The CaRMS application process in now online but you should take the time at the beginning of your third year to prepare a well formatted, up-to-date resume that can be given to the people from whom you will be requesting references.

Core Content

   The following information should be included in a CV, in the order given:

1. Personal Information
   • Name, address, telephone number, email (usually as a header)
2. Education
   • In reverse chronological order, give the dates, degree/diploma received, name and location of the institutions, going back to undergraduate college.
3. Academic Honors and Awards
   • In reverse chronological order, list the awards you have received throughout your education, highlighting your medical awards. Make a note of the reason for the award.
4. Medically relevant work experience
   • In reverse chronological order, list any relevant work experience, where it was undertaken and what it involved.
5. Academic Appointments
   • You probably haven’t received any yet but this is where you would list them if you have any experience in teaching.
6. Research
   • In reverse chronological order, indicate the title of the research, the principal investigator, where it was conducted and what your role was.
7. Publications
   • Include all publications in which you have been an author; but only if the publication has been published. If an article has been accepted for publication but not yet printed, use the notation “(in press)” at the start of the citation for the article. Consult with your medical librarian for correct bibliographic citation rules, and follow the same rule, consistently through your CV.
8. Presentations
   • In reverse chronological order, include all relevant presentations you’ve made (i.e. at medical conferences, specialty association meetings, etc.). List the title of the presentation, the audience, and any details that may be useful.
9. Extracurricular Activities and Community Work
10. Other interests

• what you have done
• how to locate you

• to apply for admission to a residency program
• to help the selection committee quickly see that you have the knowledge, skills, experiences and abilities they seek
• to create a positive first impression and help you get an interview
• to reflect the particular experiences, skills, abilities and interests that the selection committee wants
• Don’t assume that people will “read into” your experiences or hear about how great you are

Some résumé DO’s

Your resume should be:

• three pages at most
• honest - don’t exaggerate or inflate
• written in the active voice
• well-organized - quickly and easily find the key information
• readable - 10 point font and 1” borders
• organized to display important information. Put your contact information at the top of the page and put you name in bold in slightly larger letters. Put events in (reverse) chronological order.

• poor grammar
• spelling errors
• inflated accomplishments
• deflated accomplishments
• resume (curriculum vitae) written at the top of the page
• SIN
• gender, age, marital status, disabilities, height and weight, race, religion
• your spouse’s and/or children’s names and ages
• your photo
• references

1. Review other resumes
2. Review your Personal Experience Inventory
3. Select the categories to include
4. Select a resume format
5. Prepare a draft version and save it on a disk
6. Get objective feedback from at least two people

• tells who you are
• describes the experiences and events that shaped your personality, values, and goals

• required
• helps readers better visualize you as an individual. It describes experiences that may or may not be included on your resume and explains how you developed into the person you are today
• Selection committees read personal letters to see if anyone stands out from the crowd. So your personal letter must include information about you that is not found anywhere else in your application materials.
• All applicants are “hard-working, disciplined, and dedicated to delivering excellent health care.” This is boring! Stand out from the crowd by elaborating on your personal issues, life-changing experiences, family, goals and expectations.
• Remember: you are unique and your personal letter must communicate that to the reader.

• Most people dislike writing positive things about themselves.
• Most people don’t recognize their unique talents and traits.
• People tend to compare themselves to others.
• Many people try to write their personal letter without a strategy.
• Some people have so much to write about that they don’t know where to begin.

1. Think of what programs want in a candidate.
2. Identify the qualifications you possess.
3. Match the 2 lists and use your personal letter to describe the qualifications you have that directors desire.

1. A statement of your professional background.
2. A brief overview of your academic and clinical qualifications. Although this information is on your CV you will want to provide a summary here. Expand on what is in your CV and add additional information as appropriate.
3. Most of the focus of the personal letter should reflect on why you chose medicine as a career and why you are committing to the specialty you are now applying for. You may also want the personal letter to focus on why you are pursuing a particular location in your search for a residency position.
4. Discuss your career goals. Explain what you want to do in your career in this specialty. Discuss the qualities that attracted you to the program.
5. Finally include any humanizing information that might let the reader see who you are as a person. If there are community activities or other experiences that may be relevant include them here.

• It should be a statement that reflects your personality and style.

• The information in your personal letter should be relevant to your residency and future training. This is not intended to be autobiographical.

• Be honest in describing yourself and your goals.

• Make your personal letter one that shows the unique qualities you bring to medicine and the residency.

• Medfools
• Residency Personal Statement
  
• AMA (MAC) Writing Your Personal Statement
• Rush University Career Services: The Personal Statement
• University of Illinois at Chicago: Tips on Preparing a Personal Statement
  
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