen to have less professional experience (or you deem it would be impressive and relevant to your application), spotlight in the education section:
- that you were awarded a "First" degree;
- industry-specific coursework and projects;
- extracurricular clubs, societies, and activities.
When selecting your certificates, first ask yourself how applicable they'd be to the role. Ater your initial assessment, write the certificate and institution name. Don't miss out on including the completion date. In the below panel, we've curated relevant examples of industry-leading certificates.
PRO TIP
Order your skills based on the relevance to the role you're applying for, ensuring the most pertinent skills catch the employer's attention first.
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Key takeaways
Write your professional professor CV by studying and understanding what the role expectations are. You should next:
- Focus on tailoring your content to answer specific requirements by integrating advert keywords through various CV sections;
- Balance your technical know-how with your personal skills to showcase what the unique value would be of working with you;
- Ensure your CV grammar and spelling (especially of your key information and contact details) is correct;
- Write a CV summary, if your experience is relevant, and an objective, if your career ambitions are more impressive;
- Use active language by including strong, action verbs across your experience, summary/objective, achievements sections.
