How To Write A Curriculum Vitae

Assembling a Curriculum Vitae is an exercise in precision within imprecise boundaries.

It requires great precision. A physician must compose, in a few short pages, a career summary that skips nothing of substance and places events in a properly identified chronology.

Unfortunately, there's no guarantee the document you create will fit the expectations of a potential employer. What elements should be included or left out? Is it necessary to list references? What about publications or grants? No set formula, no absolute guide, no strict set of rules, exists to regulate the structure and content of the document. On the other hand, adhering to common guidelines will draw positive attention to your CV.

The following is a summary of elements most recruiters, department directors, and physicians expect a CV to contain.

It should go without saying, but for some reason the basics always bear repeating. Type your CV or create it on a computer. Begin with your full name, current and/or permanent address, and all contact numbers, such as phone, cell phone, pager, and fax. Also include an email address.

Group your professional and educational highlights into a broad, but rational categories. For residents, the most prominent category should be Medical Education. List the name of your medical school, its location (city and state or country), your degree and year of completion. Include as much detail as possible regarding your program, and double-check all dates for accuracy-the recruiter will, and CV errors may eliminate you from consideration. The category should also include any internships, with area of specialization, facility, location, and year of completion-and the same information for residencies and fellowships. If you are still in a program, list the date you began and the anticipated date of completion. Avoid language common to general resumes, such as "to present." Provide information regarding undergraduate degrees at the end of this category, and avoid elaboration-other than dates, major area of study, and grade point average-unless you received a degree in a field related to medicine.

Several categories require an uncomplicated accounting of, well, paperwork. For example, Certification is a simple listing of all boards and national examinations taken, with dates. Licensure includes the states in which you currently hold a license to practice medicine.

The Employment History section should begin with your current or last position and include information regarding status (staff physician, for example), the practice, admitting facilities, and the usual location and contact information. Describe, briefly, your responsibilities at each setting, both clinical and office-related. Also point out the procedures you performed. In this category, you may use the phrase "to present" when listing dates of your current position. As in a resume, outline your employment history in reverse chronological order, listing each practice since completing medical school. If you worked on a locum tenens basis be sure to list each practice setting and the staffing firm responsible for placing you into the position, if applicable. It is important to include all positions-even those you left under less than desirable circumstances. Recruiters, again, will dig into any discrepancies they find. Limit the explanation for any career or practice changes to the cover letter, rather than the CV. You want those reviewing your material to focus their attention on the positive.

There is some debate over the importance of References. Several guides to CV writing suggest candidates add an "available upon request" line at the end of the document. We contend, however, that a CV should be succinct, but complete. If you choose to list them, select at least three and no more than six professional references, with name, title, and contact information.

Try to keep the entire compilation to three pages. If you have room, add citation information for any articles, academic awards, grants, and related accomplishments. If not, alert CV reviewers to these items with a "publications, research grants, continuing medical education, and additional information available upon request" at the end of the document.

Avoid personal information, military service (unless it applies to your medical employment record), hobbies, and other ancillary matters. Remember, this is a brief and targeted document. While your participation in a hobby such as wakeboarding may stand out to recruiters or directors flipping through dozens of CVs, it will not help direct their attention toward your professional and educational record.

Let your personality come through in the cover letter.

One more word of caution: if you've had a state medical license revokes, if you've lost privileges, suffered through malpractice suits, or had DEA numbers pulled, address the issues in the cover letter, rather than the CV. The key to a successful CV is brevity-and a compelling list of accomplishments. The cover letter allows you the space to explain any past issues or problems, and their resolution.

Finally, keep your CV completely accurate. Nothing guarantees success more than this simple rule.