As a travel nurse, it is important to maintain your resume. Keeping your resume up-to-date with new skills, your latest assignments and new credentials are essential for career growth. Here are tips to help you stay on top of your resume.
Craft an Effective Header
The header portion of a resume is the first item a recruiter is going to see. Remember that you have limited space, so make sure your personal information is concise. Essential information includes your name, email address and phone number. Add your credentials after your name to give a recruiter an indication of your experience level.
Show Your Strengths in the Objective Section
This is a chance to show the depth of your healthcare skills. Avoid being too wordy and experiment with bullet points to highlight your years of experience as a travel nurse, skills and preferences. Employers can take a glance at your resume and see your highlighted skill set.
Avoid Long Paragraphs
Remember this is a resume and not a novel. Avoid lengthy summaries of your nursing duties. The individual who is going to hire you is aware of the requirements for the position. However, include any information that will set you apart from the crowd, such as charge duties, precepting and procedures.
Don’t Say “References Upon Request”
As a traveler, you need to supply the references. Be sure to get permission from the reference and let them know a call may come shortly. Keep the list up-to-date with current contacts.
List the State You Hold a License In
Make it a point to include all of the states in which you maintain a license, and/or state you have a compact license. Save the employer time and effort by providing this information.
Keep Your Resume Updated
Update your resume at the end of each contract that you fulfill. Updating will keep your resume timely while including your most recent nursing experience. Be sure to list new skills, certifications or achievements on the updated version. Resume updating is also a good time to eliminate expired certifications.
Use Word to Manage Your Resume
This may be a no-brainer, but make sure you use Microsoft Word to create and store your resume. These days, pretty much everyone uses this program. Saving your resume as a Word document will help to ensure there are no problems opening and reading your resume. Word documents are ideal for recruiters because they can easily edit and tweak your text to help you appeal more to a facility’s wants and needs.
Interested in Adding a New Position to Your Resume?
If you are looking for a new travel nurse position, check out the opportunities available now at GHR Travel Nursing. Their professional recruiters can help you find a job that fits your lifestyle and career goals.
