MCQ Quiz: CV Workshop

A Curriculum Vitae (CV) is a student pharmacist’s essential marketing document, providing a comprehensive overview of your academic, professional, and extracurricular experiences. Within the Personal and Professional Development (PPD) curriculum, the CV workshop is a critical active learning session designed to help you craft a polished and effective document. A strong CV is vital for securing competitive internships, residencies, fellowships, and employment opportunities. This quiz will test your knowledge of the fundamental principles of CV writing, from formatting and content to the strategic language needed to showcase your skills and accomplishments effectively.

1. What is the primary purpose of a Curriculum Vitae (CV) for a student pharmacist?

• a) To serve as a short, one-page summary of work history.
• b) To provide a detailed, comprehensive overview of one’s educational, professional, and academic experiences.
• c) To apply for undergraduate admission.
• d) To fulfill a requirement for a single course.

Answer: b) To provide a detailed, comprehensive overview of one’s educational, professional, and academic experiences.

2. As indicated in the PPD syllabi, the CV workshop is considered what type of activity?

• a) A final exam
• b) An Active Learning Session
• c) An optional, extra-credit opportunity
• d) A lecture on therapeutics

Answer: b) An Active Learning Session

3. What is the key difference between a CV and a resume?

• a) A CV is always one page, while a resume can be many pages.
• b) A resume is used for academic purposes, while a CV is for industry jobs.
• c) A CV is a detailed, multi-page document, while a resume is a brief, typically one-page summary.
• d) There is no difference.

Answer: c) A CV is a detailed, multi-page document, while a resume is a brief, typically one-page summary.

4. In which section of your CV would you list your Introductory Pharmacy Practice Experiences (IPPEs)?

• a) Work Experience
• b) Leadership Experience
• c) Pharmacy Practice Experience / Experiential Rotations
• d) Hobbies

Answer: c) Pharmacy Practice Experience / Experiential Rotations

5. When describing your responsibilities for a past job or experience, it is most effective to begin each bullet point with:

• a) The phrase “Responsible for…”
• a) A strong action verb.
• c) The date the activity occurred.
• d) A noun describing the role.

Answer: a) A strong action verb.

6. The PPD syllabi require students to upload their updated CV to which electronic system?

• a) ExamSoft
• b) Canvas
• c) CORE
• d) The university’s main student portal

Answer: c) CORE

7. Which of the following is a common formatting mistake to avoid on a professional CV?

• a) Using a clean, professional font like Times New Roman or Calibri.
• b) Using consistent margins and spacing.
• c) Using multiple, distracting colors and fonts.
• d) Listing experiences in reverse chronological order.

Answer: c) Using multiple, distracting colors and fonts.

8. In the “Education” section of a Pharm.D. candidate’s CV, what information should be included?

• a) The name of the university, degree sought, and expected graduation date.
• b) A list of every course taken.
• c) The student’s high school diploma information.
• d) The student’s current GPA, if it is low.

Answer: a) The name of the university, degree sought, and expected graduation date.

9. The most effective CVs are tailored to the specific position or program to which you are applying. This means you should:

• a) Create one generic CV and send it everywhere.
• b) Highlight the experiences and skills most relevant to the specific opportunity.
• c) Remove your contact information.
• d) Lie about your experiences to seem more qualified.

Answer: b) Highlight the experiences and skills most relevant to the specific opportunity.

10. What is the most critical final step before submitting your CV?

• a) Adding as much jargon as possible.
• b) Proofreading meticulously for any spelling or grammatical errors.
• c) Making sure the document is at least five pages long.
• d) Using a very small font to fit more information.

Answer: b) Proofreading meticulously for any spelling or grammatical errors.

11. Where should your contact information be placed on your CV?

• a) At the very bottom of the last page.
• b) In the middle of the first page.
• c) As a header at the top of the first page.
• d) It is not necessary to include contact information.

Answer: c) As a header at the top of the first page.

12. When listing your work experience, what is the standard order?

• a) Alphabetical order
• b) Chronological order (oldest to most recent)
• c) Reverse chronological order (most recent to oldest)
• d) Order of importance

Answer: c) Reverse chronological order (most recent to oldest)

13. The PPD CV workshops are often paired with which other professional development activity?

• a) A career panel
• b) A team debriefing
• c) An IPE event
• d) Both A and B are mentioned in the syllabi.

Answer: d) Both A and B are mentioned in the syllabi.

14. Quantifying your accomplishments is an effective way to strengthen your CV. Which bullet point is the strongest?

• a) “Responsible for patient counseling.”
• b) “Counseled patients on their medications.”
• c) “Counseled an average of 15 patients per day on new prescriptions, resulting in improved patient understanding.”
• d) “Did a lot of patient counseling.”

Answer: c) “Counseled an average of 15 patients per day on new prescriptions, resulting in improved patient understanding.”

15. Under which CV section would you list your leadership role in a student pharmacy organization like APhA-ASP?

• a) Work Experience
• b) Research Experience
• c) Leadership & Professional Activities
• d) Skills

Answer: c) Leadership & Professional Activities

16. Is it appropriate to include your GPA on your CV?

• a) No, never.
• b) Yes, it is generally recommended, especially if it is strong (e.g., >3.0 or >3.5).
• c) It is required by law.
• d) Only if it is below 2.0.

Answer: b) Yes, it is generally recommended, especially if it is strong (e.g., >3.0 or >3.5).

17. The “Skills” section of a CV is an appropriate place to list:

• a) Your hobbies and interests.
• b) Soft skills like “good communicator.”
• c) Technical skills like language proficiency or experience with specific EHR systems.
• d) Your personality type.

Answer: c) Technical skills like language proficiency or experience with specific EHR systems.

18. How should you list your references on your CV?

• a) List the names and contact information of at least three references directly on the CV.
• b) State “References available upon request.”
• c) Create a separate document with your references that you can provide when asked.
• d) Both B and C are acceptable professional practices.

Answer: d) Both B and C are acceptable professional practices.

19. The purpose of a CV workshop, as an active learning session, is to:

• a) Listen to a long lecture on career theory.
• b) Provide a hands-on opportunity to work on your CV and receive feedback from peers and faculty.
• c) Take a graded exam on CV formatting.
• d) Complete a team project.

Answer: b) Provide a hands-on opportunity to work on your CV and receive feedback from peers and faculty.

20. A well-crafted objective statement on a CV should be:

• a) Long and descriptive of your entire life’s ambitions.
• b) Generic and applicable to any job.
• c) Concise and tailored to the specific position you are applying for.
• d) It is generally recommended to omit an objective statement in favor of a summary or qualifications section.

Answer: c) Concise and tailored to the specific position you are applying for.

21. In which CV section would you list a poster you presented at a national pharmacy conference?

• a) Education
• b) Work Experience
• c) Publications & Presentations
• d) Awards and Honors

Answer: c) Publications & Presentations

22. Using a consistent format for dates, locations, and titles throughout your CV is important for:

• a) Making the document look messy.
• b) Ensuring the document is easy to read and looks professional.
• c) Fulfilling a legal requirement.
• d) Making the CV longer.

Answer: b) Ensuring the document is easy to read and looks professional.

23. The Career Coach program mentioned in the PPD syllabi can be a valuable resource for:

• a) Reviewing your CV and providing personalized feedback.
• b) Writing your CV for you.
• c) Guaranteeing you a job.
• d) Providing financial aid.

Answer: a) Reviewing your CV and providing personalized feedback.

24. What is the most appropriate file format for submitting your CV electronically?

• a) Microsoft Word (.docx)
• b) Plain Text (.txt)
• c) Portable Document Format (.pdf)
• d) An image file (.jpeg)

Answer: c) Portable Document Format (.pdf)

25. A CV should be seen as a(n):

• a) Static document that is never updated.
• b) A “living” document that is continually updated with new experiences and accomplishments.
• c) A document that is only important during your fourth year.
• d) A replacement for a cover letter.

Answer: b) A “living” document that is continually updated with new experiences and accomplishments.

26. An example of a strong action verb to use on a CV is:

• a) Helped
• b) Was part of
• c) Collaborated
• d) Saw

Answer: c) Collaborated

27. Information about certifications, such as immunization or MTM certification, should be listed in what section?

• a) Education
• b) Hobbies
• c) Licenses & Certifications
• d) Work Experience

Answer: c) Licenses & Certifications

28. True or False: You should include personal information like your marital status, age, or a photograph on a professional CV in the United States.

• a) True
• b) False

Answer: b) False

29. The purpose of peer review during a CV workshop is to:

• a) Find as many faults as possible in your classmate’s CV.
• b) Get a fresh perspective on your document and identify errors or areas for improvement you may have missed.
• c) Compete to see who has the best CV.
• d) Practice your grading skills.

Answer: b) Get a fresh perspective on your document and identify errors or areas for improvement you may have missed.

30. When listing an experiential rotation, what information is essential to include?

• a) The name of the site, location, dates, and a few bullet points describing your key responsibilities and accomplishments.
• b) Only the name of the site.
• c) A detailed, paragraph-long description of every single task you performed.
• d) The name of your preceptor’s pet.

Answer: a) The name of the site, location, dates, and a few bullet points describing your key responsibilities and accomplishments.

31. The ideal font size for the body of a CV is typically:

• a) 8 pt
• b) 10-12 pt
• c) 14 pt
• d) 16 pt

Answer: b) 10-12 pt

32. The activities and experiences you document on your CV should directly support your:

• a) Stated career goals.
• b) Social life.
• c) Financial status.
• d) Political views.

Answer: a) Stated career goals.

33. What is the main takeaway from the recurring CV workshops and submission assignments in the PPD curriculum?

• a) The college wants to create extra work for students.
• b) Writing a CV is a one-time task.
• c) The CV is a critical professional tool, and its development is an iterative process requiring practice and feedback.
• d) A good CV can replace the need for strong grades.

Answer: c) The CV is a critical professional tool, and its development is an iterative process requiring practice and feedback.

34. If you were involved in a research project but it has not yet been published, where could you list this experience?

• a) It should not be listed anywhere.
• b) In a “Research Experience” section.
• c) In the “Hobbies” section.
• d) In the “Work Experience” section.

Answer: b) In a “Research Experience” section.

35. Using white space effectively on a CV is important to:

• a) Waste paper.
• b) Make the document look cluttered.
• c) Improve readability and prevent the reader from being overwhelmed.
• d) Hide a lack of experience.

Answer: c) Improve readability and prevent the reader from being overwhelmed.

36. You should always ask your references for their permission before:

• a) Submitting your CV for a position.
• b) Listing them on your reference sheet and providing their information to a potential employer.
• c) The interview.
• d) Accepting a job offer.

Answer: b) Listing them on your reference sheet and providing their information to a potential employer.

37. Which of the following is an example of an “Award and Honor” that would be appropriate for a CV?

• a) Perfect attendance in elementary school.
• b) A “Dean’s List” designation or a pharmacy school scholarship.
• c) “Most likely to succeed” from a high school yearbook.
• d) Participation in a fantasy football league.

Answer: b) A “Dean’s List” designation or a pharmacy school scholarship.

38. The tone of your CV should be:

• a) Casual and informal.
• b) Highly technical and full of jargon.
• c) Professional and confident.
• d) Apologetic and uncertain.

Answer: c) Professional and confident.

39. How long should a Pharm.D. student’s CV typically be?

• a) Exactly one page, no exceptions.
• b) It can be 2-4 pages, depending on the extent of their experiences.
• c) At least 10 pages long.
• d) There is no standard length.

Answer: b) It can be 2-4 pages, depending on the extent of their experiences.

40. The information presented on your CV must be:

• a) Slightly exaggerated to look better.
• b) Completely honest and accurate.
• c) Focused only on your weaknesses.
• d) Copied from a friend’s CV.

Answer: b) Completely honest and accurate.

41. When describing a project, focus on the outcomes and your specific contribution. Which is the best example?

• a) “Was on a team for a project.”
• b) “Did a project on medication adherence.”
• c) “Collaborated in a four-person team to develop and present a proposal for a new MTM service, for which I designed the patient education materials.”
• d) “A project was completed.”

Answer: c) “Collaborated in a four-person team to develop and present a proposal for a new MTM service, for which I designed the patient education materials.”

42. The PPD syllabi show that the CV is part of a student’s professional “portfolio.” This implies the CV is:

• a) A standalone document unrelated to other activities.
• b) A central document that summarizes the experiences detailed elsewhere in the portfolio.
• c) Less important than the portfolio itself.
• d) The only item in the portfolio.

Answer: b) A central document that summarizes the experiences detailed elsewhere in the portfolio.

43. If you have no formal “Work Experience” in a pharmacy, you should:

• a) Leave the section blank.
• b) Highlight relevant volunteer experience or non-pharmacy jobs where you developed transferable skills (e.g., customer service, teamwork).
• c) Invent a job.
• d) Not create a CV.

Answer: b) Highlight relevant volunteer experience or non-pharmacy jobs where you developed transferable skills (e.g., customer service, teamwork).

44. The order of sections on a CV can be tailored. For a P4 student applying for residency, which section should likely appear near the top, after education?

• a) High School Activities
• b) Hobbies
• c) Pharmacy Practice Experience (APPEs)
• d) Publications from 10 years ago

Answer: c) Pharmacy Practice Experience (APPEs)

45. What is the main reason to avoid using “I,” “me,” or “my” on a CV?

• a) It is a legal requirement.
• b) It is unprofessional and makes the CV less concise; the entire document is understood to be about you.
• c) It makes the document too personal.
• d) These words are difficult to spell.

Answer: b) It is unprofessional and makes the CV less concise; the entire document is understood to be about you.

46. Listing professional memberships (e.g., APhA, ASHP) on your CV demonstrates:

• a) Your ability to pay membership dues.
• b) Your engagement with and commitment to the pharmacy profession.
• c) Your social preferences.
• d) Nothing of professional value.

Answer: b) Your engagement with and commitment to the pharmacy profession.

47. Why is consistency in formatting (e.g., all dates are right-aligned, all job titles are bolded) so important?

• a) It creates a visually appealing, easy-to-scan document for busy reviewers.
• b) It proves you can follow complex instructions.
• c) It makes the CV harder to read.
• d) Both A and B are correct.

Answer: d) Both A and B are correct.

48. An effective CV helps a student prepare for an interview because:

• a) It can be used as a script to read from during the interview.
• b) The process of creating it forces the student to reflect on and be ready to discuss their experiences.
• c) The interviewer will not ask any questions that are not on the CV.
• d) It is not helpful for interview preparation.

Answer: b) The process of creating it forces the student to reflect on and be ready to discuss their experiences.

49. Including a section on “Poster Presentations” on a CV is important because it showcases your ability to:

• a) Use graphic design software.
• b) Travel to conferences.
• c) Conduct research and communicate scientific findings to an audience.
• d) Stand for long periods of time.

Answer: c) Conduct research and communicate scientific findings to an audience.

50. The ultimate goal of a CV workshop in the PPD curriculum is to empower students to:

• a) Create a perfect CV on the first try.
• b) Outcompete all of their classmates.
• c) Develop the skills to effectively market themselves as competent and capable future pharmacists.
• d) Get a good grade in the PPD course.

Answer: c) Develop the skills to effectively market themselves as competent and capable future pharmacists.