| name | career-document-architect |
| description | Guides the creation of career documents for academic advancement including research statements, teaching statements, diversity statements, CVs, and biosketches. Combines strategic positioning, narrative coherence, and institutional alignment with authentic representation of contributions and vision. Use when writing or reviewing faculty applications, fellowship statements, promotion packages, award applications, or when user mentions research statement, teaching philosophy, diversity statement, biosketch, academic CV, or career narrative. |
Career Document Architect
Table of Contents
Related skills (use instead for):
- Grant proposals:
grant-proposal-assistant
- Recommendation letters:
academic-letter-architect
- Manuscript writing:
scientific-manuscript-review
Core Principles
1. Vision + Track Record: Show where you're going AND what you've accomplished
2. Coherent Narrative: All pieces should tell a unified story
3. Audience Awareness: Tailor depth and framing to readers
4. Evidence-Based Claims: Support assertions with specifics
5. Future-Oriented: Emphasize trajectory and potential
6. Authentic Voice: Represent yourself genuinely
Workflow
Copy this checklist and track your progress:
Career Document Progress:
- [ ] Step 1: Identify document type and audience
- [ ] Step 2: Gather raw materials (CV, accomplishments)
- [ ] Step 3: Develop core narrative thread
- [ ] Step 4: Draft document using appropriate framework
- [ ] Step 5: Add evidence and specifics
- [ ] Step 6: Align with institutional expectations
- [ ] Step 7: Polish and format
Step 1: Identify Type and Audience
Determine document type (research/teaching/diversity statement, CV, biosketch). Identify audience (search committee, review panel). Note any specific requirements (page limits, format specifications). See resources/methodology.md for audience considerations.
Step 2: Gather Raw Materials
Compile: Current CV, publications, grants, teaching evaluations, mentorship record, outreach activities, preliminary data, future plans. See resources/methodology.md for comprehensive list.
Step 3: Develop Core Narrative
Identify the through-line connecting your work. What question drives you? What impact do you seek? How does past work connect to future plans? See resources/methodology.md for narrative construction.
Step 4: Draft Using Framework
Select appropriate framework for document type. Follow structure that matches institutional norms. See Document Frameworks for each type.
Step 5: Add Evidence and Specifics
Replace generic claims with specific accomplishments. Quantify where possible (papers, citations, students mentored). Add concrete examples for abstract claims.
Step 6: Align with Institution
Research institution's priorities. Emphasize fit without fabricating. Address how you contribute to their mission. See resources/methodology.md for alignment strategies.
Step 7: Polish and Format
Check length constraints. Ensure consistent formatting. Proofread carefully. Validate using resources/evaluators/rubric_career_document.json. Minimum standard: Average score ≥ 3.5.
Document Frameworks
Research Statement
Purpose: Articulate research vision, demonstrate independence, show future potential
Length: Typically 2-5 pages (check requirements)
Structure:
OPENING (1 paragraph)
- Hook: Compelling statement of your research focus
- Big picture: Why this matters to the field/society
- Your role: How you contribute to addressing this
PAST RESEARCH (1-2 pages)
- Organize by themes, not chronology
- Highlight key contributions with impact
- Show how past work builds foundation for future
- Include quantifiable outcomes (papers, citations, methods)
CURRENT RESEARCH (0.5-1 page)
- Ongoing projects and preliminary results
- Bridge between past and future
- Show productivity and momentum
FUTURE DIRECTIONS (1-2 pages)
- 2-3 specific research directions
- For each: Why important? What's the approach? What's expected impact?
- Show independence and creativity
- Connect to fundable questions (NIH/NSF relevance)
CLOSING (1 paragraph)
- Synthesis: How pieces fit together
- Why this institution/department
- Broader impact statement
Teaching Statement
Purpose: Articulate teaching philosophy and demonstrate effectiveness
Length: Typically 1-2 pages
Structure:
PHILOSOPHY (1-2 paragraphs)
- Core beliefs about teaching/learning
- What makes your approach distinctive
- Grounded in evidence or experience
EVIDENCE OF EFFECTIVENESS (1-2 paragraphs)
- Courses taught with enrollments
- Teaching evaluations (quote specific feedback)
- Student outcomes (publications, placements)
- Innovations introduced
METHODS AND APPROACHES (1-2 paragraphs)
- Specific techniques you use
- Active learning strategies
- Assessment approaches
- Technology integration
MENTORSHIP (1 paragraph)
- Undergraduate/graduate mentoring
- Student achievements
- Mentoring philosophy
FUTURE TEACHING (1 paragraph)
- Courses you could teach
- New courses you'd develop
- Curricular contributions
Diversity Statement
Purpose: Demonstrate commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion
Length: Typically 1-2 pages
Structure:
INTRODUCTION (1 paragraph)
- Your understanding of DEI in academia
- Why it matters to you
- Preview of your contributions
PAST ACTIONS (1-2 paragraphs)
- Specific activities promoting DEI
- Mentoring underrepresented students
- Curriculum development
- Outreach activities
- Quantify impact where possible
PERSONAL CONTEXT (optional, 1 paragraph)
- Your own background if relevant
- Experiences informing your commitment
- Only include if comfortable and genuine
FUTURE PLANS (1 paragraph)
- How you'll contribute at this institution
- Specific programs or initiatives
- Connection to institutional DEI priorities
CLOSING
- Synthesis of commitment
- Why this matters for your field
CV Format (Academic)
Standard Sections:
CONTACT INFORMATION
EDUCATION
- Degrees in reverse chronological order
- Institution, degree, year, advisor (for PhD)
POSITIONS
- Academic appointments
- Industry positions (if relevant)
PUBLICATIONS
- Peer-reviewed (mark * for corresponding author)
- Preprints
- Reviews/Book chapters
GRANTS AND FUNDING
- Current and past funding
- Role (PI, Co-PI, etc.)
- Amount and duration
HONORS AND AWARDS
PRESENTATIONS
- Invited talks
- Conference presentations
TEACHING
- Courses taught
- Mentoring record
SERVICE
- Editorial boards
- Review panels
- Committee work
PROFESSIONAL MEMBERSHIPS
NIH Biosketch
Length: 5 pages maximum
Sections:
A. PERSONAL STATEMENT (0.5 page)
- Why you're well-suited for this project
- Relevant experience and expertise
- Key accomplishments that qualify you
- Up to 4 publications supporting this statement
B. POSITIONS, SCIENTIFIC APPOINTMENTS, AND HONORS
C. CONTRIBUTIONS TO SCIENCE (up to 5 contributions, 0.5 page each)
- Contribution 1:
- Description of contribution (1 paragraph)
- Your specific role
- Impact on field
- Up to 4 publications supporting this contribution
- [Repeat for each contribution]
D. RESEARCH SUPPORT
- Current (with role, title, dates, description)
- Completed (last 3 years)
Writing Strategies
The "So What?" Test
For every claim, ask "so what?" If you can't answer, the claim needs more:
| Claim | So What? | Improved |
|---|
| "I published 10 papers" | Impact? | "My 10 papers have been cited 500 times, including 3 that established new methods in the field" |
| "I'm passionate about teaching" | Evidence? | "My passion for teaching is reflected in consistent evaluation scores above 4.5/5 and 5 undergraduates who went to PhD programs" |
| "I'm committed to diversity" | What have you done? | "I co-founded a mentoring program that has supported 20 students from underrepresented groups" |
Showing vs. Telling
| Telling (Weak) | Showing (Strong) |
|---|
| "I am a productive researcher" | "I have published 15 peer-reviewed articles including 3 in high-impact journals" |
| "I am an effective teacher" | "Student evaluations average 4.7/5.0 with comments highlighting my use of active learning" |
| "I am committed to mentoring" | "I have mentored 8 undergraduates, 5 of whom are now in PhD programs" |
Future Vision Formula
For each future direction:
- The Question: What will you investigate?
- The Importance: Why does this matter?
- The Approach: How will you do it?
- The Expected Impact: What changes if successful?
Guardrails
Key requirements:
- Truthful: Never fabricate or exaggerate
- Evidence-based: Claims supported by specifics
- Audience-appropriate: Match depth to readers
- Forward-looking: Emphasize trajectory and vision
- Coherent narrative: All pieces connect
- Compliant: Follow format and length requirements
Common pitfalls:
- ❌ Laundry lists: Lists without narrative
- ❌ Vague claims: "I am passionate about..." without evidence
- ❌ Missing future: All past, no vision
- ❌ Generic fit: Same statement for every application
- ❌ Too long: Ignoring page limits
- ❌ Missing impact: What you did without why it matters
Quick Reference
Key resources:
Typical lengths:
| Document | Typical Length |
|---|
| Research Statement | 2-5 pages |
| Teaching Statement | 1-2 pages |
| Diversity Statement | 1-2 pages |
| NIH Biosketch | 5 pages max |
Time estimates:
- Research statement (from scratch): 2-4 weeks
- Research statement (revision): 1-2 days
- Teaching statement: 1-2 days
- Diversity statement: 1-2 days
- CV update: 1-2 hours
- Biosketch: 2-4 hours
Inputs required:
- Current CV
- Job/fellowship description
- Institutional priorities (if known)
- Specific accomplishments to highlight
Outputs produced:
- Polished career document
- Commentary on structure and positioning
