Crafting a Résumé

Résumés for Fellowships

When writing a résumé for a fellowship application:

• Consider many of the same factors as when writing a résumé for a job.
• Tailor your résumé or CV to the fellowship.
• Consider the fellowship's selection criteria and highlight the experience and qualifications that make you a good fit.

Link: The Office of Career Strategy offers valuable advice and sample résumés.

TOC:

Follow directions

What is the fellowship asking for?

• Is there a page limit?
• Should it be a résumé or CV, or a hybrid?
• Is there a formatting guide?
• Is there an industry-specific norm?
• Who is the audience?

Résumé, CV, or hybrid?

Curriculum Vitae (CV)

• Used to apply for funding for academic study or research
• Focus on academic papers, research and presentations
• Highlights academic awards, research experience, the name of the faculty adviser for your (proposed) senior project, the title of that senior project,

Résumé

• More general, not specifically academic
• Highlights leadership, skills, education and experience relevant to the position for which you are applying
• Typically shorter than a CV

Tip: See this article on Creating a Global Resume if you are applying for an international fellowship

Use headings to highlight your skills and experience

Traditional job résumé headings like “Work Experience” and “Extracurricular Activities” are fine for many fellowship résumés.

However, you might also consider grouping items thematically to make it easier to see how you qualify for a particular fellowship, such as:

• Journalism
• Public Interest Law
• Community Engagement
• Leadership
• Research papers and presentations

Point: Fellowship Résumé Guide

Consider your audience

Think of whether or not items on your résumé will make sense to general readers:

• Aim your application at educated non-specialists.
• Make sure items on your résumé will make sense to readers outside the Yale community. 

Tip: An external selection committee will not know what a FroCo does, what a Richter Fellowship is for, or what Dwight Hall is! You will need to explain these terms.