Perfecting your medical CV

CVs are not necessarily the norm any more when applying for specialist training posts as application forms are becoming more popular. However, it’s still important to know how to put one together, as it may still be required, particularly when it comes to applying for consultant posts. It’ll also help you think about relevant examples for application forms.

Structuring your CV

There are 1,001 ways in which you could present your CV but the fundamental principle is to structure it clearly and tailor it to each application. A good structure will instantly give the selection panel a favourable impression of you. You need to start with your personal details and professional qualifications and, beyond that, sections you might consider including are: your academic achievements (outside of qualifications), clinical experience, research experience, presentations and publications, training and practical procedures, extra-curricular interests and a statement of your career aims and reasons for applying for the post. 

The level of detail that you include on your CV depends on the job you’re applying for and it’s important to bear this in mind rather than just producing a generic CV that is pages and pages long for each post. At the specialist training stage, your CV should really be four or five pages of well-spaced text.

Keeping it relevant

Up until now medical CVs have been more concerned with where you’ve been and what you’ve achieved rather than how what you’ve done relates to the job you’re applying for, but times are changing. To make sure that everything on your CV is relevant to the post for which you’re applying, it’s vital to read the personal specification for the job so that you can expand on the skills and competences the employer is looking for, and give specific examples of why you’re right for the job. In essence, it’s no different from applying for a non-medical job so if you’re stuck for CV advice, you can find it at any university careers service.

Getting things right

You could be an incredibly talented doctor, but give a very poor impression of yourself if you submit a CV or application form that has no coherent structure or looks too ‘busy’, so make sure yours looks good. Another common mistake that’s easily avoidable is including a career aim for one position that was relevant to another post you applied for. Check and double check all the information to make sure it’s correct and relevant. Ask someone else to look through it to get a second opinion and ensure there are no spelling or grammar mistakes. 

Thanks to DR ANDREW FRANKEL, director of the NORTH WEST THAMES FOUNDATION SCHOOL, for his contribution to this article.