Personality, technical skills: Include both on your health care resume
Part of the process in searching for health care opportunities is knowing how to communicate your skills and personality on your resume effectively. The other part is your desire to work in a career field that provides both a purpose and possibility for future growth.
According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, health care occupations (including mental health) account for 13 of the 30 fastest-growing occupations from 2019 to 2029.
The statistics are welcome news for those interested in health care, but it sends a message that competition for opportunities will be significant. As a health care candidate, your strategy in applying for jobs should be built around showcasing your skills and abilities that have helped your employer succeed, such as your communication skills and the unique value you bring to the profession.
Before you write your resume, consider the type of professional perception you want to send out to potential employers. Think about combining your soft skills and technical skills to support your background in generating attention.
It is not uncommon for health care candidates to reply to positions by sending the same resume without updating their skills or accomplishments. You can send a more effective message by taking the time to understand what employers are looking for in candidates. Learning how to connect with health care decisionmakers is crucial in landing a good job.
The job posting should describe the skills and attributes needed in the role, and your resume should convey those factors as well as your credentials. Creating a strong resume includes the technical abilities required to perform the job and the professional skills to be proficient, such as critical thinking skills when faced with making decisions.
When asked why health care leaders select a particular candidate over another, it comes down to communication and the candidate’s ability to connect with the employer’s needs by using examples in their answers, highlighting the skills needed to make the role successful.
Your personality comes through on your resume by the words you choose in your professional summary, which often sets the tone of your resume before you start listing your employment experience, and it needs to capture attention in roughly 10 seconds or less.
A word of caution if your resume resembles an extensive list of job duties and titles, leaving no room for expressing the unique qualities that make you memorable. To an employer, being a good listener, problem solver, and building rapport with your teammates are just as significant as attending training programs for your health care credentials.
When applying for jobs, make sure you convey a broad picture of your background related to the position and not just technical skills. For example, determination, commitment, and your ability to adapt will support your health care experience on your resume.
An excellent example of adding personality onto your resume is how the pandemic affected the health care profession and the extra hours you might have worked to meet patients’ needs. Your willingness to be adaptable in changing circumstances is an example of how you combine your technical know-how and persona to succeed.
Kimberly Thompson, M.Ed. is a national board-certified counselor and career coach. Send questions to kim@careerrescue.com or visit her blog at http://blog.chron.com/ careerrescue/ .