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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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:
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.
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.
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.
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 1 st place in an abstract competition.
I n 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.
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.
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 .
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