1. Writing Your CV and Personal Statement
June 19, 2018
Alex Morang
Kelly Whalen

2. What Is A Curriculum Vitae?
An essential tool that presents a person to a potential employer by documenting education, work, research, service and other experiences and achievements
A summary of your background and accomplishments, particularly related to academic and work experience in medicine

3. The Curriculum Vitae: Guiding Questions
What is the purpose of a CV?
Why is it important?
Is there a specific format?
What content should I include?
Where do I start?

4. Why Is The CV Important? It is a professional responsibility
It helps you prepare the application & PS
Keeps all accomplishments in one place
Your letter writers will ask for it

5. Is There A Specific Format?
No, but…
Yes! When it comes to ERAS
12 main sections

6. Name, AAMC#, and contact information
Education-medical, undergraduate, and other
Memberships & honorary professional societies
Medical school awards
Certification/Licensure
Work experience (average hours/week)
Volunteer experience (average hours/week)
Research experience (average hours/week)
Publications
Hobbies & Interests
Language Fluency
Other Awards/Accomplishments

7. CV Format & Content
Name, AAMC ID & Contact Information
Education:
Medical education (dates, degree)
Undergraduate (dates, degree)
List most recent first

8. CV Format & Content Membership & Honorary/Professional Societies
Examples might include:
Phi Beta Kappa
American Medical Association (AMA)
Student National Medical Association (SNMA)
Rhode Island Medical Society
Other national or regional groups

9. CV Format & Content Medical School Awards Certifications/Licensure
Examples :
Gold Humanism Honor Society
AMS Travel Award
Other scholarships or awards received
Certifications/Licensure
Examples:
ACLS Certified 6/2016
ATLS Certified 7/2016
EMT-Basic 2009-present

10. CV Format & Content Work Experience: Most recent first
Brief description of responsibilities, skills gained and/or achievements
Volunteer experience
Activities (mostly) during medical school
Committee work
Community service projects
Student organizations
Tutoring other students
Participation and leadership positions

11. CV Format & Content Research Experience Most recent first
Undergrad research often listed
Publications:
Peer Reviewed Journal Articles/Abstracts
Peer Reviewed Journal Articles/Abstracts (Other than Published)
Submitted, Provisional Accepted, Accepted or In-Press
Peer Reviewed Book Chapter
Scientific Monograph
Other Articles
Poster Presentation
Oral Presentation
Peer Reviewed & Non Peer Reviewed Online Publication

12. CV Format & Content Hobbies & Interests Always list something!
Examples include:
Long distance running
Gardening
Woodworking
Painting
Russian literature
Cave exploring
Language Fluency
Native/functionally native
Advanced
Good
Fair
Basic

13. CV Format & Content Other Awards/Accomplishments Examples include:
Summa Cum Laude from college
Distinction for research or academic work
Leadership roles not otherwise listed
Think outside the box!

14. Other CV Tips
Start by focusing on content rather than organization and format
Don’t undervalue your accomplishments
Don’t overstate your accomplishments
Seek advice and help editing
Correct grammer and spelin
Use bold, CAPS, italics and underlining strategically and sparingly
Make sure the section headings describe the content included in those sections

15. Final Thoughts
CVs have a variety of purposes, and should be constructed with the purpose in mind
CVs should be well-organized
CVs should be able to be skimmed quickly
Be strategic with content

16. The Personal Statement: Guiding Questions
How important is it?
What are program directors looking for?
How do I get started?
Are there any guidelines or “rules”?

17. How Important Is The PS? Very! Consider it a pre-interview
You control it—a chance to highlight what makes you unique
Programs vary in how the PS is weighed

18. What Are Programs Looking For?
Passion & commitment
Specific examples
Marketable abilities
Specialty-specific attributes
Personal responsibility
Career goals
Readability
Professional
One page

19. Where Do I Start? Why did you choose your specialty?
What are you looking for in a program?
What are your future goals?
How do my values, interests, skills, and experiences correspond to my chosen specialty?

20. Guidelines DO make it: Personal Interesting Sincere Clear Concise
Grammatically correct

21. Guidelines Pitfalls to AVOID: Vague or cliché statements
Recounting your entire life story
Re-purposing your medical school essay
Summarizing your CV
Getting too personal
Abbreviations

22. Guidelines Pitfalls to AVOID:
Describing your specialty rather than you (know your audience!)
Controversial topics
Using quotations
Claiming an expected attribute
Making a request
Plagiarism
Writing services

23. Final Suggestions Start now! Seek help and feedback Review examples
Career Development website

24. Questions