How to write the perfect medical CV
Writing the perfect medical Curriculum Vitae (CV) is a critical step for a doctor towards securing their ideal role. The key to a compelling CV is to present the most pertinent information in a concise and well-organised format.
The first element of a medical CV is the personal information. This should include your full name, contact information, General Medical Council (GMC) registration number, and the details of your current post.
Next, present your education in reverse chronological order, starting with your medical degree. Detail the institution, dates attended, and any honours received. For a junior doctor, this section will also likely include A-Level qualifications or their equivalents.
One of the primary sections is your employment history. This includes your foundation programme placements, internships, and any locum work you've undertaken. Each entry should list your job title, the dates of employment, the hospital or clinic, and a brief overview of your duties. This section demonstrates your practical experience in various fields of medicine.
Presentations and publications form another crucial section. If you have co-authored any research papers or given presentations at conferences, be sure to list these. Include the title of the paper or presentation, the publication or conference name, and the date.
Your CV should also showcase any courses, seminars, or workshops you've attended beyond your medical school education. This might include Advanced Life Support (ALS) courses, leadership seminars, or workshops on specific medical procedures.
Awards and honours are also worth noting. They provide proof of your achievements and can distinguish your CV from others. Include the award's name, the institution that granted it, and the date.
Voluntary work, though not mandatory, can add value to your CV. If you have participated in medical missions, volunteered at a local clinic, or provided other forms of community service, this can underline your dedication to the profession and your initiative.
Lastly, references are essential. These should ideally be senior doctors or consultants who can vouch for your skills and competencies.
Remember that the perfect medical CV for a junior doctor is a comprehensive yet succinct document that presents your professional journey in the best light. Keep it up-to-date, and tailor it to the specific role for which you're applying, emphasising the most relevant skills and experiences.
Your CV is your professional story; tell it well.
Writing a medical CV (Curriculum Vitae) is different to writing a CV for other types of jobs. As a medical recruitment company with over 15 years of experience in the field, we have gone through countless CVs and know exactly what hiring managers in hospitals and clinics across Australia and New Zealand are seeking.
We’ve compiled this knowledge and expertise to create a medical CV template.
If you already have a CV - that's great! But its style, length, and content may be quite different from CVs that hiring managers in hospitals and clinics across Australia and New Zealand are looking for. In this article, we'll provide you with tips and guidance on how to write a perfect medical CV that effectively showcases your skills, experience, and qualifications for the position you are applying for.
Whether you're a recent graduate from medical school, or a seasoned healthcare professional with years of experience, tailoring your CV to the specific job description is essential. So, let's dive in and explore the key elements that make up a winning medical CV.
Doctor CV must-dos
When applying for doctor jobs, it’s imperative you list your qualifications, clinical experience and research. A good CV should be clear, concise and it should demonstrate that you have the requisite skills and qualifications for the medical role you’re applying for.
Make sure that you include the following
Contact details: make sure to include your full name, professional email address, and phone number.
Medical qualifications: list all of your medical qualifications, including your degree, specialisation, and any additional certifications.
Dates on qualifications and employment: specify the dates of your qualifications and previous employment, including any gaps in work or practice history.
Any gaps in work or practice history: be upfront about acknowledging and explaining these spaces in your employment history up front to keep hiring managers from making up their own narrative.
Clinical experience and research: highlight your clinical experience, including any research projects you have completed or participated in that are relevant to the job.
Skills sections: create a dedicated section to list your skills and abilities, such as communication skills, technical skills, and any specialised knowledge or experience.
CV length
When it comes to the ideal length for a medical CV, five to six pages is a good rule of thumb. However, if you have a lot of work experience or skills with relevance to the job that you are applying for, your CV may be longer.
It’s important to make sure that your CV is easy to read and includes information that is relevant to the position by using bullet points to highlight important details. The person tasked with shortlisting candidates for a doctor job may spend as little as two minutes reviewing each CV before deciding. You need to make it easy for them to find the information they need to put you in that all-important shortlist. You’ll have the opportunity to elaborate in the interview.
How to make your medical CV standout
We can all agree that updating your CV can be a pain but the key thing to remember is that you don’t want to miss out on your ideal job just because you don’t provide the paperwork. In a competitive job market, it’s important to make your CV stand out and showcase your skills and qualifications.
Download our Doctor CV Template to make the job easier and stand out from the crowd.
The template is the same one we use save our candidates’ time and help them secure the best roles and salaries across Australia and New Zealand. It’s free to download and will be sent straight to your email inbox.
Here are some tips to help you create a standout medical CV:
- Emphasise any research or publications, skills, or courses, and include any relevant awards or honours.
- Keep your CV organised and easy to read using headings and bullet points.
- Tailor your CV to the position you are applying for by highlighting relevant skills and experience
- Include a personal statement that showcases your career aspirations and what makes you unique
- Include any volunteer work or extracurricular activities that are relevant to the job
- Ensure your CV is error-free and has been proofread by someone else
By following these tips and showcasing your skills and qualifications in a clear and concise manner, you can create a standout medical CV that helps you secure your dream job.
How to craft your doctor's CV specifically for the Australian VS New Zealand job market:
When you are applying for jobs in a country you are unfamiliar with and especially if you are applying from overseas it is important that you tailor your application to match the country in which the hospital or practice you are applying to is located.
This shows the hiring party that you understand that country and its systems and will give you a greater chance of landing an interview.
There are a few steps you can take to make sure your CV is tailored to either the Australian or New Zealand job market if you are applying for roles in both countries we recommend having a separate CV that caters to each.
Research the specific requirements of the job you are applying for: Look at the job description and requirements to get a sense of what the employer is looking for in a candidate.
Use language and terminology that is specific to the Australian or New Zealand healthcare system: Make sure to use terminology and language that is commonly used in the Australian or New Zealand healthcare system, as this will help you stand out to potential hospitals or practices.
Highlight any relevant experience or training in the relevant healthcare system: If you have any experience or training that is specific to the relevant healthcare system, be sure to highlight this on your CV.
Include any relevant licenses or certifications: In Australia, doctors must hold a valid APHRA medical license in order to practice, and in New Zealand MCNZ. Be sure to include that you have the license required on your CV.
Use a CV format that is used in the country you are applying for. Make sure you do your research and follow either the typical Australian or New Zealand presentation style.
Stuck for ideas or pressed for time? Use artificial intelligence to help you create a first draft or optimise your existing CV.
Remember, searching for a job takes resilience. You will often have to apply for multiple roles before you find the right one. By following these tips, you can tailor your doctor's CV and increase your chances of landing your dream job.
At Medrecruit, our specialist team is here to guide you from job search to crafting your CV and mastering your interview. Our service is completely free for doctors, so if you would like some more help applying for your next doctor job, register, and let's have a chat about how we can help you achieve all your career or lifestyle goals.
