The preferred way to fill out these sections on ERAS?

[Weil-Felix]

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For the volunteer, work, and other sections which allow short descriptions of certain experiences, I am a little torn about how to go about writing the descriptions. I have a feeling that the more common way is to do non-complete sentence, bullet point type descriptions, like this:

Organization: Caring Hearts Domestic Violence Shelter
Position: Community Liason
Volunteered 2-3 times per month. Presented lectures on behalf of organization, which served victims of domestic violence. Answered domestic violence hotline.


But, I would much prefer to do it this way:


Organization: Caring Hearts Domestic Violence Shelter
Position: Community Liason
I was involved with Caring Hearts, an organization dedicated to serving victims of domestic violence, for three years. I volunteered approximately 2-3 times per month. As a community liason, I sought to educate the public about domestic violence through the presentation of lectures on behalf of the organization. Additionally, I answered calls to the domestic violence hotline run by Caring Hearts. As a hotline volunteer, I would assess the caller's need for immediate crisis prevention, and counsel her about possible intervention options.

I just like complete sentences. It seems that prose tends to "flow" better and sound more polished. Also, I feel that it gives a better picture of what I actually did. But, I understand the logic in doing it the other way, too. It's shorter and more to the point.

Anybody have any strong feelings either way about how to do it? How is everyone else doing it?

(By the way, that example was totally fictitious. I was just trying to illustrate the difference so you people know what I am asking about.)

 

[Winged Scapula]

While complete sentences do sound better, especially when read allowed, a CV is not an English paper. You really need to compromise on length because lengthy CVs turn ACs off.

I'd go with the short bursts.

 

[DrQuinn]

Originally posted by Kimberli Cox
While complete sentences do sound better, especially when read allowed, a CV is not an English paper. You really need to compromise on length because lengthy CVs turn ACs off.

I'd go with the short bursts.

Agreed. One sentence should be good enough... like

"Spoon-fed old patients, got in the way of the nurses, wore a bright red vest, and got a discount in the cafeteria."

Q, DO

 

[sweetfynesse]

Something like this would be fine...

Organization: Caring Hearts Domestic Violence Shelter
Position: Community Liason
Brief Description: Educate the public about domestic violence through lecture presentations, crisis prevention, and counseling victims of domestic violence.


These people aren't stupid. They don;t need to be addressed like 6 years olds (no offense to anyones kids). Efficiency in communication is very much appreciated when someone has to read hundreds of applications ....be thorough, but considerate of peoples time...otherwise it just looks like you're trying to fill in space.