A well-structured physician CV is imperative for securing job opportunities, academic positions or fellowship placements.

Unlike a resume, a CV provides a detailed overview of your educational background, work experience, research and professional accomplishments. 

How do I write my CV?

Writing a CV requires careful attention to detail and a structured approach. Follow these steps and you will know how to write a CV:

  • Start with your name and contact information at the top.
  • Write a professional summary that highlights your key qualifications.
  • Organize sections clearly, including education, experience, research and certifications.
  • Use bullet points to improve readability.
  • Tailor your CV to the specific job or program for which you are applying.

By following these steps, you ensure your CV presents your skills and experience in the most effective manner.

What are the main components of a CV?

A well-organized CV follows a standard CV template to ensure clarity and professionalism. The necessary components include:

  1. Contact information – Your full name, phone number, email and LinkedIn profile.
  2. Professional summary – A concise statement highlighting your expertise and career goals.
  3. Education – List your degrees, institutions and graduation years.
  4. Work experience – Detail your clinical experience, including roles, responsibilities and achievements.
  5. Certifications & licenses – Include relevant medical certifications and state licenses.
  6. Research & publications – Mention any research projects, articles or conference presentations.
  7. Professional memberships – List associations such as the AMA or specialty-specific societies.
  8. Skills & competencies – Highlight relevant technical and soft skills.
  9. References – Provide contacts for professional references if required.

Following this structure ensures a comprehensive and professional document.

What are 5 things to include in a CV?

When crafting a strong CV, these five elements are non-negotiable:

  1. Clear formatting – Use a clean, professional layout that is easy to read.
  2. Accurate contact information – Ensure your details are up to date.
  3. Relevant experience – Highlight experience related to the job for which you’re applying.
  4. Achievements & metrics – Use quantifiable results to demonstrate impact.
  5. Professional presentation – Avoid grammatical errors and use consistent formatting.

Looking at CV examples can help you understand how to structure and present these elements effectively. 

What are the 7 basic steps to writing a CV?

To craft an effective CV, follow these seven steps:

  1. Choose the right format – Reverse chronological order is the most common and effective.
  2. Start with your contact information – Ensure this is clearly visible at the top.
  3. Craft a strong personal statement – Summarize your expertise and career aspirations.
  4. Detail your work experience – List jobs, roles and accomplishments with bullet points.
  5. Highlight education & certifications – Provide relevant academic and licensure details.
  6. Include research & publications – If applicable, showcase your academic contributions.
  7. Proofread & edit – Ensure your CV is error-free and professionally formatted.

Referring to CV examples can provide inspiration and guidance for crafting each section effectively. For instance, here is a sample CV created for our fictitious friend, Dr. Alexander Carter, crafted using the 5 elements and 7 basic steps:

Dr. Alexander Carter, MD
123 Elm Street, Suite 400
New York, NY 10001
Email: acartermd@email.com
Phone: (555) 123-4567
LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/acartermd

Personal Statement

Board-certified internal medicine physician with over 12 years of clinical experience specializing in hospitalist care and patient-centered treatment plans. Passionate about integrating innovative medical technologies to improve patient outcomes and efficiency in healthcare delivery. Seeking to leverage my expertise in clinical leadership, medical education, and research to contribute to a dynamic hospital system or academic institution.

Work Experience

Senior Hospitalist | Mount Sinai Hospital | New York, NY

January 2018 – Present

  • Lead a multidisciplinary team of physicians, nurses, and healthcare professionals to enhance patient care quality.
  • Implemented a streamlined patient discharge protocol, reducing readmission rates by 15%.
  • Mentored and trained medical residents, focusing on bedside manner and clinical decision-making.
  • Spearheaded the adoption of an AI-powered EHR system, improving documentation efficiency by 20%.
  • Conducted quarterly case study reviews to improve diagnostic accuracy and patient outcomes.

Hospitalist | NewYork-Presbyterian Hospital | New York, NY

July 2012 – December 2017

  • Managed the treatment of acute and chronic illnesses in a fast-paced inpatient setting.
  • Developed individualized treatment plans, leading to a 10% improvement in patient satisfaction scores.
  • Collaborated with specialists in cardiology, nephrology, and pulmonology to optimize multidisciplinary care.
  • Assisted in hospital-wide implementation of sepsis early-detection protocols, decreasing mortality rates.
  • Contributed to the hospital’s medical blog, educating patients on chronic disease management.

Resident Physician | Johns Hopkins Hospital | Baltimore, MD

July 2009 – June 2012

  • Completed rigorous clinical rotations in cardiology, endocrinology, and emergency medicine.
  • Led a research study on the impact of lifestyle modifications on Type 2 diabetes, published in a peer-reviewed journal.
  • Presented findings at the Annual American College of Physicians Conference.
  • Provided patient education on preventive care and chronic disease management.
  • Received recognition for outstanding performance in patient communication and diagnostic accuracy.

Education & Certifications

  • Doctor of Medicine (MD) | Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine | 2009
  • Bachelor of Science in Biology, Summa Cum Laude | Columbia University | 2005
  • Board Certification: American Board of Internal Medicine (ABIM) | 2012 – Present
  • Advanced Cardiac Life Support (ACLS) Certification | 2012 – Present
  • Basic Life Support (BLS) Certification | 2012 – Present

Research & Publications

  • Carter, A., et al. (2022). “Optimizing Sepsis Detection with AI Integration: A Clinical Review.” Journal of Internal Medicine Innovations, 36(4), 225-239.
  • Carter, A., & Rodriguez, P. (2017). “Reducing Hospital Readmissions: A Holistic Approach to Discharge Planning.” New York Medical Journal, 28(3), 112-127.
  • Carter, A. (2011). “The Role of Lifestyle Changes in Managing Type 2 Diabetes: A Five-Year Study.” American Journal of Preventive Medicine, 15(2), 89-103.

Professional Memberships

  • American College of Physicians (ACP)
  • Society of Hospital Medicine (SHM)
  • American Medical Association (AMA)

Skills & Competencies

  • Patient-centered care & bedside manner
  • Clinical leadership & mentoring
  • Electronic Health Records (EHR) optimization
  • Multidisciplinary team collaboration
  • Research & medical writing
  • Chronic disease management
  • Quality improvement initiatives

Languages

  • English (Fluent)
  • Spanish (Conversational)

How to write a really good CV

To make sure your CV stands out, consider all the following expert tips:

  • Keep it concise yet comprehensive.
  • Use strong action verbs to describe responsibilities and achievements.
  • Incorporate keywords relevant to the job description.
  • Use a professional, easy-to-read font.
  • Align your content with industry standards.

For additional reference, review free CV examples to see best practices in action.

What are 5 rules for professional CV writing?

Adhering to these five rules will help ensure a professional and polished CV:

  1. Be clear and concise – Avoid unnecessary details or lengthy paragraphs.
  2. Use bullet points – Make key information easy to scan.
  3. Maintain consistency – Stick to a uniform font, size and style.
  4. Customize for each job – Tailor your CV to match the role’s requirements.
  5. Use a reliable template – A free CV maker can help you structure your CV properly.

By following these rules, your CV will be more compelling and effective.

What is a simple CV format?

A simple CV format is ideal for those who want a straightforward, professional document. Key features include:

  • A clean, single-column layout.
  • Clearly defined sections with bold headings.
  • Minimal use of colors or graphics.
  • Consistent use of fonts and spacing.

You can refer to simple CV examples for inspiration on structuring your CV in a professional yet minimalistic way.

Do employers prefer CV or resume?

The choice between a curriculum vitae and a resume depends on the employer and job role:

  • CV – Commonly used for academic, research and medical positions, providing an in-depth look at credentials.
  • Resume – Preferred in corporate settings, offering a concise summary of skills and experience.

For physicians, a CV is almost always the preferred format due to the level of detail required.

Creating a well-crafted CV is a must for advancing your career. By following best practices, using the right format and including all necessary details, you can create a compelling document that showcases your qualifications effectively. 

Be sure to review CV examples and consider using a CV maker such as PracticeLink’s free CV builder to help you create the CV that best showcases your unique career experiences and abilities and education.

To find more informative blogs on CV’s, interviews and the entire job search process, visit the PracticeLink Resource Center.