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."