Resume creation can be a challenge for anyone, but particularly for those in Healthcare. This is due to the technical nature of many of their positions. Healthcare has become like most professions, where a Resume is considered a necessity during a job search.
The following are some tips for those in healthcare to consider when building his or her resume. Some of these tips would apply to any resume creator, while a few are specific to this field.
- First, decide what format works best for you. A person in healthcare can go the standard route and create a reverse chronological resume as developed by most job seekers. Another option would be to use a format titled “Curriculum Vitae”, which is Latin for “course of one’s life”. This phrase is Latin, for “course of one’s life”. The “Curriculum Vitae” is credential driven and will usually list professional experiences, education, internships, awards, conferences, and professional affiliations. Most healthcare professionals, however, use the standard format, saving the “Curriculum Vitae” for higher level positions. The length of your resume varies with an inexperienced person holding themselves to one page while a high-level experienced professional may have three or more pages.
- Don’t assume that the person who reads your Resume will automatically understand every acronym listed. Often, the first line of Resume review is done by a non-Healthcare professional playing the role of Recruiter, so consider spelling out any non-obvious items.
- Incorporate keywords from the advertisement or job description into your resume. This is especially important if you are applying through an online tool. Some systems will do a keyword search and rank the candidates applying based on how they match up to what is needed.
- If you are seeking a Healthcare management position, then make sure you stress any fundraising experience you may have. Make sure to emphasize if you have done any successful grant writing. If you are seeking a management position, a big driver is if you can bring in new business. If you have a track record of securing physician business, or can bring business with you, this needs to be noted either in the Resume or Cover Letter.
- The healthcare profession is becoming busier everyday. Provide some context for the Recruiter regarding your typical caseload, both in terms of quantity and complexity. This will provide the Recruiter with a sense of your productivity, especially important if you are seeking a similar role. Consider also describing the range of patients serviced, along with diseases you are familiar with treating.
- In healthcare, quality has never had as much visibility as it does now. If you have been at a facility that is accredited, then this should be noted, especially if you were there during successful audits or when the achievement was initially obtained. If you drove any particular quality initiatives, that should be highlighted.
- Healthcare is becoming so technical and has come to rely upon individuals who have particular computer or system expertise. Create a separate Technical Summary section and list what you are proficient in. Be sure to emphasize the technical matches you have compared to the Job Description. If you have a particular hard-to-find skill, this should also be emphasized in the Cover Letter.
- In today’s economic times, cost control is an important topic of discussion. Do more than state your operating revenue and how big of a budget you had oversight for, by stating how you implemented money saving ideas. The goal is to have the Hiring Manager believe you can save that type of money for their company.
- So much of healthcare is done collaboratively within a group. Address, in your Resume, any successful work teams that you have participated in.
- Make sure that whoever is reading your Resume knows that you stay current. State whatever government agency and regulatory compliance that you have expertise in. A key is to make your point regarding continuous education without it appearing boastful or tedious. Leave out any training you have received that is not relevant.
The healthcare profession is continuing to transition from applications to requiring a Resume as a form of applying. It is important to provide yourself a competitive advantage by preparing a comprehensive yet readable resume. A little extra time and effort spent on your Resume may just land you the new Healthcare job you desire.
As always, best of luck in your job search.
The following has been prepared for the general information of WNYJobs readers. It is not meant to provide advice with respect to any specific legal or policy matter and should not be acted upon without verification by the reader.
Joe Stein
WNY Human Resources Professional
Feel free to contact Joe Stein regarding questions or comments at:
Joe Stein
