Struggling to get interviews?
Listing your publications on your resume shows employers that you’re knowledgeable about your industry and increases your chances of landing a job interview. Follow the step-by-step guide below to add publications to your application document the right way.
Publications on a resume vs a CV
If you’re applying for graduate school or an academic position, you need to submit a CV.
A CV is a longer document that covers your entire academic career. A list of publications is a standard part of an academic CV.
On a resume, listing your publications is optional. Only list publications on your resume if they are relevant to the position you’re applying for, and if they’re expected in your industry.
Here’s a summary:
Listing Publications: Resume vs CV
| Resume for a Job | Academic CV |
|---|---|
| Publications are optional | Publications are required |
| Includes only highly relevant publications | Includes all publications necessary to show you're an expert |
| No particular way to format publications | Follows a major style guide (e.g., IEEE, AMA, APA) |
How to list publications on a resume
When you list publications on a resume, make sure they’re relevant to the job you’re applying for, and keep them brief.
1. Decide where to put your publications
Depending on the number of publications you wish to list, you can add a dedicated publications section, or list your publications in your education section.
- If you have only one or two publications, list them in your education section
- If you have more than two publications, use a dedicated publications section
Most resume templates don’t have a publications section, so you may need to add a “Publications” section manually.
2. Create a citation
Be sure to include the following:
- Title of the article, book, or chapter
- Name of the journal, website, or conference the publication was featured in
- Year it was published
Consult the appropriate style guide for your field (e.g., MLA, APA, Chicago) and follow its guidelines when formatting your particular citation.
Examples of publications on a resume
Example of publications added to an education section:
Here’s an example of a resume with a dedicated publications section:
How to list publications on a CV for academic roles
When you list publications on an academic CV, be thorough in listing all of your publications that are relevant to the position or role.
Here’s how to list your publications in three steps:
1. Create a dedicated publications section
The publications section is most commonly organized in reverse chronological order, with recent publications at the top.
You can also include unpublished publications that are in the “submitted” or “pending” stage in your CV.
2. Determine which style guide to use
Unlike resumes, CVs require strict adherence to specific style guides.
For example:
- Medical journals often use AMA
- Academic papers written in the humanities field mostly use MLA
- Technical papers tend to use the IEEE style guide
List your publications using the proper style guide.
3. Add your comprehensive list of publications
Your publications section can be as long as necessary to include all of your publications. Depending on the amount of experience you have, your CV publications section may take up a page or longer.
Leave out publications that are either obsolete due to newer studies, or publications that are irrelevant to the role you’re applying for.
Include the following types of publications:
- Academic books
- Research papers published in journals
- Research papers waiting to be published
- Scholarly articles
- Conference papers
Examples of publications on a CV
This is an example of a Psychology CV using the APA style:
And here’s an example of a history CV using the Chicago style:
More resources for writing a CV
Here are some resources to help you create a CV:
- How to write a CV
- 400+ CV examples (academic and non-academic)
- Free CV templates to download
- Professional CV maker
Frequently asked questions
1. Should I put my publications on my resume?
Including publications on your resume can significantly strengthen your application, but it depends on your industry and career level.
Include publications when applying for:
- Academic or research positions where scholarly work is expected
- Technical roles in fields like engineering, medicine, or data science
- Consulting positions where thought leadership matters
- Senior-level roles where industry expertise is crucial
- Roles where publications are directly relevant to the job requirements
Skip publications when applying for:
- Entry-level positions in non-research fields
- Industries where publications aren’t valued or expected
- Jobs that require other more relevant experience (and you have limited space)
2. What order do publications go on a resume?
Publications should be organized in reverse chronological order (most recent first) and grouped by type for maximum impact and readability. This approach allows hiring managers to quickly see your most current and relevant scholarly work.
Standard order of publications on a resume:
- Peer-reviewed journal articles (most prestigious first)
- Book chapters or books
- Conference proceedings and presentations
- White papers or industry reports
- Other publications (newsletters, blog posts, etc.)
Within each category, list by:
- Publication date (newest first)
- Relevance to the target position
- Prestige of the publication venue
Formatting example:
“Smith, J., Johnson, A., & Brown, K. (2024). Advanced Machine Learning Applications in Healthcare. Journal of Medical Technology, 15(3), 45-62.”
Always use consistent citation formatting (APA, MLA, or Chicago style) throughout your resume, and bold your name in publications with multiple authors.
3. Can you put pending publications on a resume?
Yes, you can include pending publications on your resume, but you must clearly indicate their status to maintain honesty and credibility. Pending publications show ongoing scholarly activity and can be particularly valuable when applying for academic or research positions.
How to indicate pending status:
- “Under Review” for manuscripts submitted to journals
- “In Press” for accepted manuscripts awaiting publication
- “Forthcoming” for accepted works with scheduled publication dates
- “Submitted” for recently submitted manuscripts
Best practices for pending publications:
- Group them separately from published works or clearly mark their status
- Only include submissions to reputable, peer-reviewed venues
- Remove rejected submissions and update the section as statuses change
- Be prepared to discuss the content and status during interviews
- Consider including expected publication dates when available
Example formatting: “Davis, M., & Wilson, R. (Under Review). Climate Change Impacts on Urban Planning. Environmental Policy Journal.”
Don’t include unpublished work that hasn’t been submitted anywhere.
4. Should I include my thesis on my resume?
Including your thesis on your resume can be valuable, especially early in your career or when applying for research-focused positions. Your thesis represents a significant scholarly achievement and demonstrates your ability to conduct independent research, analyze complex problems, and communicate findings effectively.
When to include your thesis:
- Recent graduates with limited professional experience
- Academic or research job applications
- Positions where your thesis topic is directly relevant
- When your thesis received awards, recognition, or led to publications
- Industries that value research and analytical skills
How to format thesis entries:
- Include thesis title, degree type, institution, and year
- Add a brief description if the title isn’t self-explanatory
- Mention any honors, awards, or notable outcomes
- Consider including your advisor’s name for academic positions
Here’s an example:
“Master’s Thesis: ‘Renewable Energy Integration in Smart Grid Systems,’ University of Technology, 2023. Advisor: Dr. Sarah Johnson. Winner of Outstanding Thesis Award.”
When to exclude your thesis:
- Senior professionals with extensive work experience
- Career changes where the thesis isn’t relevant
- Industries that prioritize practical experience over academic research
- When space is limited and professional accomplishments are more impressive
About the Author
Nathan Soto is dedicated to providing practical guidance to job seekers, especially people with nonlinear career paths.
Nathan graduated from the University of Nevada with a double B.A. in French and Music. His articles and career advice have been featured on multiple platforms, offering insights into resume writing, interview preparation, and personal branding.
