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CV Templates
Overview
Your CV is often your first impression in the NHS.
Before interviews, before references, before experience — recruiters see your CV.
A strong CV doesn’t make you look impressive.
It makes you look safe, organised, and appointable.
This page helps you get there.
Why Most Medical CVs Fail
Many doctors are rejected not because they are weak candidates, but because their CVs are:
- Too long
- Poorly structured
- Generic
- Full of irrelevant details
- Hard to scan quickly
Recruiters often spend less than 30 seconds on a first review.
Clarity wins.
What a Strong NHS CV Should Emphasise
For junior clinical roles, trusts care most about:
- GMC registration
- NHS or relevant clinical experience
- Clinical competencies
- Communication skills
- Teamwork
- Audit / QIP
- Teaching
- Exams (PLAB, MRCP etc.)
- Reliability and professionalism
They care less about:
- Long personal statements
- Non-medical achievements
- Fancy design
- Unrelated certificates
Recommended CV Structure (NHS-Friendly)
A safe, effective structure:
- Personal Details
- GMC Status
- Clinical Experience
- Education & Qualifications
- Exams
- Audit / QIP
- Teaching Experience
- Courses & Certifications
- Leadership & Management
- Publications / Presentations (if any)
- Skills
- Referees
Simple. Familiar. Recruiter-friendly.
How Long Should Your CV Be?
- Early career doctors: 2 pages
- With more experience: 2–3 pages
- Rarely should exceed 3 pages
Long CVs are often skimmed poorly.
Short and strong beats long and messy.
Common CV Mistakes
- One CV for every job
- No dates or unclear timelines
- Large unexplained gaps
- Spelling and grammar errors
- Overly casual language
- No evidence of UK system understanding
- Poor formatting
These create doubt even when the doctor is excellent.
What Makes Your CV Stand Out (In a Good Way)
Not exaggeration.
Not buzzwords.
But:
- Clear job roles
- Specific responsibilities
- Demonstrated initiative
- Evidence of reflection
- Real contributions (audit, teaching, improvement)
- Honest and professional tone
Recruiters trust clarity.
Downloadable CV Templates (What You Can Offer on Your Site)
You can offer multiple tailored templates such as:
- IMG-friendly NHS CV template
- Trust Grade SHO CV template
- Clinical Fellow CV template
- IMT application-focused CV template
- Academic CV template
- Minimalist one-page medical CV
Each with:
- Example content
- Guidance notes
- Common mistakes highlighted
This becomes extremely valuable content for your audience.
Reality Check
No CV guarantees a job.
But a poor CV guarantees missed opportunities.
Your CV does not need to be impressive.
It needs to be clear, credible, and easy to trust.
Reassurance
Many doctors who thought their CV was “weak” secured jobs quickly after simple restructuring.
This is a skill you can learn — not a talent you must be born with.