lyndonkl/career-document-architect

Career Document Architect

Table of Contents

• Core Principles
• Workflow
• Document Frameworks
• Writing Strategies
• Guardrails
• Quick Reference

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:

1. The Question: What will you investigate?
2. The Importance: Why does this matter?
3. The Approach: How will you do it?
4. The Expected Impact: What changes if successful?

Guardrails

Key requirements:

1. Truthful: Never fabricate or exaggerate
2. Evidence-based: Claims supported by specifics
3. Audience-appropriate: Match depth to readers
4. Forward-looking: Emphasize trajectory and vision
5. Coherent narrative: All pieces connect
6. 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:

• resources/methodology.md: Audience analysis, narrative development, institutional fit
• resources/template.md: Section templates, examples
• resources/evaluators/rubric_career_document.json: Quality scoring

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