How to Add Publications to a Resume or CV (+ Examples)

Employers today are on the lookout for candidates with solid research and writing skills.

To be more “hireable,” you must prove that you possess these skills.

That’s where knowing how to list publications on your resume or CV comes in.

A publication in your name shows that you’re capable of researching a topic, writing about it excellently, and proving your expertise in the subject matter!

In essence, it makes your resume more competitive and gives you the edge you need in securing your dream job.

In this post, you’ll find out when, where, and how to include publications on your resume or CV.

What Is a Publication?

The word “publication” generally refers to a written or digital production made available for distribution. It is an intellectual work that has been researched, written, and published.

Publications make your resume more competitive and keep you ahead of other applicants.

That said, for a publication to be deemed eligible for your resume or CV, it must:

• Be published or in the process of being published
• Be relevant to the job you’re applying for
• Have you listed as an author or collaborator

When you include publications on your resume and CV, they show your research, writing, and logical skills, all of which are in high demand in the corporate world today.

When to Include Publications on Your Resume or CV

Although this depends on the job you are pursuing, as well as the significance of your publication to the industry, these guides will help you determine when to list a publication on your resume or CV:

• If you’re applying for a job in the scientific or academic industry, you should list publications.
• If you’re applying for a job outside the scientific or academic industry, you may still add a publication to boost your resume or CV. However, the publication must be relevant to the job you’re applying for.

While creating your resume or CV, always try to stay as tightly relevant to the job you are applying for as possible. 

Where to Put Publications on Resume and a CV

As a general rule, you will list publications after your education. This is because they help to complement your education and show employers how you utilized the knowledge you acquired.

On the other hand, you would not list your publications in the education section if your articles have been published in magazines or other nonscientific periodicals.

Also, if your publications are not really relevant to the job you are applying for, you should add them to the “additional information” section of the resume.

Finally, if you have more than one peer-reviewed publication, you can create a different section on your resume or CV labeled “Publications.” 

Then, follow the steps listed in the “How to List Publications on a CV” and “How to List Publications on a Resume” sections below.

Before we jump into that, let’s first discuss the difference between utilizing the accomplishment of published works on a resume versus a CV.

Publications on a Resume vs a CV

Publications on a resume are similar to, yet also different from, publications on a CV.

For one, listing publications on a CV is often more important than listing them on resumes. This is because CVs are generally more encompassing and longer. 

So, the more actual proof of knowledge and experience you can provide, the better.

Publications on CVs are also more common than on resumes due to the fact that people who list publications are often looking to get a job in scientific or academic fields.

These industries usually require a CV, so job seekers have to opt for a more detailed representation of their skills and experiences.

In other words, the people most likely to list a publication are looking to acquire academic jobs, and the jobs themselves are better approached with a CV than with a resume.

How to List Publications on a Resume

Listing publications on a resume is a lot simpler than listing them for a CV.

First of all, note that there is no universal layout for listing your publications on your resume, but it is vital to include your publication’s title and where it was published. This will give your potential employer access to the publication, if necessary.

Here’s the process for listing relevant publications on your resume:

• Create a section on your resume titled “Publications.”
• Use reverse chronological order when listing, starting with your most recent published works.
• Use a new bullet point for each publication.
• Pick only publications that are relevant and showcase applicable skills or knowledge.
• Pick a listing style, such as the common MLA or APA styles. You can also just include the respective works’ titles, publisher’s name, and date without following a specific style guide. Make sure your publications have the same formatting as your other sections.
• When listing publications that are in the process of being printed but are not presently available, you should list them as “in press.”
• Do not include written works on a resume if they have not been approved or accepted for publishing!
• Finally, if your publications are not relevant enough to the position you are applying for, it’s advisable not to create a “Publications” section solely for them in your resume or CV. Instead, summarize them in the “Other Activities” section and include details such as the title, the name of the magazine/journal, date of publication, etc.

Now, let’s have a look at an example.

Example of How to List Publications on a Resume 

The above example shows a separate section on resume titled “Publications”. But the formatting of each of the entries shown above will be the same no matter where you put them on your resume.

How to List Publications on a CV

To list your publications on your CV, follow this simple guide:

• Choose your style. You can use a specific formatting style such as the MLA, Chicago, IEEE, or APA format.
• Use a reverse chronological order: List your most recently published works first.
• Don’t list out-of-date publications that are no longer relevant to your field.
• Feel free to add your pending works. Make sure that you note they are “in press.”
• Make your byline noticeable: When listing publications with more than one author, put your name in bold, but do not omit any other authors’ names.

The two most common formats are the MLA and APA formats.

The Modern Language Association (MLA) format is generally used by people in the humanities field, including history, arts, and philosophy.

The MLA format looks like this:

The American Psychological Association (APA) format, on the other hand, is typically used by individuals in the science and engineering fields. 

The APA format looks like this:

Examples of How to List Publications on a CV 

The MLA format:

The APA format:

How Do You Put a Research Paper on Your Resume?

A research paper generally consists of practical research that showcases new findings. As similar as this may seem to a published work, a research paper is not a publication.

Follow these guidelines to add a research paper to your resume:

• Check the job description to determine what particular research skills the employer wants.
• Make a list of the research-related skills they want.
• Add your research to your resume under the “Education” section. 
• If you have a lot of relevant research, put these works in a separate section titled ‘Research.” By setting them apart, you help to focus attention on these skills.
• Detail each research paper in a different bullet point.
• List paid research under “Work Experience” when listing research papers in your resume.

Unlike publications, research papers aren’t published by default. That is, a research paper may or may not be published. 

Additionally, while research papers are often done in a doctrinal method by students at universities where the work is assigned, publications are written by experts in a particular field.

Key Takeaways

As tempting as it may be to cite all your literary achievements, you need to take a moment to step back and ensure you’re on the right track.

Make sure you only include research and publications relevant to the position you are applying for, and don’t forget that all the information you provide must be completely accurate.

While these tips and techniques are great, sometimes what you need is expert assistance in putting together your resume.

If you need more help formatting your resume or CV’s publications list, you can reach out to us at Find My Profession.

We have helped thousands of career professionals craft job-winning resumes and CVs with our resume writing service, and we can help you do the same.