The first thing a hiring manager or recruiter ever sees about you is your resume. You need to make it stand out, keep it professional, and make sure it highlights all of your correct experience. Keep reading to see our favorite resume tips, from formatting to content, you’ll have the perfect resume at the end of this blog!
When you are applying to different jobs, you should be creating different resumes for each position. When you are applying, go through the job responsibilities and details. If you have had any experience with any of the duties required, make sure they are on your resume! If you’re applying to a customer service position, you better explain all of your past customer service experience with each applicable position.
This one may seem self-explanatory, but you’d be amazed at the number of resumes that recruiters receive with overexaggerated or false information on them. If you haven’t done something, don’t put it on your resume! If you’ve done something similar and want to note that, you can, but do not say you have experience with a particular task or software if you do not.
In today’s technology-fueled world, a lot of resumes are first seen by automated Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS) that check for keywords before any human person will even get to look at the resume. If you’ve been applying and applying and applying and you know you have the experience, you might not have the right keywords in your resume! Check out this article for more helpful tips on how to get past the ATS and straight to the recruiter.
Again, today’s world is fueled by technology, which means your average computer skills don’t help you stand out. Unless the position specifically asks you to list your computer skills, or you have skills that the Average Jane and Joe wouldn’t have, you don’t need to try and squeeze them into your resume. They take up space that other, more important skills can be using!
I cannot stress this one enough! Proofread it yourself, have a coworker or friend proofread it, have a family member proofread it, and then proofread it again, and maybe even just one more time for good measure. When you’re proofreading, don’t just skim, read it out loud. When you’re reading things out loud you will catch minor details that may not have come up if you were to simply skim. Things to look out for when proofreading: spelling mistakes, improper use of words (there vs their vs they’re etc.) improper use of punctuation, continuity of narrative (if you use ‘I’, use it the entire time, don’t switch to third person, and vice versa). I highly recommend downloading Grammarly, you download it as an extension to your internet browser and can use it in Microsoft Word and Outlook too! The free version checks grammar and spelling (it will even tell you if you’ve used the wrong version of a word like your or you’re!) and the paid for version has a plagiarism check and many more advanced features.
While you don’t want your resume to be boring and mundane, you also don’t want it to be too over the top. Choose a modern and easy to read font, and don’t go too overboard with italics and bold, use them for what is important, not every single word. Once your resume is perfect, print it out to make sure it looks just as good on paper as it does on the computer. Most resumes are first looked at on computer screens, but when it comes time to interview, paper resumes are best to hand to your interviewer, so make sure both versions are easy to read and look good!
You don’t need to put every single detail in your resume, especially if it isn’t relevant to the job you’re searching for. You don’t need to put in every detail of every entry-level and summer job you’ve had for your entire life. Don’t leave them out, because showing that you were employed during those times is important, but you don’t need to give a long description of the position unless it has relevance to the job you are searching for, keep it short.
Make sure you are writing out the full meaning of any acronyms on your resume, and then put the acronym! For example, if you’ve worked with KOLs, write out “Key Opinion Leaders (KOLs).” This will not only help recruiters understand what you are talking about, but will help Applicant Tracking Systems pick out the keywords and move your resume forward.
Again, this may seem like a simple task, but make sure you are including all of your UPDATED contact information on your resume. Include your address, phone number(s), and email address(es). You would not believe the number of resumes I receive that do not have working phone numbers or phone numbers at all! As well as making sure everything is current, make sure you can receive communications from each of these methods. Make sure your voicemailbox is set up and empty so that hiring managers can leave messages if you are unable to answer the phone right away.
When writing your resume, focus on your accomplishments instead of your responsibilities. If you’re a Receptionist applying for another receptionist job, you’re most likely not going to have been given any different daily responsibilities than what any new position you would get. You should still write out your responsibilities but add in your accomplishments. Did you help introduce a new computer system? Did you create any new responsibilities for the role? Did you receive any awards or praise for certain attributes of your responsibilities? These facts will help you stand out to hiring managers.
Technology has innovated every sector on the market, and its contributions toward the Healthcare sector can’t be underestimated. We’ve listed..
The most important part of a company's hiring process is the face to face interview. Once the company has shortlisted..
As nurses we go to work and do our best to take care of our patients, provide treatment and care..
This tip may come to a shock to some job seekers, but others who have made this mistake will understand...
If you're in the middle of a job search, it can feel like you're applying to a million jobs and..
When it comes to social media, it can be hard to see and know where the line between professional and..
There are about a million - not a hyperbole at all - articles on the internet about how to prepare..
As registered nurses we have a duty and responsibility to provide the best possible safe care to our patients and..
Applying to jobs can be a tedious activity. Sometimes the application process can involve just uploading your resume, but sometimes..
Julius Caesar once said “No one is so brave that he is not disturbed by something unexpected.” I think that’s..
If you haven't realized yet, a lot of the tips that I post about I get from when I'm endlessly..
It's the week of Super Bowl LIII and the week of Tom Brady's ninth career Super Bowl appearance. Whether you're..
You're taught at a young age that no question is a stupid question. But as you get older, sometimes you..
I was running through resumes today that candidates had emailed us and I couldn't help but ask myself why people..
Working with a recruiter and working with a contract role can seem like the opposite of what you want to..
If you’re coming into the job search unexpectedly, or after a few years, you probably haven't even thought about your..
I follow a recruiter named Adam Karpiak on LinkedIn and Twitter, and he is constantly posting the real truths about..
'Tis the Season to be jolly, and also find a new job! Being unemployed or in a job that doesn't..
If you haven’t read our first post in our Job Search Preparation series you can read that . We talked..
It may seem like a small thing, and to some recruiters and hiring managers it won’t matter too much, but..
Dear Jason, It has been just over 3 months since I lost my job due to a pharmacy closing. They..
Something that a lot of people, recruiters especially, forget is that everyone is not taught the same resume format. Recruiters..
If you're working with our staffing agency or another, building a relationship with your recruiter is going to be a..
One of the best things happening in the pharmacy industry is that more and more states are providing Pharmacy Technician..
Whether you’re unemployed, graduating, or just looking for a new job, starting a job search can be daunting, some may..
I believe it was Leo Tolstoy who said “Everyone thinks of changing the world, but no one thinks of changing..
You've heard it once and you're never going to stop hearing it; check your spelling and grammar on your resume...
Next to being unemployed, being stuck in a job you don’t love is one of the worst professional experiences for..
Emails are the text message of the business world. They can be quicker than phone calls, they aren't disrupted by..
One of the hardest parts about searching for a new job can be deciphering what companies really want from their..
You got the job! Congratulations! You are excited. You are relieved. You are nervous. Maybe you have gotten promoted to..
I was scrolling through LinkedIn this morning and came across a video posted by Business Insider on . The video..
Send your resume as a PDF or Microsoft Word Document With almost any job application you can guarantee that some..
Your boss is bad. Maybe she only calls you to tell you that you are behind on your flu shots...
Email Etiquette: match the tone of who you received the original email from Sending an email seems like such a..
Always Say Thank you, and then some! I read a yesterday, outlining why you should always go the extra mile..
Keep your resume up to date, even if you aren't looking for a new position. If you're not looking for..
Change is scary. In fact, one of the reasons people stay in a job they don’t like is the fear..
If there is one piece of advice that any billionaire will give you it'll probably be something along the lines..
Check To make sure your references are up to date Whenever you start a new job hunt, contact each of..
Be mindful of how you end a phone call, cold callers are people too! I know that a cold call..
Your resume should be in chronological order with your most recent position at the top When a recruiter opens your..
Leave your full name and contact information when leaving a voicemail In today's caller-id world this is probably overthought by..
We've all been there before, you spend hours and hours perfecting your resume, only to apply to a position and..
Include the months you started and ended a job, not just the years, on your resume To a lot of..
Ditch the email address from high school. I've never actually heard of anyone not getting a job because their email..
Make sure to include job descriptions and duties on all positions on your resume. You would think this goes without..
Make sure your voicemailbox is set up and empty. Something that is often overlooked during the job search is the..
When you work with a staffing agency, you will most likely have your own recruiter who acts as your manager...
A couple of weeks ago, I read an article about and it inspired me to do a little more digging..
You've prepared for the interview, you figured out what you need to bring and what should stay at home, now..
Staying organized is the name of the game if you’re trying to balance a career, a social life, and everything..
Now that you've fully prepared for your interview, and if you haven't check out our first blog post in the..
This week's Tip Thursday is all about the inteview! We're breaking it up into three parts so stay tuned next..
Someone once said that “innovation is taking two things that already exist and putting them together in a new way.”..
The best part of my day is lunch time, not because I don't love my job, but because I get..
Does your pharmacy career feel like a rather bland and boring meal at the moment? Maybe a mentor is the..
July is UV Safety Month! Do you know how to protect yourself from harmful UV rays during long summer days?..
You've probably been told over and over again that you need to live a happy life and in order to..
I believe that manners matter. And while common courtesy may not be so common anymore, it is still important to..
You have probably never visited Madawaska, Maine. It is a tiny, rural town at one of the most northern peaks..
This week Diana, our Recruiting Manager, and Adrianna, our Business Development Manager, will be heading to Denver, Colorado for the..
Are you looking to up your professional image on Social Media? We've compiled a list of LinkedIn tips that will..
Are you a PTCB certified Pharmacy Technician? Do you have sterile compounding experience? Do you want to show your employers..
While there are many strategies and tools available to help pharmacists and pharmacy technicians find great jobs, maybe none is..
Create a Good Professional Summary Tweak your resume to customize it for each job you apply for. If you’re applying..
Here are 5 Simple Changes to Improve Your Health! 1. Start Your Day With A Smoothie! We get it, caffeine..