Resume/CV Toolkit: Grad Edition

Samples, Templates & Guides

UCR maintains discipline-specific samples and editable templates. You can start with the sample for your college.

Samples by College

Open the sample that matches your college and model your draft on its structure. Most samples include a PhD CV, a PhD resume (industry-style), and a master’s resume.

• CHASS (Humanities, Arts & Social Sciences): PhD CV · PhD resume · Master's / MFA resume · Teacher resume (School of Education)
• CNAS (Natural & Agricultural Sciences): PhD CV · PhD resume · Master's resume
• BCOE (Bourns College of Engineering): PhD CV · PhD resume · Master's resume (EE) · Master's resume (BioE) · Master's resume (CS)
• Business (School of Business): PhD CV · PhD resume · MBA resume

Templates & Action Verbs

• CV template (Word): editable starting point matching the UCR format.
• Resume template (Word): editable starting point for industry-focused roles.
• Action-verbs list: use these as the first word of every bullet on your CV/resume.

Guides & Handouts

• Resume Writing Guide: what makes a grad resume different from an undergrad's.
• Tailoring Your Documents: match each application to the posting.
• Cover Letter Writing Guide: how to structure a 3-paragraph letter that doesn't repeat your resume.
• Sample Email Cover Letter: format for sending your letter in the body of an email.
• Professional Narrative & Networking Tips: your 60-second story.
• Converting Your CV to a Resume: step-by-step guide.

Resume & CV Example Books

Two example books from UCLA Graduate Career Services, with dozens of annotated CV and resume samples across fields.

• Graduate CV Example Book (2025): annotated CV samples across disciplines.
• PhD Resume Example Book: industry resume samples for PhD candidates.

GradSuccess Workshop Slides

• How to Write an Effective Cover Letter
• Converting a CV to a Resume
• LinkedIn Profile Workshop
• Navigating Job Search Engines
• Graduate Job Search Toolkit
• Navigating Job Offers & Salary Negotiation
• Leveraging Your Transferable Skills

LinkedIn Learning: Resume Courses

Free with your UCR NetID through LinkedIn Learning.

• Resume Makeover
• Writing a Resume
• Optimize Your Resume for Applicant Tracking Systems
• How to Highlight Your Job Skills
• Find Your Dream Job: Interview Techniques & Resume Writing
• A Career Strategist's Guide to Getting a Job

UCR Career Center on YouTube

Short walkthroughs from the Career Center on resumes, CVs, and the job search.

Convert Your CV to a Resume

Industry resumes are not condensed CVs. They are different documents with a different purpose. UCR’s Convert-CV-to-Resume guide walks through what to keep, what to drop, and how to translate academic accomplishments into business language.

• Trim publications to the top three relevant to the role.
• Lead each bullet with an action verb and a quantifiable outcome.
• Use the language from the job description in your skills line.
• One page for early career, two pages maximum for senior PhD roles.

Get a Review

Every draft gets stronger with a second pair of eyes. Options at UCR:

• Graduate Student Career Specialist: CV, resume, cover letter, personal statement. Book via Handshake appointments.
• Graduate Writing Center: 1:1 consultations on any document, any stage, at gwc.ucr.edu.
• GradSuccess workshops: group format on resume, cover letter, and LinkedIn.