Need a CV?
During a recent career planning session, the U of Utah neonatology fellows enlightened me to the fact that in the modern era of ERAS applications, most fellows wrap up their training years without having prepared a CV in nearly a decade.
Thanks, ERAS. But, now what?
Well, for better or worse, there’s no computer algorithm now dictating your next move, so you’re gonna need to write a CV. Luckily, we have put together a how to guide with several tips, tools, and additional resources to help in your effort.
First, let’s start with a few tips:
Simplicity is the goal.
Your CV is a chronological list of your education, experience, and credentials. It should not be overly complicated or in depth but rather a simple list of your accomplishments.
Start by just outlining the dates and specifics in the templates available. Keep it simple to start and build in additional details as you go. No need to exaggerate.
Differentiate Yourself.
Everyone will have high quality training. Sure, some training programs have name recognition, but as someone who has interviewed and hired many Neos, I can tell you that the program is FAR less important than the individual.
Look for things within your program, life history, and personal passion that differentiate you.
It may be your experience with a fellowship project or your mentor’s expertise that is consistent with a need that your new program is seeking or you would like to offer.
Or it could be that you were a musician, accountant, or engineer in your pre-medicine life, and now you can bring those refreshingly different perspectives to the field and your new practice.
Spend some time to think through what aspects of your personal life and training offers something unique, different, and valuable.
Be Concise.
Most physician leaders are extremely busy and lack the time to thoroughly review your CV until you are invited for an interview. Brevity is key.
The Medical Director or Division Chief will likely have scrutinized the details and also searched for additional information elsewhere, but many of those who you will meet on interview day will be skimming your CV quickly outside the door of your interview conference room.
Give the pertinent facts, some catchy differentiators, and a brief statement why YOU are their chosen candidate.
Mind the Gaps.
Recruiters and physician leaders will see gaps in employment or training as red flags.
If you have taken any time off or have any sizable gaps in your education or training, be sure to call out the reason and offer something notable that filled your time.
There are a lot of rational reasons for gaps. It’s the ones that aren’t explained that will lead to hesitation.
Don’t Be Sloppy.
Grammatical errors and typos are unacceptable.
Even when minor, they are a distraction from the content of your CV and can keep you from getting to the next step. Make sure you edit, edit, edit. Have others look at your CV, too.
Know Your Audience
Do some online research, learn about the practice from your network contacts, or talk to a recruiter to make sure you have a good understanding of the position before you send your CV. Know the community and region.
Be mindful of what your future colleagues will be looking for.
For example, in a non-academic position where research is not a major component, describe your fellowship research efforts as expertise that will provide practical clinical guidance to the group as opposed to emphasizing your 8 page list of publications.
Want me to review it? Send it here.
NS Nugget:
Need a CV?
During a recent career planning session, the U of Utah neonatology fellows enlightened me to the fact that in the modern era of ERAS applications, most fellows wrap up their training years without having prepared a CV in nearly a decade.
Thanks, ERAS. But, now what?
Well, for better or worse, there’s no computer algorithm now dictating your next move, so you’re gonna need to write a CV. Luckily, we have put together a how to guide with several tips, tools, and additional resources to help in your effort.
First, let’s start with a few tips:
Simplicity is the goal.
Your CV is a chronological list of your education, experience, and credentials. It should not be overly complicated or in depth but rather a simple list of your accomplishments.
Start by just outlining the dates and specifics in the templates available. Keep it simple to start and build in additional details as you go. No need to exaggerate.
Differentiate Yourself.
Everyone will have high quality training. Sure, some training programs have name recognition, but as someone who has interviewed and hired many Neos, I can tell you that the program is FAR less important than the individual.
Look for things within your program, life history, and personal passion that differentiate you.
It may be your experience with a fellowship project or your mentor’s expertise that is consistent with a need that your new program is seeking or you would like to offer.
Or it could be that you were a musician, accountant, or engineer in your pre-medicine life, and now you can bring those refreshingly different perspectives to the field and your new practice.
Spend some time to think through what aspects of your personal life and training offers something unique, different, and valuable.
Be Concise.
Most physician leaders are extremely busy and lack the time to thoroughly review your CV until you are invited for an interview. Brevity is key.
The Medical Director or Division Chief will likely have scrutinized the details and also searched for additional information elsewhere, but many of those who you will meet on interview day will be skimming your CV quickly outside the door of your interview conference room.
Give the pertinent facts, some catchy differentiators, and a brief statement why YOU are their chosen candidate.
Mind the Gaps.
Recruiters and physician leaders will see gaps in employment or training as red flags.
If you have taken any time off or have any sizable gaps in your education or training, be sure to call out the reason and offer something notable that filled your time.
There are a lot of rational reasons for gaps. It’s the ones that aren’t explained that will lead to hesitation.
Don’t Be Sloppy.
Grammatical errors and typos are unacceptable.
Even when minor, they are a distraction from the content of your CV and can keep you from getting to the next step. Make sure you edit, edit, edit. Have others look at your CV, too.
Know Your Audience
Do some online research, learn about the practice from your network contacts, or talk to a recruiter to make sure you have a good understanding of the position before you send your CV. Know the community and region.
Be mindful of what your future colleagues will be looking for.
For example, in a non-academic position where research is not a major component, describe your fellowship research efforts as expertise that will provide practical clinical guidance to the group as opposed to emphasizing your 8 page list of publications.
NS Nugget:
As physicians, we are extremely busy.
The mirco blog aims to provide you with just a little business about the business of littles.
You get to decide how much more to read via links to our additional resources.
And hey, I’m a busy physician too, and I really don’t have time to write a damn blog.
