Telling a potential employer about your talents and training is often accomplished through either a curriculum vitae (somtimes called a vita - usually pronounced "vee-tuh") or Resume. You may need to develop both a vita and a resume. The vita is normally used when you apply to academic institutions for jobs. The resume is generally used for jobs outside academia. The way you construct these documents will vary depending on the job or place to which you apply. Different fields, disciplines, or institutions may require different forms.
Resume
A resume is essentially a summing up or a summary of your qualifications in a relatively brief way. It does require detail in descriptions of certain tasks such as your duties on a job. See resume example to get an idea of the way categories and descriptions are structured.
Curriculum vitae or vita
This is a more detailed document but does not demand descriptions of jobs or activities. It is more of a "listing" of accomplishments. See the vita example to see the level of description.
l. Choose the name of the document type requested by the employer and be sure to put it at the top even if it contains information from the other form of document. If you have built a word-processor file, this will be an easy job.
2. Both documents have these minimum categories:
a. Personal data including full name, address at home or work, telephone/fax/e-mail at home or work. It may include date of birth, gender, marital status, children, military service. These depend on needs, affirmative action issues and the like.
b. Educational experience, most recent listed first. Give name of institution, degrees earned/dates attended, date of degree.
c. Work experience, most recent first. In a resume give a description of duties and special skills for that job. List your supervisor and a way to contact them. In a vita list only the job title, place and dates.
d. Other kinds of information as needed. See the examples of both vita and resume for kinds of data. All information in each category should be listed most recent first. Construct these categories to fit the job. Remember, you are selling yourself, so don't be modest (but don't mislead by "over-selling" it either!).
e. Names, addresses, phone numbers of references.
3. References are more important than you think. Try to ask people for references only if they know you from more than just the classroom experience. This means that you perhaps volunteer for an excavation on the weekend, or lab work, or the anthro student group or the like. Be certain to ask first! Don't just put down someone's name. It is okay to ask them: "Would you be willing to write a good letter for me?" If they say no, then don't ask them to be a reference. You have a right to see references according to the Buckley amendment. You may be asked to waive the right to see it. Generally it is better to do so in that people may not write an accurate reference for fear of you seeing it down the line. Waived rights on letters are often seen as being more "truthful." See the References handbook section for more information.
4. Good Advice:
a. Build a word processor file with the major kinds of information in it. Then you can simply "cut-and-paste" the pieces into the form you need.
b. Keep your vita updated. You will forget important, relevant things as time goes by.