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Career resource

Residency CV and personal statement structure

An educational outline of how psychiatry residency applicants commonly structure a CV and a personal statement. A structure guide, not a template to copy; write in your own voice.

Download the PDFPDF, 1 page, 4 KB. Free, no sign-up. For clinicians.
Educational example only. This is not legal, medical, or compliance advice, and it is not a ready-to-use legal document. Requirements vary by state, payer, and setting. Adapt anything like this to your own situation and have it reviewed by qualified legal and compliance counsel licensed in your jurisdiction before using it in a practice. You are responsible for compliance with all applicable federal and state laws, including HIPAA. shrinkiatry publishes professional commentary and education, not legal or medical advice.

Current as of July 7, 2026. Laws, payer rules, and billing codes change, so confirm the current requirements for your jurisdiction and setting before you rely on it.

What's inside

CV sections, in a sensible order

  • Contact information and education
  • Honors and awards
  • Research, publications, and presentations
  • Clinical, volunteer, and leadership experience
  • Teaching and service
  • Skills, languages, and interests

Personal statement, a common shape

  • An honest opening that is yours, not a cliche
  • Why psychiatry, grounded in specific experiences
  • What you bring, shown through examples rather than adjectives
  • What you want from training and where you might be heading
  • A close that connects back to the opening

Guidance

Be specific and truthful. Concrete stories beat lists of virtues. Keep the statement to about one page, have it read by people who know you and people who do not, and make sure everything on your CV is something you can speak to.

About this resource

This reference is part of the shrinkiatry resource library, a set of free, clinician-facing references and examples. It's reviewed by Shariq Refai, MD, MBA, FAPA, a board-certified psychiatrist, on a quarterly schedule. Next scheduled review: October 1, 2026. First published July 7, 2026, last reviewed July 7, 2026.

Browse the rest of the resource library, or verify who reviews this site. Spotted something out of date? Email corrections@shrinkiatry.com.

Educational and professional commentary only. shrinkiatry explains the profession of psychiatry. It doesn't provide medical advice, isn't a substitute for evaluation or treatment by a licensed clinician, and reading it doesn't create a doctor-patient relationship.