CV: to mention work unrelated to academia or not?

[Washoe]

Well, the title is pretty self explanatory. Did you put any of your previous work experience that wasn't research and TA-ing in your CV? I'm not sure if mentioning it would help my case, or just look silly and unneccessary, since it is not directly connected to what I want to study.

 

Also,passive knowledge of Latin, as in, I can read a text in Latin and understand it quite well.  Should I mention that under languages or is that pretty much expected and, again, unneccessary?

[Lisa44201]

It depends.

 

For example, I worked as an Assistant Manager of a Burger King while I was an undergrad. I did not include that on my CV (as opposed to a regular resume, where that's management/hiring/training/inventory/financial experience).  

 

I was also the Vice-Chair of the Board of Directors for the Child Care Center, and that went on the CV under Community Service.

[sunpenguin]

What I've done is to create sections that go like this:

Education

Professional Experience in Research and Teaching (this includes everything related to academia)

Publications

Honors and Awards

Prior Professional Experience (This includes unrelated experience, so they can see what I was doing between undergrad and my master's, even if it isn't directly relevant to the skills needed to be a successful Ph.D. student.)

 

I managed to format the CV so that everything except "Prior Professional Experience"--that is, everything they'll really care about--is on the first page. Then the prior stuff is on the second page.

[MsDarjeeling]

If the job is somehow relevant to your field of study then it is ok to list it.  If not I would leave it off.  I have a ton of work experience in accounting and human resources, but none of that relates to Clinical Psychology so I have left it off.  However, I have held a few positions that were both administrative and clinical in nature so those I included.  If adcom's wonder if you worked elsewhere while reviewing your CV then my guess is they'll make a note to ask during an interview.  That's when you could explain that you held an unrelated job(s) just to keep bills paid while you transitioned.

[Washoe]

I am applying to physical anthropology program, so I assume my experience as a journalist and editor is irrelevant. However, since I do not actually have any teaching experience (it is very uncommon for master students to TA), I thought it might not hurt to mention that i was a foreign language instructor, meaning that I have *some* classroom experience. Then again, I mostly taught children and teens, so I'm not sure about that either.

[fuzzylogician]

The instructor job sounds relevant, both for the language and for the teaching experience. As for being a journal/editor, I'd probably also include that because being able to write and edit is actually a skill that many students struggle with, so it's definitely a plus. I'd keep it short and at the end, probably under 'other experience.' Honestly, as long as it doesn't seem like you're padding your CV, I think you can get away with quite a lot. It won't hurt and it may even help. 

[MsDarjeeling]

I can't believe you're considering not mentioning being a foreign language instructor.  Anthropology is the study of humankind and language is a huge part of that.  Definitely mention that and its ok if you were teaching kids, they're still people.  All of my teaching experience has been with kids and the input I've gotten from professors is that it is definitely relevant.

[Washoe]

I'll definitely mention it then. Thanks for the input! I just had this image of my self singing "Rub-a-dub-dub" about animals in a tub and it just didn't scream "academia" to me, but I guess it is a teaching experience nevertheless.

[Maleficent999]

I currently work in corporate accounting and I worked in non-profit accounting all through undergrad. Do you think I should mention this if I'm applying for graduate schools in sociology? I think it could be related since I've worked heavily with math and statistics for 5 years.

Edited September 24, 2013 by KrisOfSteel

[Guest |||]

Depends on relevancy and accomplishment

[Maleficent999]

Depends on relevancy and accomplishment

Well that's what I'm trying to decide: how relevant is it? I think it might be but because there are projects that I'm in charge of and tons of math/reports but if you all disagree then I'd like to know.