Terri Blevins, MACareer Development Specialist

Office of Clinical Education

Developing your Curriculum Vitae

PURPOSE

• Medical School is preparation for a job; the residency of your choice

• Need them for Residency Directors• Need them when asking for Letters of

Reference from your preceptors

Resumes

• A resume is brief document• Well defined structure• Relevant only to the position• Limited with traditional categories• Used in industry and the private

sector

Curriculum Vitae

• A comprehensive summary of your qualifications and work experience

• A CV is not brief and can be up to 3-5 pages at graduation

• Multiple pages in its maturity • Primarily used in medical, education and

research institutions• The categories of a CV are not as limited as

a resume• Each category is more complete and

detailed about the applicant

Before you begin…

• This is your introduction to residency directors

• You want to make yourself stand out through content

• Think in terms of what a residency director wants in a resident

• Think of your CV as a “work in progress”

• Often, it is a combination of resume and CV at the beginning

Format

• There is no single “correct” format• Look at sample CVs, decide what you

want to include• Content will vary, depending on your

own personal experiences and education

• Show of your best side; include the things that make you “shine”

Format

• Use a typeface that is clean and easy to read

• Use 12 point font (no smaller than 10 pt.)

• Stick with one kind of font; use boldface or italics to highlight important information

• Use bullets sparingly• Recommended margin, one inch top,

bottom and sides

Format

• No longer than 2 pages for scholarships, residency applications

• Be consistent in the way that you present examples

• Don’t include irrelevant information – social security number, personal information, high school activities and accomplishments, references

• Style should be organized, easy to read• Avoid the use of ALL CAPS, or excessive use

of italics and underlining

Content

Contact Information:• Your name• Address• Phone Number• Fax Number• Email address

Content

Education:

• List the most recent degree first including the name of the institution (city and state) and the date it was conferred ( or expected)

• Include titles of thesis and dissertations• Below your medical education, list your

undergraduate degree(s), date(s), and institution(s). Do not list High School education

Postgraduate Training:

• Fellowships, residencies, internships• Provide site, area of concentration,

date of completion or expected completion

Certificate/Licensure

• List any certificates/licenses that you hold

• List license number, state(s), expiration dates

• Certifications would include ACLS, BLS, etc.

Professional Experience

• Dates and titles don’t tell residency directors what you have done

• Think about what you did and what skills you can bring to a residency program

• Begin with your most recent experience• Use action verbs to describe what you

did, if it is relevant• No more than 2-3 bullet pts.

Additional Categories

• Research • Publications• Research interests• Professional Organizations• Honors and Awards• Community Service• Hobbies

Questions and answers