General Instructions for Preparation of the Curriculum Vitae
Last updated 5/23/2009
These instructions are intended as detailed guidelines for preparing the CV. For easiest preparation, please use CV templates.
The CV, along with letters from internal and external referees and examples of scholarly work, provides the major evidence used during the evaluation of candidates for promotion. Therefore, accurate and complete reporting of contributions and achievements in the CV is essential. Below is some general guidance for preparation of the CV. Additional guidance is provided in each section of the CV.
Chronology of events:
All events in the CV should be chronologic, beginning from the earliest and ending with the most recent. When dates cover a range, (e.g., 2005-2007), order by the first year in the range. For ongoing activities, indicate with a dash (2004- ) or by specifically noting to present (2004 - present). If multiple, non-consecutive years, group as a single item (e.g., 1999-2001, 2004, 2007). For faculty based at affiliated clinical institutions, all dates for postdoctoral training positions, faculty academic appointments and appointments at hospitals/affiliated institutions should include the month and year, e.g., 07/99-06/05.
Definition of local, regional, national and international:
A number of activities and roles in the CV are categorized as local, regional, national or international. These designations are important in the evaluation for promotion as it is expected that the reach of one's influence and activities will broaden with rank. Thus, while many of the activities reported at the time of promotion to assistant professor will be local, it is expected that those under consideration for promotion to professor will participate in a broad range of national and,very often, international activities.
The designations of local, regional, national or international below are based on both the proximity of the activities to the institution at which the candidate was appointed at that time as well as the source of the invitation to speak/teach.
Local activities and roles:
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During the time of appointment at Harvard, includes activities and roles at or arranged by Harvard and its affiliated institutions and organizations (e.g., Partners Harvard Medical International, Pri-MED, Partners in Health).
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For candidates previously appointed at other institutions, local activities and roles during the time of those appointments would include activities at or arranged by the institution(s) at which the candidate was appointed (e.g., while associate professor at UCSF, presentations at San Francisco General Hospital would be considered local).
Regional activities and roles:
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During the time of appointment at Harvard, includes activities and roles based on invitations by New England institutions apart from Harvard and its affiliates. New England is defined as including the six New England states (Massachusetts, Rhode Island, Connecticut, Maine, New Hampshire and Vermont). For example, presentations at Boston University or Brandeis while a faculty member at Harvard would be considered regional presentations.
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For candidates previously appointed at other institutions, regional activities and roles during the time of those appointments would include activities based on invitations by institutions in regions geographically near the institution(s) at which the candidate was appointed. For example, if the candidate was appointed at an institution in Philadelphia, talks in Pennsylvania, New Jersey, or Delaware would be considered regional. It is understood that the definition of "regional" is inexact in such cases; the candidate should make the best approximation possible.
National roles and activities:
During the time of appointment at Harvard, this includes activities and roles in the US, based on invitations from institutions outside the six New England states.
For candidates previously appointed at other institutions in the US, national activities and roles during the time of those appointments would include activities in the US, but outside the regional area in which the candidate was appointed.
If a national meeting happens to be held in Boston (or other city where you were appointed), include it as a national, not a local, activity.
International roles and activities:
During the time of appointment at Harvard, includes activities and roles outside the US based on invitations by international organizations not affiliated with Harvard.
For candidates previously appointed at other institutions, international activities and roles would be those outside the country in which the candidate was appointed at that time.
If an international meeting happens to be held in Boston (or other city where you were appointed), include it as international, not a local activity. Society meetings should be considered international only if annual meetings are sometimes held in countries other than the United States.
-For candidates previously appointed at institutions outside the US, local, regional, national and international contributions are categorized relative to the appointing institution at that time. For example, for an individual holding an appointment at the University of Vienna, talks in Vienna would be considered local, while talks in Boston during the time of that appointment would be considered international.
-For individuals whose primary appointment is at Harvard, but who simultaneously hold nonvoting appointments at other institution(s), presentations at those other institutions and their affiliates should be reported as local contributions.
Each activity, role or achievement should be reported only once in the CV
Guidance about where specific activities should be reported is provided in the CV. If you have additional questions, you may contact the Office for Faculty Affairs by phone (617-432-7112) or e-mail (ofa_promotions@hms.harvard.edu).
If a category does not apply to you, omit it entirely.
Keep in mind that. as part of the evaluation for promotion, your CV may be reviewed by individuals outside your direct field.
Avoid using abbreviations, acronyms and jargon that are not generally known (e.g., names of professional societies).
