Whether you are new to the field, or you are just looking to find a new job, your resume is one of the first impressions you will make on a potential employer. Regardless of if you are applying for a position online, or if you are going in for an interview, your resume will be your ticket to a successful start. Resumes highlight your greatest assets. It is your chance to show all of your hard work and accomplishments. If your resume just needs some updating, or if you don’t have a resume at all, these tips will help you to create the best version of yourself possible!
5 Ways to Help You Create An Amazing Nursing Resume
1.) Set a Clear Resume Objective
Underneath all of your basic information, this is the first section on your resume that your potential employer will read. You can tailor your resume objective to fit in with each specific job you are applying to. For example, one position may want someone who is a “dedicated team player.” You can then take these key words and include them in your objective. This way, they key words will stand out to anyone who is quickly skimming over your resume.
Some companies even use online software that filters through your resumes. This means that before a person physically reads your submission, a “robot” will read through it first. If your objective does not include these key words, your resume may never even make it to a real person! The robot may scrap the resume before it even gets a chance to be seen.
In your objective, it is important to be clear and concise. Limit yourself to about 3 sentences. For example, you could say something like this:
“Hardworking and dedicated CNA. I have over 15 years of job experience working in both hospitals and rehabilitation centers. I am looking to use my years of job experience and passion for the healthcare industry by becoming a CNA at (name of healthcare facility.)”
2.) Show Off Your Smarts
Underneath your objective, you will list all of your educational experience. This includes all high school, trade school, and/or any college education you may have. In this section, you can also list off any certifications you may have earned (such as CPR and Dementia training). It is important to list ALL of your certifications. Even if you do not think that a certain certification is needed for the specific job you are applying to, you should still include it. This will help to show your potential employer that you are experienced and are willing to learn new skills.
The most important part of the educational experience section is to be as detailed as possible. Include the institution(s) where you were taught, the year(s) that you became certified, and all licenses and certification numbers.
3.) Your Skills
After completing the education section, the skills section comes next. Similar to the education section, the skills section should be as detailed as you can possibly make it. You never know which skills each employer is looking for. In this section, include all healthcare skills you have learned. If you have been involved with any special projects, or have completed a unique job, this is the place to brag about them.
In the healthcare industry, you can’t just be “good” at nursing. You have to have people skills as well. After explaining all of your healthcare experience, take a few bullet points to talk about some of your more personal “soft” skills. These skills are what will differentiate you from everyone else.
4.) On-The-Job Experience
Next, you will add a section for any work experience that you already have. Any facilities (hospitals, rehabilitation centers, nursing homes, assisted living facilities, hospice care, etc.) that you have worked in will be listed here, in descending order. Like your education, you should list your most current job first, and your first job last. This will give your employer an idea of where you have been, and your progression throughout your nursing career. If you have worked with an agency, include any major facilities you consistently worked in while with that agency.
While it may not seem necessary, include jobs that you have worked that may not be in the healthcare field. For example, many nurses who are just starting out may not have much industry experience. However, they may have experience in retail work, restaurant work, or even babysitting. These non-healthcare jobs are still important to your resume. They show that you have remained consistently employed, and also show that you have many soft skills (such as customer service experience.) Your potential employer will get an idea of who you are, not just what you do.
5.) Be Truthful
While it may be tempting to exaggerate your skills or education on a resume, it is important to always be truthful. You don’t want your first impression on a potential employer to be a lie. The truth will come out eventually, anyways. The bottom line: always be honest about what you include on a resume.
Creating a brand-new resume, or even just updating an old one, may seem like an intimidating task. However, with these tips, you will be able to create an amazing resume in no time at all!
If you would like to submit a resume to Northeast Med Staff, please click here.
