Career and Life Planning Guidebook for Medical Residents

Let’s get started… 1. Your Name and Credentials Always list your full legal name, regardless if you use a nickname or middle name. You can still include the other name by using quotes; i.e. James “Jim” Smith, MD. This will help employers identify you, especially if you are using an email address with your nickname or your outgoing voicemail message states your other name. Your name and contact information doesn’t need a category header like other sections. Your name is the title of your CV. You should, however, avoid the common mistake of using “ego-sized” font (meaning a font that is significantly larger than the rest of your text). A little bigger, no problem. Just remember that aesthetics are important. Before jumping into contact information, consider adding your specialty underneath your name. It acts as an objective statement and helps a recruiter categorize your interest. 2. Contact Information Listing your contact information is a no-brainer, but pay attention to detail. Make sure your contact information is accurate. Double-check the spelling of your street address. Use your home address as this is where an offer letter or contract will be sent. Never use a work address as that could end your current job before you land a new one! Some CVs offer cell phone numbers, office tele- phone numbers, and home phone numbers. We recommend you list the phone number that is most accessible and likely to be answered. Make sure that your voicemail box is not full so that employers can leave a message if necessary. List addresses, both email and physical that you check often. By now you should have signed up for a relatively professional email address from a common carrier – one that can follow you through life, and that you won’t lose once you graduate from your residency program. You may want to also include professional web- sites or blogs that direct the reader to additional information or work samples. If so, double check to make sure these links are correct and active. QUICK TIPS YES List your legal name at the top of your CV Include your specialty underneath your name; i.e. Family Medicine, Family Medicine w/o OB, Family Sports Medicine Include your home address Use a phone number that’s yours and yours alone (like a cell phone) NO Never use attention-seeking email addresses (brown nosing the search committee, making inappropriate or immature references, or humorous plays on words) which may exclude you from serious consideration. Some of examples of this include, smartdoc@email. com, futureMD@hotmail.com , sexyfellow@gmail.com . If you use a professional web portfolio or website, avoid including personal information and pictures, especially from your honeymoon or your bachelor(ette) party. The Art of Professional Storytelling: CV Building for Physicians 177 WWW.PHYSICIANCAREERPLANNING.COM