CV headings to consider

The sections below represent a broad selection of headings you could consider for your CV. Just because we have added them does not mean you HAVE to put them in - but increasingly the sort of information that is sought from applicants - either via CV or application form - includes this sort of structure. Clearly the more junior you are the more likely you are to have some sections (such as research publications) devoid of anything to put in them (in which case leave the heading out). However, what you could start doing if that ist he case is think about how to address any possible gaps during the next year or two.

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Dr Jo Beecham-Powders MBBS

To add a separate front page or to not add a front page - that is the question. Ssome people like this and others do not. An empty page with only a  name and qualifications  on  is a waste of space and trees (our view!).

Personal details name, address, nationality, marital status, date of birth,

Employment requirements  ATLS/ALS, GMC number, medical defence organisation, health tests (hep/HIV)

Education/Qualifications/Awards & Prizes (could be separate sections if you have lots in each! Or leave awards and prizes off if you haven’t gone that route!) O and A levels, medical school, prizes and awards, qualifications, degrees and diplomas (with dates). 

Date                 Educational body                                  Qualifcation/Prize/Award
     93                Lady Grey Grammar                              7 O-levels (three at A grade)
94-96               Withens 6th form college                      A-levels Biol A Chem B Phys A
     96                Surrey county all round student           First prize
96-01               Dundee Medical School                        MBBS
98-99               Dundee                                                    BsC genetics
     04                RCP London                                           MRCP I

Employment History (starting with current appointment and working backwards chronologically. Can include elective and periods of research or other non clinical activity (rather than leaving gaps unaccounted for). Some people add a paragraph about each job under the job details. However we prefer any further information to go under “medical experience” as this means repetition is less likely (for example if you did three A+E SHO posts on the trot – the chances are that the experience in each of them will be very similar and it is best lumped together under A+E in the next section.

We like the layout as follows (although some adjustment of margins may be required)

Date                  Job title                              Location/Hospital                                Consultant
04/03-04/04     SHO Gen surgery           St Marys Paddingtion                           Mr Eves

Medical experience

Once again – most recent first again and in more depth/detail (especially the more senior you get eg consultants could put one line for a medical school elective or BSc but a PRHO might expand on these much more)

Bullet lists of procedures and operations performed – either in each job or if repetitive – amalgamate them

Special interests for sub-specialisation in your chosen field.

Courses and conferences attended

Date name of event location

Memberships eg BMA, Your specialty, any international association  

Leadership or key positions held: eg head boy/girl or prefect and duties, president of student unoon, mess president,  chair or other role on committees, representative roles eg BMA rep, junior doctor liaison..

Research undergraduate, BSc, postgraduate, current projects.

Audit might keep this under research if latter section a bit thin

Publications

Full reference style required (see references at end of BMJ papers for the format)

Public speaking and teaching experience

Presentations and publications (depending on how many if any you have – these two sections could be merged or kept separate)

Date                 Event(if relevant)           Title                                          Authors (if relevant)     

Formal lectures delivered (and at what level)

Date                 Title                              Location

Other skills and experience

IT/medical informatics

Teamworking

Management

Administration

Career intentions

Social interests

These might include educational, cultural, sporting , intellectual, crafts, hobbies like putting ships in bottles (not so silly if you still do it and you want to be an ENT surgeon! – reveals dexterity and enjoyment of doing things in small holes!)

Referees usually two – but certainly the most recent two (including current)