By Eduardo Alonso
One of the things that comes up in conversation the most when we talk about getting a new job is experience. Do you have the right experience? Do you have enough experience? If your goal is to work in the healthcare industry, chances are that you have some experience in the field you want to get into; or at least you are preparing to obtain some experience before your graduation date. This experience is what is going to set you apart from other applicants and will make you a competitive applicant in the future. One thing to keep in mind is that it is not enough to work, shadow or volunteer in a relevant area; describing your experiences in detail on your resume is just as important in order to be an appealing candidate to the hiring committees. If you would like to learn more about how to describe your experiences in detail, please refer to our Accomplishment Statement Worksheet.
Once you do this you will probably end up with a very extensive resume, do not worry. It is okay to have a resume that is longer than one page. Employers in the healthcare industry want to know about your experiences and what sets you apart from other candidates. You have worked hard to balance your personal life, school, work, and probably volunteer hours so make sure you do not cut your experience short just to fit information into a one-page resume. With that being said, always make sure your relevant experience is being listed above any other experience, this will help hiring managers understand your qualifications a lot faster. Another unique thing that employers are asking for is the number of hours you worked or volunteered in a specific position. This gives them a better idea of how much time you actually spent in those roles in a lot more detail than if you only include beginning and ending dates. Here is an example of what your Experience section should look like in your resume
ICU Student Nurse – 100 Hours January 2020- February 2020
Mayo Clinic – Scottsdale Arizona
· Delivered invaluable patient care including feeding and bathing, ambulating, dressing and grooming
up to 40 patients per day
· Assisted health care team by repositioning patients, restocking medical supplies, and answering call lights in 652-bed hospital
· Provided therapeutic support to patients and families by offering self, actively listening, and using silence
· Commended for dedicated volunteer attendance, impressive team collaboration, and consistent delivery of compassionate care