Physician CV Example & Writing Guide for Physicians

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Check out our other articles centered around medicine:

• Doctor CV Example
• Physician Assistant CV Example
• Healthcare Professional CV Example
• Public Health CV Example
• Medical CV for Any Field
• Nurse CV Example
• Medical Assistant CV Example 
• CV Examples for Any Job

Physician CV Example

This is how to write a job-winning physician CV:

1. Use the Best Format for Your Physician CV

Physicians are professionals who practice medicine at clinics or hospitals. They are also often referred to as medical practitioners, medical doctors, or doctors. The purpose of physician CVs is to show that you have the skills and experience it takes to promote good health and save lives.

But the world of medicine is vast and each medical specialization has its own specific requirements and expectations. And though demand for physicians is expected to grow due to an aging population, the amount of candidates will also grow which means increased competition.

To top it off, the recruiter is going to give your CV less than it would take to explain where it hurts.

To get the recruiter to listen to what you have to say, you need to follow these CV formatting rules:

• Get your CV contact information right from the beginning. Double check your social media footprint and optimize your LinkedIn profile to be professional. 
• Out of all CV styles, the best format for physicians is the chronological layout. This is the layout that puts your professional experience at the forefront and one that most hiring managers recognize. It’s also a super ATS-friendly resume format.
• Use a CV font that is legible and modern. Don’t forget to leave plenty of white space on the page to make your text really stand out.
• Save your physician CV in PDF to make sure that your CV layout doesn’t open up looking like a ratty wallet.

Read more: How to Write a CV for a Job

2. Write a Physician CV Summary

Introduce yourself through your professional profile, or more specifically, a career objective or summary.

It’s a short and sweet paragraph at the top of your physician CV template that lays down the groundwork of why you’re the person for the job.

Use a career summary since you’ve already been practicing medicine for a couple of years:

• First jot down the key points in your experience and medical skills as well as accomplishments.
• Then choose 3-4 leads and add those into your physician CV summary section.

There’s no need to drown this section in tons of information. Keep it 3-4 sentences long max and tailor it to the job description of the position you’re applying for.

Use CV keywords to pass the ATS scan. Check: What are CV Keywords?

3. Make Your Physician Education Section Shine

You don’t need to be told that education is crucial to being a physician. That’s why it’s so important to get your education section perfect.

Here’s how to ace your education section on a physician CV template:

• List all of the degrees you have in the following format: degree, college/university name and location, years you studied, major and minors.
• List your internships, residencies, and fellowships in this section as well and in this format: name of medical institution, location, years involved.
• If you were involved in any relevant school clubs or associations, you can mention them here or in the additional section of your doctor CV. Mention the name of the organization, your role, and the years you were involved.

Read more: Education Section on a CV 

4. Create the Perfect Physician CV Job Description

Your CV / resume experience section needs to be as appealing as a miracle drug:

• List your most current position and then just go back in time with previous positions.
• Make sure each entry includes: job titles, company name, dates of employment, and no more than 6 bullet points.
• Limit the number of bullet points as you go back in time with your experience. Have up to 3 for positions far in the past.
• Start each bullet point with an action verb.
• Focus on quantifiable achievements and not just a generic list of duties. The recruiter will know what physicians do. They want to know how you do it better.
• Tailor your physician experience section to match the position you’re applying for.

Read more: How to Explain Gaps in Employment

5. Highlight Skills on a Physician CV Template

Experience is one thing, but it’s your skill set that can ultimately determine whether you’re the type of physician that a patient would gladly pass over for a mad case of kidney stones.

• Create a master list of all the job skills you have—this means soft skills and hard skills, technical skills, and any other relevant skills you’ve got in your coat pocket.
• Pick the physician skills that are most relevant by using the job ad as a guide. Include them in your physician CV. Get a clean bill of health if you can mention skills that your education and experience sections can prove.

Physician CV Skills

• Specialized medicine
• Critical care
• Pharmaceutical knowledge
• Diagnostic skills
• Problem-solving skills
• Time management skills
• Communication skills
• Active listening
• Critical thinking
• Teamwork
• Interpersonal skills
• Decision making

Making a CV with our builder is incredibly simple. Follow our step-by-step guide, use ready-made content tailored to your job and have a CV ready in minutes.

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6. Add Extra Sections to Your Physician CV

The recruiter is taking notes, but still not convinced of your treatment plan. Show them you’re the only remedy they need. 

• Include language skills. Your patients will come from all over the world and the ability to communicate with them in their native tongue will add a huge gold star to your bedside manner.
• Include volunteering, achievements and awards, projects, and even hobbies and interests on a physician CV template. With a wide array of skills needed to be an excellent physician, you never know what will play in your favor.
• Use this section specifically to add your publications in your CV if they are required to apply for the position.

Read more: What to Include in a CV

7. Attach a Cover Letter to Your Physician CV

If you’re thinking if you should include a cover letter, then the answer is yes. Recruiters want to see them.

Write a physician cover letter that will have the Department of Health and Human Services take notice with the following tips:

• Use a sleek, modern cover letter format.
• Use a “hook” to start your cover letter right.
• Show that your experience and job skills translate into exactly what they need.
• Use a call to action to end your cover letter.

You’ll need to be a little more restrained than you were with your CV. The ideal length of an effective cover letter should be around 1 page.

Read more: How to Write a Physician Cover Letter

And once you have all that sent, remember to follow up on your job application! 

Plus, a great cover letter that matches your CV will give you an advantage over other candidates. You can write it in our cover letter builder here. Here’s what it may look like:

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That’s the magic behind a successful physician CV.