How to write a CV

A friend of mine said “We have to attach passport photo to CV when we apply for a job in Singapore.”

I was surprised by that statement. It is reasonable to affix the photo to her résumé if she was applying for a job as barmaid or catwalk model. In fact, she is an engineer intending to work at the construction site.

Including a photo with a CV is strongly discouraged except where a photo is required or expected (e.g. modelling, acting). Employers may still request a photograph regardless. If you do need to include one, make sure it is a professional head-shot, just like your passport photo. http://www.wikijob.co.uk/wiki/example-cv-resume-template

I agree with it. Of course, there must be some exceptions. But I still don’t understand why some employers want to check the engineering and computing job applicant’s photo prior to short-listing. Does unwritten personal specifications for that particular job include that candidate should be good looking? Do they choose new employees from a particular ethnic origin? If so, how to justify that job selection is fair and square?

In our medical field, job application is mainly online. Applicants need to fill the form on icam or NHS job website. Of course, we have to prepare properly and thoroughly for the question like “ How would you see yourself in next 10 years?” “What are the achievements outside medicine?” “Why do you want to work in this trust?”

In fact, the role of CV still exists in some occasions. For example, In the ARCP (Annual Review of Competence Progression) , the panel expects to see trainees’ CV as part of the assessment of progression. Moreover, when newly arrived doctors from Asia apply for a non-training posts, they may need to send paper copy of CV together with job application form.

This brief guide is intended for oversea doctors who just arrive, applying for a job.

The important thing is your CV must not be cheeky.

Sex, date of birth, religion, ethnicity and other personal information, apart from address and contact details, are not essentially required in your CV.

Writing CV is no fixed rule, but here is one format you may check.

CV

Name

Address

Email:

Contact number:

Employment history

Date, Job position, Employer
(Career gap more than 2 weeks is usually not favourable if you don’t have a good reason)

Medical qualifications (plus post graduate degree if you have )

Career Plan
What do you intend to become?

Courses
(Holding valid ALS certificate is positive for junior doctors)

Experience

* Clinical Ward Work Experience
* On Call Experience
* Outpatients Clinic Experience


Generic and Clinical skills

* Generic Skills
* Clinical Skills

Practical skills
I can independently perform the following procedures….

Research and Audit experience

* Audit: (Title, year)
* Research: (Title, Year, where published)

Presentations and Publications
(Local, regional, National level if you have some)

Teaching Experience


Hobbies and interests


Referees

All the best!