During the course of a typical physician’s career, submitting a bio or profile would have likely been a requirement at some point. Commonly, this would be done for a journal entry, a research paper, or possibly even a conference. These brief synopses tend to provide a nice snapshot of one’s academic and professional history all neatly transcribed in 2-3 paragraphs. Bios are pithy, succinct, and sometimes layered with flowery adjectives and descriptions. They are important and serve a purpose in many situations. However, they cannot substitute for resumes.
The purpose of a resume
The Resume is the standard candidate submission presented by individuals and/or recruiters who want to put forward the most comprehensive, compelling, and persuasive document to potential employers. Resumes are essential at all levels from Manager to CEO. They are also crucial for the recruitment of Professional and Technical Service Contractors, including Doctors interested in Consulting work. As part of the pursuit of such opportunities it is essential to provide a strong and well written resume. Here are a few tips to consider when creating one:
What makes a powerful resume?
A powerful resume must be accurate, precise, and grammatically correct. While some consider over-embellishing their achievements as acceptable, it is advisable to be as factually accurate as possible. Be precise with your words and accurate with your timeline and dates. Most important, spelling and grammar mistakes are not acceptable. Ensure you use the basic spellcheck and grammar proofing tools in your office suite and consider asking a second person to proof read your resume before sending.
Provide a synopsis of each role including your main responsibilities, your targets, and your achievements. In the case of a medical resume, include both your clinical duties as well as any relevant administrative responsibilities that may have been part of your role. Format is important, however there are many standard format styles available to choose and its important to choose a style, font, and structure that represents your personality.
As mentioned, over-embellishment or lying on a resume is unacceptable under any circumstances. Having said that, presenting facts and events in a compelling way is extremely important. When detailing responsibilities include the most important ones and also detail their impact on the project and/or organization. Second, make sure you detail achievements by listing quantitative data such as statistics and if possible and applicable financial information. It’s equally important to include quantitative data such as your impact on the overall leadership of the department, project, or initiative as well as any other positive contributions you made.
Most important, sell yourself with passion and conviction. In many cases your resume is your first impression so try to make the best one you can. Try to distinguish yourself by including details that show how you stand out from your peers. While humility is important, don’t be afraid to showcase your great skills, experience, achievements, and even personality. Resumes can never replace your ability to sell yourself in person. But they are the necessary first step to get to that opportunity. So put your best foot forward by creating and consistently updating your resume.
Happy Hunting!
