Professional C.V. and Resume Editing

First impressions count – and the resume and curriculum vitae (C.V.) are often times the first opportunity you have to make a professional impression. For that reason, having a rock solid resume or C.V. when applying for a new job, research position, or other activity is paramount.

As practicing physicians ourselves, too often we’ve come across eager pre-meds who are well intentioned but misguided. First, resumes and C.V.’s are two distinct entities – not necessarily interchangeable. The primary difference is the length and comprehensiveness. Resumes should be competency based, demonstrating your skills, notable achievements, and work experience. C.V.’s, on the other hand, are more frequently used in academia, scientific research, and other areas in the medical field. These will be longer on average and offer a comprehensive list of one’s education, certifications, research experience, and more. 

When applying to medical school, you’ll be using AMCAS, AACOMAS, or TMDSAS rather than submitting a traditional resume or C.V. For residency, you’ll be using ERAS. However, a well polished and effective resume or C.V. precedes these applications. You’ll need to submit a resume or C.V. when you’re applying to relevant jobs, research positions, and other extracurriculars to bolster your application.