Question regarding two positions with same organization on CV

[KenBesonders]

Hello all,

 

I am working on my CV for the fall of 2015 application cycle. I am going over my volunteer experience and I have a question regarding my involvement with a particular organization. I have now held two different positions but one requires a leadership role of me and thus has distinct duties and responsibilities.

 

I really wish to highlight this position in my volunteer experience section of my CV. Currently I have both listed as separate entries (Names are redacted for privacy purposes):

 

President of the Security Council: Model United Nations Conference                    2015 – Present

§  Drafted crisis simulations to be carried out during the time frame of the conference

§  Delegated and managed Security Council staff in creating preparation materials

§  Edited drafts of topic background guides and provided constructive feedback

§  Trained staff members to manage and organize their preparation materials 

 

Chair, Some Committee: Model United Nations Conference                                    2015

§  Created four background guides and policy briefs used to educate student participants

§  Developed and drafted the Security Council Crisis simulation

§  Tasked with editing final drafts of background guides and topic annotations 

§  Managed and trained assistant staff members in successfully chairing committee rooms

 

Is it okay to have two separate entries for the same organization or is there a way to condense this?

[TakeruK]

I think this is way too long and detailed for a graduate school application CV (if that's what you are writing this CV for). I've also held multiple positions within one organizations and this is how I listed it on my CV:

 

Society of Super Awesome People
Vice President, 2014

Secretary, 2013

 

I know that what you did for the organization means a lot to you and that is good. But it has almost no relevance to a graduate admissions committee other than you have experience working with people. I read your list here and it doesn't actually tell me any more about you other than "you did work with a MUN group". I think leaving the titles like President of Security Council and Committee Chair is enough to demonstrate leadership.

 

Edit: If you were recognized for some important achievement though, perhaps it's also worth a mention.

[KenBesonders]

I think this is way too long and detailed for a graduate school application CV (if that's what you are writing this CV for). I've also held multiple positions within one organizations and this is how I listed it on my CV:

 

Society of Super Awesome People

Vice President, 2014

Secretary, 2013

 

I know that what you did for the organization means a lot to you and that is good. But it has almost no relevance to a graduate admissions committee other than you have experience working with people. I read your list here and it doesn't actually tell me any more about you other than "you did work with a MUN group". I think leaving the titles like President of Security Council and Committee Chair is enough to demonstrate leadership.

 

Edit: If you were recognized for some important achievement though, perhaps it's also worth a mention.

Thanks for the feedback! I am very new to writing CV's as I have mostly done resumes my entire life. Likewise, I am not familiar with how to present certain aspects of it. That being said, I like your idea of condensing it and trying to save space while also making it look less wordy.

 

Edit: Based off of your experience, how long would you say graduate school CV's should be? I am applying to international affairs programs. 

Edited March 17, 2015 by KenBesonders

[TakeruK]

I wouldn't say there is a maximum length on the CV. Most people have CVs around 2-4 pages at time of grad school applications. However, most academic CVs do not have 4-5 bullet points for each item listing all these details. But this could depend on the norms of your field? In mine, I list 3 points for each research related item and 1-2 points for each extracurricular/volunteer activity. I know nothing about International Affairs programs though, maybe something like MUN would be much more valued there and the reader would know what you mean by all those bullet points? That is, I did not think these activities were relevant to graduate school admission but maybe for this field it is? I think it's important to tailor your CV to your audience so if you know these items are interesting to your field, then go for it!

[Shamrock_Frog]

I think your CV is fine. It doesn't seem too long. It's expected to be at least two pages it seems. But I guess that depends on your field.

 

Edit to add:

 

At all my interviews my interviewers had my CV pulled up on the screen. I was asked questions about running of all things! (I run a lot of half marathons and volunteer at other road races). And I worked for a few years before applying so they all liked my varied experiences.

 

Edited March 17, 2015 by Shamrock_Frog

[jujubea]

If you almost exclusively have volunteer experience but very little work experience, then in my opinion that level of detail on volunteer positions is OK. But if you have significant (either in content or duration) work experience, such elucidation is not necessary, again in my opinion, unless very specifically relevant to what you're applying for (for example, Security Council President advanced training). 

 

I have two work positions within the same org, and I list them separately, and each with 3-4 bullet points, because they were very different positions (thinking accountant vs. marketing manager).

[KenBesonders]

If you almost exclusively have volunteer experience but very little work experience, then in my opinion that level of detail on volunteer positions is OK. But if you have significant (either in content or duration) work experience, such elucidation is not necessary, again in my opinion, unless very specifically relevant to what you're applying for (for example, Security Council President advanced training). 

 

I have two work positions within the same org, and I list them separately, and each with 3-4 bullet points, because they were very different positions (thinking accountant vs. marketing manager).

 

I agree with you as I was actually thinking about this concept last night!

 

I decided to limit my volunteer experience to one bullet point each for quick explanation while my work and research experience will have 3-4 bullet points.