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Should You Have a Pharmacist CV or Pharmacist Resume?

To remain competitive, you’ll need to lay a good foundation for both your pharmacist CV and pharmacist resume

What is a resume? Resumes have changed tremendously in the last 5 to 10 years. It is no longer a mundane listing of job duties. A resume is a self-marketing tool that conveys what you can offer a prospective employer. A resume must quickly answer the golden question, "Can you benefit the organization and do the job they need to have done?”

What is a CV? While a resume is normally limited to 1- 2 pages, a CV is usually multiple pages in length especially as one in their career. The word curriculum vitae is derived from the Latin meaning “course of one’s life.” So do you really need to tell your whole life story? Not exactly.

PHARMACIST CV BASICS

What situations require a CV?
For students and those seeking residency, a CV is a requirement, a must-have. For pharmacists, typically positions that are primarily clinical or will require a CV. But as health-systems move more toward Integrated Clinical Staff Pharmacist positions, who knows what may be required in the near future.  Just this week, I was contacted by a hospital pharmacist needing a resume, CV, and Letter of Interest for a Specialty Pharmacy internal job posting. Therefore, it's a good idea to lay a strong foundation for both--your pharmacist CV and pharmacist resume. 

What should be included in my CV?
CVs for entry-level pharmacy grads may focus heavily on educational and residency experiences. An experienced pharmacist does have the option to include educational experiences but typically will focus on professional accomplishments. However, each person’s “life history” is unique. Thus, one must use the best strategy for the job or position pursued. In addition to the basic sections of a resume, a CV typically includes research, teaching experience, publications, grants and fellowships, professional associations, licenses, awards, and other information relevant to the position for which you are applying.

Best Time to Obtain or Update Your CV?
The day a new opportunity becomes available, is not the best time to start your pharmacist CV updates. As most schools of pharmacy have instilled in us, your CV should constantly be updated for a good running record of your career details. Eight to ten years from now will you remember the name of your preceptor at your first pharmacy school rotation? No. So get it down now.

So which one do you need? A Pharmacist CV or Pharmacist Resume? Truthfully, the answer is both! Create a CV that captures all career details. Relevant details from your CV should then be used as the starting framework for an effective resume marketing your key qualifications for your new job prospect. It is very important to provide exactly what a potential employer requests. To overwhelm with the detail of a long CV when a resume is requested or not comply when a CV was requested will not sit well with key decision makers. 

~ About the Author ~

Denise R. Hemphill, PharmD, CCM, NCRW, CPRW, CEIP, CCTC is a Resume, CV, & Profile Writer designing dynamic self-marketing tools. As a pharmacist and career manager equipped with 5 prominent career industry certifications, she helps pharmacists nationwide reach their career goals. www.ConfidentCareerMoves.com/rx

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