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All About C.V.'s (Part II)Last month, I explained how a curriculum vitae differs from a résumé. In a curriculum vitae, you must demonstrate both the breadth and depth of your professional experience. Naturally, you could simply list your accomplishments in reverse chronological order. But this won't necessarily prove your case for breadth and depth. The difference between a C.V. and résumé is in the amount of description. However, many of today's résumés are approaching the level of detail that are required for C.V.'s. In fact, the line between résumés and C.V.'s is becoming increasingly blurred. Still, the distinction can be made between the number of categories and the level of detail included in each. For faculty positions in higher education, the search committee needs to critically evaluate the breadth and depth of your life's work and detailing the breadth of your experiences and the depth of your responsibilities aids this assessment.
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Candidates with experience in community-partnering programs are especially sought after. And those who have done interdisciplinary work are often seen as effective communicators.
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Students and alumni who are preparing documents for a teaching position in their performing field often ask me why professional performing experience should not be the main focus. In fact, if a young candidate has an extensive performing background, his or her teaching experience may appear barren. This is a good question, so think it through logically: If you are applying for a teaching position in higher education, what experience most reflects your qualifications for this job? Obviously, your teaching experience. This doesn't necessarily diminish your performance history; in fact, if you are a world-renowned artist, your performance reputation may be enough to secure the position. But world-renowned artists can draw students to the school on their reputation alone—and this is often a dealmaker because performing arts colleges need to attract students. A big name on their faculty roster will undoubtedly improve enrollment. Whether these stars actually teach or not is another issue. For everyone else without world renown, it is the teaching qualifications (coupled with performing experience) that are most scrutinized.After thoroughly documenting your educational history and your teaching experience, you are free to provide a thorough account of your performing experience. Often, this includes a range of activities, from concert hall or theater, to broadcasts and recordings. Think about presenting these areas in a way that gives the reader a broad sense of your accomplishments.Once you have chronicled these aspects of your experience, you can begin offering the multifarious professional accomplishments that further your case for breadth and depth. These are highly individual and contingent upon your unique course in life. The areas I've helped candidates develop include publications, lectures, master classes, workshops, task force committees, research, professional affiliations, program development, community outreach, interdisciplinary work, new media innovations, languages, production, journalism, and many more. When you begin to think through the entire course of your life, you will undoubtedly discover areas relevant to your work as an artist that belong on your curriculum vitae.The areas I find most influential on today's C.V.'s are publications, community partnering, and interdisciplinary work. If you are a published author, the number of published works to your credit substantially enhances your application. But articles on your Web site won't carry nearly the weight of those published in major journals or newspapers. If you do not have published work, consider addressing this issue in the near future.The other two areas—community partnering and interdisciplinary work—are the "hot" programs in higher education today. Search committees are often interested in candidates who have documented accomplishments in programming, developing, performing, teaching, and/or administering community-partnering programs. This is because much of today's higher education curriculum—especially in the performing arts—is re-emphasizing the importance of community service. Interdisciplinary work is also highly regarded, as some faculties are exploring the links between different mediums. These explorations are encouraging better communication and collaboration between departments. Candidates who have demonstrated accomplishment in this area are often seen as effective communicators.I hope this two-part article has helped outline the thinking behind writing a successful curriculum vitae. If you are interested in applying for work at a college, or want some professional guidance on a current draft, please schedule an appointment with me at your convenience.Derek Mithaug, director of career development, is a Juilliard faculty member and alumnus.
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