Crafting Powerful ERAS Work Experience Descriptions
Why Experience Descriptions Matter
Your work experiences section is prime real estate on your ERAS application. Well-crafted descriptions can differentiate you from applicants with similar CVs.
The STAR Framework
Structure each description using:
- Situation: Brief context
- Task: Your responsibility
- Action: Specific steps you took
- Result: Outcomes and impact
Action Verbs That Impress
Start descriptions with strong verbs:
- Diagnosed, treated, managed
- Collaborated, coordinated, led
- Researched, analyzed, presented
- Mentored, educated, advocated
Quantify Your Impact
Use numbers when possible:
- "Managed care for 15+ patients daily"
- "Presented research at 3 national conferences"
- "Mentored 5 junior medical students"
Highlight Specialty-Relevant Skills
Emphasize experiences that demonstrate:
- Clinical competence in your specialty
- Teamwork and communication
- Leadership and initiative
- Research and academic interests
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Being too vague or generic
- Listing duties without showing impact
- Ignoring the character limit
- Using passive voice
- Including irrelevant experiences
Sample Before and After
Before: "Worked in the emergency department seeing patients."
After: "Evaluated and managed 20+ patients per shift in high-acuity ED, performing procedures including suturing, splinting, and central line assists while coordinating care with multidisciplinary teams."
Frequently Asked Questions
How many experiences should I include in ERAS?
Include your most significant and relevant experiences. Quality matters more than quantity. Most applicants include 10-15 well-described experiences.
Should I include experiences from before medical school?
Include pre-medical experiences if they're highly relevant to your specialty choice or demonstrate important qualities. However, prioritize medical school experiences.