Knowing exactly what to include in your residency CV for your ERAS or CaRMS application can be challenging, and if your CV isn't put together correctly and doesn't demonstrate what makes you unique as a candidate, residency directors won't be convinced that you're a suitable match for their program. I'll share exactly how to write a residency CV by exploring important sections to include, as well as sample residency resumes, so you can ensure your residency CV and application will stand out among other candidates.
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Residency CV: Why They’re So Important
The residency CV encapsulates your work and accomplishments to showcase your worthiness and preparedness for graduate medical training. The importance of a great residency CV is just as important as establishing a good first impression with a potential employer. This document will be residency programs’ first encounter with your candidacy. It is important to make sure that the document is a good representation of who you are and the work that you have accomplished up to this point. It should tell residency programs why they should choose you.
When writing your CV for residency it is important to include the pertinent activities and accomplishments that have led you to where you are. There are standard categories that must be included in your CV:
- Education
- Employment
- Clinical experiences
- Honors and awards
- Research and presentations
- Volunteering
Typically, experiences and information that occurred before your undergraduate college degree will be non-impactful. It is common to exclude high school accomplishments, accolades, unrelated work and volunteering experiences in your residency CV. Excluding these experiences will allow space and emphasis for activities and experiences starting at the collegiate level.
Residency CV Format
Residency CV Sections to Include
Medical students often struggle with which items to include in their residency CV and which to leave out. When writing your residency CV there are important things to emphasize and definitely not overlook.
1. Professional and Clinical Experiences
It is important to discuss relevant professional work within your CV. This work will highlight your work ethic and your level of professionalism. This is also an opportunity to highlight unique skills that may have been acquired, especially skills that will translate well into medicine. For example, medical work experience you may have gained from premed jobs. In my residency CV, I shared my prior experiences as a practicing licensed pharmacist. This helped to demonstrate my ability to tolerate and complete a rigorous academic program and it exemplified my academic work ethic. In addition, I was sure to discuss my roles and responsibilities as a pharmacist which showed my clinical and critical thinking abilities. Showing these clinical skills was helpful to show residency programs that I am fit for the rigors of a medical residency program.
Leadership roles will also translate well into your medical career. Emphasizing past leadership opportunities and discussing your role will emphasize your ability to be a team-player, practice accountability and positively influence people. For example, I found it impactful to include in my residency CV my leadership role as a pharmacy manager. I discussed my responsibilities within this role, and highlighted my successes within this role to further show my ability to thrive as a leader. I find it valuable to show these skills to demonstrate to residency programs your capacity to possess the necessary skills and qualities of a physician and show your fitness for the profession.
Lastly, experiences that emphasize your abilities to teach and mentor will be also make an impression. I was enthused to show my experience mentoring premed students in a mentorship organization that I helped to establish. This role demonstrated my communication, mentorship, and leadership skills, and these are the skills that physicians utilize on a daily basis.
2. Research and Presentations
Residency programs typically value research experiences and presentation, especially academically inclined residency programs. It is not uncommon for some programs to value research over other factors. Strong research experience shows that you are passionate about a specific topic and highlights your research skills. For example, I was sure to mention that I presented an abstract at a national competition. I was excited to share my research abstract regarding a quality improvement project that earned me 1st place in an abstract competition.
In addition, highlighting this skill encourages the program that you will likely continue your research pursuits while in residency. This will in turn bring value to the program and allow you to gain something from a residency program. The quality is the most important aspect of this category. You may think that the quantity of research projects matters the most, however, it is better to have only a few projects that you are passionate about while also being thorough. This will show that you can complete projects and also shows that you are assured and focused.
3. Awards and Accomplishments
It is atypical for candidates to have meaningful awards or honors, however, if you have these accomplishments they stand out in your residency CV and on your application. The key to land an interview is to set yourself apart. Displaying relevant awards and accomplishments highlights your passion, work ethic, dedication and level of excellence.
A remarkable accomplishment on your residency CV is a great way to encapsulate a plethora of characteristics desired by residency program directors. For example, as mentioned previously, I was sure to mention that I won 1st place in an abstract competition. It was important for me to list this award because it helped to validate my passions and motivations for the profession. It also ensured programs saw me as an accomplished researcher with proven skills.
4. Volunteering Experiences
More and more residency programs are understanding the importance of community outreach and community engagement. Therefore, demonstrating a passion and commitment to the community will be key on your residency CV. This will show selflessness, commitment to service and commitment to community improvement. In addition, volunteering demonstrates well roundedness and shows your ability to manage your time.
It is even more impactful to be in a leadership role within your volunteering experience. This will obviously show desired leadership skills that will be coupled with a demonstration of compassion. In explaining my motivations for mentoring premed students and my role and responsibilities, I validated my passions for serving the underserved and volunteering my time. I also explained my role in establishing the organization to highlight my leadership skills and organizational skills. These are skills that are valued by residency programs.
Want more residency CV tips? Watch this video:
Optional Sections for Residency CV
Residency CV: Do's and Don'ts
Residency CV Example #1
Christine Wing
123 Wilma Avenue, California, USA 1234567
[Phone Number], [Email Address]
Education
- 2010-2015 Master of Medical Science, Fujian Medical University, China
- 2005-2009 Bachelor of Clinical Medicine, Fujian Medical University, China
Clinical Experience
Clinical Research Coordinator
California Health Sciences Center, California, USA, February 2013-January 2015
- Supported staff physicians in the Critical Care Department by successfully coordinating more than 20 clinical trials.
- Identified and enrolled patients in clinical trials.
- Assisted with project design, case report forms, grant applications, revenue tracking, and management.
Physician Assistant - Endocrinologist
Fujian Provincial Hospital, Fuzhou, China, July 2011-June 2012
- Oversaw and standardized diabetes education program conducted by registered nurses and dieticians.
- Improved quality control by organizing weekly learning sessions for diabetes educators.
- Coordinated the logistics for a group of clinicians to provide monthly consults to the local population in a remote area of the Fujian province.
Diabetes Physician Assistant/Clinical Research Coordinator
UCLA Endocrine Center, California, USA, April 2008-June 2011
- Performed all realms of patient care, including the assessment of new diabetic patients and formulated treatment plans under the direction of supervising physicians.
- Educated patients on diet, exercise, insulin starts, adjustments and insulin pumps.
- Created Chinese versions of diabetes education documents to enhance the care of diabetic Chinese patients with insufficient English abilities.
Research Experience
Summer Research Student
California Heart Centre, May 2005- September 2006
- Collected data through electronic patient records to update research database and reviewed relevant research literature
- Collaborated with other researchers leading to publication and conference presentation
- Research projects working towards publication include studying the impact of trastuzumab interruption on patient outcomes and cardiotoxicity risk prediction
Project Lead
Fujian Medical University, Fuzhou, China September 2002-July 2005
- Compared the different gene expressions of kidney tissue between type 2 diabetic rats and normal rats, while exploring the pathogenesis of diabetic nephropathy.
- Established animal models.
- Isolated and purified mRNA, prepared probes and performed hybridization.
Volunteer Experience
Speaker of Heath Education Session
CareNow Senior Community Center, June 2015-March 2016
- Educate seniors about common diseases in geriatric medicine.
- Inform healthy lifestyles.
- Orient seniors to the Canadian healthcare system and the resources available to them.
Call Volunteer
California and District Distress Center, January 2014-April 2015
- Responded to the Distress line, Seniors Helpline, and Crisis Response Line
- Provided support, stress management, crisis intervention through active listening and effective communication
Family Room Volunteer
Children’s Hospital Los Angeles – September 2011-October 2013
- Assisted and provided support to family members who have children admitted
- Cleaned and maintained the facilities for family members to rest, shower, and use the kitchen
Speaker of Community Outreach Program
American Diabetes Association May 2008-April 2011
- Lectured for a group of Chinese speaking individuals in a local pharmacy.
- Educated people on diet, exercise, and the basics of diabetes and cardiovascular diseases.
Coordinator
US Public Health Service, June 2009-October 2009
- Organized Diabetes and Immigrant in US project
- Conducted survey for diabetes patients
Publications
Wing, C., Lin, L., & Chen, G. (April 2005). The Expression of Oxidative Stress-Related Genes in Liver Tissue of Type 2 Diabetic Mice. Strait Journal of Preventative Medicine,11, 3-5.
Languages
- Fluent, English
- Fluent, Mandarin
- Fluent, Cantonese
Hobbies
Miruthangam (Indian Percussion Instrument)
- Trained professionally since June 2007
- Received awards and performed at various venues (temples, theatre, and halls)
- Taught theoretical and practical concepts to students
Piano
- Attended piano lessons until 2016 for 9 years
- Played in recitals and attained Grade 8 Royal Conservatory of Music level
Professional Memberships
- Society of General Internal Medicine
- American Medical Association
- California Medical Association
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1. What is the purpose of a residency CV?
The purpose of a residency CV is to highlight your experiences that are relevant to your training in the specialty you’re applying to. This document should summarize these experiences in a succinct, comprehensible manner.
2. What is something I should avoid when crafting my CV?
You should avoid making grammar mistakes, not proofreading, making it too long or too short, or lying.
3. Is there a specific template you have to use to create the CV?
There is not one specific template you must use, but the examples we provided demonstrate a standard, acceptable format for a residency CV. You can always organize yours in a different way as long as you adhere to the basic style guide.
4. Should I list all my extracurricular activities?
You certainly can, but you should prioritize the ones that are most relevant to your medical training and prospective residency specialization.
5. How should I format my clinical experiences?
You should include the city, state (or province), organization or institution name, position title, dates, and a summary that includes the setting, patient population, and clinical issues you dealt with.
6. Do I have to include hobbies and interests?
This isn’t a requirement, but think of it this way: this section is an opportunity to show the program director who you are as a person. This is valuable information for the team reviewing your application.
7. What is the best way to format work history?
For work history, your best bet is to list your most recent experiences first, so chronologically. This will allow you to write a clear summary of the experiences with a timeline.
8. What is considered too short or too long for a residency CV?
Ideally, your residency CV should be 3−5 pages in length. If it is below or above, this may be an indication that you should add/subtract information.
To your success,
Your friends at BeMo
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