Should I Write a CV or Resume?

Q:  Chen, should I write a CV or a resume?

A:   It depends on several factors unique to you, your work history, and the position you are applying for.  To answer the question, let me explain the difference between a CV and a resume.  A CV includes a full history of your experience.    A CV may include your a summary of publications, research, presentations, but a resume doesn’t.  A resume is often a 2-3 page summary of your experience, highlighting the most relevant experience to the position that you are applying for.

Typically, a resume would highlight recent experience.  It is concise, and a perfect way to market yourself for many pharmacist positions.  Look at your resume as a “marketing piece” and a first introduction of yourself to a potential employer.  A pharmacy hiring manager often doesn’t have a lot of time to look at an initial application.  When you express your direct relevant experience to the position you are interested in, it can be more powerful than having a lengthy CV that may end up showing a lot of irrelevant experience.  This may be the case especially when you’ve had varied experience throughout your pharmacy career and it’s hard to scan to find the relevant experience.

However, a CV can be useful also.  It is appropriate when applying for pharmacy residencies, as well as for opportunities in research and academia.  If you have extensive experience and it has primarily been in one practice setting of pharmacy, writing a CV can do the job.  It can also do the job when it shows your breadth of experience well.

I must say that these are general guidelines.  Choosing between a CV or a resume is a case-by-case decision, depending on your breadth of experience, the type of position you’re applying for, how much you’ve transitioned positions (is it frequent that you’ve left positions, or do you typically stay in positions?), when you had your relevant experience to the position, and more.  This is something that you can get advice on from an individual basis if you’re a member of the  “Get the Job” Membership Program for pharmacists, new pharmacy grads, and residents.  You can use your membership benefit to gain direct ongoing access to a pharmacist job market expert for advice and training until you find the right job.