This article was updated August 26th, 2024
Whether you are a medical resident on the hunt for your first physician job or a seasoned physician looking for a new opportunity, a well-written physician CV that documents your education, training, and professional history is a must. Even if you are not in an active job search, it’s worth investing some time to prepare this document so that if or when the right opportunity comes along, you are ready to act. For this reason, all physicians–regardless of their job search status– should have a physician CV that accurately reflects their professional status.
If you are starting from scratch in this endeavor, you’ll find all the information you need to include in this blog post. If you already have a CV, now is an excellent time to confirm that it covers all the essential components.
The Five Elements of Your Physician CV
The task of documenting your years of education, training, and employment may seem daunting, but it doesn’t have to be. Focus on the following five elements, providing dates and high-level details where needed.
EDUCATION & QUALIFICATIONS
Start with the most recent institution (provide the full name and location) and work backward. Include the years of study, degree earned, areas of focus, special qualifications, and distinctions.
EMPLOYMENT HISTORY
Again, start with the most recent and work backward listing places of employment, locations, and dates. Use bullets to briefly describe your accomplishments in the role, noting procedure and patient volumes, administrative duties, leadership roles, or committee memberships. Offer a concise explanation for any gaps in employment.
CERTIFICATIONS & LICENSURE
Note all states where you are currently licensed and the status of any applications. Also include board certification or status.
HONORS & AFFILIATIONS
If applicable, list any awards, honors, or professional affiliations.
PUBLICATIONS
If applicable, list publications and presentations.
Your CV is your first chance to impress a recruiter, so it should accurately (and concisely) reflect your professional accomplishments. It should also include personal details relevant to your job search, such as citizenship and/or visa requirements. You may also want to include personal interests, hobbies, or groups in which you are involved.
Physician CV Dos and Don’ts
Don’t sweat the small stuff…unless it’s on your physician CV. Adhere to these physician CV dos and don’ts to ensure your CV conveys the right message about who you are and what you have to offer.
Always Do These Things
- Check grammar and spelling. Proofread your CV to make sure you catch any potential spelling or grammatical errors. Taking the time to create a clean, accurate CV shows a level of detail that is vital to being a successful physician. Having a friend or relative proof your CV is highly recommended.
- Be concise. Another common mistake is thinking that volume equals impressive. In many cases, the individual reviewing your CV will never make it past the third page. By keeping your information brief and relevant, you are maintaining the reader’s interest.
- Be yourself. Find ways to demonstrate your personality. When hiring, administrators are looking for qualified candidates who are also a good fit for their organizational culture. For example, sharing details about the associations or clubs you are involved in, non-profits you serve, or hobbies you enjoy will provide them with a glimpse of you, the person, not just the physician.
Avoid These CV Mistakes
- Don’t skip the cover letter. While a cover letter in the traditional sense may not be necessary, don’t miss the opportunity to introduce yourself and provide some context for your CV. Include a few sentences that show the recruiter who you are and why you are interested in the job. You may include it in an email, paste it into an online ATS, or put it right at the top of the CV. Each job opportunity is unique, so find ways to tailor your intro to the position.
- Don’t include everything. We have already mentioned brevity, and one way to do that is to avoid listing every single article you have ever published. While it is important to highlight your credentials, it is also possible to take it too far. A better idea is to create a personal web page or update a LinkedIn profile with all of the details you want to share and provide the link to that page. If the employer is interested, your page will be visited at the appropriate time.
- Don’t list references. While you shouldn’t list your references on the CV, you should be ready to provide a list when asked. Identify who your references will be and confirm they are willing to be contacted by potential employers.
Once you’ve perfected your physician CV, head to the Career Resource Center for more physician job search tips. Here, you will find a checklist of job search documents, physician interview etiquette, physician compensation considerations and more. Of course, the best way to learn about your physician career options is to reach out to a Jackson Physician Search recruitment team member. We look forward to learning more about you and guiding you through your physician job search.
Have more questions about the physician job search?
The Physician Career Resource Center provides articles, whitepapers, and infographics designed to help physicians through all aspects of the physician job search.
