The Do’s and Don'ts of a Great Curriculum Vitae

We all know that we never get a second chance to make a great first impression. However, many of us don't realize just how fleeting the opportunity is to impress someone. Recent research indicates we no longer get seconds to wow someone…we get fractions of a single second. No pressure, right?

In our daily lives, we often get multiple opportunities to recover from a lackluster initial meeting. However, physicians recognize the importance of making the first few seconds with a patient count. From the reception area until you enter the exam room, a patient's first impression of you can forever impact your ongoing relationship. This is especially true for practitioners applying for Locum Tenens positions. Not only do you have to be ready to present your best self to patients, but you also have to be prepared to dazzle prospective healthcare staffing managers throughout the hiring process. This process often begins with a single document: your Curriculum Vitae (CV).

When preparing your CV for a medical staffing position through a Locum Tenens firm, it's important to remember that first impressions are crucial. This document represents both you and your career. Here are a few tips to create a solid CV layout that commands attention (and helps you land an interview):

Section 1: Contact Information

Provide your full name and all relevant information, including email address.

Section 2: Education

Include your undergraduate, medical school, and all internships and postgraduate training. You will also want to outline the degree or training designation attained, the name of institution attended, city/state, and dates of training to completion.

Section 3: Work History

Start with your current or most recent practice location, listing your held positions in reverse chronological order in month/year format to your first practice.

Section 4: Certifications and Licensure

List all certifications and licenses (including expired licenses) with all license numbers and expiration dates.

Section 5: Research, Presentations, and Publications

This section of your CV showcases your field expertise and highlights areas of interest throughout your career. Much like your Work History outline, list your works in reverse chronological order, using the proper format for publications. Note: If you're applying for an academic position, you may want to list every publication and work. However, if the Locum Tenens position is a non-academic role, you may want to consolidate groups of works together, rather than listing each one individually, to keep your CV concise.

Section 6: Honors and Awards

List any medical-related honors, awards, and distinctions received throughout your career. If you don't have any to list, you can use the final section to present a glimpse of your personal life. Pick and choose relevant details such as family, interests, and hobbies.

Four Common CV Mistakes To Avoid

Once you understand the basic layout of a CV, it's also important to recognize some common (and crucial) mistakes to avoid:

Sloppy Layout

A clean, neat document is vital when applying for Locum Tenens positions. Select a font and type size that is easy to read. Also, use consistent margins and bullets throughout the document. Always print clean copies to bring with you or forward a clean PDF version to your Locum Tenens staffing partner.

Misspelled Words

Misspelled words can instantly bring the hiring process to a grinding halt. Always use spell check and have a trusted confidant review your document to eliminate typos and grammatical errors before you submit your CV.

Too Long
Your CV should run no longer than two pages. Of course, if you have practiced in Locum Tenens for a period of time with multiple locations, your CV can quickly go beyond the suggested two-page maximum. If you find your previous experience is getting a bit unwieldy, state “Locum Tenens” on your CV and include the general date ranges with a note that specific locations and dates are outlined in a separate addendum. You can do the same for Research, Presentations, and Publications.

Chronological Gaps

Gaps of months or years in your training and work history will often lead to questions from your potential employer. If in your history you visited family overseas for a month, document it on your CV to minimize any long duration work lapses.