Medical Student Resume—Sample and 25+ Writing Tips

You already have a lot on your mind as a medical school student. Looking for a job can often take a back seat. But this could be a huge mistake.

The work you do while at med school can be as pivotal as proper tracheal intubation. So give yourself the best possible chance at success with a medical student resume better than nine out of ten out there.

In this guide:

• A medical student resume sample better than most.
• How to create the perfect medical student job descriptions for your resume.
• How to write a resume for med school student jobs that stands out.
• Expert tips and examples to boost your chances of landing a medical student job.

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Need another kind of medical resume? What about another kind of student resume? See our guides:

• Academic CV Example & Guide
• Medical School Resume Example & Guide
• Medical Assistant Resume Example & Guide
• Student Resume Example & Guide
• College Application Resume for High School Students: Example & Guide
• Research Assistant Resume Example & Guide
• Tutor Resume Example & Guide
• College Freshman Resume Example & Guide
• College Student Resume Example & Guide
• Resume for Graduate School Application: Example & Guide
• High School Graduate Resume Example & Guide
• Recent College Graduate Resume Example & Guide
• Scholarship Resume Example & Guide
• Certified Nursing Assistant / CNA Resume Example & Guide
• Nursing Resume Example & Guide
• Dentist Resume Example & Guide
• ICU (Critical Care) Nurse Resume Example & Guide
• LPN Resume Example & Guide
• New Grad Nursing (RN) Resume Example & Guide
• Nurse Practitioner Resume Example & Guide
• Nursing Student Resume Example & Guide
• Paramedic / EMT Resume Example & Guide
• Pharmacist Resume Example & Guide
• Pharmacy Technician Resume Example & Guide
• Phlebotomist Resume Example & Guide
• RN (Registered Nurse) Resume Example & Guide

Medical Student Resume Sample

Now here’s how to write a medical student resume they’ll love:

1. Choose the Right Medical Student Resume Format

Soon-to-be physician, help thyself: Your medical student resume better look the part, even at arm’s length. Make sure your resume format is as clean and organized as a tray of surgical instruments:

Medical Student Resume Format

• Use the reverse-chronological resume format to show your most recent activity first. You’ll need to follow an academic CV format if you’re writing a medical student CV rather than a resume.
• Choose a suitable resume font like a Noto in 11–12 pt.
• Leave the margins of your resume at one inch. Include plenty of white space.
• Stick to the right resume length. How many pages should a resume be, though? Try to fit everything on one page.Go for a two-page resume only if you absolutely have to.
• Include at least these resume sections: Resume header, Profile, Experience, Education, and Skills. Aim to include “extra” sections as well.

A preference for PDF over *.docx for resumes makes sense, but always double check what format is actually required.

Some Applicant Tracking Systems (ATSs) can’t deal with PDFs, so if the job ad says that you should submit your resume as a Word file, go for it because the most important thing about an ATS resume is machine readability, not pretty formatting.

2. Write a Winning Medical Student Resume Profile

Medicine can be a fiercely competitive field. How can you stand out right from the start? With a strong resume profile that introduces your candidature the right way.

Got some relevant experience under your belt? Then do so with a career summary statement and lead with your accomplishments.

Use:

1. One adjective (efficient, reliable, hardworking)
2. Job title (medical student)
3. Years of experience (1+, 2+)
4. How you’ll help (help patients)
5. Two or three of your most impressive achievements (reviewed 20+ experimental procedures, assisted in the design of 10+ experimental protocols)

These medical student resume examples show how:

Medical Student Resume Examples—Summary

Highly organized third-year medical student with 5+ years working as a laboratory assistant and medical research assistant. At the Ohio State College of Medicine, prepared over 200 pages of literature review summaries while delivering 100% of tasks on time. Seeking opportunity to help the Singer Group provide care to those most in need by applying proven ultrasound skills.

Third-year medical student with 5 years working while studying. At the Ohio State College of Medicine, prepared literature review summaries while delivering other tasks on time. Looking to find paid employment that will also constitute a professional development opportunity.

See what a little quantification can do? Being concrete and quantifying your accomplishments can make all the difference.

Very little or no work experience? Go with a career objective statement and talk up achievements from your studies or from jobs that aren’t directly relevant to the position you’re applying for.

Medical Student Resume Examples—Objective

Highly motivated third-year medical student with 2+ years working as a medical research assistant. At Penn State University, assisted in the design of 10+ experimental protocols while logging over 1,000 hours laboratory time. Seeking opportunity to help the Singer Group provide care to those most in need by applying proven ultrasound skills.

Full-time medical student without much paid work experience. Good academic and lab skills. Looking for professional development opportunities that pay well.

The first example makes a much stronger impression. Focus on what you can do for them, not the other way around.

Struggling? That’s normal, here’s the trick: Write your medical student resume profile last, it’ll be much easier this way.

3. Create Effective Medical Student Job Description and Skills Sections

Take an evidence-based approach to writing your job descriptions. Show what you can bring to the table by describing what you’ve achieved in the past. Turn your resume work history section into a catalog of workplace accomplishments.

How to write medical student job descriptions:

1. Read and re-read the job ad.
2. Focus on any skills and duties mentioned there.
3. Think of times you’ve impressed employers and supervisors by using those skills.
4. Write resume bullet points that put numbers to those situations.

These medical student resume examples show how:

Medical Student Resume Samples—Job Descriptions

Medical Research Assistant

Ohio State College of Medicine, OH

Sept 2019–present 

• Prepared over 200 pages of literature review summaries.
• Reviewed 20+ experimental procedures.
• Delivered 100% of tasks on time.
• Presented findings to primary researchers.

Medical Research Assistant

Ohio State College of Medicine, OH

2019–present

• Prepared literature review summaries.
• Reviewed experimental procedures.
• Delivered various tasks on time.
• Presented findings to primary researchers.

Just quantifying what you did can really boost your chances. Even better—Focus on quantifying the benefits that your employer scooped up as a result of your actions.

Low on paid work experience? Include relevant achievements from unpaid work and even your studies.

One more important thing: Always include skills for a resume. But more is not better when it comes to skills on your medical student resume. Be selective and add skills mentioned in the job ad first of all.

Here are some examples to get the ball rolling:

Skills for a Medical Student Resume

Hard Skills

Soft Skills

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4. Turn a Predictable Education Into a Reason to Hire You

As someone writing a medical student resume your education is kind of a forgone conclusion. Don’t neglect it, though as it can be your biggest asset.

List degree names (including majors), school names, and years attended. Include an expected graduation date for your medical degree. And then, add bullet points that speak to key skills.

This medical student resume example shows how:

Medical Student Resume Examples—Education

Doctor of Medicine

Ohio State College of Medicine, OH

2019–2023 (expected)

• Excelled in genetic research methods.
• Ran BLS workshops for exchange students.

BS in Biology

Penn State University, PA

2011–2015

• Pursued a passion for analytical chemistry coursework.
• Graduated with a 3.93 GPA.

Short on relevant work experience? Extend your resume education section by including projects, classes, and accomplishments that put relevant skills on display.

5. Inject Your Medical Student Resume With Added Sections

Dietary supplements mightn’t be all they’re cracked up to be, but supplementing your medical student resume with extra sections is always a good idea.

Add one or two sections:

• Additional Activities
• Foreign Languages
• Classes Taken
• Awards
• Hobbies and Interests
• Volunteering
• Certifications
• Professional References

These two medical student resume examples show yes vs no:

Medical Student Resume Samples—Extra Sections

Certifications

• ALS
• BLS
• First Aid, CPR, AED

Languages

• German – Advanced
• Swedish – Intermediate

Hobbies

• Butchery
• Dog grooming
• Extreme knitting

Languages

• German
• Swedish

It’s not that hobbies and interests are bad, far from it. But every single thing you add has to be directly relevant to the job at hand.

One final step: You’ll need a compelling cover letter to go with your medical student resume. Not including one is only OK if you’ve been explicitly asked not to.

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Key Points

For a medical student resume that gets interviews:

• Use the medical student resume template up top. It’s an evidence-based approach that checks all the right boxes.
• Put medical student achievements in your resume profile, work history, education, and other sections to show you’ve got what it takes.
• Select the right medical student skills for your resume. The job ad will tell you what “the right” skills are for any given application.
• Write a cover letter to accompany your medical student resume. Use it to put your passion for the role front and center as you make a compelling case.

Still have questions as to how to write a resume for medical student jobs? Drop us a line down below. Include any advice you have to give—we’d love to hear from you.

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