Listing Publications on CV: A Guide with Tips

What is a ‘Publication’?

A publication is any written paper, document or article that’s published, distributed or made available for distribution. For the purposes of a CV, publications tend to refer to intellectual and academic articles that have been thoroughly researched and contribute towards the established knowledge base of a particular subject. Publications might include research papers, journal articles, books, conference papers or even articles published in mainstream media that demonstrate your expertise and standing in your chosen field.

Why Are Publications on a CV Important?

If you’ve had any articles or papers published, including them in your CV can add significant value to your job applications. Having a paper published shows that you’re a trusted, respected professional with a high level of knowledge in your field of expertise.

For senior applicants, a list of publications can reassure employers that you’re of the required standing in your industry to take on a leadership role. For academic and graduate student CVs, publications are also vital for showing employers and academic institutions the contribution you’ve made to the knowledge base of your chosen subject. Alongside education on your CV, publications can be one of the most important sections for this type of role.

Publications can also show a mastery of specific knowledge in a subject area that’s relevant to the role you’re applying for. If you’re applying for a role that requires you to have specialist knowledge in a certain discipline, publications can help differentiate you from other candidates and show that you’re an industry-leading authority.

Types of Relevant Publications to List on a CV

Almost any type of paper or article you’ve had published is likely to be beneficial for your CV, particularly if it’s relevant to the role you’re applying for. Below you can find a list of the types of publications that are suitable to list on a CV:

Academic Publication Types

• Published research papers: these are academic articles that are thoroughly researched and contribute towards the knowledge base of a particular discipline. They might include doctoral research projects or major academic studies that are supported by funding partners such as governments and academic institutions.
• Research papers pending to be published: if you’ve written an academic paper that’s yet to be published, for example because it’s in a peer review stage, it’s still acceptable to add these to your CV.
• Academic books: books that contribute to the academic discourse on a particular specialist subject, or that mark you out as the established expert in your field, can be highly valuable for your CV.
• Academic articles: academic articles are often shorter, summarised versions of more detailed, complex research papers. They might appear in journals or industry magazines that reach a wider audience than in-depth research papers.
• Conference papers: if you’ve submitted and presented your work to an academic conference, you can also list these on your CV.

Non-Academic Publication Types

• Publications in industry journals: publishing an article in an industry journal or magazine indicates that you’re a respected expert in your specialist field. 
• Books or chapters: if you’ve written a book or contributed towards a published book on any subject, this is a big achievement and could be beneficial for your CV.
• Newspaper articles: publishing your work in a mainstream newspaper or magazine is a major milestone, and can show employers that your reputation has reached a level where you’re known and respected beyond the realm of your industry sector.
• Website articles: website articles can be useful for your CV, particularly if you’ve had them published on a respected website or a site with a good reputation in your chosen industry.

For senior applicants, a list of publications can reassure employers that you’re of the required standing in your industry to take on a leadership role.

Preparing to List Publications on your CV

When you’re thinking about including publications on your CV, there are several things to consider. If you have an extensive body of publications, you’ll need to decide which ones to include, while there are also decisions to make about how to present the information in your CV. Take a look at the following tips to help you make the right decisions for your applications:

Selecting Publications to Include

When considering which publications to add to your CV, focus on publications that are relevant and highlight your career-specific experience and knowledge. These are the publications that will make the most difference to your CV and help you stand out from other candidates. You might also consider the significance of your publication to the industry and role you are applying for. If you’ve had an article published in a highly respected journal or industry magazine, this may take priority over another relevant article from a lesser-known publication.

Determining the Citation Style

If you’re listing multiple publications, you’ll need to choose a citation style and stick with it throughout your CV. The citation format you choose will help ensure you add all the relevant information to your CV, and make it clear, consistent and readable for the employer. 

There are two main citation styles that people tend to use for CVs. The most common for an academic or student CV is the Modern Language Association (MLA) format. Another commonly used style is that of the American Psychological Association (APA). Both the MLA and APA citation formats typically include the following information: 

• Authors last name and first name/initials (including co-authors)
• Book or article title
• Name of publication it was published in (if applicable)
• Year of publication in brackets
• Volume, issue and page numbers (if applicable)

Creating a Publications Section on Your CV

These are some of the main considerations for creating the publications section of your CV:

Formatting the Section

• List all your publications in a dedicated ‘publications’ section of your CV.
• Place your publications section below your experience, towards the end of the document.
• Ensure the section is clear and easy to read with consistent formatting throughout. Use bold lettering to highlight your name and italics for the article title, to help make the section more readable.

Listing Research Papers and Other Publications

• List your publications in a bullet-point list with all the specific details, so the employer can find your publication if necessary.
• Always include the full title of your paper or article, the name of the publication, and the publication date.
• Use a consistent format for your list of publications, and other works such as conference speeches, throughout your CV.

Examples of CV Publications

Here are some examples of how to cite your publications in the two most commonly used citation formats:

MLA format

The MLA format uses the following structure:

• [Last Name], [First Name], “[Article Title]”. [Journal Name], [Volume Number], [Issue Number], [Year], [Pages]

For example:

APA format

For the APA format, use the structure below:

• [Last Name], [First Initial]. [(Year)]. [Article title]. [Journal Name] [Volume Number] ([Issue Number]), [Pages]

For example:

Tips when including publications on your CV

These quick tips can help ensure that your CV publications section makes a strong impression on potential employers:

1. Ensure consistent formatting and citation style for publications and other similar entries throughout your CV. Use bullet points and choose which citation style best suits your publications.
2. Be selective about the publications you include on your CV. If you have a wealth of publications to your name, you don’t necessarily need to include all of them. Choose only the most relevant publications, or articles that have features in the most respected journals, magazines or other platforms.
3. Only include publications that add real value to your application. If your publications don’t cover a subject relevant to the job, or don’t help to prove skills or achievements listed in the job description, there’s no need to include them.

Key Takeaways for Adding Publications to Your CV

For senior and academic job applications, listing your publications on your CV can give you genuine credibility, and mark you out as a highly competent, respected professional in your field. List your publications in a clear, consistent format and only include any publications that showcase your credentials for the job. CVwizard’s CV templates can help you to create a clear, professional CV that catches the eye of hiring managers. Sign up to access a wealth of resources and CV examples, and start creating your winning CV today.