A well-crafted resume is still the essential first step for landing your dream job in the healthcare industry. Whether you’re a seasoned professional or just starting your career, your resume should effectively showcase your skills, experience, and qualifications. To stand out among the sea of applicants, including sections highlighting your expertise and suitability for the role is crucial. But what are the essential sections you should incorporate into your healthcare resume?
Contact Information
You might be shocked to learn one in four job applicants leave out critical contact information on their resumes. Or they format the resume so that the applicant tracking system cannot detect these details. The general best practice for contact information starts at the of your resume, where you should include your full name, professional title (if applicable), phone number, email address, and LinkedIn profile (if available). Make sure your contact information is clear, accurate, and professional.
Professional Summary/Objective
There is debate about whether this section is still relevant; however, healthcare is a conservative industry, and a traditional professional summary could be helpful. This section briefly overviews your skills, experience, and career goals. Tailor your summary or objective to the job you’re applying for, emphasizing how your background aligns with the position’s requirements. Try to tailor keywords in the summary to coincide with the job ad you’re applying to—that way, the ATS is more likely to pull your resume to the top of the pile.
Education
List your educational background, including degrees, certifications, and relevant coursework. Include the institution’s name, degree/diploma earned, and graduation date. If you’re a recent graduate or entry-level candidate, your education section may precede your work experience.
Licenses and Certifications
Highlight any professional licenses, certifications, or credentials relevant to the healthcare role you’re pursuing. Include the name of the certification, issuing organization, and expiration date (if applicable). This section demonstrates your commitment to ongoing education and compliance with industry standards.
Work Experience
Detail your relevant work experience chronologically, starting with your most recent position. Include the employer’s name, job title, dates of employment, and a bulleted list of your key responsibilities and achievements. Focus on quantifiable accomplishments and use action verbs to describe your contributions.
Skills
Showcase your technical skills, clinical expertise, and soft skills that are pertinent to the healthcare field. This section may include proficiency in electronic medical records (EMR) systems, medical coding, patient care techniques, communication abilities, and teamwork skills. Tailor your skills section to match the job description and employer’s requirements.
Professional Affiliations
If you’re a member of any professional associations or organizations related to healthcare, such as the American Medical Association (AMA) or the American Nurses Association (ANA), include them in this section. Membership in these organizations demonstrates your commitment to the industry and ongoing professional development.
Get Healthcare Resume and Job Search Help Today
A well-crafted healthcare resume effectively showcases your qualifications. Bluebird Staffing can help you tailor your resume to stand out from top employers. That’s just one of the services we offer healthcare job seekers. If you’re looking for a career change, check out our hot jobs and apply today. experience, and suitability for the job.
