How can I Develop my CV?

There are many different ways to write a CV. However, medical CVs tend to be more prescriptive in the information that is required. In addition to the content of your CV, remember that you probably have less than two minutes to impress the person assessing you for the job, so the way you present your skills and achievements is very important.

Font size should be between 10 and 12 for clarity and readability. There is no limit to the length of a medical CV. However, a CV for a foundation programme is unlikely to be longer than two pages.

Some tips on content

Use positive language and aim for a confident tone. Take care with dates. Make sure every year is accounted for. As well as listing facts, consider adding some interpretation of the skills that you have developed. Consider splitting the experience into 'clinically relevant experience' and 'other experience'. When describing apparently non-relevant experience try to point out the relevance of the non-clinical skills you have acquired. Bullet points or full sentences can be used depending on personal preference. The amount of space you spend on a topic indicates the weight you want the employer to give it. Devote more space if the topic is important; if it isn't as relevant don't dwell on it. For example, don't take a separate line for each GCSE and then only one line for your degree.

Some tips on layout

Your CV should look neat and tidy with all the information easy to find. There are conventions for a medical CV so don't be too creative with style and layout. When using a word processor, use CAPITALS and bold print to separate out different sections. Bold print and italics can be useful to highlight important points. Underlining should probably be avoided, as it can give a CV a rather old-fashioned look. Don't go overboard with special effects: use them sparingly. Compare your CV with a job description for the post. Have you shown your suitability for the role? Remember that your CV should give evidence of your ability to fulfil the requirements of the post and a life outside medicine. Give your CV a final spell check and read it through carefully yourself. The spell-checker will not pick out mistakes that are real words in their own right. Is it neat and tidy? What impression does it give? Is it clear and logical, so that information is easy to find?

Main sections of a Medical CV

Personal
Name
Contact details
GMC registration number and registration date (to be included when achieved)
Medical Defence Union number
Qualifications
University Medical degree
Awards
Clinical grades
Prizes & scholarships
Intercalated degree
School -levels & GCSEs
Prizes & awards
Research
This can be part of a Special Study Unit (SSU) or your intercalated degree project. Include the subject, date and supervisors name for any projects as well as short summary points about the content. Also include information about any publications if the findings are being published in a learned journal or presented as a poster at a conference.
Electives/SSUs
When
Where
What
Who with
Give the details answering the above and highlight any skills, both clinical and transferable, that you have gained as a result.
Career plans
You may not have a clear idea of which speciality you wish to enter at this stage. This is quite normal, but some outline of how you see yourself developing is needed.
Work experience
Medically related
Other (this could include responsibilities in a student society as well voluntary work and paid employment)
Additional skills
This might include languages, IT or other non-clinical skills.
Interests and hobbies
Don't just list your interests; demonstrate how they enabled you to develop qualities which will improve your ability as a doctor. Leisure activities, particularly organised ones where you took a major part, can often develop the qualities you will need when working, which include teamworking and leadership.
Selectors often look at extracurricular activities to assess the whole person and differentiate between individual medical students. Mention the level of achievement you have reached and specific things you have done, in order to indicate your commitment to this activity.
Referees
Remember to contact them and include a job description and recent CV to help them. Tutors and Consultants from your electives/SSUs are potential referees.

CVs for Electives

For most electives in the UK the above format will be appropriate. However, CVs differ from country to country, so if your elective is overseas, then you may have to adjust your CV accordingly. The careers office has a book offering advice for writing CVs in various countries which you are of course welcome to come and read, alternatively, contact Vinny Potter (medical careers adviser for Barts and the London) v.potter@qmul.ac.uk

There are many different ways to write a CV and as long as you are providing the right information, there is some scope for different layouts. Below are some examples of other formats for medical CVs.

Example formats

The following examples show CV formats suited for particular posts. In reviewing these it is important to remember that your CV should be individual to you and the post you are applying for.

SHO jobs and above benefit from having a cover sheet with title, name, GMC & MDU number and job being applied for visible. SpR staff will have a National Training Number (NTN), which should be included in the CV. There is no limit on the length of a medical CV.