Where do I begin?
Before writing out information on your CV, stop and ask yourself these questions:
- Does this particular piece of information help explain who I am and what I've accomplished?
- Will this piece of information encourage residency programs to select me for an interview?
- If I were reading this for the first time and without knowledge of myself as an applicant, would this information be useful?
If you answer "no" to either of these questions, leave the information out. If you are unsure, consult with your Academic Advisor or Career Advisor.
When beginning your CV start by using a template. Here are some formats you can use to begin to structure your CV:
How should my CV look?
Now that you have seen several examples of CV templates, let's talk about the basics. You want your CV to have a clean, distinctive appearance that attracts attention. The final product should be well organized, look professional and be easy to read. Follow these formatting tips below:
- One-to-two pages is standard length at this point in your career, but don't reduce the font size, change your margins, or leave out important information just to shorten it.
- 11- or 12-point Times New Roman font is preferable
- Stick with one font
- Headings should be consistent in style, size, and formatting (Bold, Italicize, or Underline)
- When organizing your CV, utilize bullets to describe your important points.
- Always check text for spelling or grammatical errors and make sure to have your Career Advisor or Academic Advisor proof read your CV.
- Keep sentences short and succinct while using active verbs and vivid, precise language.
What should my CV include?
- Contact Information - Always Listed First
- Education - Usually Listed Second
- Honors and Awards
- Work Experience
- Research
- Extra-Curricular and Community Service Activities
- Publications
- Presentations
- Professional Memberships
- Optional items
- Hobbies and Interests
- Personal Information