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"How
to put together a CV"
Melissa L. Rosado de Christenson, Col, USAF, MC
B.J. Manaster, MD, PhD
From
the Member - in - Training Luncheon at RSNA 1998
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The definition
of curriculum vitae (CV) is course of life. The purpose of a CV is
to outline or summarize an individual’s professional and academic achievements.
Some personal achievements such as the number of children, their ages,
and community related or extracurricular activities are occasionally listed
in an individual’s CV. While there is no set rule for the organization
or outline of a radiologist’s or radiation oncologist’s CV
there are some sections that must be included and addressed which are
summarized below:
Date
The date of last revision should appear prominently on the first page.
Usually it is printed at the top of the page.
Personal
Information
The individual’s full name and title should be stated. Women should
include their maiden name if applicable.
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Address
- A complete home and work mailing address should be listed
to include telephone, facsimile numbers, and an electronic address.
Beeper numbers are also convenient if the individual knows she/he
is difficult to reach.
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Optional
information - Includes the date of birth, social security number
(SSN), marital status, names of spouse and children, and nationality.
Keep in mind that some positions will require knowledge of SSN and
type of visa when considering non-US citizens as potential employees.
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Education
Include undergraduate, graduate and postgraduate training with dates and
institutions. Include honors and awards and state whether you served as
a Chief Resident.
Military
Service, if applicable
List positions held, ranks attained, promotion dates, and military awards.
Board
Certification and Professional Licenses
Include all boards and dates as well as all professional licenses held.
Identify license numbers, the state, and the status of the license (active
vs inactive).
Institutional Activities
Academic
/ Hospital Appointments
Committee
Participation
Include positions held.
Society
Membership
Include the complete and correct names of professional societies as well
as the date of initial membership. If you are no longer a member, list
your last membership year. Include all offices held under each of the
societies and list all committee participation.
Publications
Publications should be clearly identified as peer reviewed or non-peer reviewed.
Journal listings must be accurate. It helps if you highlight your name in
each publication.
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Non-peer
reviewed publications should be listed and so identified.
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Ensure
that work in progress is clearly identified. A manuscript you just
mailed for consideration is a "submitted" work. A manuscript
which is accepted for publication is different in that publication
is virtually always accomplished. The latter should be listed as
" in press" or "accepted".
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Include
all electronic publications and correctly reference them.
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Abstracts
Work presented at national meetings and scientific assemblies.
Abstracts should be listed with the names of the authors, the title, the
name of the meeting and the meeting date and place. If the abstract was
published, a citation should be listed.
Scientific
Exhibits
Scientific Exhibits should be listed as well as the meeting where it was
presented, the date, and the place. If a published abstract exists, list
the citation. Awards received should also be acknowledged.
References
List the names of those individuals who are willing to recommend you.
Letters of reference are preferable. Do not state "references available
upon request". Rather, list the names of individuals who can be contacted
for a recommendation (remember to let the individual know you will be
listing her/him as a reference).
Additional
sections of a CV typically include:
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Invited
Presentations
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Grants
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University
Teaching Roles
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Hospital
Teaching Roles
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Treat your
CV like the important document it is. Here are a few words of advice based
upon a ten year experience of reviewing CV’s of potential fellows
and staff.
Do’s:
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Use
white bond paper
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Keep
your CV accurate and up to date. Always list the date of the last
revision. An outdated CV does not leave a good impression.
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Use
a legible font
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Scrutinize
your CV for mistakes and inaccuracies
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Number
the pages
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Consider
using a header or footer with your name and the page number. |
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Include
work address |
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Use
complete and accurate citations for all your publications |
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Decide
whether you will use an increasing or a decreasing chronology of events
and be consistent throughout the document |
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Document
important events, publications and other accomplishments as they occur
in your day planner or keep a file for these accomplishments. This
will make it infinitely easier to update your CV. |
Don’ts:
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Do
not use unnecessary graphics or designs
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Do
not use "fancy" fonts
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Do
not mix categories of accomplishments
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Do
not make mistakes in names of individuals, institutions or professional
organizations
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Remember:
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Update
your CV regularly (at least every 6 months). Keep a file of all
your accomplishments.
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Request
someone else’s input in reviewing your CV and check for errors.
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Look
for gaps in your employment history. Potential employers will always
want to have them explained, so be prepared.
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Do
not forget to list those awards you have received. Never exaggerate,
you cannot afford to lose your credibility.
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Review
your CV before your interview. Anything on it is fair game for discussion,
so be prepared.
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Learn
about the institution you are applying to. Tailor your letter of intent
(probably the most important document your potential employer will
look at) to promote yourself from the time of your first contact.
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The opinions
and assertions contained herein are the private views of the author and
are not to be construed as official or as representing the views of the
Departments of the Air Force or Defense.
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