Last Updated Nov 2013
As a point of fact, hiring managers in healthcare only spend around 15 seconds perusing over a new resume of a therapist for the first time and they’re really only looking for a couple of things when they do. They’re on autopilot, for the most part.
They want to know:
- Who have you worked for?
- Have you had steady employment?
- What notable achievements and recognitions have you had throughout your therapy career?
- What do you have to offer which will meet with their specific needs?
Well, an effective resume will answer those questions with a minimal amount of effort. As with any effective marketing tool, it will also leave the reader wanting to know more. You give them just enough information to prompt them into action. That’s when they pick up the phone to call you for an interview for the therapy job you have applied for. That's when you really sell yourself!
Of course, there are other things hiring authorities are considering when they look at a therapist resume, but these four are fairly universal and comprehensive questions.
For instance, a manager may also be worried about the amount of training that will be necessary or what your level of therapy education is. Or what kind of computer skills you possess. But these questions are ancillary to their initial mission, which is literally to decide your fate in a matter of milliseconds. So you as a job-seeker need to be prepared for that and there are certain steps you can take to ensure your resume gets the consideration it deserves.
For starters, you need to focus on your most impressive and transferable skill sets, specifically as they pertain to the healthcare position you are applying for. Try to highlight impressive achievements and accomplishments while displaying your “growth” as a serious therapy professional and your value as an employee. In the end, you want to give the reader a reason to read the resume after they’re done skimming over it.
Also, remember that the goal of a resume is to get you an interview. Don’t feel you have to give them your life story formatted on one or two pages. Just give them a taste and leave some of those details for the interview.
If you keep these four questions in the front of your mind when you’re writing your resume, bearing in mind the other concerns a hiring manager may have as well, you will greatly increase your chances for success. Remember, make it as easy on them as possible. Give them the answers to these questions first and foremost and you can’t 
go wrong!
Important: Make sure you include strategic keywords within the context of your therapist resume! If applying for a specific position, take a careful look at the job description and try to tactically align the keywords in your resume with the needs of that employer. This will greatly improve your chances of being recognized in HR software applications.
For more information and advice on Nursing and Healthcare Resumes, visit Pro Healthcare Resumes.
About the Author: JR Hindman is a freelance resume writer and the proprietor of Pro Healthcare Resumes. He works almost exclusively with nurses, medical technicians, clinical administrators, and other healthcare professionals and helps them achieve their career goals by developing effective business documents to meet their individual needs.
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