Career Document Architect

Table of Contents

• Purpose
• When to Use
• Core Principles
• Workflow
• Document Frameworks
• Writing Strategies
• Guardrails
• Quick Reference

Purpose

This skill guides the creation of career documents for academic advancement including research statements, teaching statements, diversity statements, CVs, and biosketches. These documents require strategic positioning, narrative coherence, and alignment with institutional expectations while authentically representing the candidate's contributions and vision.

When to Use

Use this skill when:

• Faculty applications: Research, teaching, and diversity statements
• Fellowship applications: Research statements for postdoc fellowships
• Promotion packages: Career narratives for tenure or advancement
• Award applications: Statements for career awards
• CV/Biosketch preparation: Formatting and content optimization
• Career pivots: Repositioning narrative for new directions

Trigger phrases: "research statement", "teaching statement", "teaching philosophy", "diversity statement", "biosketch", "academic CV", "faculty application", "career narrative"

Do NOT use for:

• Grant proposals (use grant-proposal-assistant)
• Recommendation letters (use academic-letter-architect)
• Manuscript writing (use 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: W

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