What Does Your CV Say?

I was recently asked to do a presentation on occlusion for a group of young dentists. I was asked to provide a curriculum vitae.

Unlike a resume, which lists work history and experiences along with a brief summary of your skills and education, the CV is a far more comprehensive document.

The CV goes above and beyond a mention of education and work experience to often include your accomplishments, awards and publications. Unlike a resume, which is usually a one-sided single page, the CV can be as many pages as needed – depending on your professional achievements and what you want to share.

“Your CV is just a commodity, Package yourself.” – Bernard Kelvin Clive

Many dental office websites have CVs on the “meet the doctor” section. Oftentimes, I used pieces of mine for my CV when I lectured and someone would read it to the audience as an introduction. Boring!

I recently came to the realization that what is important is not what has been done and achieved, but what I can do to help others be where they want to be. If I didn’t have some skills and experience under my belt, I probably would not have been asked to speak.

The following is what I wrote for a recent speaking engagement when I was asked to provide a CV:

After forty years in dentistry, Dr. Carl Steinberg has had many opportunities to help others and give back. Currently he maintains a private comprehensive restorative practice in downtown Philadelphia, (www.DentistryinPhiladelphia.com) but some of his greatest joys come from helping others in our profession, realizing that dentistry’s future depends on well-trained doctors. A well-trained dentist knows how to understand the dental challenges a patient presents, how to run a productive office and how to develop a well-trained team. They are happy with their professional life and their personal life. Someone who is fiscally responsible and is well prepared for the future. A well trained dentist is a good leader, listener, teacher and communicator.

Our goal is to give you some pearls that you can take back to your office and use immediately. But more importantly, we hope to stimulate you to start or continue your journey to where you want to be.

Dr. Steinberg is a Visiting Faculty member of Spear Education. He leads a Spear Study club in Philadelphia and mentors many young, and some not so young, dentists in the Philadelphia area. He is a moderator for Spear Talk and a regular contributor to Spear Digest.

You can also find Dr. Steinberg on some of the dental Facebook groups trying to help and encourage dentists.

When all is said and done, I hope that the 40 years I have spent in dentistry so far will help others reach their goals and visions. It seems that when you go out of your way to help others, it usually comes back to you in greater proportions.

“Don’t choose men by their CVs but by their TVs; their talents and visions.” – Bernard Kelvin Clive

Work to create an impressive CV, and then use those talents to help others. Our profession depends upon it.

Good luck on your journey.

Carl E. Steinberg, D.D.S., M.A.G.D., L.L.S.R. (www.DentistryinPhiladelphia.com) is a member of Spear Visiting Faculty and a contributor to Spear Digest.