When CVs Are Right for Health Care Jobs

The health care profession is one of the only in the United States that, depending on the circumstance, requires either a standard resume or curriculum vitae (CV).  If you are entering the field, under which circumstances should you prepare one or the other?

What Is a Curriculum Vitae?

First, let’s take a quick look at what a curriculum vitae is.  Curriculum vitae (CV) means “the course in one’s life”.  This document is similar to a standard resume in that it provides an overview of a job applicant’s professional history.  But unlike resumes, the CV digs deeper to look at the applicant’s full career in their field.

Curricula vitae are very common in countries outside of the United States, but here, there are only a few circumstances in which a person would need to consider the CV over a traditional resume.

If you are in academia working as a college professor, then you would likely shift to the CV.  Also, if you are working in scientific professions, the CV is probably the choice for you.  Individuals in the medical profession might need curricula vitae depending on their job title.  Is the CV something you need?

When Do You Need a CV?

As professional looking for work in the medical field, it’s possible that you could need to submit a standard resume or CV.  If you are working in an administrative, IT, or accountant position, it is likely that you will need a resume because these roles can be duplicated in other industries.

But if you are a medical doctor/specialist or a pharmacist, it is likely that you are going to need a CV.  This is because CVs require that you place more of a focus on the history of your entire career—something that is needed to prove you are truly qualified to have someone else’s life placed in your hands.

CVs require that you include your vast educational background, work history, specifics of your qualifications, professional memberships, research conducted, any management training, and experience.  They also include speaking engagements, publications, and overall career intentions, among other information.

Knowing when it is appropriate to send a CV or resume is important in the health care profession.  So before you apply for a position in this industry, it’s good to know which type of document is best for you.

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