J1Waiver.net - Career Resources - Creating a Winning CV

CREATE A WINNING CV

Start with the online form.
Most CVs follow a standardized format, making it easier for employers to find the information they need and to compare candidates more easily. Our online CV tool will give you a solid foundation to build your Curriculum Vitae.

Keep it short.
Clinical CVs are different from academic CVs in several ways, the most important of which is that longer is not better. Don't include every conference you've ever attended or every panel you've ever served on. Select a few choice accomplishments that highlight your strongest or most marketable skills. If your CV is longer than one page (it should not be longer than three pages,) put your name at the top of each page and number the pages.

Keep it current.
Be sure to update your CV, and your online CV, every time you move, change jobs, change phone numbers or e-mail addresses, etc. If you are working with a Liaison or Physician's Agent, make sure he or she has current contact information for you so that you can be reached when J1 waiver opportunities arise.

Include language skills.
Increasingly diverse communities have ever growing needs for multi-lingual J-1 Waiver physicians. Your second or third language can give you the edge over other candidates.

Say what you are looking for.
In your online CV, be as specific as possible about what kind of position you are seeking, in what kind of community you want to practice, and what geographic areas you are willing to consider - even those that are not your first choice. This will help potential employers determine if you could be a good match for their practice. It will also help you stand out among other candidates.

Have someone proofread.
Always check your CV for spelling mistakes, grammatical errors, typos, or other inaccuracies. Attention to detail on the CV will make you look professional, even before you meet the employer.

The goal is to get an interview.
Employers hire people, not CVs. They use CVs to eliminate candidates. Interviews are for hiring. Typically, a recruiter or employer is faced with a stack of dozens (sometimes hundreds) of CVs, and their first job is to pare down the stack to a manageable short list. You want your CV to get you past this first step and on to the interview stage.

Your CV should generate interest. What makes you stand out from other applicants? Why should the employer hire you over other candidates with similar backgrounds? What can you bring to their practice? Remember to keep it short. Let your CV open a discussion that you develop at the interview.