Dear Future Researcher,
Struggling to build a CV that actually gets noticed? Whether you’re ready to apply for a lab position, a summer program, or your first research assistant role, crafting a strong CV can feel daunting — especially if you don’t have lab experience or publications.
This week, we’re answering your biggest CV questions on how to structure your research CV.
What We’ll Cover
- What to include (even if you’re new to research)
- How to organize your experiences for maximum impact
- Keywords and action verbs that make your CV scan‑friendly
- Smart ways to show your research potential before your first lab role
Meet Our Guest Expert: Joy!
This week, we're bringing back our Co‑Founder and Executive Director, Joy Zhao! Joy is a first‑year medical student at the University of Toronto who successfully secured a research position in the Robarts Research Institute at Western University.
Q: How do I decide what experiences to include (e.g., volunteer work, leadership, unrelated jobs)?
A: I always try to keep the target audience in mind before writing anything — whether it’s application essays or class reports. That holds true for the CV as well. Its main purpose, in my experience, is to serve as a quick summary of your past experiences for professors to read through.
As such, brief and relevant is best (about one page). I would include any research experience, and if you have extra space, experiences that show transferable skills like teamwork, communication, being a fast learner, project management, and work ethic.
When I first applied for research positions, I didn’t have direct research experience. To strengthen my applications, I included high‑school independent projects and extended research essays, and highlighted leadership roles like robotics and music council that demonstrated initiative and teamwork.
Q: How can I make my CV stand out when I don’t have publications or lab experience yet?
A: Professors don’t expect undergraduates to be highly experienced in research. In this case, focus on demonstrating soft skills that matter for research — communication, writing, teamwork, work ethic, self‑starting behaviour, and time management. Use action verbs and quantify your impact from previous experiences when possible.
Q: How should I order experiences — by relevance, recency, or category (research, leadership, etc.)?
A: Think about the purpose of your CV: to quickly highlight your potential for research. Start with education (high school + current degree), followed by research experiences, then other experiences (leadership, volunteering, awards) that show transferable skills.
Q: What action verbs or keywords work well for research CVs?
A: It helps to have a chart or list of keywords when writing. Show what you did instead of telling it, and quantify your impact when possible! Here are examples of strong action‑oriented statements:
- Self‑taught Excel, Partek KEGG, and Partek GO enrichment analysis methods to lead a project investigating transcripts regulating neuron death in mice neurodegenerative disease models with microarray data (#x genes).
- Led a conference presentation at XX.
- Identified #X genes of interest in ABC pathways.
Q: Is it okay to include high school experiences if I’m still early in college?
A: Of course!
Q: Should I include my GPA, scholarships, or relevant coursework — and where?
A: Yes — you can include your GPA and relevant coursework in the education section, and scholarships/awards in a separate awards section.
The Bottom Line
Don’t wait until you feel “ready” to start your CV. Writing your first few drafts is how you become ready. Each update and revision helps you see your growth more clearly. So take what you have now, polish it, and send it out — you might be more prepared than you think!