# CV question: ordering of educational experience
**URL:** https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cv-question-ordering-of-educational-experience/458251
**Category:** Factual Questions
**Created:** [July 30, 2008, 5:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cv-question-ordering-of-educational-experience/458251 "2008-07-30T17:32:19Z")
**Posts on this page:** 7
**Page:** 1
### Author:  [@fachverwirrt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/fachverwirrt)
#### Post date: [July 30, 2008, 5:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cv-question-ordering-of-educational-experience/458251/1 "2008-07-30T17:32:19Z")
I’m currently putting together a CV for a potential full-time voice teaching job at the university that I currently teach part time. Here’s my question: my education consists of a bachelor of music (1999), a master of music (2003), and, most recently, a teaching certificate in K-12 vocal music. I’m trying to decide if it is best to list most recent (certificate) first, or highest level (master’s degree) first. In what order should I list them?
Thanks.
(This is potential IMHO material, but I thought I’d try here first.)
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### Author:  [@zut](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/zut)
#### Post date: [July 30, 2008, 7:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cv-question-ordering-of-educational-experience/458251/2 "2008-07-30T19:58:22Z")
IMHO, the first thing to list is the thing that’s most likely to land you the job. Rationalize your choice from that.
As a possible suggestion, I organize my CV by subject (“research,” “teaching,” and “industrial” experience) rather than chronologically; the timeframes of each overlap somewhat. You may be able to do something similar with your education & experience.
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### Author:  [@fachverwirrt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/fachverwirrt)
#### Post date: [July 30, 2008, 8:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cv-question-ordering-of-educational-experience/458251/3 "2008-07-30T20:22:09Z")
[QUOTE=zut]
IMHO, the first thing to list is the thing that’s most likely to land you the job. Rationalize your choice from that.
As a possible suggestion, I organize my CV by subject (“research,” “teaching,” and “industrial” experience) rather than chronologically; the timeframes of each overlap somewhat. You may be able to do something similar with your education & experience.
[/QUOTE]
Thanks. I’ve more or less figured that my Master’s should go first, then Bachelor’s, then certification. This is a little muddled chronologically, but both the Master’s and Bachelor’s are from the same institution I’m trying to get the job at; I figure they value loyalty.
My categories are (in order): Education, Other Education (seminars, etc.), Teaching Experience, Other Professional Experience, Performance Experience (full opera/show roles and chorus, major scenework, recitals, other solo performances, choral experience, competitions), and Recordings. I don’t have any research, publications, or grants to list. No awards (other than _cum laude_, which is listed under education anyway), so nothing else there. Not sure what else to include.
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### Author:  [@Harriet\_the\_Spry](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Harriet_the_Spry)
#### Post date: [July 30, 2008, 8:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cv-question-ordering-of-educational-experience/458251/4 "2008-07-30T20:25:52Z")
Agree, master’s at the top, then bachelor’s, then certification. The exception might be if you were applying for a K-12 teaching job.
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### Author:  [@fachverwirrt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/fachverwirrt)
#### Post date: [July 30, 2008, 8:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cv-question-ordering-of-educational-experience/458251/5 "2008-07-30T20:41:24Z")
I’m gonna go ahead and post what I’ve got. Any suggestions are welcome (I need to have this in by tomorrow morning). Obviously this will be formatted and have my name and contact info on it.
> [@fachverwirrt's CV](#):
>
> Education
>
> Master of Music, Vocal Performance, May, 2003
> Washington University in St. Louis
> Master’s recital: works by Butterworth, Mahler, Poulenc, and Monteverdi
>
> Bachelor of Music, Vocal Performance, May, 1999, cum laude
> Washington University in St. Louis
> Honors recital: works by Vaughan Williams, Ibert, Schumann, and Martinů
>
> Certificate of Teaching, K-12 Vocal Music, May 2008
> University of Missouri, St. Louis
>
> Other Education/Seminar Experience
>
> Wesley Balk Institute, summer 2002
> Minneapolis, MN
>
> The Singer’s Seminar, with Normal Shetler, summer 1999
> Bel Canto Vocal Academy, Manchest, NH
>
> Teaching Experience
>
> Washington University, St. Louis, MO, 2003-present
> Adjunct Teacher of Applied Music (Voice)
>
> Southeast Missouri State University, Cape Girardeau, MO, 2006-2007
> Adjunct Teacher of Applied Music (Voice)
>
> St. Louis School of Music, Creve Coeur, MO, 2005-2007
> Voice Teacher
>
> Ritenour School District, St. Louis, MO, 2006-present
> Substitute Teacher
>
> Other Professional Experience
>
> Concord Visiting Nurse Association, Concord, NH, 2000-2001
> Clinical/Technical Support
>
> Jennings Information Systems, Consulting, Concord, NH 1999-2000
> Software/Mainframe Analyst/Programmer (Y2K Compliance)
>
> Performance Experience
>
> Roles/Chorus
>
> Otello (Verdi), Chorus/Herald, Union Avenue Opera Theatre, August 2008
> Lizzie Borden (Beeson), Andrew Borden, Washington University Opera, February 2008
> Tartuffe (Mechem), Orgon, Washington University Opera, March 2007
> Susannah (Floyd), Elder Ott, Washington University Opera, March 2006
> Ariadne auf Naxos (Strauss), Perückenmacher, Union Avenue Opera Theatre, July 2005
> A Month in the Country (Hoiby), Doctor, Washington University Opera, March 2005
> Turandot (Puccini), Chorus, Union Avenue Opera Theatre, August 2004
> Of Mice and Men (Floyd), Slim, Washington University Opera, March 2004
> Patience (Sullivan), Bunthorne, Bel Canto Opera (Franklin NH), June 2003
> The Most Happy Fella (Loesser), Pasquale, Washington Univesrity Opera, March 2003
> Gianni Schicchi (Puccini) Gianni Schicchi, Washington University Opera, May 2002
> Dialogues of the Carmelites (Poulenc) Jailer, Washington University Opera, March 2002
> Carmen (Bizet) Chorus, Granite State Opera (Manchester NH), May 2001
> Pirates of Penzance (Sullivan), Pirate King, Operafest! of NH, February, 2001
> Magic Flute (Mozart), Priest/Armored Man, Operafest! of NH, August 2000
> Guys and Dolls (Loesse)r, Skye Masterson, Pittsfield (NH) Players, October 1999
> Joshua’s Boots (Hailstork), Cowboy, Opera Theatre St. Louis, May 1999
> Summer and Smoke (Hoiby), Vernon/Papa Gonzales, Washington University Opera, March 1999
> Three Penny Opera (Weill), Jake, Washington University Opera, March 1998
>
> Major Scenework
>
> La Traviata (Verdi) Giorgio Germont, Washington University Opera, May 2004
> La Boheme (Act II) (Puccini), Marcello, Washington University Opera, December 2002
> Hansel and Gretel (Humperdinck) Father, Washington University Opera, December 2001
>
> Recitals
>
> Graduate Recital, February 2003, Washington University
> Liederabend, April 2002, Washington University
> Senior Honors Recital, February 1999, Washington University
> Junior Recital, March 1998, Washington University
>
> Other Solo Performance
>
> Messiah (Handel), Baritone Solos, First Baptist Church, Charleston, MO, December 2005, December 2006
> Messiah (Handel), Baritone Solos, Washington University Chamber Choir,
> December 2001, December 2002, December 2007
> Kindertotenlieder (Mahler), excerpts for the ballet “Dark Elegies” (Antony Tudor), Washington University Dance Theater, December 2004
>
> Choral Experience
>
> St. Louis Chamber Chorus, 2003-present
> Washington University Chamber Choir/Concert Choir, 1995-1999, 2001-present
> Manchester Choral Society (NH) 1994-1995, 1999-2001
>
> Competitions
>
> Metropolitan Opera National Council Auditions, St. Louis District, November 2004, November 2005, November 2006
> Operafest! of NH Biennial competition (semifinalist) February, 1999
>
> Recordings (international label)
>
> St. Louis Commissions, St. Louis Chamber Chorus, Regent Records, 2007
> Songs of the Soul, St. Louis Chamber Chorus, Guild Records, 2005
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### Author:  [@gigi](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/gigi)
#### Post date: [July 30, 2008, 9:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cv-question-ordering-of-educational-experience/458251/6 "2008-07-30T21:14:40Z")
I don’t have anything to add except that you might mean Manchest **er** , NH ?
Good luck!
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### Author:  [@fachverwirrt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/fachverwirrt)
#### Post date: [July 30, 2008, 9:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cv-question-ordering-of-educational-experience/458251/7 "2008-07-30T21:19:35Z")
[QUOTE=gigi]
I don’t have anything to add except that you might mean Manchest **er** , NH ?
Good luck!
[/QUOTE]
Indeed I did. Thanks!
(I also meant Loesser, not Loesse)r.)