How To Write a Great Medical Student Resume
Introduction
The primary purpose of the resume is to present the residency program director with a targeted summary of who you are, professionally and personally, including your priorities, interests and accomplishments. A well-constructed resume allows the residency program to quickly scan your academic, professional and personal profile easily and expeditiously. Contrary to popular belief, the resume is rarely ever comprehensive, except for those applying for a faculty position. Details not included in the resume can be presented in the essays, interviews and follow – up conversations. A salient feature of the resume is to differentiate you from other candidates for that coveted residency spot, by demonstrating your growth and progression, and highlighting your accomplishments and experiences. In this blog, you will learn the purpose of the resume, proper formatting, content essentials, as well as what not to include.
Outline
- Showcasing your Brand to the Program Director
- 7 Essential Steps for an Effective Resume
- Common Medical Student Mistakes
- The Most Important Things Not to Include in the Resume
Showcasing your Brand to the Program Director:
- Just as the best tennis player doesn’t always win the championship match, and the incumbent, popular politician doesn’t always win the election, the “most qualified” medical student does always earn that coveted residency spot. Often the seemingly “less qualified applicant” markets him or herself better, highlighting their strengths and assets better than the ace. Like the shiny new car in the showroom, you must do more than stand out. You must fit in.
- 7 Essential Steps for an Effective Resume:
- View Excellent Examples
- Know Thyself, Perform a self-reflection/self-assessment
- Research the Programs, Institution and area for both professional and personal fit
- Write Your First Draft
- Create Multiple Versions
- Edit, Proofread & Critique; get feedback, repeat
- Save Multiple Formats
- Common Medical Student Resume Mistakes:
- Spelling & grammatical errors
- Missing or inappropriate contact information
- Excessive passive voice rather than “action” verbs
- Neither well organized, nor concise, nor easy to skim
- Missing demonstrated results
- Too Lengthy
- Resume Do’s:
- Accompany the resume with a cover letter
- Have others look over the resume for content & grammar
- Send as both an email attachment and paste into the body of the email, use left justified, no bold, no italics, no underlining
- Send email as a pdf to ensure proper formatting
- Write your name in the subject area, (last, first – CV)
- Resume Don’ts:
- Do not :
- Use personal pronouns such as “I, you, he/she”
- Abbreviate
- Use a narrative style
- Include a picture
- Include your age or gender
- List references
- Start each line with a date
- Say references upon request
- Make Margins and font size too small (10)
- Include personal information, physical characteristics
- Include high school experiences unless of state, national or global distinction
- Write vague, generic or cliché statements
- The Most Important Things Not to Include in the Resume:
- Salary
- References on Request
- Reason for leaving a job
- Mission statement
- Objectives
- Resume Language Must Be:
- Written for people who need to scan quickly
- Specific rather than generic
- Active voice rather than passive
- Written to express rather than to impress
- Clear, rather than to show your literary skills
- Fact-based (quantify and qualify)
Summary:
Please remember that effective resumes get noticed by emphasizing your relevant accomplishments and potential contributions, while focusing on specific skills, your reflections and requirements sought by the program director.
- Content References: Harvard Career Service Center, Stacy Blackman Consulting, Princeton Career Services
Need help applying to residency? Contact mrichardson@physicianbound.com or text Dr. Richardson at 609.608.6258.