1. Curriculum Vitae: Tips
CDR Dan Brum
Pharmacist, USPHS Commissioned Corps
PharmPAC Member, Readiness Section Co-Lead

2. Disclaimer
The views and opinions expressed in the following PowerPoint slides are those of the individual presenter and should not be attributed to any organization with which the presenter is employed or affiliated.

3. Agenda Who looks at your CV? Helpful resources My recommendations
Open discussion

4. Who looks at your CV? Promotion board members
ROS, PIR, COERs, OS, CV
Hiring officials / interviewers
Others e.g., PACs, working groups, etc.
Whenever a decision-maker is short-listing, interviewing or selecting applicants.
PIR – Promotion Information Report
OS – Officer’s Statement
ROS – Reviewing Official’s Statement CV
COER

5. Who else might you ask to look at your CV?
Family or friend
Mentor
(Senior) officer volunteers
Professional resume and CV writing service
We have an outstanding group of Sr Officer volunteers this year to review CV’s of officers eligible for promotion that request a review. Any officer requesting a CV review may their CV to CDR Mike Crockett at

6. Multiple Versions?
Depending on the purpose or intended audience, you may need to develop more than one version of your CV (e.g., USAJobs)

7. Resources (1) Sample CV Template on PAC website E.g., Pharmacy
PharmPAC website, under Career Development, under Guidance: Category Benchmarks and Sample CV Template

8. Resources (2) Category promotion precepts and benchmarks
Precepts: e.g., performance (40%), progression (25%), edu/training (15%), career officership (15%), etc.
Precepts described in terms of factors
Each factor has a benchmark which is a level of achievement for the officer given the category and grade **Benchmarks are not a checklist, they are a hypothetical set of attributes for the ideal officer at a given grade**

9. Your accomplishments should be documented
The category promotion benchmarks guidance states repeatedly that accomplishments should be documented in your CV
Your CV is your chance to tell your story.

10. Recommendations (1) Follow the CV template Know the precepts
Update CV frequently (living document)
Living document that’s constantly evolving.
The CV template follows the precepts and this is not by accident, so make sure that your CV follows that as well.

11. Recommendations (2) Proofread: Be meticulous
Remove outdated & irrelevant items
Shorten it…more
One page cover sheet
One page cover sheet is NOT a requirement, but I would recommend it. Also, remember to highlight the most important accomplishments on the cover sheet. Some tips- could use bold typing or italic or underline to accentuate certain items, but DON’T over-do-it.

12. Recommendations (3)
Make prominent the most important information e.g.,
“10 staff report directly to me”
“Directly control & manage a $15M budget”
Emphasize career highlights
Use bold, italics, underline sparingly
E.g., PHS Distinguished Service Medal (DSM)

13. Recommendations (4) Be truthful Don’t plagiarize
If team effort, don’t take all the credit
Don’t plagiarize
Be consistent (e.g., formatting)
Fax in CV to eOPF regularly
Fax #: (301) or (301)

14. Highlights Use the template Know the precepts & benchmarks
Highlight accomplishments that differentiate you (from your peers)
Proofread
Less is often more
Yes, be clear and concise and stay away from agency abbreviations. The person reviewing your CV may not be familiar with your particular agency jargon.

15. Less is more (Example 1a)
PHS Outstanding Service Medal (2010) Exemplary performance in the…
PHS Commendation Medal (2009) – Outstanding performance for the…
PHS Unit Commendation (2008) –
Yet another long citation
Etc.
A long history of awards leads to lengthy CV.
Probably too much detail for a CV.

16. Less is more (Example 1b)
PHS Outstanding Service Medal (2010)
PHS Commendation Medal (2009)
PHS Unit Commendation (2008)
Etc.

17. Less is more (Example 2) USPHS Winds Ensemble, Percussionist (2005-10)
30 performances
USPHS Winds Ensemble
Played at Event A
Played at Event B
Played at Event C
Played at Event D
Played at Event E
Played at Event F
Played at Event G
Etc.
Probably too much detail for a CV.

18. Less is more (Example 3) PLANT Workgroup, Writer (2005-10)
Authored seven (7) mini-biographical sketches
PLANT Workgroup, Writer ( )
Profile A
Profile B
Profile C
Profile D
Profile E
Profile F
Profile G

19. Less is more: conclusions
Summarize where possible
Emphasize key points (e.g., group leader, major contribution, measureable impact, etc.)
Don’t document the “accomplishment” until you have actually done it

20. Food and Drug Administration
Contact Information
CDR Dan Brum
Food and Drug Administration
White Oak 22, Rm 4160
10903 New Hampshire Ave.
Silver Spring, MD W:

21. Open Discussion