Career and Life Planning Guidebook for Medical Residents

and residency, during which time I took care of my sick grandparent” or “You will notice on my CV that it took me an additional year to complete medical school as I went on maternity leave between my second and third year”. International Applicants Some institutions now require that candidates demonstrate a legal authorization to work in the United States as a condition of employment. Listing this information on your CV and cover letter saves you and employers time. If you already have legal authorization to work in the US, by all means, share that with an employer. R E A D : Editing and Feedback Just like inmedical practice - there is no room for error on your CV. Again, remember your clinical training in medical school. The onlywayyoumastered the art of crafting a clear, concise, yet detailed SOAP note was by seeking out and accepting constructive feedback. The same rules apply here. There are two key factors to consider on how you get that feedback for your CV. First, consider the source: Who is reviewing your CV? Asking someone who is in the type of position you are seeking will be very beneficial to see things from their perspective. They can provide insight into what a potential employerwill be looking for and how to best craft your experiences to your advantage. Second….consider the source! Do not seek feedback from someone who has been stagnant in their career or position for years. Seek out feedback from those who are role models as physicians, academicians, researchers, etc. and emulate the path you want to follow in your career. And remember, the most crucial part of getting feedback is receiving it graciously. Even if you are unpleasantly surprised at what you perceive as negative feedback, remember: that person’s job is to look out for your best interests and help you succeed, not to make you happy. Choose wisely and be grateful that someone you trust is taking the time to be supportive and honest with you now to save you potential embarrassment in the future. Putting It All Together: The Final Product As we noted earlier, starting a CV from scratch can seem daunting. Remember the first time you wrote a SOAP note? Your hands likely trembled at the thought of getting something “wrong.”. However, like you’ve been taught in crafting SOAP notes, if you follow some very basic rules, drafting a stellar CV is well within your skill set. The more you practice now as a resident by updating it regularly, the more proficient you will be in revising and providing it in the future. By putting the time and effort in now, you will be saving yourself energy in the future that you can spend on other more pressing (or more enjoyable!) tasks as you embark on your career as a physician. Do your homework and search yourself to see what someone may find so that you are prepared to discuss issues. The Art of Professional Storytelling: CV Building for Physicians 191 WWW.PHYSICIANCAREERPLANNING.COM