One – two – three – four – five – six. That’s how many seconds a hiring manager might spend looking at your resume when you apply for a job; that’s a short time to make a good impression. Will your resume go in the trash, or will it earn you further consideration?
Put Relevant Information at the Top
It’s very important to read the job description carefully. Many postings separate required qualifications from preferred qualifications. The required qualifications are just what they say – requirements. Those who do not possess these qualifications will not be considered. As a result, it’s critically important to list information relevant to these qualifications at the top of the resume.
While you focus on the requirements, it’s important to include specific responsibilities that showcase your experience and not just routine tasks. Apply this to your own situation: if you’re applying for a job in pediatrics, elaborate on your work history in pediatrics, including clinical rotations and other work experience involving children.
Pay Attention to Keywords
Look at the job posting carefully. Find the keywords in it; when you find any that apply to you, use them in your resume. This is especially important because your resume may be scanned by an applicant tracking system before a human being ever sees it. If none of the keywords are present, your resume may be eliminated before anyone lays eyes on it.
If you’re having trouble finding the keywords, your current job description may be helpful. Look for the language of your profession. This may include words like caseload, patient, client, team, and so on. Do you deal with quality improvement in your job? This would be another good thing to highlight because it shows that you have an understanding of systems and process analysis, problem identification, and qualitative oversight.
Details Matter
If your resume is printed, is it on quality paper? Is the font professional? Is your email address professional and not silly or inappropriate? All of these things matter. In addition, it’s essential to proofread very carefully and ask someone else to proofread it, as well. A single typographical or spelling error is sometimes enough to get your resume discarded early in the game.
When you email your resume, make sure to always send it as a PDF, rather than a document. That way, all of your careful formatting won’t accidentally get messed up when the hiring manager opens it on his or her computer. This is important for another reason, as well: if the hiring manager accidentally hits a key while reading your resume, it won’t look like you submitted the resume with a typo. Using a PDF protects it from unintentional edits.
Resume Done? Give Us a Call
At 365 Healthcare Staffing Services, we specialize in the recruitment and placement of healthcare professionals in per diem, travel, and permanent assignments in healthcare facilities across the country. If you’re looking for your next assignment, we’d love to take a look at your new resume; give us a call at 310.436.3650.
