10 Simple and Effective Resume Writing Tips

Andrea De Martin/123RF.com

There is no lack of articles on the internet about how to write a resume. As a former recruiter, people tell me that they find these articles confusing and unhelpful. For this post, I compiled a list of the most common, practical advice I gave job seekers over the years to make their resumes more effective.

1. Determine whether you need a 1 or more page(s) – Many people are under the impression that a resume should only be one page. In my experience, this advice applies to people with less than 10 years of professional experience. If you are aiming for a senior position, it benefits you to show a track record of increasing responsibilities.

2. Good contact information- Candidates are unsure of how much personal information to put on a resume. I have read recommendations that you should only list your cell number and email address. I disagree with this advice.

Healthcare positions generally require you to work on site. Therefore, I recommend you put at least your city and state on your resume. If you live in a large, sprawling city, include your street address as well. Recruiters care about the commute times of their   candidates.

Make sure to use:

• A professional email address
• Only one phone number
• A professional designation (ex. Your Name, RN)

3. Skip the resume paper- I never saw fancy resume paper help any candidate. In fact, colored paper (rose and blue) gives it a washed-out appearance. Use printer paper and save yourself money.

4. Start with a Title, not an Objective- Recruiters and hiring managers do not want to waste time reading a vague statement such as “Looking to contribute to a hospital.” They appreciate candidates who clearly state the job title of the position of interest.

5. Make sure to include keywords- Many large organizations such as hospitals use Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS) to manage a high volume of resumes. Identify common word and phrases in job descriptions that interest you. Make sure to include that information in your resume.

For example, the Staff Nurse positions may require a license and CPR certification. Do not assume recruiters will know that you have these qualifications; state them in your resume.

6. The Summary Section- Make your first section a summary that highlights your qualifications for the position. You can use 4 to 5 bullet points or 4 sentences to showcase your qualifications.

7. Resume Order- As a recruiter, I sometimes received resumes from people who listed their education before their work history, despite having considerable professional experience. Here is my suggestion: List your education before work history if you have less than three years of experience in your profession. Reverse the order once you pass the three year mark. I also recommend having a skills section that highlights software and tools you used in the past.

8. No Need to List High School- You do not need to list your high school diploma if you earned a college degree. Only candidates for non-degreed positions (such as Dietary Aides) need to list a high school diploma.

9. Editing your Professional Experience- People often come to me confused as to what to include or leave off a résumé. Here are a few suggestions.

• Make sure you list your duties as bullet points. It is easier for recruiters to read this format.
• Do not use the phrase “Responsibilities include,” at the beginning of each bullet point. Use phrases that begin with verbs to describe your actions.
• If you won an award or attained a special role, feel free to list it. You want to differentiate yourself from your competition.

10. Find Someone to Proofread It- If you know someone who is great at writing, ask him or her to proofread your résumé. I once received a resume from someone who wanted a job as a ‘Personal Recruiter’ rather than ‘Personnel Recruiter’ (the actual job title). Spellcheck does not pick up every error.

It is an obvious cliche, but a good resume is necessary for a healthcare job search today.  Feel free to put the above recommendations in action to improve your odds of success.