Are you a physician or advanced practice clinician looking for a new job for the first time in a long time? If that’s the case, chances are it’s been many years since you’ve made any changes or adjustments to your CV! In today’s competitive job market, you must prepare your CV in a way that helps you stand out from other providers in the talent pool and ultimately help you land job interviews. As you dust off your CV and get your job search underway, here are some key tips to keep in mind:
Divide Your CV into Clear Sections
A CV that appears scattered and disorganized is sure to turn off any employer reviewing your qualifications. It’s important to divide your resume into different sections, including education; employment history; board certifications and other credentials; licenses; and honors and awards (if applicable). You may also opt to include additional sections for community activities and publications, as well as research and presentations related to your medical work. Formatting your CV with clearly defined sections will make it easier for employers to review the many parts of your professional expertise.
Include Relevant Keywords and Phrases
With healthcare jobs being specialized by their very nature, it’s paramount to include targeted, relevant keywords within your employment and skills sections. Rather than listing a bunch of keywords, consider using phrases or paragraphs that accurately describe your qualifications and align with the job to which you’re applying. For instance, these phrases may be, “experienced at delivering top-quality patient care in a fast-paced medical setting” or “over 15 years of long-term, emergency and hospital care.” Depending on your medical specialty, you’ll want to customize a CV that specifically focuses on the skills you bring to the table.
Focus on Actionable Accomplishments
Instead of simply listing what you can do on your CV, it’s critical to highlight what you’ve done. For instance, did you increase productivity in your former medical unit by 10 percent? Have you trained and managed over 100 employees in the past year? It’s important to include specific, measurable achievements you’ve had in past employment that strongly reflect upon your professional abilities and show you’ve put your skills in action.
The effort you put into your CV can often make or break your chances of landing an interview. Spending time to make sure your resume effectively showcases your qualifications is the first major step to landing the job of your dreams.
