For physicians, pick a clean, professional template that highlights clinical roles and credentials. Choose a reverse-chronological or hybrid layout so hiring managers see recent clinical work first and recruiters parse dates easily.
Keep length to one page if you have under 10 years of clinical experience. Use two pages only when you have extensive clinical leadership, research, or publications that directly match the job.
Use ATS-friendly fonts like Calibri, Arial, Georgia, or Garamond. Set body text to 10–12pt and headers to 14–16pt. Keep consistent margins and at least 0.4–0.5 inch white space so each section reads clearly.
Structure sections with clear headings like Contact, Licensure, Clinical Experience, Education, Certifications, Research, and Skills. Put board certifications and active medical licenses near the top so they are obvious.
Avoid heavy graphics, tables, or complex columns. Those elements often break ATS parsing and hide critical details like dates and job titles. Use simple bullets for responsibilities and quantifiable outcomes for impact.
Common mistakes include long paragraphs, inconsistent date formats, and crowded sections with tiny fonts. Don’t use nonstandard fonts or bright color blocks that distract from content. Keep punctuation and spacing consistent so each entry reads like a single clinical note.