JOB SEARCH - Resume
Updated: Mar 12, 2021
General Resume Tips
➖ Format. Is. Key.
✻ There's nothing that stands out more than misalignment
✻ If you're using Word/Google Docs
➤ Utilize tables to keep everything orderly (make sure the lines aren't visible)
➖ Decide what you want your font size to be
✻ Name
✻ Section headers
✻ Body text
✻ Dates
✻ What information will be bolded/underlined/italicized
➖ Be creative! Resumes don't have to be ultra plain
✻ They do have to be consistent & professional.
You don't have to use ol' faithful Times New Roman or Arial - but stick with a modern/corporate font. Just please don't use comic sans.
✻ Great Modern & Professional Fonts ✻
Agency
Abadi
Bodoni
Bookshelf
Calibri
Daytona
Franklin
Verdana
➖ Condense & prioritize. Maximum 2 pages. I know it's hard with previous work experience but only include what's most recent & relevant.
Name & contact information
➖Email, phone #, & LinkedIn if you want to include it
✻ Address is usually included if you're applying out of the area & may require re-location
Related professional experience (clinical/preceptorship)
▻Role
➖ 'Student Nurse' if it was clinical/preceptorship.
➖ 'Graduated Nurse' if it was after finishing your program but before licensing
➖ 'Registered Nurse' or 'Licensed Practical Nurse' if it was after you passed your licensing exam.
▻Facility
➖Unit
✻ Be specific - the hiring manager most likely what they did on "Unit XYZ".
✻ Include the unit description example:
➤ Ex: 'General Surgery', 'EENT', 'Cardiology' etc.
▻Dates worked
➖ MMM/YYYY - MMM/YYYY
▻Duties
➖ 3-4 bullet points
➖ Avoid generalized & implied duties
➖ Keyword bonanza - exceptional, efficient, person-centred, collaboration
✻ "Provided person-centred care"
➤ Well... ya. You're a nurse? That's what you're supposed to do, right?
✻ "Incorporated various aspects of holistic healing to provide quality person and family-centred care"
➤ Sparkly
➤ Shows a deeper understanding of whole-person care
➤ Gives the hiring manager a launching point to ask questions.
➖ DON'T reuse the same exact points for each job
✻ I know it's hard, especially since nursing duties are pretty much the same everywhere.
✻ You learned something new at each placement - so try to find those things. Dig into your brain to develop something fresh, relevant, & valuable as a team member.
✻ Most Important Qualities For Nurses ✻
Communication
Interdisciplinary coordination
Developing understanding in patho, pharm, & skills
Patient safety
Self-led research
Thorough & efficient documentation
Other work experience
➖ Only what is most recent & relevant. I mean no older than 5-10 years old.
▻Job title
▻ Company name & location
▻ Dates worked
➖MMM/YYYY - MMM/YYYY
▻ Duties
➖ 3-4 bullet points & applicable skills
✻Transferrable Skills ✻
Conflict resolution
High pressure/responsibility positions
Management of both staff & services
Exceptional interpersonal requirements
Education history
➖Most recent first
▻ School
▻ Program
▻ Dates
➖ MMM/YYYY - [expected] Graduation date
✻'Present' doesn't give the hiring manager much to go off of.
✻Add a bullet point if:
➤Graduated with distinction, honours, or if you have a GPA above 3.5
➤Incomplete post-secondary: how many credits you have toward the degree/diploma
Volunteer
➖ Can be community leadership, tutoring, or peer support services.
▻ Role
▻ Facility/program/service
➖ A concise description of the service (peer support, housing centre, tutoring, hospital support etc.)
▻ Dates
➖MMM/YYYY - MMM/YYYY
▻ Duties
➖3-4 duties & applicable skills
✻These are things that are different from what your duties/skills were in clinical settings.
Awards & Nominations
▻ Scholarship name & term
➖Fall, Winter, Spring, Summer
▻ Nominated and/or Awarded
▻ Dates
➖Awarded: MMM/YYYY
➖Closing date: MMM/YYYY
▻ Award Criteria
➖Quick 1 line description
✻ Ex: Leadership & academic achievement
Proficiencies
➖Bullet points for what you feel are your greatest strengths
Certifications
▻ Name & any specification
▻ Expiry date
➖MMM/YYYY
✻ Does not include ✻
blood glucose monitoring
▻ you already need to have this in school & it is not really something that's verified during the hiring process.
✻ Does include ✻
N95, CPR, any & all continuing education/advanced education modules
Optional - Personal Overview
➖A very short paragraph about yourself & what your values are
✻ Your cover letter goes into more detail about yourself, so you don't want to be redundant
✻ Sometimes, a cover letter isn't submitted or looked at
✻ Just a brief insight into who you are