Doctor Resume Example
Pursuing a career as a doctor provides opportunities for career progression and responsibilities involving maintaining patient records and diagnosing patient conditions. A professional resume for doctor applications will showcase your relevant skills and career achievements, to help you stand out from the crowd. In this article, we'll showcase resume tips and examples that can help you create a professional doctor resume that catches the eye of hiring managers.
The aim of this article is to equip you with all the knowledge required to create a resume that positions you to succeed in your doctor applications. Just like diagnosing and treating patients, creating a strong doctor resume requires precision, clarity, and a well-structured approach. You'll learn how to show employers you've got the relevant qualities, skills and experience for the job, all presented in a format that employers prefer to see. The article also includes tips for formatting your resume according to your experience and strengths. Continue reading to find the best doctor resume tips from careers experts at Jobseeker.
What to include in a doctor resume
Most resumes contain similar key sections, with a doctor resume being no different. For junior candidates with little work experience, other sections of the resume take on more prominence and might be placed before the work experience section. These could include education, skills, projects, certifications and volunteer work.
How you choose to present your resume is up to you. There are plenty of options for a professional resume layout and format, but every application should include the following:
Header and Personal Information
A doctor resume header contains your name and contact information. Add your first and last name, your phone number and your email address. Include your address or location, but avoid adding any other personal information. If you have a LinkedIn profile, you can add the URL to your header so the hiring manager can get a better understanding of your work history and experience. Make sure your resume header is as brief as possible and doesn't take up too much valuable space. Choose a clear, professional design that sets the tone for your application.
Opt for a professional-looking email address based on your name. If your email address could be construed as unprofessional or inappropriate because it contains nicknames or unsuitable language, create a new, more professional email address for your job applications. Always check your contact details to make sure they're up-to-date before you send your resume.
Sofia Jackson
sofia.jackson@example.com
(111) 222 33 444 55
1600 Pennsylvania Avenue, Washington, DC
linkedin․com/in/sofia–jackson123
Resume Summary
The next section is the resume summary. The section might also be called 'resume objective' or 'personal profile'. This is a brief introduction to you, your key skills and your career achievements and ambitions. While a resume summary focuses on your career achievements and experience, a resume objective typically focuses on your ambitions for the future. Furthermore, when writing your profile, focus on two or three key skills and achievements that showcase your suitability for doctor roles.
Alternatively, you could use this section to reference your objectives and ambitions, and how this role would fit into your career journey.
A strong resume summary focuses on two or three key skills and achievements that showcase your suitability for doctor roles in a clear, quantifiable way. It also gives an insight into your personal qualities, to help the reader understand why you're a suitable candidate. See below for some great examples of what to include in your doctor resume summary.
Experienced and dedicated Doctor of Medicine (MD) with a robust background as a Consultant Physician. Expertise in diagnosing and managing a wide range of medical conditions, providing high-quality patient care, and leading multidisciplinary teams. Proven track record in clinical practice, patient education, and healthcare management. Committed to continuous professional development and the implementation of evidence-based practices
Medical professional with some experience in healthcare and patient care. Worked in roles diagnosing and managing various health issues. Have led teams and been involved in clinical practice and patient education. Focused on ongoing learning and using current medical practices
Alternatively, a poor resume summary would include bland, generic information that does little to prove your suitability for the role, while failing to provide any useful insights on you as a person or as a candidate. See above for some examples of things to avoid when writing your doctor resume summary.
Skills
Adding a list of your key skills provides a quick reference for the reader of what you can bring to a doctor role. Skills such as patient care techniques or empathy and compassion are particularly useful for doctor jobs. Again, refer to the doctor job description for an indication of the types of skills the employer is looking for, and make sure your skills section reflects these.
Showcasing hard skills on your doctor resume
In your hard skills list, include any specific abilities related to the role you're applying for. These could be technical skills or industry knowledge that showcases your expertise in your chosen profession. Furthermore, it's important to show these skills in a doctor resume as they provide a strong indication of your experience in the sector. Include around four or five key hard skills that are listed in the job description. These skills will help to convince the hiring manager that you're a good fit for the position.
If you want to make a strong impression with your hard skills list, focus on hard skills that align with your specific industry expertise, and that reflect the job description. For inspiration on the right type of hard skills for a doctor resume, see below.
- Patient care techniques
- Diagnostic test interpretation
- EMR software proficiency
Adding soft skills to your doctor resume
In your soft skills list, include any personal characteristics that make you a good fit for a doctor job. Soft skills tend to be more universal than hard skills, but they're no less important. Indeed, as the nature of work changes, soft skills are growing in importance, so make sure you include them in your resume. Aim to include approximately five soft skills that reflect the skills listed in the job description.
Your soft skills section should make the most of your unique personal qualities and strengths, while also reflecting the requirements laid out in the job description. See below for some examples of useful soft skills for a doctor resume.
- Empathy and compassion
- Effective communication
- Problem-solving skills
Education
In this section list any educational qualifications or degrees that are relevant to doctor roles.
Typically, working as a doctor requires a university or college degree, which you'll need to list on your resume. If you're working in this sector, it's usually a good idea to highlight your Bachelor of Science in Medicine degree or other relevant qualifications. Focus on qualifications that showcase your patient care techniques or diagnostic test interpretation.
For each entry in this section, add the name and level of your qualification, the institution you studied at, its location and your dates of study. If you have space, include some bullet points outlining any specialist areas of study, awards or high grades, so the employer can learn more about your unique skill set and knowledge.
If you were a member of any clubs or societies, or volunteered for any causes while studying, you could also mention these in your education section.
Doctor of Medicine (MD), 2017 - 2020
University of Louisville, Louisville, KY
Certifications and Training
Under this section, list any relevant certifications or licenses that are relevant to doctor jobs. Add any official certifications or accreditations that increase your level of qualification and suitability for working as a doctor. Therefore, make sure you list the dates of your certifications and licenses so employers can see they're up-to-date and valid.
Take a look at some example certifications for a doctor resume below:
- Board Certified Physician, 2022
- ACLS Certification, 2022
- BLS Certification, 2022
Work Experience
In your work experience section, list any previous relevant roles you've worked in, as well as your key achievements as a doctor. Add each previous employment in reverse-chronological order. This means starting from your current or most recent role and working back in time from there. Include your job title, the company name, the location of the job and your dates of employment.
Add some bullet points under each job entry, explaining your achievements in the role, so the reader can see how you contributed towards success for the company. Provide evidence of your impact and make sure each point addresses a requirement listed in the job description.
A good resume work experience section includes your most relevant previous jobs and highlights your key achievements in each role. To make the best possible impression on hiring managers, make sure each entry in your work experience section references skills and experience listed in the job description, and shows how you added value to each role with quantifiable evidence and outcomes. There are some examples of strong resume work experience sections below.
Consultant Physician, January 2022 - Present
HealthGuard Medical Services, Scottsdale
- Successfully implemented a hospital-wide sepsis management protocol, reducing mortality rates by 15% over two years
- Led a multidisciplinary team in a clinical trial, resulting in a new treatment guideline for chronic heart failure
- Published 10 peer-reviewed articles in top medical journals, including The Lancet and JAMA, advancing knowledge in internal medicine
Consultant Physician, January 2022 - Present
HealthGuard Medical Services, Scottsdale
- Improved patient care through various initiatives and protocols
- Led teams in important medical projects and research
- Contributed to medical literature with several publications
In the graphic above you can see a great example of what to avoid when writing your resume work experience section. Ineffective work experience sections tend to focus too much on everyday responsibilities over skills and achievements. If you use vague descriptions of activities and fail to back up your achievements with evidence, you're likely to fail to make an impact on the reader.
Expert Tip:
Focus on specific accomplishments that highlight your work ethic and reliability, such as "reduced processing time by 15%" or "earned Employee of the Month twice." (1) Pair this with a simple, clean format that ensures your resume looks professional and approachable. (2)
Optional Information
To provide further information on your suitability for the role, you could add some optional sections to a doctor resume. Choose any optional sections that showcase essential or desirable skills or experience for doctor jobs.
Hobbies and Interests
Add any hobbies and interests that reinforce your credentials for the position. Hobbies can help you show different sides of your personality and make your resume more memorable to hiring managers. They're ideal to include if you're a junior candidate who might lack real world doctor experience. Think about adding hobbies and interests to your resume if they add some insight into your personality that you can't express elsewhere in your application.
Volunteering
Adding voluntary roles can be a useful way of showing relevant experience and skills for doctor roles beyond your main employment history. Add any voluntary roles, including your position, the name of the organization, the dates of your voluntary work and a brief explanation of your responsibilities and achievements.
References
References aren't a standard doctor resume section, but employers do sometimes ask for them. Check the job advert and only include them if requested. Before adding any referees to your resume, ask them for their assistance and prepare them for contact by the employer.
References are available upon request.
Best action words for your doctor resume
Start each bullet point in your work experience section with a strong verb to show actions you took. Add strong verbs from the list below to create a greater impact with your work experience section.
- Diagnosed
- Treated
- Examined
- Prescribed
- Monitored
- Assessed
- Advised
- Managed
- Coordinated
- Supervised
Jobseeker's clean, attractive resume formats can help your applications make a strong impression on employers. Check them out for help designing a winning resume, and see our cover letter templates to help win over recruiters and hiring managers.
Sample resume for doctor positions
Using each of the sections above, we've created this example doctor resume, to help guide you when creating your own:
1600 Pennsylvania Avenue, Washington, DC
•
sofia.jackson@example.com
•
(111) 222 33 444 55
•
linkedin․com/in/sofia–jackson123
Experienced General Practitioner with a Bachelor of Science in Biology, skilled in diagnosing and treating a wide range of medical conditions. Proficient in patient care, medical assessments, and developing treatment plans. Strong background in clinical practice with a commitment to providing high-quality healthcare.
General Practitioner (GP)
2020
-2022
Evercare Medical Group (Detroit)
- Successfully managed a patient panel of 1,200, achieving a 95% satisfaction rate and improving clinical outcomes
- Implemented a preventive health program, reducing patient hospital admissions by 20% over two years
- Led a multidisciplinary team to enhance chronic disease management, resulting in a 30% improvement in patient compliance rates
Patient care techniques
Diagnostic test interpretation
EMR software proficiency
Empathy and compassion
Effective communication
Problem-solving skills
Board Certified Physician
ACLS Certification
English - Fluent
Spanish - B2
Key tips for a doctor resume
- Use a professional resume format with clear headings, a defined structure and consistent margins for optimum readability.
- Proofread your resume to ensure it's free from spelling and grammar errors. Even minor errors can make a difference to your chances.
- Quantify your career achievements by including evidence of your impact throughout your resume.
- Reference your key qualifications and educational achievements, including grades if these help you stand out from other candidates.
- Action verbs can help show the actions you've taken and the impact you've made in doctor jobs (e.g. 'advised', 'managed', 'coordinated').
- Don't write any unnecessary personal details on your resume. Details such as age, gender or nationality can lead to unintentional recruitment bias.
- Don't use passive language - steer away from phrases like 'I was asked to' and use action words instead.
- Don't lie or exaggerate about your doctor experience or achievements as it can harm your chances in the long term.
- Don't use an unprofessional email address. Instead, opt for a simple email address based on your name.
- Don't forget to keep your header up-to-date with every application, to make sure you don't include old contact information.
Making an ATS-friendly resume
Applicant tracking systems (ATS) are increasingly taking responsibility for the management and processing of job applications, helping hiring practices to become more efficient. This can include screening resumes by scanning and ranking each application according to how closely it matches the job description. If you follow a few simple tips when writing your doctor resume, you'll give yourself a better chance of ranking highly in the ATS screening and progressing to the next stage.
Here are a few quick tips for creating an ATS-friendly resume:
- Choose a resume structure that matches the traditional, reverse-chronological layout or alternatively, the functional resume structure. This should make your resume more readable for ATS applications.
- Use of job description keywords throughout your resume will help it rank higher in the ATS scanning stage, as it will more closely match the requirements laid out in the job description.
- Use clear headings that break your resume up into readable, scannable sections that match the standard content employers expect from a resume.
- Use design elements that help make your resume more readable. These might include white space, clear, professional fonts and subtle color accents to help certain elements stand out.
- Adopt simple, professional language to keep your resume as concise as possible. This tends to make your document more readable, and easier for ATS software to scan.
For help crafting a winning resume, read our in-depth career blog and review our resume examples for inspiration.
Frequently Asked Questions about a doctor resume
Alongside your doctor resume, it's important to produce a professional cover letter that creates a similar positive impact on the reader.
In some situations, a full, professional cover letter may not be necessary. Check the job advert and decide whether to write a formal cover letter, or if a brief email is more suitable.
A traditional cover letter should follow formal letter-writing conventions and structure, including a header, the recipient's address and professional greetings and sign-offs. For the main body of the letter, open with a short paragraph introducing yourself and explaining your reasons for applying for the doctor role. Follow that with an explanation of your skills and experience and how they're relevant to the position. Close by expressing your gratitude and enthusiasm, and leaving a call to action that encourages the employer to open a dialogue with you.
For help creating an eye-catching cover letter that impresses recruiters and hiring managers, use Jobseeker's professional cover letter templates.
As an experienced doctor, you'll want your resume to showcase all of your relevant experience and achievements. As a doctor with a wealth of experience, you'll want to showcase this in your work history section. Consider going back beyond the standard 10 to 15 years of employment history to show employers your experience levels. Add any optional sections that reinforce your image as a knowledgeable, respected professional in your field. This might include awards and other recognition, successful projects or a dedicated achievements section.
A resume headline can catch the attention of the reader and give them a strong first impression about your suitability for doctor jobs. A well-constructed resume headline can help your resume rank highly with ATS screening tools by referencing some of the key information from the job description. Write a few words to set the tone for your resume, including the job title, your experience or track record and one or two key skills that make you stand out.
Below you can see a resume headline example:
- Aspiring Medical Professional Seeking Opportunities
- Dedicated Medical Professional and Specialist
- Experienced Senior Medical Professional
The best resume format for you depends on two things. Firstly, it depends on your experience level. Secondly, it depends on the type and level of position you're applying for. For applicants without much relevant work experience, a functional resume format tends to be best. This places the emphasis on your key skills and relevant qualifications. For more senior roles where you have plenty of relevant experience, use a reverse chronological format. This resume structure places work experience at the heart of the document, using it as a showcase for your skills and achievements.
Key takeaways for your doctor resume
Writing a strong, impactful resume is about using your experience to demonstrate your relevant skills and achievements. You can do this through your work history or other resume sections. Choose a resume structure that makes the most of your relevant experience, whether through work or other activities, and be sure to tailor your resume to match the job description.
Use Jobseeker's resume templates, other tools and resources to create an application that impresses employers. Sign up today to access a wealth of valuable resume and cover letter resources. Whatever job you're applying for, a professional cover letter can make all the difference to your chances. Use Jobseeker's HR-approved tools and cover letter examples to inspire your applications.
Sources:
(1) Writing a Resume, California Department of Human Resources: https://www.calhr.ca.gov/employees/Pages/resume-tips.aspx
(2) Resume Tips, Duke University: https://careerhub.students.duke.edu/resources/resume-tips/
