CV for Residency: Example & Writing Tips for 2025

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How to write a CV for a residency

If you want to impress NHS Trusts, deaneries, or academic hospitals, you’ll need a clear, evidence-based residency CV that highlights your education, clinical experience, and readiness for speciality training. Here are our top tips on writing a strong CV for a UK medical residency:

1. Start with a convincing CV personal profile

Your CV personal profile sits at the top of the document and should quickly outline your clinical competence, areas of interest, and commitment to further training.

Tailor it to your target speciality and the stage of your medical career. Here are two examples:

Foundation doctor

GMC-registered doctor completing Foundation Year 1 with clinical experience across surgery, geriatrics, and acute medicine. Skilled in patient assessment, emergency response, and collaborative multidisciplinary care. Seeking a Core Training post to develop specialist expertise in internal medicine.

Residency applicant

Motivated junior doctor with full GMC registration and strong exposure to both inpatient and outpatient settings. Experienced in acute care, chronic disease management, and audit participation. Dedicated to advancing clinical skills and contributing to evidence-based practice as part of a speciality training programme.

2. Tailor your CV with the right keywords

Residency selectors and NHS recruiters scan for core competencies and training-readiness, so use the exact language drawn from the job advert and person specifications you’re looking at. Common keywords and skills for your CV include:

• Taking and documenting patient histories and examinations
• Formulating differential diagnoses and management plans
• Participating in ward rounds, handovers, and MDT meetings
• Performing practical procedures (e.g., venepuncture, catheterisation, suturing)
• Managing acutely unwell patients under supervision
• Contributing to clinical audits, QIP (Quality Improvement Projects), and research
• Delivering health promotion and patient education
• Complying with local and national clinical guidelines (e.g., NICE)
• Completing electronic patient records accurately
• Engaging in continuing professional development (CPD) and reflection

Typical requirements listed in UK foundation or core training applications include:

• Full GMC registration with licence to practise
• Foundation Year 1 (FY1) or Foundation Year 2 (FY2) experience
• Evidence of clinical audit or QIP participation
• ALS certification (Advanced Life Support)
• Basic surgical skills (for surgical specialities)
• Understanding of Good Medical Practice (GMC guidance)
• Commitment to equality, diversity, and patient-centred care

Including these terms shows recruiters that you meet the essential standards for NHS clinical practice and speciality training entry.

3. Measure your clinical experience with hard numbers

UK hospitals value clear evidence of your clinical contribution. Quantifying your work experience helps show the scale and complexity of your responsibilities. For example:

• Clerked and managed over 300 patients during FY1 rotations across medicine and surgery
• Performed 200+ venepunctures, 150+ IV cannulations, and 50+ urinary catheterisations
• Participated in 3 clinical audits and presented findings at Trust meetings
• Responded to 75+ cardiac arrest calls as part of on-call emergency team
• Assisted in 30+ minor surgical procedures during general surgery placement
• Delivered 10+ teaching sessions to medical students during clinical attachments
• Completed 2 Quality Improvement Projects, leading to updated local guidelines

Adding metrics like these boosts your credibility and shows you are proactive, reliable, and ready for higher training.

4. Highlight relevant qualifications and certifications

Residency recruiters expect to see all essential qualifications clearly listed in your education section and qualifications section. Make sure you include:

• Medical degree (e.g., MBBS / MBChB) from a GMC-recognised university
• GMC Full Registration with licence to practise
• ALS (Advanced Life Support) certificate from Resuscitation Council UK

Other relevant certifications:

• Immediate Life Support (ILS)
• Basic Surgical Skills (for surgical applicants)
• Research ethics training (if applicable)
• Undergraduate prizes, scholarships, or distinctions (if relevant)

Include the awarding institution and the year achieved: This reassures assessors that you’re fully qualified and up to date with mandatory training.

5. Showcase wider contributions to medicine

Beyond your clinical skills, demonstrate your broader commitment to healthcare and continuous improvement. Examples include:

• Audit projects improving compliance with Sepsis 6 protocols
• Presentations at local or national medical conferences
• Research assistant work on oncology, cardiology, or public health studies
• Leadership roles in medical school societies or junior doctor forums
• Peer mentoring of medical students or FY1 colleagues
• Public health advocacy or voluntary work
• Interests in medical education, health informatics, or patient safety initiatives

Highlighting these activities shows that you are engaged, motivated, and committed to contributing to the future of medicine.

Takeaways

1. Open with a strong summary: Highlight your clinical competence, experience, and speciality interests in 3–4 lines.
2. Use clinical keywords: Mention skills like clerking patients, MDT participation, emergency response, and audit work to impress recruiting managers and make your CV ATS-proof.
3. Quantify achievements: Show your impact — e.g., ‘Managed 300+ patients,’ ‘Performed 150+ venepunctures.’
4. List essential qualifications: Include MBBS/MBChB, GMC registration, ALS certification, and any awards.
5. Show broader commitment: Mention audits, research, presentations, leadership, or teaching roles.

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