While there are various formats for a resume that a doctor may wish to submit when seeking a position on staff at a medical group or hospital, two of the most common types are a chronological resume and a CV, or Curriculum Vitae. Depending on the level of specialization, a CV might be in order. However, for a general practitioner, a chronological resume is most often employed.
Doctor Resume – Objective Statement
The objective statement in a doctor resume would only need to be a short statement regarding why he/she is seeking employment, and what future goals might be. For example, a doctor resume objective statement might read, ‘To obtain a position on staff as a general practitioner in a busy family medical clinic with the goal of becoming a partner in the medical group.’ Contrary to what many people believe, even doctors start at entry level jobs.
Doctor Resume – Qualifications and Skills
This area of a doctor resume would not deal with medical qualifications based on med school and internships, but rather, unique skills and qualifications the individual would bring to a practice. For instance, a doctor may be bi-lingual and applying for a spot in a medical group that has a high percentage of Hispanic patients. Or, a doctor may have a special affinity with children, or have exemplary communication skills. This is a very basic resume for a doctor who is looking for a ground level position with an existing medical group or hospital. If the doctor is looking for a position with an esteemed research group or as a professor at a leading medical school, then a CV would be more in keeping with the position.
Professional Experience for a Doctor Resume
Professional experience is listed with the current, or most recent, employment first and then worked backwards in reverse chronological order. Many young doctors will use this kind of chronological resume when first graduating medical school and as a result, there is no real professional experience to list except internship/residency. In a case like this, that would constitute professional experience and should be listed as such. Any duties and responsibilities should be itemized along with any specialized areas of practice.
Educational Requirements for a Doctor Resume
Of course it goes without saying that the educational requirements of a medical doctor entail 4 years of college and another 4 to 6 years of med school, depending on the area of medicine. When added up, a doctor spends approximately 21 to 23 years in school prior to being awarded that diploma! On a doctor resume, the medical school would be listed first since it will offer the highest level degree. After that, any colleges or universities attended would be listed in reverse order just as in the professional experience portion of the resume. Any specializations that were studied above and beyond med school requirements should be listed here as well, which would include international, national or statewide certificate programs or workshops.
While a doctor resume can be as detailed as a CV, most often new doctors just beginning in practice will only have need for a basic chronological type resume. There are doctor resume samples online that can be used as a basis for a resume, and also sample cover letters and various articles that can help make the process easier.
