Be Prepared Applying for ResidenciesFellowships

1
Be PreparedApplying for Residencies/Fellowships

• Cathy L. Bartels, Pharm.D., FAAIM
• Creighton University Medical Center
• School of Pharmacy Health Professions

2
Definitions

• Résumé
• Brief (1-2 page) summary of career objectives,
  education, work experience
• Helps to secure an interview
• Curriculum Vitae (CV)
• Comprehensive document that includes all
  education, achievements, and experiences
• Basically, no page limit
• An organized outline of your professional life

3
Components of a Résumé

• Personal data
• Name, address, phone
• Objective (position youre applying for)
• Education (university, degree date of
  graduation)
• Employment (job title, dates worked, employer,
  specific duties be brief)
• Organizations/Professional memberships
• Honors/Awards
• Other skills (BLS, immunization certification,
  second languages, etc.)
• References

4
Components of a CV

• Personal data
• Name, address, phone
• Education
• University, degree, date of graduation
• Certifications and Licenses
• Clerkship rotations
• Listed either under its own heading or under
  education
• Include site, preceptor, and dates
• Include planned rotations

5
Components of a CV

• Work experience
• Job title, dates worked, employer
• Brief description of responsibilities, especially
  if unique
• Can include non-pharmacy/healthcare jobs, but
  focus on pharmacy work experiences
• Presentations/Publications/Posters
• Date and setting (in-service, etc.)
• Audience (pharmacists, nurses, physicians, etc.)
• Professional memberships/Affiliations
• Honors and Awards
• Scholarships, professional associations,
  community, etc.
• References

6
Résumé/CV Dos

• Proofread, proofread, proofread
• Professional format and layout
• Easy-to-read, professional font
• Be clear, concise, and consistent
• Use terms others will understand
• Use action verbs to describe accomplishments
  responsibilities
• Be honest but do NOT be modest
• Need to promote yourself
• Do NOT pad your document
• Place information in reverse chronological order
• Most recent backwards

7
Résumé/CV Donts

• Informality
• Wasted space
• Wild colors/fonts/designs/cutesy
• Inappropriate stationery (use heavy stock paper
  in white/ivory)
• Typos
• Erroneous information
• Inclusion of personal information/photograph
  (age, ethnicity, gender, hobbies, etc.)
• Inclusion of too much non-pharmacy/health care
  information only provide highlights
• Inclusion of anything you are NOT prepared to
  discuss

8
The Cover Letter

• First paragraph
• Position youre applying for why youre
  interested
• Second paragraph (Do NOT rehash your résumé/CV)
• Specific skills, attributes, qualifications for
  this position
• Third paragraph
• Brief summary thanking them for considering you
  for position
• State your interest/availability for an interview
• End with a statement pertaining to looking
  forward to an interview
• One-page rule
• Be concise, professional, personal formal,
  highlight your key attributes

9
References

• Only provide names/contact information in
  résumé/CV
• Ask the person before you list their name!
• Letters of recommendation are typically sent
  separately
• Good references lead to good residencies/fellowshi
  ps
• Previous employers
• Academic professors who taught you skills you
  value
• Ask for letters early in the game
• Provide due dates
• Provide your CV/résumé
• Respect their other obligations

10
Preparing for the Interview

• Research the organization, job, interviewers
• Rehearse questions responses
• Develop your questions pertaining to the
  residency/fellowship
• Dress professionally wear comfortable shoes
• Be punctual (5-15 minutes early)
• Bring a copy of your résumé/CV references list
• www.ashp.org (resume interview centers)
• www.aphanet.org (interview planning)