Careers ServiceNon-academic CVs

CVs should always be targeted to the position you are applying for. The way you present your PhD will depend on the type of work you are applying for.

The following information gives tips and advice on ways in which you might approach writing a CV for posts outside academia.

Type of work you're apply for

For a research post outside academia in the same area/field as your PhD

  • describe the topic of your research in some detail and emphasise the most relevant areas; you could include information about your research under 'Education', highlight it under the heading 'Research Experience', or summarise it and include a more detailed synopsis in an Appendix
  • include any relevant technical skills or practical techniques
  • show that you are commercially aware if you are applying for a post in a business environment/profit-making organisation

For a research post outside academia in a different area/field from your PhD

  • provide a summary and emphasise the transferable research skills you have developed as well as any relevant technical skills or practical techniques rather than giving specific detail about your research
  • avoid specialist or technical terms (unless related to the post), aim to show that you can clearly and effectively present information to different audiences
  • show that you are commercially aware if you are applying for a post in a business environment/profit-making organisation

A non research career outside academia