Career changes can be scary and searching for a new job takes lots of time, effort, and researching. As a medical professional, applying for a new job takes more than just submitting your resume and hoping for a call back. Building a resume that not only highlights your credentials and experience, but also positions you as more favorable than your competitors is key to landing the job and role you want. To build the perfect resume and grab the attention of recruiting and hiring managers, nurses and aides should do the following:
1) Include a cover letter with an objective statement. An objective statement should outline your goal supported by a quick summary of your experience and qualifications. For example: “Registered Nurse with ten years of experience in long-term care looking for a position in memory care with opportunities for professional growth.”
2) Highlight experience and credentials. Include specific areas of expertise, lengths of time, and clinical skills that would be of value to the job you are applying for.
3) Be relevant and succinct. Recruiters and hiring managers will be reviewing a large number of candidates for any position. By keeping your resume no more than two pages and only listing job experience that is relevant to the position you are applying for, you can tailor your resume to exactly what your potential employer is looking for.
4) Clearly communicate workplace value. Detailing your experience is not enough to necessarily make a resume stand out. Experience should be listed with quantifiable descriptions of accomplishments and awards. For example, if your contributions resulted in increased workplace productivity or higher patient satisfaction, listing that on your resume and provide potential employers with a clearer picture of what your workplace value would be if they hired you.
5) Continue on in your education. Healthcare is always evolving, and so should you. Adding to your expertise and experience with certifications can not only advance your own knowledge and skillset, but also lets potential employers know that you are invested in your professional development and that your education is current and up to date.
It might seem difficult to summarize all of your skills and experience into a single document. However, by being clear, succinct, and communicative, you can effectively make your resume stand out from the competition. With a resume that easily highlights all of the reasons why a potential employer should hire you, you can be sure that you will be the top candidate for any healthcare position.