Your CV or resume is often the first impression a prospective employer will have of you – so make sure it clearly and concisely communicates your strengths and skills. Make every word count!
by Mike Whitmer in Finding A Position on Wednesday, February 22, 2017
The Goal of a Good CV or Resume
The information you choose and how you present it should build a compelling case for why a doctor should consider you as a prospective associate or independent contractor. Be precise, but also toot your own horn (in moderation).
Your CV or resume should:
- Describe your education and professional experience
- Indicate career goals and objectives
- Establish credibility and professional qualifications
- Establish you as an outstanding candidate
- Demonstrate and sell your capabilities
Which Format - CV or Resume?
In health care, a CV is preferred while private industry employers are familiar with traditional resume formats. So as a general rule, when applying for a chiropractic associate or independent contractor position, use the CV format.
“Curriculum vitae" is Latin for "the course of one's life" so it’s appropriate that a CV would display your academic credentials and accomplishments in greater detail than a resume.
What's Included in a CV?
Though a CV should list all credentials, the content should have a tone of understated modesty about achievements. The content and length of a CV depends on the candidate's objective and level of experience. A new grad might have a one page CV while someone with a longer career might require a dozen pages.
Typical headings might include:
- Contact information
- Objective or summary statement
- Education/degrees
- Licensure and certifications
- Professional experience, including internships
- Recognitions - awards, honors, publications, speaking engagements
- Special skills/training - conferences, computer skills, languages
- Professional affiliations
- Community and extracurricular activities
- Additional information
Include details such as: dates, locations, responsibilities in positions held, and the skills you gained or utilized through these experiences. By gathering this information in a rough form, you now have a basic outline to begin writing your CV.
Where Should You Begin?
There is no right way or wrong way to put a CV together but you’ll need to determine the right combination and order of topics based on your experience, education, and goals. A self-assessment can be the foundation of how you sell yourself and will help differentiate your CV from those of other individuals.
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- getting hired
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About the Author
Mike Whitmer
Mike Whitmer, assistant vice president of NCMIC's Chiropractic Insurance Programs, has more than 25 years' experience in the business world to share with D.C.s who are starting their chiropractic careers. By day, Mike leads the corporate relations team at NCMIC Group, Inc., teaching at chiropractic colleges about business practices and risk management, and attending trade shows and homecoming events. Mike is also the cofounder of a property management company and a restoration firm that have provided his "real world" experience on writing business plans and dealing with small business finance and operations.
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