When I decided to leave my job as a charge nurse in a SNF to pursue other non-clinical nursing opportunities, I used the same resume that got me the charge nurse job.
Sure, I got some call backs. But, my phone wasn't exactly ringing off the hook with interview requests. I didn't understand it at the time. I did everything I'd been taught related to updating my resume. When I noticed I wasn't getting call backs for the positions I really wanted, I decided to change my approach.
When making a career transition from bedside nurse non-traditional nursing, you'll have to update your arsenal of job hunting tools. That means your resume, cover letter, LinkedIn profile, business cards, etc. all need a makeover. Your nursing career objective should reflect the job you want, not the job you have. This is a common mistake nurses make when seeking to switch to a non-traditional nurse job.
Check out some common mistakes you'll want to avoid on your nurse resume:
Don't convey your value
When you build your nursing brand, you'll list all your transferable skills which you'll show how they're still relevant for your next position. You'll also want to list your work experience, education, training, volunteer experience too. Ultimately, you're selling yourself as the perfect candidate. Be sure to provide plenty of information to support that premise.
Don't do industry research
Read industry reports and follow market trends to gain a better understanding of what skills are needed in the new sector you're interested in. Bear in mind that you might have some knowledge gaps, but never let that deter you.
I'm the perfect example of a candidate that didn't meet every desired qualification 100% of the time. I got the job because I had many of the qualifications, I was a hard worker, I was enthusiastic and I demonstrated a willingness to learn. Never be intimidated by not have all the qualifications for a job you want.
Don't specify your job goals
Create your resume pitch or objective by detailing the reasons why your previous experience has given you the skills for your next role. demonstrate in 2 to 3 sentences why you're qualified for the new role.
Make your experience irrelevant
Remove any information that is irrelevant to the position you're interested in. Detailed information about your clinical background is typically unnecessary, unless you're applying for a position where those skills are needed.
Poorly highlight your skills
Be sure to list a skills section. This makes it easy to read compared to reading blocks of text or information embedded in sentences.
Use crappy formatting
Your resume format is key when you're making a nursing career change. Use a functional format to put your related skill set on full display while downplaying your work history towards the bottom. Education should be listed at the end instead of the top.
Forget about ATS-friendly keywords
Be sure to include relevant keywords. Add exact words and phrases from job descriptions to to ensure your resume gets past the ATS (Applicant Tracking System).
When it's all said and done, your resume needs to showcase your value. With everything you've accomplished in your nurse career, be sure to give your resume a makeover to emphasize your relevant soft skills and your handy transferable skills.
You're still the same brilliant nurse with the same skillset and experience. You just need to redefine how you'll use those qualifications. You've got a ton of transferable skills that are in high demand, so you'll want to leverage them to meet the needs of your potential employer.
