How to Tell Your Professional Story

Dr. Battafarano

Volunteering is often a criterion for promotion, and service awards should be included in your CV, résumé and personal statements. Volunteer roles can be varied, such as serving on committees at work, for professional or patient organizations, or in the community. Work-related and professional service are usually included.

All types of volunteering are important. Again, when deciding which ones to put on your CV/résumé, include them all. Refer back to the criteria for that promotion, award or job. Look at your CV/résumé, and think about who the audience is. Volunteer roles in places of worship, philanthropic organizations and your children’s schools/activities may or may not be on your professional CV/résumé. If you are being nominated for a service award, these would be very important to include, in addition to professional service.

In Sum

Pull out your CV/résumé now. As you begin to peruse it, consider the following: Is it easy to read? Are sections clearly delineated? Are subsections needed—to separate presentations at workplace, local, state, national and international levels, for example? Does your CV/résumé highlight your accomplishments?

No matter how humble you feel, make sure you put your best self on paper.

Janet L. Poole, PhD, OTR/L, is a professor and division chief, Occupational Therapy Graduate Program, University of New Mexico School of Medicine, Albuquerque.

Daniel F. Battafarano, DO, MACP, MACR, serves in the Rheumatology Clinic, CommuniCare Health Centers, San Antonio, Texas, and is a professor of medicine at Uniformed Services University and adjoint professor of medicine at University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio.