10 Things NOT to Include in Your CV

Avoid these common missteps that can clutter, confuse, or compromise your medical CV.

A well-written CV can open doors. A cluttered one can quietly close them.

At our medical CV review service, we’ve seen it all—from brilliant academic physicians with buried accomplishments to promising trainees hiding their strengths behind walls of irrelevant detail.

Here’s the truth: sometimes what you leave out is just as important as what you include.

Let’s count down the Top 10 Things NOT to Include in Your CV—and why cutting them might just be your smartest move.

1. A Personal Photo

Unless you're applying in a country where it's customary (hint: not the U.S. or Canada), a photo is unnecessary—and potentially problematic. Let your experience, not your appearance, do the talking.

2. An Objective Statement

This isn't a résumé. Your CV doesn’t need a vague line like “To obtain a position that utilizes my clinical and research skills.” Let your accomplishments and cover letter convey your goals instead.

3. Irrelevant Jobs (e.g., Camp Counselor, Waiter)

Unless it directly supports your medical journey (like a CNA position or health outreach role), skip it. Your CV is not a LinkedIn timeline—it’s a targeted professional document.

4. Excessive Detail on Every Poster or Presentation

You don’t need full abstracts, co-author commentary, or 8-line descriptions. List the title, conference, and date. Keep it clean. Ask yourself: Is this adding clarity or clutter?

5. Outdated Certifications

BLS from 2016? A CPR card that expired five years ago? Remove it. Only include active, relevant certifications—and be sure they’re current at the time of submission.

6. Typos and Inconsistent Formatting

Nothing sinks a first impression faster. Inconsistent fonts, alignment errors, or sloppy punctuation tell reviewers you lack attention to detail—never a good look in medicine.

7. High School Achievements

Unless you're a pre-med, it’s time to let go of that National Honor Society mention. Admissions and hiring committees are focused on who you are now—not who you were at 17.

8. Excessive Personal Information

No need to include marital status, number of children, religion, or social security number. This isn’t just unnecessary—it can raise red flags about professionalism and privacy awareness.

9. “References Available Upon Request”

This phrase is outdated and redundant. Programs and employers will ask if they want them. Use that space for something more meaningful—like your leadership, research, or teaching experience.

10. Everything You’ve Ever Done

Just because you can list it, doesn’t mean you should. A CV is not a comprehensive life log—it’s a curated narrative. Keep it relevant, recent, and purposeful.

If you’re applying for competitive residencies, fellowships, or faculty roles, your CV should highlight your most relevant strengths—clearly and concisely.

A great CV doesn’t just tell them what you’ve done—it shows them why it matters.

Let us help you cut the noise, sharpen your message, and present your career with the clarity it deserves.