How To Make Your Nursing Resume Stand Out
A good nursing resume is one that meets the job specification for which it is intended. It is one that highlights the important points related to the proposed job application and adds more than what the employer is actually looking for.
Employers and recruiters can get thousands of submitted resumes every day, especially when a job is widely advertised. They go through the pool of resumes that they hold in their databases as well as new resumes that are submitted.
In order for yours to stand out, it has to meet the job requirements as well as to include any other information that would determine that you are an asset to the company. It also has to be otimized for the software that will be scanning it.
Employers look for experience that you have accumulated that will help you to do a good job when hired. Ensure that all your dates are in bold print on your resume. Employers also look for commitment, so if you have a long history with another employer, the better your chance of landing that job and it must stand out in your resume.
Phrases and words that are active and attention-getting are suggested rather than using long statements. Here is some of the important information to include in your resume.
• Nurse certifications
• Nursing license
• The start dates and end dates of your previous jobs
• Complete start and stop dates
• Type of nursing job (travel nurse, contract positions, doctor’s office, hospital)
• Academic Degrees
• Where you attended school
• Dates of college attendance including graduation date
• Your contact information (they have to know how to contact you and that you live in a vicinity that is commutable if you get hired for the job)
Your objectives and goals are very important to make your resume stand out. You must use words that highlight your strengths and that show compatibility to the job description.
If you are a student nurse, this is even more relevant because your lack of experience will not impede you in any way if the employer sees that you want to pursue that career path.
Those goals and objectives will be discussed in your interview so make sure that you are clear about them and that they are your honest intentions. A goal towards pursuing a higher education level within the scope of the job will let the employer know that you are serious and committed and in this for the long haul.
To stand out from the other resumes, list your relevant experiences and things that you were involved with in your community and on the previous job, then write a summary statement of what you achieved and how you would bring this same kind of commitment to the new job. For example, if you were seeking a nursing administrative position, your summary statement would probably read, “I have 10 valuable years of experience as an administrative manager in a large hospital and 5 years as the managing director of a small clinic which included hiring, evaluating, budgeting and providing essential assistance with nursing practices as it is needed.”
Notice that the use of words valuable, administrative, managing and essential would stand out in your summary statement as being proactive and very involved with that particular job. The employer would also assume that you would bring the same kind of attitude to the new job if they hired you.
If you are still not fully confident that you can, or should, try to write or improve your own nursing resume, you can find a professional that can at NursingResumePros. We specialize in Nursing Resumes and can give you as much or as little help you think you need.
