2 PhD Graduate CV examples

A PhD is proof that you can commit to a long-term goal and deliver results – qualities that employers value far beyond academia. But unless your CV frames that achievement in the right way, it’s easy for your experience to get lost in the details.

Whether you’re pursuing a postdoctoral role or exploring a completely new career path, this guide will walk you through the process of writing a CV so that it speaks directly to the needs of your next employer.

A strong CV structure makes it easy for employers to grasp your strengths at a glance. The goal is to present your experience in a way that flows naturally, keeping the focus on your most relevant and impressive points – much like a clear, well-argued research paper.

Here’s the layout to follow:

• Name and contact details – These personal details sit at the top to provide easy access for prospective employers.
• Profile – Hook the recruiter right away by stating the value you’ll bring their company.
• Core skills – State your best qualities at a quick glance.
• Work experience – List any of your previous job titles from newest to oldest.
• Education – Show off your academic record and qualifications.
• Additional info – Include anything from your hobbies and interests to the languages you speak – these are all totally optional.
  

When formatting, keep the design clean and professional. Use bullet points throughout to make the text easy to scan. Choose a clear, readable font, use spacing effectively, and divide sections with headings that stand out. Stick to a length of one or two pages so every detail has impact, and give equal attention to white space and content for maximum clarity. Following these formatting principles will ensure a readable CV that recruiters appreciate.

Your CV profile is your first chance to tell the recruiter how your doctoral experience will benefit them. It’s not a recap of your thesis, so keep it nice and short. It’s a concise pitch showing how your expertise can solve problems and deliver value in a professional setting.

As you might have less work experience than other candidates, a personal statement is a suitable alternative: this allows you to discuss things like your aspirations at greater length.

Here are some tips on what to put in your CV profile:

• Where you worked – State whether your PhD was based at a university, in industry, or through a research partnership.
• Your top qualifications – Mention your doctorate and any other relevant academic or professional credentials.
• Essential skills – Highlight core competencies you developed and why they’re relevant to the job.
• Projects or focus areas – Specify your research area or specialism and its connection to your target role.
• Value delivered – Explain the impact of your work, from publications to applied solutions or policy influence.
  

Your core skills section gives the recruiter a quick read on your suitability. Keep it targeted to the role you’re applying for, mirroring the terminology used in the job advert. Academic employers may prioritise research and teaching experience, while industry recruiters will look for applied, technical skills.

This section works best when it’s tailored – making the link between what you can do and what the employer needs without padding it with generic terms.

For a PhD Graduate, your education section carries real weight. Start with your doctorate, including your thesis title, awarding institution, and completion date. If your research led to publications, awards, or other recognition, include those details here.

Then list earlier qualifications in reverse chronological order. Mention any degree, projects, or coursework that align with your target job, and add professional development or specialist training to show your wider capabilities.

Example education sections

What to include in your education section

For each qualification, add the following info:

• Qualification & organisation – State the institution where you earned the qualification, along with the name of the certification.
• Dates studied – Give the start and end dates of each.
• Extra details – If they’re relevant to the jobs you’re applying for, expand on specific modules or courses which help showcase your suitability and skill.

Your experience doesn’t have to be limited to paid employment – for a PhD graduate, research projects, teaching, internships, and collaborative work all count. The aim is to show where you’ve applied your skills and what tangible results you’ve achieved.

List your most recent roles or projects first. For each, give a short summary of the context and your position, followed by bullet points that focus on responsibilities and achievements. Highlight measurable outcomes such as publications, successful grant applications, or partnerships formed.

• Outline – Give a brief overview of the institution or organisation, your role, and the focus of your work. Include who you reported to or worked alongside.
• Responsibilities – Use power verbs like “developed” and “implemented.” For example: “developed a new method for analysing genetic data” or “implemented collaborative processes to support multi-institution projects.”
• Achievements – Back up your contributions with evidence – publications, data outcomes, funding amounts, or improvements made as a result of your work.

For PhD graduates, the Additional Information section can highlight strengths that extend beyond academic research – such as science communication, leadership, creativity, or independent initiatives.

It helps show you as a well-rounded candidate with both deep expertise and broader qualities that employers value in academia, industry, or consultancy settings.

Good additional info for PhD Graduates

Additional info example