The medical resume

What's the same?

• Keep the resume succinct (tolerance for waffle is extremely low!)
• 2-3 pages with plenty of white space and easy to read format
• Gain permission from referees to be your referee
• Check spelling
• Proofread your application and ensure that you are addressing your application to the correct hospital in the cover letter (yes cut and paste is alive and well - Ballarat Hospital commonly get letters addressed to Barwon Health)
• Do your research (Ballarat gave the example if a student is looking to become a Neurosurgeon the hospital doesn't offer this specialization)
• List key achievements under Education section
• Demonstrate a balance of work/volunteering/sport or other achievements along with core course skills.

What's different?

• Hospitals do not want a separate key skill summary section. The skills should be contextualised so identify a responsibility/task within a role and link the skill to it.
• Do not list clinical skills as all students have exposure to these - it's a given
• It is advantageous to include a Research Heading if you are able to populate it (ie with an Honours project, publications, thesis etc...)
• Highlight leadership and management skills as these are points of differentiation
• Populate heading Clinical Placements with Selectives/Electives chosen in final year
• Students should mention Problem Based Learning as this is a different teaching approach from many of the other teaching institutions. Deakin students spend their 3rd and 4th year in the hospitals on a steep learning curve gaining those important practical skills so they should be more 'job ready' or advanced in their clinical learning than just a number of rotations

What hospitals are looking for

Medical students academically are high calibre so generally this is not a point of difference. Keep in mind that since medicine is a PG course many students have previously had a successful career before the course, often in a health allied role, and this is a huge advantage. Life experience and maturity is highly valued - so mature aged students have an advantage.

The student must have given some thought to why they want to work in a rural/regional setting. This self awareness about lifestyle, community and networks is very important to recruiters. As one manager said 'these Interns could be our Consultants of tomorrow' - so it makes sense that this return of investment is considered. The Medical Managers are interested in what networks students have in the community, whether that be family or past association with the region, because it is a more relaxed collegiate lifestyle that may not suit all and they want them to stay. Some considered thought must have been given by the student as to why they want this lifestyle and what are the benefits to them.

The interview is important and as one Medical Manager mentioned he will 'eyeball' the student to determine sincerity and self awareness - that is why he can boast an 85% retention rate of interns. A holistic view is taken to each student - if you apply you get an interview at Geelong Hospital - so although good marks count it is not the only factor considered when recruiting. Excellent marks do not always equate to being a good doctor. Finally the interview question asked and often trips students up is ' Why do you want to practice in a rural/regional setting?'

A sample medical resume can be found in the resources section on the careers and employment site.