Resume and CV Guide
Do you need a resume or a CV – or both? What should these important documents include? How can you avoid common mistakes? These essential career documents should be straightforward and specific, convey your achievements to potential employers, and show how you fit the role and experience they are seeking in a PA.
Resumes
A resume is a document that presents previous and current employment and other relevant experience. Resumes should highlight information that specifically relates to the job for which you are applying. Resumes should include:
- Contact information
- Employment history including dates, employer name and location, job duties, and highlights/accomplishments at each position
- Educational history, scholarships, and awards
- Additional clinical training and certifications
- License/certification information
- Professional memberships
- Leadership activities
- Volunteer and community service activities
- Awards and recognitions
Need help getting started? Download AAPA’s resume template and create a resume that will impress prospective employers.
Curriculum Vitae
A CV is a longer document designed to demonstrate expertise in areas of research, teaching, and publications. CVs generally include:
- Contact information
- Employment history
- Education
- Professional qualifications, certifications, interests by geographic location, or specialty discipline
- Awards
- Publications
- Presentations
- Leadership activities
- Professional memberships
Need help getting started? Download AAPA’s CV template and create a CV that will impress prospective employers.
General Guidelines
- Tailor your resume or CV to the job for which you are applying. Include relevant transferable resume and experience.
- List employment history in chronological order, starting from the present. Think carefully about your accomplishments, especially measurable ones, and describe them in succinct but compelling detail.
- Include dates of employment, job titles, and key responsibilities in your employment history. Try to show the evolution of your scope of practice and responsibilities over time.
- Include volunteer and community work, and any awards and honors you’ve received.
- Try to keep the resume concise but long enough to convey your achievements and offer a compelling, informative description of your accomplishments to date. Two pages is ideal but this is not an absolute rule. Some PAs will need a longer document.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- A resume and cover letter that are too long, disorganized, or hard to follow.
- A cover letter addressed “To Whom it May Concern.” This is offputtingly generic. If possible, track down the name of the reader, or use “Dear Hiring Director.”
- Misspellings and typographical errors. Triple-check your text before sending!
- Statements that do not illustrate how your previous experience relates to the job for which you are applying.
- Use of fancy extras such as unusual fonts, photos, colored paper, and binders. Ask yourself: Does my finished document look elegant and professional?